Ichiban Kuji Online Strategy｜Best Times to Win, How to Choose Boxes, and Tips for Winning the Last One Prize

Ichiban Kuji is a very popular character lottery in Japan, but many people may not have the time to go to stores or may not have a store nearby. For those people, "Ichiban Kuji ONLINE" is highly recommended. With online access, you can purchase at any time, 24 hours a day, and check stock availability. However, the reality is that simply accessing it does not make it easy to aim for the top prizes.

In this article, we will thoroughly explain strategies for efficiently aiming for top prizes (A prize, B prize, Last One prize) in Ichiban Kuji Online. We will share practical techniques such as the best times to buy, how to choose lottery boxes, and tips for definitely winning the Last One prize.

What is Ichiban Kuji Online? Basic Mechanism

Ichiban Kuji ONLINE is an online lottery service operated by BANDAI Namco. You can purchase Ichiban Kuji at any time, 24 hours a day, from your smartphone or computer, and have the prizes delivered to your home.

In traditional store purchases, you had to line up at the store at the start of sales, but with online, that is not necessary. Additionally, the remaining number of each lottery box is displayed in real-time, allowing you to choose and purchase boxes that are likely to still have top prizes available.

In Ichiban Kuji ONLINE, the price per entry is the same as in stores, but there is an additional shipping fee (from 660 yen). However, the advantage of being able to purchase strategically while checking stock status is significant, especially for those aiming for top prizes.

Differences from Store Purchases

The biggest difference between store purchases and online purchases is the "visibility of stock." In stores, you cannot check the remaining number of entries or the status of top prizes, but online, the remaining number of each lottery box is displayed.

Also, stores often have long lines at the start of sales, requiring you to line up before opening. On the other hand, online, you just need to access it right at midnight, making it more time-efficient. However, popular items can sell out within minutes online, so quick actions are required.

In terms of delivery, with store purchases, you can receive your prizes on the spot, but online, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks for home delivery. If you need your prizes urgently, store purchases are advantageous.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Purchases

Advantages:
- Available for purchase 24 hours a day (only the start time is specified)
- Real-time checking of stock status (remaining number of entries)
- Delivered to your home, eliminating the hassle of carrying them back
- Ability to compare multiple lottery boxes and choose strategically
- Access to popular products in urban areas even if you live in rural areas

Disadvantages:
- Additional shipping fees apply (660 yen per entry and up, consolidated shipping available)
- You need to wait about 1 to 2 weeks for delivery
- Popular items can sell out within minutes
- It may take time to get used to the operation

Online purchases are especially recommended for those who prioritize time efficiency and the convenience of checking stock, as well as for those who want to purchase multiple times to aim for the Last One prize.

Membership Registration and Basic Usage

To use Ichiban Kuji ONLINE, you first need to create a BANDAI Namco ID. Once you create an ID, you can immediately purchase lottery tickets. For first-time users, it is recommended to get accustomed to the operation with a sample lottery before proceeding to the actual purchase.

Membership registration is free and can be completed in a few minutes with just an email address. If you register payment information such as credit cards or PayPay in advance, you can make smooth purchases right after the sales start.

Creating a BANDAI Namco ID

A BANDAI Namco ID is a common account used to access services from the BANDAI Namco Group. It can be used not only for Ichiban Kuji ONLINE but also for Gundam Base, Namco Parks Online Store, and more.

The information required for registration is as follows:
- Email address (for login)
- Password
- Date of birth
- Shipping address (can be registered later)

Access the official site (https://p-bandai.jp/) and proceed with registration from the "New Member Registration" button. A confirmation email will be sent to your email address, so click the link to complete the registration. After registering, you can access the Ichiban Kuji ONLINE dedicated page (https://bpnavi.jp/kuji/) and log in with the same ID.

Practice with Sample Kuji

Ichiban Kuji ONLINE offers a "Sample Kuji" for beginners (it may not be available at certain times). Since the sample kuji can be drawn for free, you can experience the actual operation screen and the flow of drawing a kuji.

Points to check with the sample kuji:
- How to view the kuji box selection screen
- How the remaining number of tickets is displayed
- Location of the button to draw a kuji
- Result display screen

Especially right after the sales start, it is necessary to operate quickly, so practicing with the sample kuji in advance can reduce the chances of failure during the actual event.

Strategy for Favorable Time Slots

The most important factor in aiming for top prizes in Ichiban Kuji ONLINE is "when to access it." The competition rate and the remaining probability of top prizes change significantly depending on the time slot. Here, we will explain the favorable time slots based on data and empirical rules.

Generally, the sales start time for Ichiban Kuji ONLINE is often set to "0:00." At this moment, many users access the site, causing server congestion, but it is also the time when the probability of top prizes remaining is the highest.

On the other hand, after a few hours have passed since the sales start, popular kuji boxes are likely to have their top prizes drawn. Therefore, timing is the key to strategy.

Most Advantageous Right After Start (0:00 - 0:30)

The time right after the sales start from 0:00 to 0:30 is when the most top prizes remain. This timing, when new kuji boxes are added one after another, is the best chance to aim for A prizes and B prizes.

However, this time slot is also the most competitive, and popular titles (such as One Piece, Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, etc.) can sell out within minutes. By logging in with your BANDAI Namco ID in advance and registering your payment information, you can make a smooth purchase.

Recommended Preparations:
- Complete login by 5 minutes before 0:00
- Open the page of the kuji you want to purchase in advance
- Check Wi-Fi environment (more stable than mobile connection)
- Prepare multiple devices (such as smartphone and PC)

If you can make a purchase within the first 30 minutes after the start, there is a high possibility that you can draw from a state where more than 60 out of 80 tickets in one lot are still remaining, and the probability of top prizes remaining is also high.

Targeting Weekday Late Night (2:00 - 5:00)

If you miss the start, the next target time is during the late night on weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00. During this time, many people are asleep, so the competition rate decreases.

Additionally, in Ichiban Kuji ONLINE, additional kuji boxes may be added after the sales start. There are many cases where new kuji boxes are added during the late night, and checking the stock at this timing may allow you to discover fresh kuji boxes.

Advantages of Late Night Hours:
- Few competitors
- Can carefully compare lottery boxes
- Can target newly added lottery boxes
- Low server load, smooth operation

In particular, late nights on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) are the best hidden gems. Late nights on Fridays and Saturdays tend to see an increase in night owls due to the following day being a holiday, leading to higher competition rates.

Times to Avoid

Conversely, the times to avoid are as follows:

Daytime on Holidays (10 AM - 3 PM):
During the daytime on holidays when many people have free time, competition is one of the fiercest. Since several hours to more than a day have passed since the sales started, there is a high possibility that the top prizes have already been drawn.

Weekday Evenings to Nights (6 PM - 10 PM):
The time after work or school also sees concentrated access. In particular, from 8 PM to 10 PM is referred to as the "golden time," when many users are active online.

More than 24 Hours After Sales Start:
In the case of popular titles, it becomes difficult to find lottery boxes with top prizes remaining after more than 24 hours have passed since sales began. The remaining lottery boxes tend to have very few tickets left, and there is a high likelihood that the top prizes have already been drawn.

However, in the case of unpopular titles or re-releases, there may still be top prizes remaining even after more than 24 hours, so it is advisable to check the stock before making a decision.

How to Choose a Lottery Box | Stock Check and Strategy

The biggest advantage of Ichiban Kuji Online is the ability to check the remaining number of tickets for each lottery box. Utilizing this information to strategically select lottery boxes with a high likelihood of remaining top prizes is the core of the strategy.

What is important in choosing a lottery box is the balance between "remaining number of tickets" and "probability of remaining top prizes." Lottery boxes with too many remaining tickets have a high probability of having top prizes left, but the chances of winning are low. Conversely, lottery boxes with too few remaining tickets may have already had the top prizes drawn.

Here, we will explain in detail how to read the stock display, how to calculate probabilities, and the most efficient guidelines for remaining ticket counts.

How to Read the Stock Display

On Ichiban Kuji ONLINE, the remaining number of tickets for each lottery box is displayed in the format "Remaining: XX tickets." When multiple lottery boxes are displayed on the lottery list screen, you can compare the remaining number of tickets for each lottery box.

Display Example:
- Lottery Box A: Remaining 78 tickets
- Lottery Box B: Remaining 45 tickets
- Lottery Box C: Remaining 12 tickets

One lot (one lottery box) typically consists of 80 tickets. In the above example, Lottery Box A is almost unopened, Lottery Box B has about half drawn, and Lottery Box C is mostly drawn.

Additionally, clicking on a lottery box may display the remaining status of each prize (this may or may not be displayed). If you can check the remaining status of A prizes, B prizes, and Last One prizes, you can make even more strategic choices.

Calculating Probabilities from Remaining Tickets

Here is a simple method to calculate the probability of remaining top prizes. Ichiban Kuji is generally composed of 80 tickets per lot, and the number of each prize can be confirmed on the official website.

Example of General Prize Composition:
- A Prize: 2 tickets
- B Prize: 3 tickets
- C Prize: 5 tickets
- D Prize: 10 tickets
- E Prize: 15 tickets
- F Prize: 20 tickets
- G Prize: 24 tickets
- Last One Prize: 1 ticket (awarded to the person who draws the last ticket)

Method to estimate the probability of remaining top prizes (A Prize, B Prize) from the remaining number of tickets:

1. If there are 60 or more tickets left: There is a very high possibility that A and B prizes are still available (over 90%)
2. If there are 40 to 60 tickets left: There is a high possibility that either A or B prize is still available (about 70%)
3. If there are 20 to 40 tickets left: The possibility of higher prizes being available is moderate (40 to 60%)
4. If there are 20 or fewer tickets left: The possibility of higher prizes being available is low (below 20%)

However, this is merely a matter of probability, and luck plays a significant role.

Example of Calculation

Let’s look at a specific calculation example.

Example: The probability that at least 1 A prize (2 tickets) remains in a box with 40 tickets left

• 40 tickets have been drawn from the initial 80 tickets
• We want to find the probability that neither of the 2 A prizes has been drawn from the 40 tickets

Simple calculation formula:

Probability of at least 1 A prize remaining = 1 - (Probability of 0 A prizes remaining)
= 1 - (78/80 × 77/79 × ... × 39/41) ≈ about 65%


In reality, the calculations are complex, but as a rough estimate, the probability that at least 1 A prize remains when there are 40 tickets left is about 60 to 70%.

This shows that even when the remaining number of tickets is around half (about 40), the possibility of higher prizes still being available is surprisingly high.

Target Number of Remaining Tickets

Based on experience and data, the most efficient number of remaining tickets to aim for higher prizes is 20 to 40 tickets.

Why 20 to 40 tickets is the target:

1. High probability of higher prizes remaining: There is still a sufficient chance that higher prizes are available
2. Realistic purchase cost: If aiming for the Last One Prize, you can reach it by drawing 20 to 40 times
3. Less competition: Many people choose new ticket boxes (with over 70 tickets left), resulting in lower competition

In particular, ticket boxes with around 30 tickets left are often avoided as "halfway", but they actually represent the best cost-performance zone. The probability of higher prizes remaining is about 50 to 60%, and if they are still available, there is a high chance of winning them within 30 draws.

Example of Purchase Strategy:
- If you find a ticket box with 30 tickets left, first draw 5 times
- If you get a C prize or higher, you can conclude that there is a high possibility of higher prizes remaining
- Then draw another 10 times, aiming for A and B prizes
- If you are lucky, you can win a higher prize within 15 draws

On the other hand, ticket boxes with over 70 tickets left have a very high probability of higher prizes remaining, but the probability of winning them is low, so it is safer to avoid them if your budget is limited.

Tips for Aiming for the Last One Prize

The Last One Prize is a special prize awarded to the person who draws the last ticket from a ticket box. In many cases, items of value comparable to or exceeding A and B prizes are prepared. To reliably aim for the Last One Prize, calculation and timing are crucial.

The biggest advantage of aiming for the Last One Prize is "certainty". By looking at the remaining number of tickets and drawing only the necessary number of times, you can obtain the Last One Prize 100%. However, it is essential to carefully calculate the costs and risks involved.

What is the Last One Prize?

The Last One Prize is a bonus prize awarded to the person who draws the last ticket from a ticket box (1 lot). It is a special prize that is given in addition to the regular prizes (A prize to G prize).

Characteristics of the Last One Prize:
- There is only one per lot
- Usually limited edition colors or special versions of figures or goods
- Often has a value comparable to or exceeding the A prize
- Can be obtained by drawing the last remaining ticket

For example, if the last one prize of "One Piece Ichiban Kuji" is a limited color version like the "Luffy Figure (Gold ver.)", it is highly valuable for collectors.

How to Ensure You Draw the Last One Prize

Steps to ensure you obtain the last one prize:

Step 1: Find a lottery box with few remaining tickets
- Look for a lottery box with 10 tickets or fewer remaining
- Ideally, find one with 5 tickets or fewer

Step 2: Calculate the necessary number of purchases
- If there are 5 tickets left, purchasing 5 times will guarantee you the last one prize
- If each ticket costs 700 yen, then 5 times would be 3,500 yen + shipping 660 yen = total 4,160 yen

Step 3: Purchase quickly before someone else does
- Lottery boxes with few remaining tickets are likely targeted by others for the last one prize
- Start the purchase process immediately once you find one
- If you can purchase multiple times at once, do so in a batch

Notes:
- The moment the remaining tickets show "1", someone else may purchase it
- It is possible for it to sell out during the purchase process, so speed is crucial
- There is also a strategy to collaborate with multiple people to share the remaining tickets

Cost and Risk Calculation

Let's calculate the cost-effectiveness of aiming for the last one prize.

Calculation Example: Aiming for the Last One Prize with 8 Tickets Remaining

• Price per ticket: 700 yen
• Necessary number of purchases: 8 times
• Total ticket cost: 700 yen × 8 times = 5,600 yen
• Shipping cost: 660 yen (using combined shipping)
• Total cost: 6,260 yen

What You Can Obtain:
- Last one prize: 1 item (guaranteed)
- Regular prizes: 8 items (random)

In this case, you can secure the last one prize for 6,260 yen. If the market value of the last one prize (selling price on Mercari or Yahoo Auctions) is over 8,000 yen, it can be judged as a good cost-effectiveness.

Risks:
- There is a possibility that higher prizes (A prize, B prize) have already been drawn among the remaining 8 tickets
- There is also a possibility that the 8 regular prizes are all lower prizes (F prize, G prize)
- There is a chance that someone else may get ahead of you during the purchase process

Ways to Reduce Risks:
- Choose a lottery box with 5 tickets or fewer remaining (to keep investment low)
- Research the market value of the last one prize in advance
- Use combined shipping to save on shipping costs

Optimizing Payment and Shipping

In Ichiban Kuji Online, you can reduce costs and efficiently receive products by being creative with payment and shipping methods. Especially when purchasing multiple times, optimizing shipping costs is important.

Payments can be made using PayPay or credit cards, and if you pre-register either, you can purchase smoothly even right after sales start. By using combined shipping, you can significantly save on shipping costs.

Choosing a Payment Method

In Ichiban Kuji ONLINE, the following payment methods are available:

1. PayPay
- Advantages: Very fast payment, points cashback available
- Disadvantages: Requires a PayPay account and balance
- Recommended for: Those who regularly use PayPay and want to make quick payments

2. Credit Card
- Advantages: Automatic input if card number is registered, transaction history is retained
- Disadvantages: Initial input takes time
- Recommended for: Those who want to accumulate credit card points and prefer easy management

In the highly competitive time right after the sales start, PayPay allows for the fastest payment. If you charge enough balance to your PayPay account in advance, the payment can be completed with just one tap.

On the other hand, if you plan to make multiple purchases or want to buy strategically, using a credit card is convenient. You can check your purchase history in the usage statement, making budget management easier.

Save on Shipping with Combined Delivery

The shipping fee for Ichiban Kuji Online is 660 yen (including tax) per delivery (excluding some regions). If you make multiple purchases and have them delivered each time, the shipping costs will accumulate.

This is where you can take advantage of "combined delivery." By using combined delivery, you can have multiple purchases shipped together in one delivery, significantly saving on shipping costs.

How Combined Delivery Works:
- Select "Use Combined Delivery" when making a purchase
- Combine purchases made within a specified period (usually 30 days) for delivery
- Shipping fee is only for one delivery (660 yen)

Example of Savings:
- 5 purchases with individual deliveries: 660 yen × 5 = 3,300 yen
- 5 purchases with combined delivery: 660 yen × 1 = 660 yen
- Amount saved: 2,640 yen

Especially when aiming for the last one prize and drawing all remaining 10 tickets from the box, using combined delivery can reduce the shipping cost from 6,600 yen to 660 yen.

Points to Note:
- If all products are not ready within the combined delivery deadline, they will not be shipped
- If the deadline passes, they will be shipped automatically
- Some products may not be eligible for combined delivery

Delivery Period and Tracking

Products purchased from Ichiban Kuji Online are delivered to your home approximately 1 to 2 weeks after the order. Delivery services such as Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express are often used.

Delivery Process:
1. Purchase completed (order confirmation email received)
2. Product preparation (about 3 to 7 days)
3. Shipping (shipping completion email received)
4. Delivery (arrives 2 to 5 days after shipping)

The shipping completion email contains the tracking number from the delivery service. Using the tracking number, you can check the delivery status in real-time on the official websites of Yamato Transport or Sagawa Express.

How to Check Delivery Status:
- Copy the tracking number from the shipping completion email
- Access the delivery service's official website (Yamato Transport: https://toi.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/)
- Enter the tracking number and search
- The current delivery status will be displayed

If you are not at home, you can also request redelivery from the tracking site. To ensure smooth receipt, check the scheduled delivery date in advance.

Common Mistakes and Countermeasures

For those using Ichiban Kuji Online for the first time or who are not familiar with the strategies, we will introduce common mistakes and their countermeasures. By learning from mistakes, you can increase your success rate for future purchases.

Many mistakes stem from a lack of preparation or misjudging the timing. Understanding these can help you avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Common Mistake Patterns

Mistake 1: Accessed right after sales started, but it was already sold out
Popular titles (such as One Piece, Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, etc.) can sell out within minutes of the sales starting. Even if you access right at midnight, if the purchase process takes time, it may sell out.

Failure 2: Chose a lottery box with many remaining tickets, but did not win a top prize
While there is a high probability that top prizes remain in lottery boxes with more than 70 tickets left, the chances of winning are low. It is possible to draw 10 times and only receive lower-tier prizes.

Failure 3: Made multiple purchases, but shipping costs were high
This is a case where, instead of using consolidated shipping, individual shipping was selected each time, resulting in shipping costs multiplying. If you make 5 purchases, the shipping alone can amount to 3,300 yen.

Failure 4: Aimed for the Last One prize but it was taken by someone else
This is a case where you found a lottery box with 3 tickets left and tried to purchase it, but someone else drew it first during the purchase process, causing you to miss the Last One prize. There is a possibility that multiple people are targeting lottery boxes with few remaining tickets at the same time.

Failure 5: Drew from a lottery box where the top prize was already gone
Lottery boxes with few remaining tickets (10 or fewer) are likely to have already had their top prizes drawn. Judging solely by the number of remaining tickets can lead to unnecessary expenses.

Measures to Avoid Failures

Measure 1: Thoroughly prepare in advance
- Complete login 5 minutes before sales start
- Pre-register payment information (PayPay or credit card)
- Bookmark the page of the lottery you want to purchase
- Check Wi-Fi environment (more stable than mobile connection)

Measure 2: Understand the target number of remaining tickets
- Lottery boxes with 20 to 40 tickets remaining are the most efficient
- Only choose lottery boxes with more than 70 tickets if your budget is ample
- Avoid lottery boxes with 10 or fewer tickets unless aiming for the Last One prize

Measure 3: Always use consolidated shipping
- If you plan to make multiple purchases, select consolidated shipping from the first purchase
- Shipping can be kept to 660 yen
- Check the deadline for consolidated shipping

Measure 4: Aiming for the Last One prize is a race against time
- Once you find a lottery box with few remaining tickets, start the purchase process immediately
- If you can purchase multiple times at once, do so together
- Consider the risk of being taken by others and draw a comfortable number of tickets

Measure 5: Check the number of remaining tickets and prize composition
- Carefully assess the possibility of remaining top prizes in lottery boxes with 10 or fewer tickets
- If possible, utilize features that allow you to check the remaining status of each prize
- Decide to purchase after calculating costs and risks

Notes for International Users

Ichiban Kuji ONLINE is a service aimed at users within Japan and does not support direct purchases or shipping from overseas. However, by using forwarding services or proxy purchasing services, those living abroad can still enjoy Ichiban Kuji.

Additionally, the site is only available in Japanese, so using translation tools is necessary. Payment methods are also limited to cards issued in Japan or PayPay, making prior preparation important.

Shipping Restrictions

Ichiban Kuji ONLINE only supports shipping within Japan. Direct shipping to overseas locations is not available.

How to Purchase for Those Living Abroad:

1. Use a forwarding service

   • Have the product shipped to a forwarding company in Japan, which will then forward it overseas
   • Representative forwarding services: Tenso.com, Buyee, From Japan
   • Fees: Forwarding service fee + international shipping fee (totaling around 2,000 to 5,000 yen)

2. Get help from friends and acquaintances living in Japan

   • Have a friend living in Japan purchase it with their account
   • Have the product forwarded overseas after receiving it
   • Fees: Only international shipping costs (approximately 1,500 to 3,000 yen)

3. Use a proxy purchasing service

   • Use a proxy purchasing service for overseas customers
   • Fees are often high (10 to 20% of the product price)

When using a forwarding service, a Japanese address is required, so you will register the Japanese warehouse address provided by the forwarding company as the delivery destination.

Language and Payment Support

Language Support:
Ichiban Kuji ONLINE supports Japanese only. It does not support English or other languages.

Utilizing Translation Tools:
- Use Google Chrome's automatic translation feature
- Scan the screen with the Google Translate app for translation
- Check accurate translations with DeepL

Payment Method Restrictions:
The payment methods available on Ichiban Kuji ONLINE are limited to credit cards issued in Japan or PayPay only. Credit cards issued overseas may not be usable.

Payment Methods for Overseas Residents:
- If you have a credit card issued in Japan: You can use it as is
- If you only have a card issued overseas: Use the payment functions of forwarding services or proxy purchasing services
- PayPay account: A Japanese phone number is required

There are language barriers and payment restrictions, but by combining translation tools and forwarding services, you can enjoy Ichiban Kuji from overseas.

Summary: Aiming for Top Prizes in Ichiban Kuji Online

Ichiban Kuji Online has many advantages that are not available with in-store purchases. It allows for stock confirmation, is available for purchase 24 hours a day, and is delivered to your home, making it very convenient for busy individuals or those living in rural areas.

Key Points for Aiming for Top Prizes:
- Target times when it's easier to win: Right after sales start (0:00 to 0:30) or late at night on weekdays (2:00 to 5:00)
- How to choose a lottery box: A lottery box with 20 to 40 tickets remaining is the most efficient
- Calculate and aim for the Last One Prize: Calculate costs and risks with lottery boxes that have few tickets left
- Save on shipping with consolidated delivery: Always use it when making multiple purchases
- Thoroughly prepare in advance: Register for a BANDAI Namco ID, set up payment information, and check Wi-Fi environment

Ichiban Kuji Online requires not just luck but also strategy. By implementing the strategies introduced in this article, you can significantly increase your chances of winning top prizes.

Be sure to utilize these techniques in your next Ichiban Kuji Online experience. I hope you can win your dream top prize or Last One Prize!