Japan Jumbo Lottery Guide 2026: Tax-Free Tourist Souvenir

Every time I travel to Japan, I make it a fun little tradition to buy a Jumbo Lottery ticket as a unique souvenir.

During my recent trip, my travel dates lined up perfectly with the Summer Jumbo Lottery sales period, so of course, I had to grab some. While I was at it, I also exchanged my winning Dream Jumbo Lottery ticket from my previous visit!

Did you know that foreign tourists can legally buy Japanese lotteries? Even better, lottery winnings in Japan are completely tax-free! It is a thrilling, low-cost activity to add to your itinerary.

In this guide, I will break down the release schedule, ticket types, where to buy them, and how to check if you won.

Jumbo Lottery Annual Schedule

Japan does not sell the same lottery ticket all year round. Instead, the theme and name of the Jumbo Lottery change depending on the season.

On my trip in May, I bought the Dream Jumbo, and for this summer journey to Tsushima, I purchased the seasonal Summer Jumbo Lottery.

The 3 Types of Summer Jumbo Tickets

The 2026 Summer Jumbo Lottery is on sale from June 30 to July 31, 2026.

This year, the lottery is split into three distinct versions: Summer Jumbo Mini, Summer Jumbo, and the brand-new Summer Jumbo Premium.

The Premium version is a new addition for 2026. While a single ticket costs 500 JPY (~$3.30), it boasts a massive top prize of 1.2 Billion JPY (~$8 Million).

Meanwhile, the regular Summer Jumbo and Summer Jumbo Mini cost the same but offer different prize structures.

The Mini version has a smaller grand prize but offers higher overall odds of winning. The standard Summer Jumbo has lower odds but gives you a shot at a life-changing payout.

Where to Buy Jumbo Lottery Tickets in Japan

You can buy Jumbo Lottery tickets at official lottery booths (Takarakuji), designated post offices, and small lottery kiosks near major train stations.

If you want to find a booth near your hotel or sightseeing spot, you can use the official locator on the Takarakuji website.

▼ Find a Japanese Lottery Booth ▼

Find Lottery Booths [Takarakuji Official Website]

During my trip to Tsushima, I purchased my Summer Jumbo tickets at the Hitakatsu Post Office.

I opted for a 10-ticket envelope called "Renban" (sequential numbers).

A "Renban" pack contains 10 consecutive tickets, meaning the last digits are guaranteed to run from 0 to 9. This ensures that you will win at least the lowest prize tier automatically!

When buying at the counter, simply tell the staff: "Renban kudasai" (Sequential pack, please).

I went to exchange my winning Dream Jumbo ticket from last May while in Izuhara.

I initially stopped by the Izuhara Post Office, but they weren't handling lottery sales or exchanges at the time. The friendly staff redirected me to Onishi Bookstore right behind the post office, where I successfully claimed my prize!

How to Check Winning Numbers

You can check the winning numbers directly on the official Mizuho Bank website.

The drawing date for the 2026 Summer Jumbo Lottery is Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The winning numbers will be published shortly after the draw.

Here is the official link to check your numbers:

▼ Mizuho Bank Official Website ▼

| Mizuho Bank Official Website

Since the official page is only in Japanese, it might be a bit tricky to navigate. I will check the results after the drawing date and update this post with translated screenshots of the winning numbers!

Buying a lottery ticket in Japan adds an extra layer of anticipation to your trip even after you return home.

And hey, if you win even a small amount, it gives you the perfect excuse to book another trip to Japan to cash it in, right? 😉

If you are looking for a unique, budget-friendly travel souvenir, I highly recommend picking up a Jumbo Lottery ticket on your next adventure!