Loto 6 is one of Japan's three big number lotteries and it has a quirk: there are only five prize tiers, yet the jackpot odds are better than in Lotto 6aus49. This guide explains how the game works, the prize tiers with exactly calculated odds, the carryover mechanism and who might want to take a closer look. As of October 2026.
📋 Japan Loto 6 at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | 6 from 43 + 1 bonus number (from the same pool) |
| Jackpot odds | 1 : 6,096,454 |
| Ticket price | 200 yen per bet |
| Draw days | Monday and Thursday |
| Operator | Mizuho Bank on behalf of Japan's prefectures and major cities |
| Since | October 2000 |
| Base jackpot / cap | 200 million yen, up to 600 million yen with carryover |
At 1 : 6.1 million the jackpot is about 23 times easier to hit than tier 1 of Lotto 6aus49 (1 : 139,838,160 including the Superzahl), because only 43 instead of 49 numbers are in play and in Germany the Superzahl must match as well. The trade-off: just five prize tiers and no prize for 2 matches or fewer.
🎯 How Japan Loto 6 Works, Step by Step
The process
- Choose 6 different numbers from 1 to 43 (or use the random "Quick Pick").
- A bet costs 200 yen; sales close shortly before the draw.
- On Mondays and Thursdays 6 main numbers are drawn, followed by one bonus number from the remaining 37.
- Your bet is compared with the main numbers; the bonus number counts in exactly one case (see below).
- If nobody wins the top tier, the amount rolls into the next draw as a carryover.
🔑 Special Features: Bonus Number and Carryover
🎯 The bonus number only matters for 5 matches
With 5 main numbers matched you land in tier 2 if your sixth pick is the bonus number, otherwise in tier 3. With 4 or 3 matches the bonus number is irrelevant. This has a mathematical consequence: tiers 4 and 5 bundle all combinations with 4 or 3 hits, including those where one of your picks happens to be the bonus number.
📈 Carryover with a cap
If the top tier is not won, the whole amount goes into the next draw. The cap is 600 million yen; according to our sources it was raised from 400 to 600 million in 2017. A jackpot above 600 million does not arise. That is why Loto 6 is known for "smaller" jackpots in the hundreds of millions of yen rather than billion-dollar sums like Powerball or Mega Millions.
💰 All Prize Tiers with Odds
| Tier | Matches | Odds | Typical prize | Share of prize pool* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 matches | 1 : 6,096,454 | 200 million yen (up to 600 million yen) | approx. 36.5% |
| 2 | 5 + bonus number | 1 : 1,016,076 | approx. 10 million yen | approx. 10.9% |
| 3 | 5 matches | 1 : 28,224 | approx. 300,000 yen | approx. 11.8% |
| 4 | 4 matches | 1 : 610 | approx. 6,800 yen | approx. 12.4% |
| 5 | 3 matches | 1 : 39 | 1,000 yen (fixed) | approx. 28.4% |
*We calculated the shares ourselves from the official standard amounts and the combination counts (amount × number of combinations ÷ 6,096,454). They are not official distribution keys and they apply without carryover. Actual payouts vary with the number of winners and sales.
In total 165,613 of 6,096,454 combinations win something (1 + 6 + 216 + 9,990 + 155,400). That equals about 1 : 36.8. Mathematically roughly 45% of stakes flow back to players this way — the rest funds operations and local-government projects.
📊 Analyse Japan Loto 6 yourself
Frequencies, hot & cold numbers, overdue analysis and a number generator for 6 of 43
Go to the Loto 6 page🆚 Japan Loto 6 Compared
| Lottery | Format | Jackpot odds | Draws/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 Loto 6 | 6 of 43 + bonus | 1 : 6.1M | 2 |
| 🇯🇵 Loto 7 | 7 of 37 + 2 bonus | 1 : 10.3M | 1 |
| 🇯🇵 Mini Loto | 5 of 31 + bonus | 1 : 169,911 | 1 |
| 🇰🇷 Korea Lotto 6/45 | 6 of 45 + bonus | 1 : 8.1M | 1 |
| 🇩🇪 Lotto 6aus49 | 6 of 49 + Superzahl | 1 : 139.8 million (tier 1) | 2 |
Within its family Loto 6 sits in the middle: a better jackpot chance than Loto 7 and Korea 6/45, but deliberately only 5 tiers. Mini Loto with 5 of 31 offers far better hit chances, but naturally smaller sums. You can read more about the neighbouring lottery in the Korea Lotto 6/45 guide.
⚖️ Honest Note: Random Stays Random
Every draw is an independent random event. No system, no "hot" or "overdue" numbers and no AI raises your chance of a hit — every combination has exactly the same probability of 1 : 6,096,454. Statistics describe the past; they do not predict the next draw. Only play with money you can afford to lose and set a fixed budget. This article is neither legal nor tax advice.
If you play anyway, you can use statistical evaluations as entertainment — for example to see how numbers have been distributed over more than 25 years of Loto 6. More in our articles Lottery odds and Lottery strategies.
💡 Who Is Loto 6 For?
- ✅ Statistics fans — more than 25 years of draw data in a compact number range
- ✅ Players interested in Asia and in fixed small prizes (1,000 yen for 3 matches)
- ✅ Better jackpot odds than 6aus49 (1 : 6.1M)
- ⚠️ Jackpots are capped (max. 600 million yen) and far smaller than Powerball or EuroMillions
- ⚠️ From Germany/Europe: Official sales take place in Japan. From here participation is only possible through third-party providers, which mostly bet on the draw results. Check the licence, fees and the legal situation yourself — we do not sell tickets and give no legal advice.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Japan Loto 6
How often is Loto 6 drawn?
Twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays.
How high can the jackpot get?
The top tier starts at 200 million yen and can rise through carryover to at most 600 million yen.
Why are there only five prize tiers?
Loto 6 only pays from 3 matches. With 2 or fewer hits you win nothing — that is the price for the comparatively good jackpot odds.
What does the bonus number do?
Only with exactly 5 matches: with the bonus number tier 2 (approx. 10 million yen), without it tier 3 (approx. 300,000 yen).
Do some numbers come up more often?
Over short periods frequencies fluctuate purely by chance. Analyses show past patterns, not predictions.
Can a foreigner win?
Participation depends on the rules of your provider; official sales take place at Japanese retailers and in Japan's own online offering. Check your provider's terms beforehand.
🏁 Summary
Japan Loto 6 combines an above-average jackpot chance of 1 : 6,096,454 with a lean prize system of just five tiers and a capped jackpot. It is mainly interesting for players who value clear rules, a small number range and plenty of historical data. As with every lottery, the expected value is below the stake and results are pure chance — play for entertainment and with a fixed budget. You will find more countries in New international lotteries 2026, the most frequent numbers of other lotteries in Most frequent lottery numbers, and all articles in the blog.
Sources: rules and odds according to Mizuho Bank and prefecture information (as of October 2026); combination counts are our own calculation (binomial coefficient).