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Osaka pachinko parlor used as vaccination site

32 Comments

A pachinko parlor in Osaka was used as a site for coronavirus vaccinations on Monday and Tuesday.

The operator of Freedom Tenroku pachinko parlor, located in Osaka’s Kita Ward, offered last month to allow the site to be used for vaccinations for two days in September and October, Sankei Shimbun reported. About 1,500 people, who made reservations, received their first shot of the Moderna vaccine on Monday and Tuesday, and will get their second shot in October.

Employees, nearby residents and people working at businesses nearby were vaccinated by personnel from nearby Kano General Hospital. They sat in front of pachinko machines as medical personnel walked up and down the aisles vaccinating them.

Only people aged 18 and older are being vaccinated.

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32 Comments
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If there were ever a good reason to go into a Pachinko Parlor, this is it!

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Within a week, Japan's per capita vaccination rates will surpass those of the United States.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Everything that can be done to accelerate vaccinations is a positive thing.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

Thats actually not a bad idea. You could actually get hundreds of people vaccinated quickly. Maybe more parlours should follow this establishment.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Brings a whole new meaning to the word "Fever!"

(If you haven't played pachinko, you wouldn't get it...)

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A guaranteed win for all.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

If you have already had your injection, why do you feel so threatened by someone who chooses not to take theirs?

Ignorance?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

@albaleo

Do the good pachinko players of Tenroku know what they're being injected with, and do they care?

You're among the timid here, albaleo, and of course they have no idea of what sitting in front of one of those machines is like. The hypnotic noise, the concentration on the nanometer changes of the release that make the difference between a lost Go hyaku en coin and the lights and alarms and balls dropping of a WIN! It really IS Japan's 'national sport' and much better than chronic alcoholism or a heroin jones for those for whom timidity is a worse disease. But, if you're a gaijin, don't be TOO successful or find a 'good pin distribution' because you will be asked to move or even asked to leave as I have been on occasion. And, yes, you are probably correct in suggesting that anyone seriously playing Pachinko would notice anything as slight as someone sticking a sharp pin into them...when you're in the 'place', all of Reality is right there in front of you. If one has not spent at least a little time in a Pachinko parlour, one has really not been in 'Japan'.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The noise is part of the draw, and if you actually stop to notice, many people, including myself, use ear-plugs to block it out!

That incredible din of hundreds of thousands of stainless steel balls like the blood circulation of an immense metal monster is an essential part of the ZEN of Pachinko, encased in it as one becomes. It also has the added benefit of crippling one's hearing which lowers the volume of one's significant other's nagging to quit playing Pachinko...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Do the good pachinko players of Tenroku know what they're being injected with, and do they care? 

A haiku to celebrate....

Mo-de-ru-na-ka / A-n-fe-ta-mi-n-ka / Te-n-ro-ku-na

(Sorry! I have some fond memories of Tenroku.)

0 ( +6 / -6 )

zichi, hear hear!

Not sure they are ergonomically the best spaces to run a vaccination clinic in but if it helps get people vaccinated why not?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

And from the picture, no one is playing! Only every other machine is in use!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I'd rather buy a lottery ticket in US and UK than be glued on the colorful screen.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

albaleo

Do the good pachinko players of Tenroku know what they're being injected with, and do they care? 

They know they are being injected with the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, as they had to make an appointment in order to be injected with it.

And, obviously they care, as they have chosen to be vaccinated, as opposed to being selfish and uncaring by not being vaccinated.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

I'll tell you what @Yubaru, I've been unfortunate enough to go inside a pachinko place. It was dreadful.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I proposed 7-11 or Lawson many months ago, Whatever works

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Same. After a number of trips to Japan without visiting one, I popped in once to see what they were like. The cigarette stench and diabolical noise drove me out within about 30 seconds.

Which means you havent been in one over the past 3 years or so, as they are all now smoke free! Have to go outside to take a puff!

The noise is part of the draw, and if you actually stop to notice, many people, including myself, use ear-plugs to block it out!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Was that the only way they'd get anti-vaxxers sat still enough, totally zombified and only aware of the plinky-plonky of the steel balls?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Pachinko Parlors have destroyed a complete generation in Japan , many are finally waking up to it's impact and not joining that generation.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Wow! The totality of teachers will be twittering with that tumultuous tongue-twister tomorrow:

- “Plenty of people picked on Pachinko Parlors principally in the Pandemic”

Pleased to see they are doing this!”*

Yes, let’s get everyone taken care of ASAP. Soaplands, Eikaiwas, Cat & Maid-cafe’s could also contribute their venues.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Hey why not get your tattoo done in such places too ?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

One thing I have noticed at pachinko parlors here in Okinawa, all the cars are mini-cars and most are pretty old, not nice sports cars or Crowns, but I guess the shots are a good thing in their life.

You obviously haven't been to the decent places, all sorts of Crowns, Lexuses, along with brand new Kei's, as well.

Some places are junk, but if you have been around long enough, you'll know where to go or not!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I'll tell you what @Yubaru, I've been unfortunate enough to go inside a pachinko place. It was dreadful.

Same. After a number of trips to Japan without visiting one, I popped in once to see what they were like. The cigarette stench and diabolical noise drove me out within about 30 seconds.

All sorts of venues are being used here in the UK. I got my 2nd dose in the office building of the local water company.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

I wish I had the free time and luxury to be chilling and gambling at a pachinko rather than sitting in a cubicle for 11 hours a days.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Gross. No, thanks.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

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