The best games set in Japan 🇯🇵 2026
Looking for a really good game set in Japan 🇯🇵? Then we have just the thing for you: The list with the best Japan games 2026.
What are Japan games?
In this list you will find games, expansions, promos, etc. that focus on the country of Japan thematically or playfully.
Examples of games set in Japan:
A good example of a Japan game is Hanabi or King of Tokyo.
List of the best games 2026 set in Japan 🇯🇵
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Sushi Go Party!
All details & ratingSushi Go Party! is an expanded version of the popular card game Sushi Go!, offering more variety and accommodating more players for a larger, more dynamic game experience.
2–8 20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Ohanami
All details & ratingOhanami is a serene and strategic card drafting game that seamlessly blends simplicity with deep strategic choices. Over three rounds, players cultivate their gardens by selecting cards and building sequences in a quest for the most points.
2–4 20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Sushi Go!
All details & ratingSushi Go! is a dynamic, fast-paced card game set in a sushi restaurant. Players aim to grab the best sushi combinations as they come around. It's all about strategy, from picking the perfect sushi rolls to collecting sashimi sets. Boost your scores with wasabi-flavored nigiri, and don't forget to load up on pudding by the end!
2–5 15 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 3 € above the best price13 € at Amazon* -
King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
All details & ratingKing of Tokyo: Dark Edition is a limited collector's edition of the popular game King of Tokyo. Set in an alternative, darker version of Tokyo, this edition brings a new level of intensity to the battle for control of the city.
2–6 30 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Hanamikoji
All details & ratingHanamikoji is a strategic card game set in the historical context of Geisha culture in Japan. The game immerses players in the role of patrons who are competing to gain the favor of seven renowned Geishas by collecting items related to their art and performances.
2 15 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 1 € above the best price14 € at Amazon*Video reviews 2 -
Onitama
All details & ratingImmerse yourself in the world of Onitama, a dynamic two-player abstract game offering perfect information and a randomized starting setup on a 5x5 board. Both participants begin the game with five pawns each, strategically placing the main pawn at the board's center.
2 15–20 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 2 € above the best price25 € at Amazon* -
King of Tokyo: Monster Box
All details & ratingAll the King of Tokyo fun comes in a Monster Box. The battle for dominance in Tokyo has never been more intense, packed with excitement and adrenaline! It includes the essential Power Up! and Halloween expansions, evolution cards to enhance your monsters, and even a new version of Gigazaur with exclusive cards and a new dice tray for stylishly wreaking havoc in Tokyo.
2–6 30 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Nekojima
All details & ratingOn Nekojima, the "Island of Cats" in Japan, players build an electrical grid to supply various lively districts. Installing power poles becomes increasingly challenging due to the limited space and the curious cats that roam the cables.
1–5 15–30 min 7+ Immediately playable+ 2 € above the best price33 € at Amazon* -
Dorfromantik: Sakura
All details & ratingPlayers are transported to the idyllic landscapes of Japan in this standalone successor to the award-winning board game. With the introduction of cherry blossoms as a new element and over 40 achievements to unlock, there's plenty of exciting challenges to face. Numerous surprises await as players explore the world of Dorfromantik - Sakura.
1–6 30–90 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Tokaido: Deluxe Edition
All details & ratingThe game accommodates 2 to 5 players, immersing them in the unique atmosphere of a pilgrimage along Japan's legendary Eastern Sea Road. Players aim to collect beautiful souvenirs, discover stunning views, enjoy enriching encounters, relax in soothing hot springs, and savor the rich cuisine.
2–5 45 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Hanabi
All details & ratingHanabi, named after the Japanese word for "fireworks," invites players to collaboratively create the perfect fireworks display. In this cooperative game, the goal is to arrange cards on the table in the correct order to achieve a stunning pyrotechnic spectacle. However, there's a catch - players must hold their cards so that they are visible only to their teammates. To succeed, you'll need to provide hints to your fellow players about the numbers and colors of their cards, working together to avoid mistakes and complete the fireworks show before running out of cards.
2–5 25 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Ninja Academy
All details & ratingAs a Ninja apprentice, it's time to prove your skills through challenging and exciting tests. Players engage in collective challenges and duels in a series of randomly drawn tests. Whether challenging the whole group or going head-to-head, the objective is clear: be the best in your trial!
3–5 20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Takenoko
All details & ratingTakenoko is a charming board game set in the Japanese Imperial court, revolving around the care of a giant panda gifted by the Chinese Emperor. Players, as court members, are tasked with managing a bamboo garden for the panda.
2–4 45 min 8+ Easy to learn+ 7 € above the best price40 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Let's Go! To Japan
All details & ratingPlayers are travelers planning and experiencing their dream vacation in Japan. The game consists of thirteen rounds where they draw activity cards illustrated by Japanese artists and strategically place them on different days of their week-long itinerary. The player with the most points at the end of their journey wins.
1–4 45–60 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Machi Koro 2
All details & ratingWelcome back to your charming and quirky favorite city! In Machi Koro 2, players will notice significant changes with new area laws and a limited budget to select starting businesses. Cards are drawn from three decks and displayed for everyone, creating a race to build the coolest new establishments and landmarks across the country. Choose wisely, as your landmarks could also benefit your opponents, ensuring that no two games are alike.
2–5 45 min 10+ Easy to learn -
King of Tokyo: Origins
All details & ratingPlayers take on the role of monsters battling for supremacy in a standalone game designed for newcomers. It features four new monsters, a mix of power cards, energy dice, and special yellow dice. The objective is to be the first to reach 20 points or be the last monster standing. Players roll six dice to gain points, energy, heal, or attack others, with various strategic options for each turn.
2–4 30 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Bonsai
All details & ratingIn Bonsai you take on the role of master gardeners patiently growing your own miniature tree. Whoever cultivates the finest bonsai earns the honour of displaying it in the Imperial gardens — a calm, elegant tile-laying and set-collection game for 1 to 4 players.
1–4 40 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 2 € above the best price30 € at Amazon* -
Okiya
All details & ratingPlayers arrange game pieces to gain the favor of the emperor in Okiya, also known as Niya. They can also block opponents from placing their tokens in the imperial garden to show more control.
2 10 min 7+ Immediately playable -
Sushizock im Gockelwok
All details & ratingPlayers roll dice to collect "Sushi" and "Fishbone" stones from the center of the board, with the type of stone depending on their roll. They can steal stones from others by rolling three or more colored "Chopsticks," allowing them to take a tile from an opponent's stack. At the game's end, players score points based on their collected stones, but having more blue stones than red results in losing excess blue stones.
2–5 20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Machi Koro
All details & ratingMachi Koro is a light and fast-paced city-building board game, where players take on the role of mayor of a small town, striving to develop it into a thriving city.
2–4 30 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 1 € above the best price11 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Tokaido Duo
All details & ratingPlayers explore the smallest island of the Japanese archipelago in Tokaido Duo. They experience various landscapes from the perspectives of three distinct characters: a pilgrim visiting temples and hot springs, a merchant crafting and selling handmade goods, and an artist painting beautiful scenery. By embarking on adventures with all three characters, players collect points and deepen their connection to their journeys.
1–2 20–30 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Next Station: Tokyo
All details & ratingTravel to the Japanese city of Tokyo and compete to redesign its subway plans for the challenges of tomorrow. In each round, reveal the next station card and draw a subway line on your map. Optimize your network to collect as many stamps as possible while staying connected to the central green loop for maximum points.
1–4 25–30 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Kodama 3D
All details & ratingPlayers grow trees in a three-dimensional space. They move their Kodama stones around a 4x4 grid of branch tiles to choose the branches they want to add to their trees. Once all players have placed 12 branches on their trees, they score their goal cards, and the player with the most points wins.
2–4 30–40 min 14+ Immediately playable
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
Sushi Go Party! currently tops our list. The ranking is derived from player community ratings and is recalculated continuously.
How many players do the games on this list support?
Most games on this list support 2 to 4 players. The exact player count is listed with each game.
What age are these games suitable for?
Publisher age recommendations on this list start at 7 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.
Didn't find the game you were looking for?
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