Here in beautiful Saitama

Joining me for this report is Bob Werley

Comedian for Pirates of Tokyo Bay

and Director/Producer for MY LIFE JAPAN, Alan Welch

So why are we here?

Well, we're here to play some crane game.

Yeah and

we're also going to be

Ins and outs, and nuts and bolts of crane game.

We're going to give tips and pointers on how to play better, and how to win more.

and finally we're gonna get a certificate

saying that we're the crane game master

A diploma! This is a crane game school!

and it's also known for something else, Alan?

The Guinness Book of World Records

That's right, this place is in the Guinness book of World Records for...

Having the most crane games in the world!

Got to be awesome. We should check it out.

In Japan, game centers like this are still live and well.

This may be retro to the game console generation,

but really, look at this place!

You can actually win this stuff.

if you have the skill.

Games in all shapes and sizes.

Glass boxes filled with stuff.

Toys and other goodies.

It's all waiting to be owned, by you.

The crane game is also called, UFO CATCHER

or the CLAW GAME

This crane has a mechanism called the PINCHER

Two ends that pinch what you are after.

It seems easy. Just grab that hook.

Sometimes it takes a few tries.

Yes, there really is a strategy to these crane games.

and we've come here to master it

if that is even possible.

But first, a message from the manager.

The technique for winning this machine is obvious.

Get the pile of stuff to fall.

Like Niagara falls.

The instructor shows us how it's done.

The pincher attacks the whole pile.

It closes and pulls the item up

Starting an avalanche.

Watch again.

You know what to do.

Often you have to do this 2 or 3 times

to set up the big fall.

Remember, don't alway look for that easy win.

even though the instructor makes it look like a piece of cake.

The triangle method.

The triangle method works well with long objects.

You want to pick it up in the front third, not the middle.

This locks the item in place,

between the pincher, and pincher upper base.

It may take a couple of tries to get the object into position.

The key is to get it perpendicular　.

Lying it up perfectly so it won't slip out.

Well, you can see what the instructor is doing.

It's just that simple.

The overturned table, named after the angry man at home

or in your company meetings

who topples off the table over in anger or frustration.

That's right.

All your frustration over the years may help you win

big in the crane game.

In a way, the idea is similar to the triangle method.

You need to get the item in position.

to flip it!

Grab it from the rear.

and it will be easier to steer.

The instructor overturns the bear in one try.

Now it's our turn.

We've been released for trial and error

with 30 tickets.

It's part of the course.

Bob's been thrown into the crane game world.

This time armed with more crane game knowledge than usual.

He accepts the challenge.

and will use this method. The hole hook.

Here is an example of a hole hook win from the instructor.

The pincher claws enters one of the holes.

The box leans in, and the prize is yours.

just don't topple the box over.

It's worth a 2nd attempt,

with one more box standing.

He really wants that "ONEPIECE" action figure.

Close, but oh...so far.

Sorry Bob

Here is Allan going for it.

He's found a popular Hello Kitty stuffed bear machine.

One may say he's pretty sure of himself.

It might be from all that studying today.

See, these item have a string loop,

requiring the pincher to thread the needle

It requires a surgeon like precision.

Attempt 5

Boom! Success

Sort of...

Sometimes it's not your day.

I found a treasure heap requiring the Niagra Fall method.

1st attempt

Instant ego boost.

Did you see that?

I can get them with one more...

Careful...

Careful..

Avalanche!

The prize is mine.

After an hour

of few successes

and many failures

We

Graduated

Level 1 of 3

Allan

Bob

and myself.

We're grads!

That's great! We're kind of like the experts of the crane game now!

We're masters

Hold on, where's Bob?

There he is!

Hey guys! I did it!

I went back. I didn't give up.

I got it! I got the hook!

I totally earned the certificate.

We all have.

Yes we have. This is awesome

That's right! If you come to Japan

You got a try

The crane game!

It's awesome

So cool

Let's get some more stuff!

Honestly, there is a strategy to this.

Some say it's part of the Japan's culture

to find the littlest flaws in something

and try to perfect them.

It requires constant practice to perfect any skill

Attention to details

Crane games are no exception

Practice makes perfect

and on this day, we are level 1 masters

That means something in this building

full of UFO catcher games

Maybe even outside of it

Game centers may be able to take our money

but they will never be able to take our insider knowledge

our winnings

and our freedom