In the second of their series 1 special episodes, George and Joseph dive into the world of Pachinko, that incredibly popular form of legal ‘gambling’ seen on every street corner in Japan.

Listen to Japan Podshow Special: Pachinko

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What exactly goes on behind the sliding doors of noise? Is it really true that you can make a fortune in a day if you know the secrets of the Pachipros? How quickly can you lose 2000 yen? What are pachinko parlours doing to attract a younger generation? …and how do George and Joseph do on their first ever trip to a pachinko parlour?

Join them for an orgy of metallic noise, before they go on to sooth their ears by interviewing Ben, a pachinko expert who frequently contributes to http://www.pachitalk.com.

Full-length interview also available

In this version of the podcast you just hear about the basics of pachinko. For an in-depth exploration of this world of hazy rooms and hair-care products, check out the full-length interview in our Bonus Features section. In the full interview, Ben also talks about the history of pachinko, the types of machines in modern parlours, he gives further details about the odds of winning and techniques employed by the pros, and explains why we see people lined up outside pachinko parlours in the mornings.

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