Takarakuji is taking place continuously, but the most important is the one taking place now, at the end of the year - the Nenmatsu Jumbo Takarakuji (Year-end Jumbo Lottery).
This is the second largest lottery in the world, after the Spanish El Gordo Draw. The tickets are sold exclusively by Mizuho Bank and there is a limited number of tickets available, so immediately after the sale starts, long queues are forming at the tickets booths.
The winner in announced on December 31 and the prizes are really big - this year there will be 32 top prizes of 200 million yen ($2.6 million) each, 66 second-place prizes of 100 million yen each and 264 prizes of 50 million yen each...
EXIF info:
Nikon D90
Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal Length: 36mm
Aperture: F/6.3
Shutter Speed: 1/160s
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200