Lawson Ticket & Loppi Machine Guide — How to Book Anime Cafes and Events in Japan (2026)

Last updated: March 2026. Step-by-step guide to using Lawson Ticket (l-tike.com) and Loppi machines for anime collab cafe and event reservations in Japan.

You’ve found the collab cafe you want to visit. You click the reservation link. It sends you to a website called l-tike.com — Lawson Ticket — and the entire page is in Japanese. Or the cafe tells you to pick up your reservation at something called a “Loppi machine” inside a Lawson convenience store, and you have no idea what that means.

This is the wall that stops most international visitors from booking anime collab cafes, Sweets Paradise collaborations, and other ticketed events in Japan. Lawson Ticket is one of Japan’s three major ticketing platforms, and a significant number of collab cafes use it as their exclusive booking system. If you want to eat at that Jujutsu Kaisen cafe at Sweets Paradise or catch a one-night anime event, you’ll probably go through Lawson Ticket at some point.

The system works. It’s just not built for non-Japanese speakers. This guide fixes that.

What Is Lawson Ticket and Loppi?

Lawson Ticket (ローチケ / l-tike.com) is the ticketing arm of Lawson, Japan’s third-largest convenience store chain (after 7-Eleven and FamilyMart). They sell reservations and tickets for concerts, events, theater, sports — and anime collab cafes.

Loppi (ロッピー) is the bright red self-service kiosk sitting near the entrance of almost every Lawson store in Japan. There are over 14,000 Lawson stores across the country. The Loppi machine is where you pick up tickets you booked online, or where you can book directly using a reservation code.

The two work together: you find and reserve online at l-tike.com → you pick up and pay at the Loppi machine in any Lawson store → you take the printed receipt to the counter → the cashier gives you your tickets in exchange for cash.

Before You Start: The Phone Number Problem

Here’s the part nobody tells you upfront: creating a Lawson Ticket account requires a Japanese phone number for SMS verification. Foreign phone numbers don’t work for account registration.

This is the single biggest obstacle for international visitors. Here are your options:

Option 1: Get a Japanese Phone Number (Best)

If you’re buying a SIM card for your Japan trip anyway — and you should, for maps and translation apps alone — get one with a Japanese phone number and SMS capability. Not all tourist SIMs include this. Look for:

• Mobal — offers voice/SMS-enabled SIM cards and eSIM for tourists. Available before you arrive in Japan.
• Prepaid SIM cards at airports — some include a Japanese number. Ask specifically for “SMS-capable” at the counter. Narita and Haneda both have kiosks.
• MVNO providers (like IIJmio or Rakuten Mobile) — if you’ll be in Japan for more than a week, a short-term plan gives you a full Japanese number.

You only need the phone number for the initial account verification. After that, all communication is by email.

Option 2: Ask Your Hotel (Decent Workaround)

Some hotels and guesthouses will let you use their address and phone number for ticket bookings. This depends entirely on the hotel — ask at the front desk when you check in. Many hotels near tourist areas in Tokyo are used to this request.

Option 3: Use Someone Else’s Booking (Easiest)

If you have a Japanese friend, a travel agent, or you’re booking through a service that handles Japanese-language reservations, they can book under their account and give you the reservation code. You pick up the tickets at Loppi using just the code — no Lawson Ticket account needed for pickup.

Option 4: Book Through the Cafe Directly (Sometimes Available)

Not all cafes route through Lawson Ticket. Some use their own booking system or other platforms like eplus (which has an international site). Check the cafe’s official announcement first — if they offer a non-Lawson option, it may be easier for foreign visitors. Our anime collab cafe booking guide lists which platform each cafe uses.

Step-by-Step: Booking Online at l-tike.com

Once you have an account (or someone to book for you), here’s the process:

Step 1: Find Your Event

Go to l-tike.com. The site has an English version — look for the language toggle at the top. The English interface is limited but covers the basics. Use the search function with the event name in English or Japanese (copy-paste the Japanese name from the cafe’s official announcement).

Step 2: Select Your Date and Time

Click into the event listing. You’ll see a calendar with availability indicators:

Select your preferred date and time slot. Collab cafe time slots are typically 80-90 minutes.

Step 3: Enter Your Information

Fill in: email address, phone number (the one you registered with), number of guests, and name. The name field sometimes asks for katakana — if you’re entering a non-Japanese name, look for the “English/Roman” input option or type your name in regular alphabet letters.

Step 4: Choose Pickup Method

Select “Lawson store pickup” (ローソン店頭受取). This is the option that lets you pay in cash at the store — no Japanese credit card needed. This is the recommended method for international visitors.

Step 5: Confirm and Note Your Reservation Code

After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a reservation number. Screenshot this. Write it down. You’ll need it at the Loppi machine. The email may also include an L-code (L コード) — a short numeric code specific to Lawson’s system.

Step-by-Step: Using the Loppi Machine at Lawson

The Loppi machine is a touchscreen kiosk — bright red, hard to miss. It’s usually near the store entrance next to the ATM. The interface is entirely in Japanese, but you only need to work through a few screens.

At the Machine: Using Your Reservation Code

Screen 1: Main Menu

You’ll see several large buttons. Look for:

• Left button (Lコードで探す) — “Search by L-code.” Press this if you have an L-code from your confirmation email.
• Middle button — QR code scan. If your confirmation email includes a QR code, use this option and hold your phone screen up to the scanner.

If Using L-Code:

1. Press the L-code button
2. Enter your numeric L-code on the on-screen keypad
3. Press the orange “次へ” (next) button
4. Your reservation details appear on screen — verify the event name and date
5. Press the orange confirmation button
6. The machine prints a receipt slip

If Using QR Code:

1. Press the QR code button
2. Hold your phone’s QR code up to the scanner on the machine
3. Verify details on screen
4. Press the orange confirmation button
5. Take the printed receipt

At the Counter

Take the receipt to the Lawson cashier. Hand it to them. They’ll process the transaction, you pay in cash (yen), and they hand you your physical tickets or reservation confirmations.

The entire process takes 3-5 minutes once you’re at the machine. The hard part is finding the right buttons on the first screen — after that, it’s straightforward.

Which Anime Events Use Lawson Ticket?

Lawson Ticket handles reservations for a wide range of anime-related events and cafes. Here are the most common ones international visitors care about:

The key thing to know: when a cafe or event announces reservations, they’ll specify which platform to use. If the announcement links to l-tike.com or mentions “ローチケ” or “ロッピー,” you’re in Lawson Ticket territory.

Lawson Ticket vs. Other Platforms

Japan has three major ticketing platforms. Each has different strengths for international visitors:

If you have the choice between platforms for the same event, eplus International is the easiest for foreigners. If the event only uses Lawson Ticket, follow the guide above.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Loppi without a Lawson Ticket account?
Yes, if you have a reservation code or L-code from someone who booked for you. The Loppi machine only needs the code — it doesn’t check who created the account.

Is there a deadline for picking up tickets at Loppi?
Yes. Each booking specifies a pickup deadline, typically 2-3 days before the event. Check your confirmation email for the exact deadline.

What if there’s no Lawson near my hotel?
In Tokyo, this is extremely unlikely — there are Lawson stores every few blocks in central areas. But if you’re in a rural area, check the Lawson store locator on their website.

Can I cancel after picking up tickets?
Cancellation policies vary by event. Most collab cafe reservations are non-refundable after pickup. Check the terms before you pay at the counter.

The Loppi machine froze / gave an error. What do I do?
Ask the Lawson staff. They can reboot the machine or process your ticket at the register. This happens occasionally and is nothing unusual.

More Practical Guides

Written by Takapon

Born and raised in Kyoto, currently in Tokyo. Former management consultant turned anime culture writer. Has visited countless collaboration cafes and pilgrimage spots across Japan. Also sharing tips on Instagram @pop_now_jp.

Follow @pop_now_jp on Instagram