Taito Station Namba — Local services in Osaka

Taito Station in Osaka is an absolute must-visit if you enjoy Japanese arcade culture. The building has several floors, each filled with different kinds of entertainment. From anime themed games and rhythm games to classic arcades, there’s something for everyone. The crane machines are especially popular, offering the chance to win high-quality figures and other fun prizes. The atmosphere is lively, colorful, and very welcoming, whether you’re just playing casually or spending hours trying out everything. It’s a great place to experience a unique side of Japanese...

This place is massive. It has a mixture of crane machines. Rhythm games. Anime games. Card games and many others. It's 6 floors, so there could be something of interest for each person's taste. I confess to spending ¥4,000 on a single rhythm game which I like a lot (Thearhythm: Final Fantasy) and spent hours on it for the week. The staff there are super nice. They don't speak English, so please use what little Japanese you know to help them out. There are also beverages via vending machines on every floor. You're gonna need it if you're spending hours...

Taito has already become just like other small shops, using shameful tactics to prevent players from winning prizes.

A relatively small plush toy is paired with a large claw, making it easy for the toy to lose balance. They’ve also removed all the edge barriers, making it even more likely for the toy to roll into the corners. This forces players to ask staff to reset the toy’s position, causing all progress to be lost.

I spent nearly 12,000 yen on a single plush toy, and it was reset about 7 or 8 times. This isn’t an arcade anymore—this is...