Japanese Arcade Stick Parts: Sanwa, Seimitsu, Hori Guide

Japanese arcade stick parts come mostly from two makers, Sanwa Denshi and Seimitsu Kogyo, and complete Japanese sticks come from HORI. This guide explains Sanwa JLF levers and their variants (JLF-TP-8YT, -SK, JLX2, silent and detachable shafts), OBSF, OBSC, OBSN and OBSJ buttons in 24 mm and 30 mm, restrictor gates (square, octagonal, circle), mounting plates and the 5-pin harness; Seimitsu LS-32, LS-40, LS-56, LS-58, LS-62 levers and PS-14 buttons; a Sanwa vs Seimitsu comparison table; HORI’s Fighting Stick α (Alpha), Fighting Stick mini, Real Arcade Pro and Fighting Commander, plus leverless (hitbox-style) controllers; Japanese arcade cabinets such as Sega Astro City and Taito VEWLIX; parts compatibility (quick disconnect sizes, button hole sizes, panel thickness); modding; and how to buy Japanese arcade parts from the US. Prices are maker-listed prices in Japan as of November 2026, tax included.

Japanese Arcade Stick Words: Joystick, Lever and Cabinet in Japanese

Japanese arcade sticks have their own vocabulary, and knowing it helps when you search Japanese stores:

• Joystick in Japanese: ジョイスティック (joisutikku). Kotobank defines it as a game controller with a stick (rod) whose function is to point a direction or position as you move it forward, back, left and right, plus buttons; it lists controllers and joysticks as gaming devices.^[68][69] Arcade players usually say レバー (rebā, “lever”); Sanwa’s store calls its sticks ジョイスティックレバー.^[14]
• Arcade stick in Japanese: アーケードコントローラー, shortened to アケコン (akekon), the word Sanwa’s store uses for home arcade controllers.^[12][13]
• Button: 押しボタン (oshi-botan, push button); snap-in is ハメ込み式 and screw-in is ネジ式.^[29][35]
• Arcade cabinet in Japanese: 筐体 (kyōtai); an arcade cabinet is アーケード筐体.^[7]
• Game center: ゲームセンター (gēmu sentā), Japanese-made English for an arcade, shortened to ゲーセン. Kotobank says the first one is said to have opened in Shibuya, Tokyo, in 1969.^[70]
• Seimitsu meaning and kanji: 精密 (seimitsu) means precise, made to accurate dimensions down to the finest detail.^[71]

“Fighting Stick” (ファイティングスティック) is a HORI trademark.^[9] A Japanese style arcade stick (Japanese lever arcade stick) usually means one built with a ball-top lever and Japanese push buttons such as Sanwa or Seimitsu.

Japanese Arcade Stick Brands at a Glance

These are the Japanese arcade stick brands and parts makers whose pages we read for this guide:

Qanba, Hit Box, Victrix, Razer, 8BitDo, Mayflash, Mad Catz, Snack Box and Haute42 are not Japanese brands, and this guide does not review them; check each stick’s manual for button size and wiring before modding.

Sanwa Denshi: The Company Behind JLF and OBSF

Sanwa Denshi Co., Ltd. (三和電子) was founded on June 8, 1982 in Tokyo and makes joysticks and push buttons for the amusement game industry; its parts also go into kids’ rides and industrial controls.^[2][1][3] Its English page calls them “the top choice for use in Japanese arcade games” (the maker’s words), and its news page notes that sponsored player M’ won the KOF XIV (The King of Fighters XIV) world championship grand final in 2017.^[72][1] Individuals buy from the Sanwa Denshi website’s web store (sanwa-d.shop), which restarted direct sales on February 12, 2026, absorbing its former Rakuten shop.^[73] Sanwa also makes the JLM magnetic-sensor lever.^[3]

Sanwa parts are sold “for business use”: no manual, no retail packaging, no installation support.^[11]

Sanwa JLF lever and its variants

The Sanwa JLF is the lever most people mean by “Sanwa joystick”. Sanwa describes the JLF series as so widespread that it is effectively the amusement industry’s standard lever.^[3] The JLF-TP is a PCB-type lever: the microswitches sit on a printed circuit board, so the lever wires up with a single connector instead of one wire per terminal, and switching between 4-way and 8-way is done by turning the guide chip on the back. It is smaller and lighter than older Sanwa levers. The lever ball (ball top) is sold separately.^[11]

• What the model number means: in Sanwa’s product names, T marks the version with the flat mounting plate (平鉄板), SK the shaft cover and D the detachable shaft. JLF-TP-8YT dimensions: 85 × 40 mm mounting, tilt ±8.5°; the plate-less JLF-TP-8Y mounts with two screws 65 mm apart.^{[11][12][13][18]}
• JLF vs JLX vs JLX2: JLX reworks the JLF’s materials for more strength and dimensional accuracy. The JLX2 comes with the GT-8X gate plate and the same 85 × 40 mm mounting, so JLF vs JLX2 is mostly about the gate system and materials, not size.^[16][15] The older JLW was a different lever (discontinued).^[16]
• Which JLF do you need? Most current arcade controllers use a plate type, but some use the plate-less JLF-TP-8Y-SK, so check first.^[12][13]
• Detachable shaft / quick release: the JLX2D-TP-8YT has a screw-on detachable shaft that comes off without tools; Sanwa says it feels the same as a normal lever.^[18] The older JLFD-TP-8YT (Sanwa JLF detachable) and JLXD-TP-8YT were discontinued in 2023.^[74]
• Silent Sanwa joystick: the JLX2-TPML-8YT-SK uses micro leaf switches instead of clicky microswitches. Each direction’s actuation point can be set in 5 steps (tool not included), the electrical life is over 3 million operations, and it uses the same harness and mounting as JLF and JLX2.^[17]
• Sanwa analog and optical joysticks: the JLK-GF2-AT is Sanwa’s compact analog joystick; the JLHS-8 FLASH optical-sensor lever and the earlier silent JLF-TPRG-8AYT-SK are discontinued.^[16][3]

Sanwa JLF parts: harness, plate, springs, gates and ball tops

Sanwa sells most JLF optional parts separately on its store (prices as of November 2026):

• Sanwa JLF harness and wiring: the JLF-H is the 5-pin (5P) connector harness for JLF and JLX2, with one end cut for your PCB or encoder (a single connector with 5 pins).^[19] If a Sanwa joystick is not working after an install, check this harness and the pinout of your board first.
• Mounting plate (P1) and screws: the JLF-P-1 plate comes with four screws and four nuts; thread locker is not included, so if a JLF works loose, check those screws first.^[20] If your stick needs the plate-less type, the JLF mounting holes are 65 mm apart.^[13]
• Springs: JLF-SP springs come in four loads, color-coded violet, blue, yellow and red. Sanwa does not list the weight in grams, so compare by color within Sanwa’s range.^[22]
• Microswitch and PCB: the MS-O-2P is the microswitch used in JLF and JLX2 levers; the XTP-MA is the standard JLX2 switch PCB, also usable in JLF.^[21][14] For accidental jump inputs, the XTP-M3L1 board puts an adjustable silent switch on the up direction. Sanwa says it does not prevent misinputs 100%, and that blue or red P.S pipes increase accidental jumps.^[26]
• Ball tops, bat tops and bullet tops: Sanwa’s LB-35 ball top is 35 mm with an M6 thread, in 13 colors (plus clear, metallic and nylon “felt-touch” versions); the LB-30N teardrop ball fits with its included M6 insert.^[27][28][14] Sanwa’s store lists ball tops, not bat tops; Seimitsu’s NOBI levers use its “Bullet” top, shaped like a gear-shift knob.^[48]
• Shaft cover and dust washer: the JLF-CD set includes a shaft cover and two dust discs (dust washers), one black and one in your chosen color. The cover has an up and down side; the wide end goes down.^[14]

Sanwa buttons: OBSF, OBSC, OBSN, OBSJ and silent buttons

Sanwa calls the OBSF series its most widely used button in video games, and it is used in many consumer controllers too.^[4] All OBSF-family buttons use the SW-68 key switch unless noted:

• Sanwa button sizes: OBSF-30 (Sanwa’s 30mm pushbuttons) is the 30 mm “video game button size” and OBSF-24 is the 24 mm “start / select size”. The mounting hole is φ30 ±0.1 mm or φ24 ±0.1 mm, and the maximum panel thickness for the snap-in body is 3.9 mm.^[29][30] The OBSF-30RG body takes panels up to 3.7 mm.^[38] Sanwa 24mm and 30mm screw-in buttons are the OBSN-24 and OBSN-30.^[35][36]
• Sanwa button colors: OBSF-30 comes in red, yellow, blue, orange, white, black, black/gray (grey), black/dark blue, pink, green, dark blue, violet (purple) and matte blue. Clear OBSC buttons come in clear red, yellow, green, blue, violet, white and smoke; OBSJ metallic in gold, silver, gunmetal, pink, blue and red.^[29][32][33]
• Sanwa button switch: the SW-68 is rated DC12V 100 mA with a life of 1 million presses; the reed-switch OBSF-RG line is rated 5 million.^[75][4] You can order OBSF buttons with the SW-68 (Faston tabs), the SW-68CAU connector type, or the SW-68CAU2 with double the load.^[29]
• Are Sanwa buttons loud? Silent and quiet buttons: Sanwa itself says standard buttons make noise when the cap hits the body, which is why it makes silent ones.^[4] The OBSFE-30 swaps the plastic plunger cap for elastomer, so it is quieter when it bottoms out but keeps the normal stroke and feel. The SBS-30 silent sheets (10 for ¥1,210) also quiet OBSF-30, OBSC-30, OBSJ-30 and OBSFE-30 buttons, but make the stroke shallower.^[34][55]
• Clear buttons and artwork: OBSC (clear, translucent, transparent) buttons let you remove the case and cap and put a printed sheet or sticker on the plate inside.^[32]
• Sanwa LED, illuminated and other shapes: Sanwa says it was the first to use LEDs in lit buttons.^[16] Its OBSA illuminated buttons come in 30, 45, 60 and 100 mm, round, dome, square, triangle and rectangle shapes (OBSA-30UM ¥2,607 each), and a 7-color LED lamp holder (12 V only, ¥5,786) gives RGB-style color. There are also 24 mm square OBSF-24KK and triangle OBSF-24TR buttons (from ¥319) and OBSM blanking caps (from ¥110).^[31][37]

Sanwa buttons vs keyboard switches (Cherry MX): for keyboard switches, see our Japanese keyboards guide.

Seimitsu Kogyo: LS-32, LS-40, LS-56 and PS-14

Seimitsu Kogyo (セイミツ工業) (website: seimitsu.co.jp, with a separate web store) was founded on July 3, 1981 (renamed in 1993) and is based in Toda, Saitama; its overseas partners are Arcade Shock, Focus Attack and Small Cab.^[6] It sources all parts in Japan, does soldering to final inspection in-house and makes its joystick PCB assemblies by hand.^[5][7] It says it made the joystick for the 1993 Astro City arcade cabinet and developed the Ultimo (Alutimo) buttons and the Bullet lever, and it first exhibited at EVO Japan in 2024.^[7][6]

Seimitsu levers

Seimitsu describes its levers relative to the LS-32, which it calls the standard feel all of its joysticks are based on (prices on the Seimitsu web store as of November 2026):^[39]

• “-01” means connector: LS-32-01, LS-40-01, LS-56-01 and LS-58-01 use a 5-pin connector; LS-32, LS-40, LS-56 and LS-58 use Faston terminals.^[39][40][56]
• Seimitsu LS-32 vs LS-40: the LS-40 is built on the LS-32 with a slightly lighter feel and a shaft cover; Seimitsu suggests it for people who find the LS-32 a bit heavy.^[41]
• Seimitsu LS-56 vs LS-58: the LS-56 is a small lever that feels heavier than the LS-32; the LS-58 is the same lever with a lighter spring.^[42][43] The LS-62-01 is lighter again, with a short shaft and an octagonal gate as standard.^[44]
• Seimitsu bases: SS is a stepped base, SE flat, MS rectangular and VF nearly square.^[42] Seimitsu’s FAQ says most current control panels and arcade sticks are the VEWLIX model, which the MS base fits, while older panels take the SS base.^[5]
• Seimitsu silent and special levers: the LSQ-40 is Seimitsu’s first standard-size silent stick, using Omron switches and a modified square gate; connector-type sticks need a separate conversion harness.^[46] The LS-32-01-SUS swaps the plastic bearing for stainless steel with a 20% stiffer spring, and the LSH-56-01 has an asymmetric spring you can set for “return” or “input”.^[45][47]
• Seimitsu NOBI and Bullet lever handle: the LSX-NOBI-01 levers were designed with pro gamer Nobi. The PRO model is the one Nobi uses for Tekken, with a stiff spring and an irregular octagonal gate; the STD model is for other fighting games, with a softer spring and a modified square gate. Both use a non-rotating shaft and the Bullet lever top.^[48][49]

Seimitsu ball tops and extras: LB-30 / LB-35 ball tops ¥237, LB-40 ¥532, clear bubble tops LB-39 ¥510 and LB-49 ¥680, fluorescent LB-35-KEIKOU ¥259, replacement shaft covers ¥169 and a Japanese-pattern (wagara) dust washer ¥224.^[76][77] The LS-32-01-SC (LS-32-01 with SC shaft cover) has a slightly thinner shaft and is moving from a C-ring to an E-ring (E-clip).^[78]

Seimitsu’s company catalog lists slightly lower figures for some levers (for example LS-32-01 ¥3,502 and LS-56 ¥2,019) than its web store; we quote the store price above.^[56]

Seimitsu buttons

Seimitsu’s 30 mm buttons use the MM9 switch series (MM-9 switches ¥215 each), and the catalog also lists PS-14-KN clear screw-in (¥398), fluorescent PS-14-KEIKOU (¥355), PSL-30N illuminated (LED) buttons, PS-14-S lit buttons, LED lamps for 12 V / 24 V (¥953) and an AM-30 hole plug (¥102) for unused holes.^[79][80][81] Snap-in buttons install easily but hold less firmly than screw-in ones, which take longer to fit.^[50][51] The 24 mm PS-14-D and PS-14-DN are usually paired with the 30 mm buttons.^[79][53]

Sanwa vs Seimitsu: Comparison Table

“Sanwa vs Seimitsu” (and “Seimitsu or Sanwa”) comes down to feel, mounting and wiring; Seimitsu is the other Japanese alternative to the JLF. Stick differences and button differences: we do not rank feel, so this table sets out what each maker says about its own parts (measurements from maker pages):

• Sanwa vs Seimitsu stick: Seimitsu describes the LS-56 as heavier than its standard, and offers lighter LS-40, LS-58 and LS-62 options.^{[41][42][43][44]} Sanwa offers four JLF spring loads and several gate shapes, so either brand can be tuned.^[22][24]
• Sanwa vs Seimitsu buttons: both make 30 mm and 24 mm snap-in and screw-in buttons. Check the panel thickness: Sanwa OBSF snap-in takes up to 3.9 mm, Seimitsu PS-14-G 1.2–3.0 mm.^[29][50]
• Sanwa JLF vs Seimitsu LS-32: both come in 5-pin connector versions (the LS-32 itself uses Faston tabs); pick the Seimitsu base that matches your stick’s holes.^[19][39][40]
• Sanwa vs Hori: HORI’s own sticks use HORI’s HAYABUSA lever and buttons, not Sanwa or Seimitsu parts; the Fighting Stick mini uses a HORI lever of its own design.^[9][60]
• Sanwa vs Happ: Happ is an American parts brand and is not covered here.
• Japanese vs Korean joystick: Korean levers are a separate family made outside Japan and are not covered here; this guide sticks to Japanese levers and their ball tops and gates.

Restrictor Gates: Square, Octagonal and Circle

The restrictor gate (ガイド, guide) limits how far the lever travels. Here are the shapes Japanese makers sell:

The GTN chips fit only Sanwa’s GT-8X plate, not the older GT-8F or GT-Y; if you want plate and chip together, buy a GTX set.^[24][25] A square gate has its corners at the diagonals; an octagonal gate has a flat edge for each of the eight directions. Which one suits you is personal. Hori’s Fighting Commander OCTA pad uses an octagonal gate on its analog stick.^[64]

HORI: Fighting Stick α, Fighting Stick mini and Real Arcade Pro

HORI (株式会社ホリ) was founded in February 1967 and incorporated in 1970, and makes game peripherals: controllers, headsets and pouches. It has subsidiaries in the US, UK and China.^[8] HORI sticks use HORI’s own HAYABUSA lever and buttons, not Sanwa parts, and every HORI stick we checked is wired, not wireless.^[9][62][10] Listed prices on HORI’s Japanese site (some models are older and may be sold out):

• Hori Fighting Stick α (Alpha): the case opens for easy access to the lever and buttons for maintenance and upgrades, and you can swap the top design sheet for your own artwork. HORI publishes a top panel artwork template (PDF, PSD and PNG; print at full size on A3 paper) for printing your own designs, background or commissioned art for the faceplate. It has a key lock, a remapping app (D-pad or analog stick mode), a touchpad and a headset jack; HORI tested it for 2 million button presses. On PC it supports XInput games only.^[9]
• Fighting Stick α editions: the Street Fighter 6 edition (SPF-033) has a listed release date of June 2, 2023, and the Fighting Stick α SILENT (SPF-039) is the quiet version; both list at ¥29,980.^[58][59] There is a Fighting Stick α for Xbox Series X|S as well.^[57]
• Hori Fighting Stick mini: a small stick (21 × 15 × 8.7 cm) with a lever of HORI’s own design, for PS5/PS4/PC (¥7,480), Nintendo Switch (¥5,478, about 500 g) and Windows PC (¥5,980).^[60][61][82] It does not use Sanwa parts, which is why many owners ask about mini upgrades; check its button and lever mounting before buying replacement parts.
• Hori Real Arcade Pro (RAP): the RAP.V HAYABUSA for Switch weighs 2.2 kg and the Premium VLX HAYABUSA for PS4/PS3 5.4 kg.^[62][63] Older HORI fight sticks in searches (Real Arcade Pro EX, EX SE, N, HAYABUSA N, RAP4 / IV Kai, RAP V3, Fighting Stick EX2, V3, VX; PS1, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii, GameCube (Cube), PC Engine, Gundam, Soulcalibur II, Project DIVA) were not on the HORI pages we read, so go by each used listing’s photos.
• Hori Fighting Commander: a pad, not a stick, built for fighting games. The OCTA (¥6,980) has 6 face buttons, an octagonal-gated analog stick and microswitches rated for 8 million presses; the Switch version lists at ¥4,378.^[64][83]
• Does a Hori fighting stick work on PC? The α, mini and NOLVA list Windows support; none is wireless or Bluetooth. For Switch 2, check HORI’s page first.^[9][60][10]

How much is a joystick controller from HORI? ¥5,478 to ¥36,080 listed; Hori fight stick weight runs from about 500 g (mini) to 2.7 kg (α) and 5.4 kg (Premium VLX). The pages we read list no input lag or latency figure, driver, Linux support, knee lever or HAYABUSA button size, so measure before buying replacement buttons.^[9][61][63]

Search ファイティングスティックα (Fighting Stick α), ファイティングスティック mini (Fighting Stick mini) or リアルアーケードPro (Real Arcade Pro) on OneMall.

Leverless Controllers (All-Button / Hitbox-Style)

What is a leverless controller? It replaces the lever with buttons for left, down, right and up, so every input is a button press. HORI’s leverless controller is the NOLVA Mechanical All-Button Arcade Controller (SPF-049) for PS5 and Windows PC, listed for release in April 2025: 30 × 21 × 3 cm, 710 g, USB-C wired (not wireless), ¥17,980.^[10] It does not have analog sticks, vibration, motion sensors or analog L2/R2.^[10]

• Leverless button size: Sanwa notes that leverless controllers usually use 24 mm main buttons, while sticks with a lever usually use 30 mm; it is not 100%, so check before ordering.^[35][32] 24 mm is the smallest arcade buttons size in the Sanwa and Seimitsu catalogs above; Sanwa 24 mm options are OBSF-24, OBSC-24, OBSJ-24, OBSFE-24 and the screw-in OBSN-24.^[30][36][31]
• Leverless vs arcade stick: a lever gives you a physical gate and throw; a leverless controller trades that for buttons. Which suits you is a choice for you to make; we do not rank them.
• Leverless controllers in Japan: HORI introduces the NOLVA as its leverless controller (レバーレスコントローラー).^[10] Search レバーレスコントローラー (leverless controller).

Leverless controller explained, in short: the definition is directions on buttons; we do not publish a tier list, ranking, recommendations, “worth it” verdict or cheap / budget picks; advantages depend on you. Check whether it works natively on PS5 (native PS5, no adapter; the NOLVA is PS5 compatible), the layout (split layout, WASD-style, mirrored for left-handed players), SOCD handling (left plus right, or D’pad vs left analog), ergonomic shape, extra buttons, macro and shortcuts, keycaps or button caps, and a headphone jack (the NOLVA lists no microphone or speaker).^[10] Finger placement (ring finger and so on), lap or desk, hand pain, wrist pain, big hands, rapid trigger, tips and training for beginners, gameplay, and SF6 layout, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear Strive (GGST), Mortal Kombat, Smash Ultimate, Melee or Juri setups are player choices no maker page covers. If a leverless controller is not working, check its mode switch and platform. A DIY leverless kit, enclosure, shell or housing follows the DIY notes below, with 24 mm buttons.

Hit Box, Snack Box, Victrix, Razer, Qanba and 8BitDo leverless controllers are non-Japanese brands; we do not compare them here.

Arcade Stick Parts Compatibility: Sizes, Harness and Quick Disconnects

Most “will this fit” questions come down to four things: button hole size, panel thickness, the lever’s mounting and the wiring connector.

• Quick disconnect sizes (2.8 mm vs 4.8 mm): tab terminals come in 110 series (JIS 2.8 mm), 187 series (JIS 4.8 mm) and 250 series (JIS 6.3 mm).^[65] Sanwa’s SW-68 button switch uses the 110 tab, so 2.8 mm (.110″) quick disconnects fit Sanwa buttons.^[66] Seimitsu sells “small” Faston terminals for buttons and “large” ones for Faston-type joysticks; measure the tab if you are unsure.^[67]
• Sanwa button connectors: buttons with the SW-68CAU connector switch need the 68CAU-G conversion harness to connect to standard 110 tab wiring.^[66][29]
• Lever mounting plate dimensions: Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT, JLX2-TP-8YT and the silent JLX2 share the 85 × 40 mm mounting size.^[11][15][17]
• Lever wiring diagram and pinout: Sanwa JLF and JLX2 levers use the 5-pin JLF-H harness; Seimitsu -01 levers use a 5P connector and the others use Faston tabs.^[19][39][40] Sanwa’s JLF-TP has the switches on a PCB, so there is no wiring to individual microswitches.^[11]
• Which way is up? On the JLF, the 4-way/8-way setting is changed by turning the guide chip on the back; if the directions come out rotated after an install, check the lever orientation against your PCB’s direction labels.^[11]

Sanwa will not say whether its parts fit a stick that did not ship with them, and refers buyers to the stick’s maker or user swap reports; Seimitsu warns its bases may not fit some sticks and does not cover problems from your own disassembly.^[35][84]

Arcade Stick Anatomy and Glossary

The parts of an arcade stick, with the Japanese terms you will see on maker pages:

• Lever (レバー): the shaft, the pivot, the actuator (the piece at the shaft’s bottom that presses the switches), spring, E-clip, gate (guide) and switch PCB. Sanwa sells a JL-SRB rubber bearing shaft (made to order, ¥2,200) but lists no actuator sizes; oversized or bearing actuators, long, extended, low or hollow shafts and Otto-style mod kits are third-party parts.^[14]
• Ball top, bat top, bubble top: the knob (handle) on the shaft; how you hold it (grip styles and grips) is personal. Sanwa ball tops screw onto an M6 thread (the JLF balltop LB-35 is 35 mm).^[27]
• Button (押しボタン): the plunger (cap), the housing (body), the key switch and its two terminals. A plain key switch has no positive and negative side: one terminal goes to the signal input and the other to ground. LED buttons have their own lamp wiring.
• Button specs: Sanwa’s store pages (we found no separate datasheet) list hole size, panel thickness, switch rating and lifespan (1 million presses for SW-68) but not travel distance or actuation force, so we do not quote them; the SW-68CAU2 option has double the load if buttons feel too sensitive.^[29][75] A button that is sticking can usually be fixed by cleaning or replacing the switch; a button remover tool helps pull snap-in buttons for repair.
• PCB, encoder, motherboard: the board that turns presses into a USB controller. DIY builds often use a USB encoder (zero delay type) or a Raspberry Pi for an emulator; check that the board supports the console you play on.
• Layout and notation: button layouts: the button layout (Vewlix-style and others such as Noir); numbered (numpad) notation describes directions with numbers; mapping assigns buttons; an input display, overlay, viewer or tester shows your inputs for a test or stream overlay.
• Types of arcade sticks: full-size sticks (Fighting Stick α), mini sticks (Fighting Stick mini), leverless controllers and DIY sticks. “Arcade stick vs fight stick” is the same thing: fight stick is just another name. Joystick vs gamepad: a gamepad (pad) like the Fighting Commander uses a D-pad or thumbstick, while a joystick uses a lever.^[68][64]
• Accessories: carrying bag or case, stand, holder, wall mount, shelf for a stick collection or display, desk or lap setup, USB cable, and spare parts.

“Sanwa clone” buttons and joysticks are copies sold by other companies. To get Sanwa or Seimitsu parts, buy from the maker’s store or a listing that shows the maker’s model number (OBSF-30, JLF-TP-8YT, LS-32-01) and packaging details.

Arcade Stick Modding: Swaps, Silent Mods and Custom Art

Common arcade stick mods with Japanese parts, and what the makers say about each:

1. Button swap: remove the old button and its Faston wires, press in a Sanwa OBSF-30 or Seimitsu PS-14-G (or screw in an OBSN / PS-14-GN), and reconnect the two tabs. Use OBSF-24 or OBSN-24 for start/select.^[29][30][50]
2. Lever swap: unplug the 5-pin harness, unscrew the lever plate, and fit a JLF-TP-8YT (with plate) or a JLF-TP-8Y (65 mm). Sanwa recommends confirming which plate your stick uses first.^[12][13]
3. Gate swap: fit a GT-8X with a GTN-Y octagonal chip, or a round GTN-VI chip; on JLX2 levers the GT-8X is already fitted.^[24][23][15]
4. Spring and tension: change the JLF spring (four loads) or the P.S pipe. Sanwa notes that blue or red P.S pipes increase accidental jumps, and its XTP-M3L1 board targets that problem.^[22][26]
5. Silent mod: the JLX2-TPML silent lever, OBSFE silent buttons or SBS-30 sheets for Sanwa; LSQ-40 for Seimitsu; or a complete Fighting Stick α SILENT.^{[17][34][55][46][59]}
6. Custom artwork: on the Fighting Stick α you can print HORI’s template at full size on A3 paper and slide it under the top frame. HORI warns that paper that is too thick can stop the frame from closing.^[9] Clear buttons (OBSC, PS-14-K) take printed inserts.^[32][52]
7. DIY arcade stick: a DIY kit or project needs an enclosure (enclosures come as a case, shell or housing, often 3D printed or wooden), a lever, buttons and a PCB. A Sanwa joystick and buttons kit you build yourself could be, for example, one JLF (a Sanwa JLF assembly), 8 pcs OBSF-30 and 2 OBSF-24: Sanwa fightstick parts for an 8-button layout.^[11][29][30]
8. Grease and lube: Seimitsu’s catalog lists the LS-40D-01, a standard lever built with a special lubricant.^[56] Do not order spray lubricants or air dusters from Japan: aerosol sprays are on OneMall’s prohibited list.^[85][86]

Hori’s α page has maintenance instructions and notes on fitting HORI levers.^[9] Replacing parts is done at your own risk; Sanwa’s notes on its silent and detachable levers say so plainly.^[17][18]

Japanese Arcade Cabinets: Candy Cabs, Astro City and VEWLIX

“Candy cab” is the nickname used outside Japan for Japanese sit-down video cabinets. Two names come up most:

• Sega Astro City: Seimitsu says it made the joystick for the 1993 Astro City arcade cabinet.^[7] SEGA’s miniature versions are sold for home use: the Astro City Mini V is 130 × 170 × 170 mm with a 4.6-inch vertical screen and 22 vertical shooters (shmups), at ¥19,580.^[87]
• Taito VEWLIX: Seimitsu’s FAQ calls the VEWLIX model the panel layout most current control panels and arcade sticks follow, and its MS base fits it.^[5] That is why “Vewlix layout” comes up in button-layout searches.

Types of arcade cabinets: upright cabinets, sit-down cabinets (the Japanese style), cocktail or table cabinets, and dedicated cabinets for rhythm games, racing and other titles. What are Japanese arcade cabinets called? 筐体 (kyōtai), as above.^[7]

Cabinet size and weight: we could not confirm full-size Astro City, New Astro City or VEWLIX dimensions or weight on a maker page today, so we quote none. Full-size cabinets are freight, not parcels: for a Japanese arcade cabinet for sale in Japan (Japanese arcade cabinet import), ask the OneMall team before bidding. A control panel alone ships far more easily.

Popular Japanese arcade games and history: Taito’s Space Invaders (1978) spawned “Invader houses”, game centers with nothing else; Capcom’s Street Fighter II hit arcades in 1991; SEGA’s Virtua Fighter, which SEGA calls the world’s first 3D CG fighting game for an amusement machine, followed in 1993.^[88][89][90] For Japanese console controllers, see our Super Famicom and Famicom guide, Sega Saturn and Dreamcast guide, PlayStation 1 and 2 import guide and history of game controllers.

Where to Buy Japanese Arcade Stick Parts in Japan

The Sanwa Denshi web store ships by Yamato within Japan and confirms stock after you order; the Seimitsu web store ships free within Japan over ¥5,500 (excluding Okinawa and remote islands).^[91][11][84] Both deliver within Japan, which is where a proxy service comes in. Akihabara parts shops are another route in Tokyo; we have not checked them for this guide. Used sticks and parts are on Mercari and Yahoo Auctions; see our Mercari Japan guide and Yahoo Auctions bidding guide.

How to Buy Japanese Arcade Stick Parts from the US

1. Search in Japanese: 三和電子 レバー, 三和電子 ボタン, セイミツ レバー, アケコン, ファイティングスティック. Try 三和電子 JLF (Sanwa JLF), 三和電子 OBSF-30 (Sanwa OBSF-30), セイミツ LS-32 (Seimitsu LS-32) or アケコン (arcade controller).
2. Maker web stores: submit Sanwa or Seimitsu store URLs through LinkBuy (below), after checking fit against the compatibility table.
3. Bundle small parts: buttons and levers are light; consolidating them into one parcel spreads the shipping cost, while a boxed stick is charged on its volumetric weight.
4. Add checks: add unboxing photos (¥500 / ¥700) or a wrong / missing item check (¥200) at the Tokyo warehouse before international shipping, and package reinforcement (from ¥100) for a full stick.^[92]

Shipping restrictions for arcade gear

• Sprays: all aerosol and spray products, including spray lubricants and air dusters (除塵スプレー), are prohibited.^[85][86]
• Batteries and wireless controllers: Japan Post treats lithium batteries and mobile batteries as air dangerous goods; batteries installed in equipment can be sent only if they meet set conditions and only to some countries.^[86] The HORI sticks above are wired and have no battery.^[9][10] If you buy a wireless controller with a built-in battery, whether it can ship depends on the carrier’s rules at the time, so ask the OneMall team first; we cannot promise it ships.
• Magnetic parts: “magnetic materials” are on OneMall’s prohibited list; if you are buying magnetic-sensor (Hall effect) levers or parts with strong magnets, ask before ordering.^[85]
• Lottery and limited items: limited-edition sticks sold by lottery, with a purchase limit, or needing a Japanese account cannot be bought for you; look for resold ones on Mercari or Yahoo Auctions.

OneMall buys from Japanese marketplaces such as Mercari, Yahoo Auctions, Rakuten and Amazon Japan, and from other Japanese online stores (including maker web shops) through LinkBuy. Items that need a lottery entry, purchase limit, Japanese identity verification or a merchant account cannot be purchased. International shipping is charged on the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight (length × width × height ÷ 5,000) of the box the warehouse uses.

Service fees are ¥300 per item on most marketplaces; from ¥200 per item on Yahoo Auctions and LinkBuy. The first six orders consolidate free; each additional order costs ¥100. Storage is free for 90 days after arrival (30 days after consolidation). Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or PayPal, settled in USD.

US buyers: since August 29, 2025, US-bound parcels of any value go through customs and pay applicable duties, taxes and fees — the $800 de minimis exemption no longer applies. OneMall currently ships to the United States by ECMS, DHL and Japan Post EMS (DDP — declared value up to USD 2,500, duties prepaid with the shipping fee); the live quote at checkout shows which lines accept your parcel.

If something breaks: damage caused inside the warehouse by OneMall is refunded at the item’s purchase price; damage in international transit is compensated up to the international shipping fee paid, and must be reported within 24 hours with the order number, photos and a full unboxing video. Loss in transit is handled by the carrier, and OneMall helps confirm with the carrier and file the claim within 72 hours. Duties and customs fees are paid by the buyer.

OneMall is responsible for an item from its arrival at the warehouse until it leaves, and is not liable for seller-side problems such as descriptions that do not match the item.^[93] For customs on electronics and duties, see our US import tax and customs guide; for everything that cannot ship, see our guide to what you cannot ship from Japan. Compare the best Japan proxy services and proxy costs by total landed cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common Japanese arcade stick lever?

The Sanwa JLF. Sanwa calls the JLF series its industry-standard lever, and its store says the JLF-TP-8YT-SK is the most used lever in arcade controllers.

Are Sanwa buttons 24 mm or 30 mm?

Both. OBSF-30 is the 30 mm main button and OBSF-24 the 24 mm start/select size; leverless controllers usually use 24 mm main buttons.

What quick disconnect size do Sanwa buttons use?

The SW-68 switch uses 110 tab terminals, which are 2.8 mm (JIS). The 187 series is 4.8 mm.

What is the difference between Sanwa and Seimitsu?

Different lever lines and mountings: Sanwa’s JLF uses an 85 × 40 mm plate; Seimitsu’s LS levers come with several bases. Feel is personal.

Does the Hori Fighting Stick α use Sanwa parts?

No. It uses HORI’s own HAYABUSA lever and buttons. The case opens, so you can maintain and swap parts.

Can I ship a Japanese arcade cabinet to the US?

A full cabinet is freight, not a parcel; ask the OneMall team before buying. Sticks and parts go as normal parcels, subject to the shipping restrictions above.

References

1. Sanwa Denshi: company top page (amusement machine parts maker). https://www.sanwa-d.co.jp/
2. Sanwa Denshi: company profile. https://www.sanwa-d.co.jp/company/index.html
3. Sanwa Denshi: joystick levers. https://www.sanwa-d.co.jp/product/lever.html
4. Sanwa Denshi: push buttons. https://www.sanwa-d.co.jp/product/button.html
5. Seimitsu Kogyo: company top page and FAQ. https://seimitsu.co.jp/
6. Seimitsu Kogyo: about and history. https://seimitsu.co.jp/about/
7. Seimitsu Kogyo: business (handmade, Astro City joystick). https://seimitsu.co.jp/service/
8. HORI: company profile. https://hori.jp/company
9. HORI: Fighting Stick α for PS5/PS4/PC (SPF-013). https://hori.jp/products/p5/fs_alpha/
10. HORI: NOLVA Mechanical All-Button Arcade Controller (SPF-049). https://hori.jp/p5/spf-049/
11. Sanwa Denshi store: JLF-TP-8YT. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000100/
12. Sanwa Denshi store: JLF-TP-8YT-SK. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000097/
13. Sanwa Denshi store: JLF-TP-8Y. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000101/
14. Sanwa Denshi store: joystick levers and lever parts list. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/joystick
15. Sanwa Denshi store: JLX2-TP-8YT. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000104/
16. Sanwa Denshi: product history. https://www.sanwa-d.co.jp/product/index.html
17. Sanwa Denshi store: JLX2-TPML-8YT-SK silent lever. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000103/
18. Sanwa Denshi store: JLX2D-TP-8YT detachable-shaft lever. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000108/
19. Sanwa Denshi store: JLF-H 5-pin harness. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000113/
20. Sanwa Denshi store: JLF-P-1 mounting plate. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000118/
21. Sanwa Denshi store: MS-O-2P lever microswitch. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000117/
22. Sanwa Denshi store: JLF-SP springs. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000124/
23. Sanwa Denshi store: GT-8X guide plate. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000187/
24. Sanwa Denshi store: GTN guide chips. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000125/
25. Sanwa Denshi store: GTX guide sets. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000123/
26. Sanwa Denshi store: XTP-M3L1 anti-jump PCB. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000209/
27. Sanwa Denshi store: LB-35 lever ball. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000169/
28. Sanwa Denshi store: LB-30N teardrop (nasubi) lever ball. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000172/
29. Sanwa Denshi store: OBSF-30 snap-in button. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000109/
30. Sanwa Denshi store: OBSF-24 snap-in button. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000110/
31. Sanwa Denshi store: all items, page 1 (button prices). https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopbrand/all_items/page1/
32. Sanwa Denshi store: OBSC-30 clear button. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000177/
33. Sanwa Denshi store: OBSJ-30 metallic button. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000174/
34. Sanwa Denshi store: OBSFE-30 elastomer silent button. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000111/
35. Sanwa Denshi store: OBSN-30 screw-in button. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000178/
36. Sanwa Denshi store: OBSN-24 screw-in button. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000179/
37. Sanwa Denshi store: all items, page 2 (button prices). https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopbrand/all_items/page2/
38. Sanwa Denshi store: OBSF-30RG reed-switch button. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000180/
39. Seimitsu store: LS-32-01. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32072878
40. Seimitsu store: LS-32. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32093598
41. Seimitsu store: LS-40. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32093762
42. Seimitsu store: LS-56. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32093883
43. Seimitsu store: LS-58. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32094383
44. Seimitsu store: LS-62-01. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32092023
45. Seimitsu store: LS-32-01-SUS. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/41978616
46. Seimitsu store: LSQ-40 silent joystick. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/46935174
47. Seimitsu store: LSH-56-01. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/44454182
48. Seimitsu store: LSX-NOBI-01-PRO. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/38763697
49. Seimitsu store: LSX-NOBI-01-STD. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/38843269
50. Seimitsu store: PS-14-G. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32105633
51. Seimitsu store: PS-14-GN. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32105300
52. Seimitsu store: PS-14-K. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32102606
53. Seimitsu store: PS-14-DN. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32105444
54. Seimitsu store: PS-15. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32107775
55. Sanwa Denshi store: SBS-30 silent sheets. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000128/
56. Seimitsu Kogyo: joystick catalog. https://seimitsu.co.jp/joystick/
57. HORI: Fighting Stick α for Xbox Series X|S. https://hori.jp/products/xsx/fs_alpha/
58. HORI: Street Fighter 6 Fighting Stick α (SPF-033). https://hori.jp/products/p5/spf-033/
59. HORI: Fighting Stick α SILENT (SPF-039). https://hori.jp/products/p5/spf-039/
60. HORI: Fighting Stick mini for PS5/PS4/PC (SPF-038). https://hori.jp/products/p5/spf-038/
61. HORI: Fighting Stick mini for Nintendo Switch (NSW-149). https://hori.jp/products/nsw/fighting_stick_mini/
62. HORI: Real Arcade Pro.V HAYABUSA for Nintendo Switch (NSW-006). https://hori.jp/products/nsw/rap_sw/
63. HORI: Real Arcade Pro. Premium VLX HAYABUSA (PS4-050). https://hori.jp/products/p4/p4_rap_vlx_hayabusa/
64. HORI: Fighting Commander OCTA (SPF-023). https://hori.jp/products/p5/fc_octa/
65. Kyoshin (tab terminal maker): tab terminal sizes. https://www.kyoshin-k.co.jp/products/daien.html
66. Sanwa Denshi store: 68CAU-G conversion harness. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000127/
67. Seimitsu store: Faston terminals. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/32166266
68. Kotobank: ジョイスティック (joystick). https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%81%98%E3%82%88%E3%81%84%E3%81%99%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%81%A4%E3%81%8F-3212242
69. Kotobank: ゲーミングデバイス (gaming device). https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%81%92%E3%83%BC%E3%81%BF%E3%82%93%E3%81%90%E3%81%A7%E3%81%B0%E3%81%84%E3%81%99-1710760
70. Kotobank: ゲームセンター (game center). https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%81%92%E3%83%BC%E3%82%80%E3%81%9B%E3%82%93%E3%81%9F%E3%83%BC-3210490
71. Kotobank: 精密 (seimitsu, precision). https://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%B2%BE%E5%AF%86-546429
72. Sanwa Denshi: English page. https://www.sanwa-d.co.jp/en/index.html
73. Sanwa Denshi news: web store integration (Feb 9, 2026). https://www.sanwa-d.co.jp/wp/2026/02/09/20260209/
74. Sanwa Denshi news: discontinued products (Oct 6, 2023). https://www.sanwa-d.co.jp/wp/2023/10/06/20231006/
75. Sanwa Denshi store: SW-68 key switch. https://www.sanwa-d.shop/shopdetail/000000000185/
76. Seimitsu Kogyo: joystick catalog page 2 (lever balls, LS-58, LS-60, LSX-57). https://seimitsu.co.jp/joystick/page/2/
77. Seimitsu Kogyo: joystick catalog page 3 (5P-connector levers, washers). https://seimitsu.co.jp/joystick/page/3/
78. Seimitsu store: LS-32-01-SC. https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/items/40209845
79. Seimitsu Kogyo: button catalog. https://seimitsu.co.jp/button/
80. Seimitsu Kogyo: button catalog page 2 (lit buttons, switches, hole plug). https://seimitsu.co.jp/button/page/2/
81. Seimitsu Kogyo: button catalog page 3 (LED lamps). https://seimitsu.co.jp/button/page/3/
82. HORI: Fighting Stick mini for Windows PC (HPC-063). https://hori.jp/products-fs-mini-for-windows-pc/
83. HORI: Fighting Commander for Nintendo Switch (NSW-244). https://hori.jp/products/nsw/fighting-commander/
84. Seimitsu store: about (shipping, self-disassembly). https://seimitsuin.thebase.in/about
85. OneMall: Prohibited Items List for Japan. https://support.onemall.jp/prohibited-items-list-for-japan
86. Japan Post: items that cannot be sent by international mail. https://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/send/oversea/attention/restriction/
87. SEGA FAVE TOY: Astro City Mini V. https://www.segatoys.co.jp/brand/astrocitymini_v/
88. Kotobank: スペースインベーダー. https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%81%99%E3%81%BA%E3%83%BC%E3%81%99%E3%81%84%E3%82%93%E3%81%B9%E3%83%BC%E3%81%A0%E3%83%BC-753400
89. Kotobank: ストリートファイターII. https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%81%99%E3%81%A8%E3%82%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%81%A8%E3%81%B5%E3%81%82%E3%81%84%E3%81%9F%E3%83%BCii-717218
90. SEGA SAMMY: history (Virtua Fighter, 1993). https://www.segasammy.co.jp/en/archives/ir/ar2017/history/
91. Sanwa Denshi store: shopping guide (delivery). https://www.sanwa-d.shop/html/info.html
92. OneMall: Online Value-Added Services. https://support.onemall.jp/onemall-online-value-added-services
93. OneMall: Our Responsibility. https://support.onemall.jp/our-responsibility-2