Top 10 Japanese Board Games In 2025
Japanese board games have been a key part of entertainment long before video games. Many of them came from China or the West, but the Japanese added unique twists.
Today, these games remain highly popular, offering strategy, fun, and family bonding. Here’s a list of the top 10 Japanese board games you must try in 2025.
10 Japanese Board Games In 2025
Shogi – The Japanese Chess
Shogi is a strategy board game similar to chess but with an exciting twist. Each player starts with 20 pieces, creating a complex battlefield where tactical thinking is paramount. You can capture your opponent’s pieces and later use them as your own, which adds a unique layer of strategic depth not found in Western chess. When a piece reaches the far end of the board, it can be promoted, changing into a stronger piece with enhanced capabilities. Like other abstract strategy games, Shogi requires patience, careful planning, and the ability to think several moves ahead. It is one of the most played games in Japan and continues to captivate players worldwide with its intricate gameplay.
- Deep strategic gameplay with endless possibilities
- Unique piece promotion and capture mechanics
- Complex for beginners to learn initially
- Steep learning curve requires dedication
Machi-Koro – Build Your Own City
Machi-Koro lets players become mayors of their own city in this delightful dice-rolling adventure. The goal is to develop your city and complete four major landmarks first, creating a thriving metropolis from humble beginnings. Each turn, you roll dice, collect income based on the numbers rolled, and construct buildings that will generate future revenue. Buildings activate income based on dice rolls, adding a fun element of chance that keeps every game exciting. It’s simple to learn, visually appealing, and perfect for family game nights. The game is enjoyable for players young and old, and encourages strategic city development while maintaining an accessible, light-hearted atmosphere.
- Quick and fun with straightforward rules
- Beautiful game design with appealing artwork
- Can feel luck-based at times
- Limited depth for advanced players
Daifugo (Daihinmin) – Card Game of Rankings
Daifugo is a classic Japanese card game designed for 3 or more players, creating a dynamic social experience where fortunes can change rapidly. The aim is to get rid of all your cards first, but what makes this game unique are the rotating social roles assigned after each round. Roles range from daifugo (grand millionaire) to daihinmin (grand pauper), and players exchange cards based on their rank before each new round begins. Cards are played in ascending order, and the hierarchy system creates an engaging power dynamic that shifts with each game. The game is simple to learn, highly social and interactive, and perfect for casual fun at gatherings.
- Easy to pick up and teach new players
- Social and interactive gameplay
- Can favor experienced players who know tricks
- Luck affects results significantly
Go (Igo) – Ancient Strategy Game
Go is one of the oldest board games in the world, with origins dating back thousands of years before being introduced to Japan in the 7th century. Two players take turns placing black and white stones on the intersections of a grid, with the objective of surrounding more territory than your opponent through strategic placement. Despite its simple rules, Go offers extraordinary depth and complexity that has captivated players for millennia. Mentioned alongside chess as a classic strategy game, it is highly strategic and rewards patience, spatial awareness, and long-term planning. The game is perfect for players who enjoy thoughtful, creative gameplay where every stone placement can have far-reaching consequences across the board.
- Deep strategy with infinite replay value
- Encourages long-term planning and creativity
- Very steep learning curve for new players
- Games can be time-consuming
Sugoroku – Japanese Dice Adventure
Sugoroku is a race-style board game similar to Snakes & Ladders, where players roll dice and move their pieces along a winding path toward the finish line. Originally played as an adult gambling game in ancient Japan, it has evolved into a beloved family-friendly pastime enjoyed by all ages. Modern versions feature colorful illustrations depicting Japanese culture and landscapes, with simple rules that make it instantly accessible. Players advance by rolling dice, landing on special spaces that can help or hinder progress, making each game an unpredictable adventure. It is easy to understand, fun for players of all ages, and serves as a wonderful introduction to Japanese gaming culture.
- Simple and fun for all ages
- Colorful boards with beautiful illustrations
- Heavy reliance on luck over strategy
- Shorter gameplay may not satisfy everyone
Karuta – Fast-Paced Card Matching
Karuta is an energetic Japanese card game that uses two sets of cards: yomi-fuda (reading cards) and tori-fuda (grabbing cards). One player reads aloud from the yomi-fuda while others race to find and grab the matching tori-fuda as quickly as possible. Some traditional sets teach classical Japanese poetry, proverbs, or basic reading skills, making Karuta both educational and entertaining. The game is loud, fun, and full of energy, making it a favorite in Japanese schools and family gatherings. Karuta improves hand-eye coordination, reflexes, listening skills, and memory while offering exciting competition that keeps players on the edge of their seats.
- Improves reading skills and reflexes
- Educational and fun for groups
- Can be chaotic with many players
- Requires adequate space to play
Gomoku – Line Up Five Pieces
Gomoku uses the same Go board and stones but offers a more accessible entry point for beginners. Players alternate placing black and white stones on the board intersections, with the simple objective of creating an unbroken line of five pieces horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The game beautifully balances offensive strategies (building your own line) with defensive tactics (blocking your opponent’s potential winning moves). Once placed, pieces cannot be moved, so every decision is permanent and consequential. Perfect for those seeking engaging two-player games, it’s simple yet challenging, offering hours of strategic gameplay and serving as an excellent quick break from more complex games.
- Easy to learn with straightforward rules
- Strategic yet fast-paced gameplay
- Limited long-term depth compared to Go
- Can become repetitive over many games
Riichi Mah-Jong – Japanese Tile Strategy
Riichi Mah-Jong is Japan’s distinctive version of the traditional Chinese Mah-Jong, featuring 136 tiles and additional Japanese-specific rules and scoring systems. Players work to form sets and sequences of tiles while carefully managing their hand, with scoring based on achieving specific yaku (winning hand patterns) combinations. The game requires strategic planning, careful observation of opponents’ discards, pattern recognition, and calculated risk-taking when deciding whether to declare riichi. It’s highly strategic, with a complexity that rewards experienced players, and remains popular among friends and family throughout Japan. Perfect for those who enjoy tactical games with depth, Riichi Mah-Jong offers endless strategic possibilities and social interaction.
- Complex strategy with high skill ceiling
- Social gameplay with strong player interaction
- High learning curve for new players
- Tile management can be tricky
Tokyo Highway – Build with Precision
Tokyo Highway is a modern Japanese dexterity board game where players construct intricate elevated road networks using wooden pillars and sticks. Players carefully place highway pieces at varying heights and angles, then add miniature cars to their roads when specific placement conditions are met. The goal is to be the first player to place all of their cars by successfully building roads that pass over or under opponents’ highways. This unique game combines strategic planning with steady-handed skill, requiring players to think spatially while executing precise physical movements. It’s fun for small groups, offers a tactile hands-on challenge unlike traditional board games, and creates stunning architectural displays on the table.
- Fun and tactile with physical interaction
- Unique modern concept unlike other games
- Components can be fragile and delicate
- Rules can be confusing initially
Jinsei Game – Life Simulation Board Game
Jinsei Game is Japan’s beloved version of the Game of Life, taking players on a journey through various life stages from toddler to adulthood. Players spin the wheel, follow instructions on the spaces they land on, and navigate life’s ups and downs including career choices, marriage, children, and unexpected events. The goal is to make smart decisions and finish the game with the most wealth and happiness. The game is colorful, lively, and features Japanese cultural elements that make it uniquely charming. It’s great for family play, offering laughs and conversation as players experience simulated life events together, making it perfect for game nights with players of all ages.
- Fun family game with broad appeal
- Engaging storyline and life events
- Events are primarily luck-based
- Can feel repetitive after multiple plays
Japanese board games remain an essential part of culture and entertainment. From centuries-old classics like Go to modern games like Machi-Koro, each offers a unique experience. These top 10 Japanese board games are perfect for strategy lovers, casual players, and family fun in 2025.
