Tokyo · Shinjuku (Kabukicho)
MARUHAN Shinjuku Toho Bldg.
Japan's biggest chain runs a visitor programme here: a free manga how-to guide and staff who can teach in English, Chinese or Korean. The easiest first stop in Tokyo.
Verified An official operator page (or an independent check we could verify) confirms foreign-language help at this venue.
🇬🇧 English support · strong evidence
MARUHAN's official visitor page says staff can teach you how to play in English, Chinese and Korean and offers a free manga guide; trade press (Jan 2026) reports English support for about 70–80% of opening hours and all in-store signs in Japanese, English and Chinese.
Evidence: Official English page (chain) – maruhan.co.jp · Official press release (inbound programme) – maruhan.co.jp · Trade press: English-speaking staff and signage – news.p-world.co.jp · Reputable travel media – japantravel.navitime.com · Travel media (older) – en.japantravel.com · Inbound programme (company level) – info.global-pachinko.com · Last verified 4 October 2026
- Address
- Shinjuku Toho Building 2F, 1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Opening hours
- 10:00–22:30 on MARUHAN's visitor page. Japanese Slot Guide notes the store outline says 22:40, so confirm the closing time.
Source: MARUHAN 'Let's Play Pachinko' page (checked 4 Oct 2026); Japanese Slot Guide Tokyo page - Languages
- English / Chinese / Korean
- Guide material
- Yes (documented)
- Staff help
- Yes (documented)
- Translation device
- Not confirmed
- Plays
- Pachinko / Pachislot
- Machines
- 1,160 (operator figure)
- Official site
- www.maruhan.co.jp ↗
- Last verified
- 4 October 2026
- How we checked
- Desk check: official MARUHAN visitor page read on 4 Oct 2026, cross-checked with Japanese Slot Guide's 2 Oct 2026 record. Not yet visited in person by PachiPass.
What’s documented
MARUHAN’s official visitor page names this hall as one of four tourist-ready MARUHAN venues (one in Tokyo, three in Osaka). It offers a free manga guide, “How to Enjoy Pachinko” in English, Chinese and Korean, and says staff can teach pachinko and pachislot in English, Chinese and Korean. The page lists 1,160 machines: 4-yen and 1-yen pachinko, and 20-yen and 5-yen pachislot. MARUHAN also says it may ask for ID such as a passport if you look under 18.
Worth knowing
- A 1-yen pachinko section is listed, which is the gentlest way to start (see what it costs).
- An older Japan Travel article says staff there also spoke Turkish and Spanish, and mentions free lockers and Wi-Fi. That article predates Japan’s 2020 indoor-smoking rules, so treat its details as historical until re-checked.
- Without a member card, balls you don’t exchange the same day may be lost (Japan Travel, describing this hall).
Before you go
Bring yen banknotes and your passport, and decide your budget first. Not sure what to do once you’re inside? Read your first visit, step by step.
Sources
- MARUHAN – Let's Play Pachinko (official visitor page, EN/CN/KR support, 1,160 machines)
- Japanese Slot Guide – Tokyo halls (language support checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Japan Travel – MARUHAN Pachinko in Shinjuku (older article; some details out of date)
Facts on this page were last checked against these sources on 4 October 2026. Rules, prices and venues change, so always follow the signs and staff at the venue.