Jul 5, 2026

What's the most unusual item you've ever seen in a crane game?

I saw these rubber cicadas in a crane game (UFO catcher) today. I've seen some unusual and / or surprising items over the years and rubber cicadas is up there in the top 10! How about you - what is the most unusual prize you've seen on offer in a crane game?

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BigfamJapan

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

6 Answers

Best Answer

TonetoEdo

on Jul 5

The weirdest and most fraught I've seen is lobsters! This was a real thing back in the early 2000s. I saw one in Ehime Prefecture back in the day.

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BigfamJapan

on Jul 5

By the by - I actually thought they were suzumebachi at first glance!

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BigfamJapan

on Jul 5

@TonetoEdo oh wow, I don't think I - or anybody - can top that :-O

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genkidesu

on Jul 6

@BigfamJapan I was going to say fancy pocket watches because it seemed so random in a crane game, but I think you're right, gonna be hard to top the lobsters!!

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BigfamJapan

on Jul 6

@genkidesu pocket watches is definitely on the random side too!

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TonetoEdo

on Jul 6

@BigfamJapan They were a thing, not so common, in the early 2000s, iseebi in artificial seawater. Opposition from animal welfare organizations pressured game centres to stop the practice. Back in the day, some of my colleagues had a go. I was worried about food safety as much as the welfare of the creatures. If I understand correctly, the company scrapped the games.

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7 Answers

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3 Answers

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5 Answers

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6 Answers

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4 Answers

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5 Answers

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BigfamJapan

on Feb 20

What's the most unusual item you've ever seen in a crane game?

6 Answers

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