List of Japanese board games
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This is a list of board games invented, developed, and/or with cultural significance in Japan.
| Game name | Year | Origin | Players | Gameplay style | Similar Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go (囲碁 igo) | ? | Traditional (originated in China) | 2 | Strategic territory and surrounding game | |
| Love Letter | 2012 | Kanai Factory | 2-4 | Risk and deduction game | Coup |
| Gomoku (五目並べ gomokunarabe) | ? | Traditional | 2 | Strategic abstract game played with Go pieces on a Renju board (15x15), goal to reach five in a row | Renju, Four in a row, Irensei |
| Irensei (囲連星) | ? | Traditional | 2 | Strategic abstract game played with Go pieces on a Go board (19x19); unites elements of the game of Go with those of Gomoku | Go, Gomoku |
| Jinsei Game (人生ゲーム jin-sei gēmu) | 1967 | Takara | ? | Japanese adaption of The Game of Life | The Game of Life |
| Renju (連珠) | ? | Traditional | 2 | Strategic five-in-a-row game with equal chances for both players | Pente, Gomoku |
| Shadow Hunters (シャドウハンターズ shadō hantāzu) | 2005 | Game Republic | 4-8 | Supernatural themed, strategic, secret team play | Bang!, Mafia |
| Riichi Mahjong (リーチ麻雀 Riichi Maajan) | ? | Traditional | 4 | Chinese Mahjong with Japanese rules | Mahjong |
| Shogi and variants (将棋 shōgi, generals' chess) Japanese chess | ? | Traditional | 2 | Played on a 9x9 board; can use captured pieces against opponent | Chess |
| Sugoroku (双六) | ? | Traditional | ? | Race game, two variants | Backgammon (variant), Snakes and Ladders (variant) |