The Claw

[tikistitch]

In case there was any doubt that Japan is indeed the Land o' Stitch, let us share photos of some of the UFO catcher machines we have encountered so far.





UFO catcher machines are similar to claw machines in the US. They're everywhere in Japan. You often see Stitches mixed in with other characters.



But there are also entire Disney-themed machines at bigger arcades.



Prizes range from teeny-beanie keychain sized to pretty frickin' huge. Here's a couple of grand prize babies we spotted in Kyoto.



And a humongous grey Stitch we saw in Nara, on our way to visit the Killer Dear.



Tries range from $1 to $2 a pop (sometimes you'll get 6 tries for $5 too). But they're really difficult. As you can see here, prizes are not arranged randomly, as we had though. Prizes near the back and sides of the machine, where the claw won't go, are standing up, but prizes near the chute are laying down, where it's tremendously difficult to get leverage with the wimpy claw arms. At one arcade, a nice Mickey Mouse-eared clerk helped us by arranging a Santa Stitch closer to the chute.



Mr. Tikistitch said, "There, get a picture of him rigging it!!!"



Mr. Tiki has gotten really good at the claw arts. Here's pictures of him in action.



Eeeeeee!!!



That's our friend Yoda-san looking very surprised. He didn't expect Mr. Tiki to get a prize on first try!

Comments

[onesoul.livejournal.com]

yay!!!!!!! ufo catcher machines and winning and japan!!!!!!

yay for pictures !!!!!

yata ^_^

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

they tend to not mind putting the toy you want closer to the chute
there is a small trick to doing this
but since Mr Tiki seems to be good at it himself, i guess u dont needme to tell you heehee

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

they tend to not mind putting the toy you want closer to the chute
there is a small trick to doing this

Oh, I didn't know that!! One girl did it for us. Do you just ask them nicely?

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

they have ppl walking around who do it regularly back in asia.

else looking frustrated and helpless.

[mmymoon.livejournal.com]

What's the trick? Are they different in different countries? eeeeeeeeeeee

I love claw machines!

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

they are usually a lot more full back in asia and not packed tightly
the trick is to aim for the one CLOSE to the chute and tip it over.

[mmymoon.livejournal.com]

YEAH! I love claw/ufo catcher machines! I once emptied out an entire machine in an arcade once. It was fun. Of course, American toys tend to be Generic Stuffed Animal and not, sniffle, beautiful licensed playthings...

YEAH GO MR. TIKISTITCH!

[kujachan.livejournal.com]

You should have your own UFO catcher machine full of Stitches and... practice! PRACTICE! And then, on your NEXT trip to Japan (YES-- I'm insinuating you WILL go again!), you can be a UFO catcher goddess. But... seeing as those machines would fetch too much money to bother with, you always have Mr. Tikistitch to claw his way to the booty. Look at the ickle Stitch! XD

[celesse.livejournal.com]

I totally squealed at that first picture XD <3 <3

I'm pretty good at claw machines, (I stopped putting money in 'em long ago since we only get crap toys in them over here in the US), but I have to admit those look like they'd be pretty difficult.

And I think it's totally uncool that they put those HUGE toys inside the machines that don't have a prayer of even being shoved through the chute D: I'm sure it's just for show, but it's a huge tease, haha.

[pumabaerchen.livejournal.com]

Oh wow those are so cool!! I love the first pic ^--^

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

Go Gus go!