Lottery Day (Takarakuji no Hi)

What Is Lottery Day?

Every September 2nd is "Lottery Day" (Takarakuji no Hi). It was established in 1967 by the lottery division of Daiichi Kangyo Bank (now Mizuho Bank), based on a wordplay reading: 9 ("ku") and 2 ("ji") together sound like "kuji," the Japanese word for "lottery." Because many winning tickets were never claimed and expired, the day was created to remind people to check the tickets they have on hand. From 1973, a commemorative "Lottery Day Bonus Drawing" was held every year for losing tickets drawn during the previous year, but it ended with the final drawing on September 2, 2026.

Preventing Unclaimed Prizes

On Lottery Day, people are encouraged to check their tickets so that good fortune doesn't slip away unnoticed.

• A one-year deadline: Lottery prizes must be claimed within one year of the payout start date. Because some winnings expire unclaimed every year, this day serves as a reminder to check.
• Where the proceeds go: After prizes and expenses, lottery proceeds go to the prefectures and designated cities that issue the lotteries, and are used for public projects.

A "Second Chance" for Losing Tickets (Ended in 2026)

The Lottery Day Bonus Drawing was a kind of second-chance round for tickets that didn't win. It continued for more than 50 years from 1973, and the 2026 drawing was the last.

• Eligible tickets: Losing tickets from lotteries drawn between September 1st of the previous year and August 31st of the current year. Number-selection games such as Loto and Numbers were not eligible.
• Winning number: Decided by the last four digits of eligible tickets. Winners could choose one prize from a short list of items such as brand-name rice and Imabari towels. In the final drawing on September 2, 2026, the winning number was "5349."

Fun Facts About the Lottery

• Its official name: "Takarakuji" is a popular name; the legal term is "tōsenkin-tsuki shōhyō" (prize-bearing certificates).
• Edo-period "tomikuji": In the Edo period, lotteries called "tomikuji" were permitted by the shogunate to raise funds, for example for repairing temples and shrines.
• The first takarakuji: The "Government Lottery No. 1," sold in October 1945 just after the war, cost 10 yen per ticket with a first prize of 100,000 yen. Because "宝籤" was printed in kanji, it was nicknamed the "kanji lottery," and it was reportedly so popular that counterfeits appeared.
• The start of Jumbo lotteries: The now-familiar "Jumbo Takarakuji" began in 1979.
• First-prize odds: Many Jumbo lotteries have one first prize per "unit" of 20 million tickets — odds of about 1 in 20 million.

Tips for Enjoying Lottery Day

• Look through your wallet and drawers for forgotten tickets and check the winning numbers.
• Write down the drawing date and the claim deadline (one year from the payout start date) of any tickets you buy.
• Find out what kinds of local projects lottery proceeds fund in your area.
• If you buy tickets, spend only what you can comfortably afford and enjoy it as a small dream.

A Forgotten Ticket Might Be Hiding a Little Luck

September 2nd is a day to double-check the lottery tickets you already have. Winning and forgetting to claim the prize would be a real shame. Take a quick look in your wallet or desk drawer today — there may be a ticket waiting to be checked.