Akushukai

An Akushukai (握手会 - Handshake Event), are events held for every AKB48 group single release, where fans get to meet the members and shake hands with them.

There are two types of Akushukai, Zenkoku and Kobetsu

Zenkoku

Zenkoku Akushukai are when a group of around 20 AKB48 group members participate in a handshake event in a large city somewhere in Japan. You do not chose which member you shake hands with, but shake hands with all of the members in that certain row you chose. There is also a mini-live event at these events.

The tickets to the Zenkoku Akushukai come with the Limited-Edition copies of singles.

Kobetsu

Kobetsu Akushukai (also known as Dai-Akushukai), is where all members of AKB48 and it's sister groups hold a huge scale hand shake event. You apply for tickets to shake hands with a certain member.

The tickets to the Kobetsu Akushukai come with the Theater-Edition copies of singles, but you however have to apply online and preorder these copies via Chara-Ani a month before the release date.