The Best "Japan Boardgame Prize🇯🇵" winners and nominees 2024

Looking for a good game that won or was nominated for the Japan Boardgame Prize? Then we have just the thing for you: A list with the best "Japan Boardgame Prize" winners and games that were on the nomination list.

What is the Japan Boardgame Prize?

The "Japan Boardgame Prize" is an award for dice, card & board games. The prize originates from 🇯🇵Japan, was established in 2002 and is chosen by a jury.

The Japan Board Game Prize is sponsored by U-more - an organization whose goal is to spread the culture of board games in Japan.

In 2008, U-More combined the previous four categories and did not nominate any games. Voters selected up to five favorites from a list of 154 titles sold in Japan from October 2007 to September 2008. For each voter, they added 5 points to the first favorite, 4 points to the second ... 1 point to the fifth. There are a total of 317 voters from 32 prefectures in cooperation with many boardgame circles and stores.

Japan Boardgame Prize Categories

The Japan Boardgame Prize award is given every year in the following categories:

  • The Best Foreign Game for Beginners - "its rule is relatively simple, and the playing time is short, so anyone can have fun immediately, regardless of their experience."
  • The best advanced game - "more advanced and can be played by those who are used to playing games".
  • The best Japanese game - "published in Japanese packaging".
  • The best children's game - "its illustration and components are designed for children, easy to play for children under nine, and quite entertaining for parents as well".

For more info, visit the official Japan Boardgame Prize homepage or the Wikipedia post of Japan Boardgame Prize.

Other game awards from around the world.

There are many more game awards from around the world, you can find a list at the bottom of this page.

List of best Japan Boardgame Prize winners & nominees 2024:

This list was last updated on August 20, 2024. We compared 350 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Just One

    All details for the board game Just One and similar games

    Just One is a cooperative party game that combines elements of mystery and creativity. Players work together to guess as many words as possible, using unique clues provided by their teammates.

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2019

    More details for Just One
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Just One

    • YouTube Review for the game "Just One" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  2. SCOUT

    All details for the board game SCOUT and similar games

    SCOUT is an innovative card game that blends elements of hand management and ladder-climbing mechanics. The unique twist in this game is the dual-indexed cards and the restriction on rearranging your hand, creating a challenging and strategic gameplay experience.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for SCOUT
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Codenames

    All details for the board game Codenames and similar games

    Codenames is a captivating and popular party game that involves clever wordplay and deduction. Two teams compete, each led by a spymaster who knows the secret identities of 25 agents, represented by cards bearing single-word codenames like "disease," "Germany," or even "carrot." The objective is for each team to be the first to correctly identify all their agents based on clues given by their spymaster, while avoiding the dangerous assassin.

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 15.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Codenames
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  4. MicroMacro: Crime City

    All details for the board game MicroMacro: Crime City and similar games

    MicroMacro: Crime City is a unique detective game that immerses players into a detailed and expansive cityscape to solve intriguing crimes. The game centers around a large, detailed map of a city where various crimes have occurred. Players become detectives tasked with unraveling these mysteries using the clues scattered across the city.

    Nominated for 20 awards and won 11.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for MicroMacro: Crime City
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  5. So Clover!

    All details for the board game So Clover! and similar games

    So Clover! is a cooperative word-association game that challenges players to think creatively and work together. The essence of the game is to generate and guess keywords based on shared features, aiming to achieve the highest possible team score.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for So Clover!
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. Cascadia

    All details for the board game Cascadia and similar games

    Cascadia is a tile-laying and token-drafting board game that features the rich habitats and diverse wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. It combines strategic tile placement with wildlife conservation themes.

    Nominated for 24 awards and won 12.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Cascadia
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Kingdomino

    All details for the board game Kingdomino and similar games

    Embark on a noble quest to expand your kingdom in Kingdomino. As a lord, your mission is to explore vast lands filled with wheat fields, serene lakes, and towering mountains. Competing with fellow lords, you must identify the choicest plots to claim as your own.

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 7.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for Kingdomino
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Kingdomino

    • YouTube Review for the game "Kingdomino" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  8. Codenames: Duet

    All details for the board game Codenames: Duet and similar games

    Embark on a collaborative journey of espionage in Codenames Duet, where the familiar elements of Codenames persist – providing one-word clues to unveil your agents among those on the table. This time, however, you and your teammate work together to uncover all your agents, adding a thrilling cooperative dimension to the challenge. The mystery of not knowing your agents from the outset adds an intriguing layer to the mission, raising questions that even Congressional investigators might ponder later!

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    More details for Codenames: Duet
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 11+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Codenames: Duet

    • YouTube Review for the game "Codenames: Duet" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  9. Love Letter

    All details for the board game Love Letter and similar games

    In Love Letter, you must compete with other suitors to deliver a romantic letter to Princess Annette, who has secluded herself in the palace.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 7.

    More details for Love Letter
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Love Letter

    • YouTube Review for the game "Love Letter" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  10. Skull

    All details for the board game Skull and similar games

    Embark on a journey of bluffing and suspense with Skull & Roses. This game is the epitome of strategic cunning, where every move unfolds in the minds of the players. Each participant starts by placing a face-down card, gradually revealing them one by one. The thrill escalates as players confidently claim the ability to uncover cards adorned only with roses. But beware, as opponents can challenge and bid to reveal even more cards. The highest bidder must then courageously unveil the specified number, hoping for a bed of roses and not the dreaded skull. Successfully navigating this bluffing showdown requires a poker face and unwavering eye contact, with victory hinging on two successful challenges.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    More details for Skull
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Skull

    • YouTube Review for the game "Skull" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Skull" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  11. Heat: Pedal to the Metal

    All details for the board game Heat: Pedal to the Metal and similar games

    Heat: Pedal to the Metal is a dynamic and strategic racing board game that simulates the thrill and intricacies of car racing. It offers players a chance to experience the excitement of racing while managing crucial elements like speed, car upgrades, and varying track conditions.

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 6.

    More details for Heat: Pedal to the Metal
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  12. Dixit

    All details for the board game Dixit and similar games

    Dixit is a beautifully imaginative and simple card game that emphasizes creativity and interpretation. Each turn, a player becomes the storyteller, selecting a card from their hand and giving a sentence or phrase inspired by the card’s image. The other players then choose cards from their hands that they feel best match the storyteller's sentence.

    Nominated for 20 awards and won 10.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2010

    More details for Dixit
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  13. The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine

    All details for the board game The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine and similar games

    The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is a cooperative trick-taking game that takes players on an adventurous space journey, filled with challenges and strategic gameplay.

    Nominated for 26 awards and won 13.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Splendor Duel

    All details for the board game Splendor Duel and similar games

    Splendor Duel is an intriguing two-player game that builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, Splendor, enhancing it with new layers of strategy and competitiveness. Designed specifically for two players, this standalone game maintains the core elements of Splendor while introducing novel twists and mechanics, making it more dynamic and interactive.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    More details for Splendor Duel
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  15. Sea Salt & Paper

    All details for the board game Sea Salt & Paper and similar games

    Sea Salt & Paper is a set collection card game that combines strategic decision-making with the excitement of timing your moves just right. Similar to Rummy in gameplay, it involves collecting sets of cards to score points, while also navigating the timing of when to end the round for optimal advantage.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    More details for Sea Salt & Paper
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Las Vegas

    All details for the board game Las Vegas and similar games

    Las Vegas is a lively, dice-based game that combines luck, strategy, and the joy of thwarting your opponents. Developed by Stefan Brück at alea, it's designed to be an easy and interactive game, full of schadenfreude moments.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2012

    More details for Las Vegas
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Las Vegas

    • YouTube Review for the game "Las Vegas" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  17. Project L

    All details for the board game Project L and similar games

    Project L is a dynamic and visually appealing board game that combines tile-matching with engine-building elements. It's designed to challenge players with its strategic depth, encapsulated within an elegant and simple design. The game features unique triple-layer 3D puzzles and attractive acrylic pieces, making it not only a test of intellect but also a delight to play.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for Project L
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  18. Pictures

    All details for the board game Pictures and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for Pictures
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Pictures

    • YouTube Review for the game "Pictures" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  19. Wingspan

    All details for the board game Wingspan and similar games

    Wingspan is a captivating, competitive board game from Stonemaier Games, masterfully designed by Elizabeth Hargrave. It's a medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building game that stands out with its unique theme and stunning artwork, featuring over 170 bird illustrations by artists Beth Sobel, Natalia Rojas, and Ana Maria Martinez.

    Nominated for 26 awards and won 16.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2019

    More details for Wingspan
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 40 - 70 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Wingspan

    • YouTube Review for the game "Wingspan" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  20. Cartographers

    All details for the board game Cartographers and similar games

    Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale transports players to a realm where they take on the roles of mapmakers, tasked by Queen Gimnax to chart the northern territories for the Kingdom of Nalos. This game combines elements of strategy and creativity, challenging players to create the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing maps.

    Nominated for 10 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for Cartographers
    • 1 - 100 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  21. Take 5

    All details for the board game Take 5 and similar games

    6 nimmt!, also known as Take 5, Category 5 and other names, is a card game focused on scoring as few points as possible. It combines elements of strategy, prediction, and a bit of luck.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 3.

    More details for Take 5
    • 2 - 10 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Ticket to Ride: Europe

    All details for the board game Ticket to Ride: Europe and similar games

    Ticket to Ride: Europe invites you to embark on an exhilarating train adventure through the heart of Europe. From the historic streets of Edinburgh to the vibrant city of Constantinople, and from the sunny shores of Lisbon to the grandeur of Moscow, you'll traverse the great cities of turn-of-the-century Europe. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a family looking for a fun challenge, this game, like the original Ticket to Ride, offers an elegantly simple gameplay experience that can be mastered in just five minutes.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    More details for Ticket to Ride: Europe
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Ticket to Ride: Europe

    • YouTube Review for the game "Ticket to Ride: Europe" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  23. Splendor

    All details for the board game Splendor and similar games

    Splendor beckons you into the vibrant world of Renaissance merchants, where the pursuit of gem mines, modes of transportation, and opulent shops is the path to acquiring prestigious points. In this strategic game of chip-collecting and card development, your goal is to amass wealth and influence that will make you the most renowned merchant of the era. Perhaps, if fortune smiles upon you, nobility may even grace your endeavors, further enhancing your prestige.

    Nominated for 21 awards and won 12.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Splendor
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Splendor

    • YouTube Review for the game "Splendor" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  24. Dune: Imperium

    All details for the board game Dune: Imperium and similar games

    Dune: Imperium is a strategic deck-building game inspired by the iconic Dune universe, incorporating elements from both the recent film adaptation and the classic novels. Players lead one of the Great Houses in the interstellar political landscape of the Landsraad.

    Nominated for 19 awards and won 7.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Dune: Imperium
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  25. King of Tokyo

    All details for the board game King of Tokyo and similar games

    King of Tokyo is a game where players take on the roles of mutant monsters, robots, and aliens, all competing to become the sole King of Tokyo.

    Nominated for 19 awards and won 7.

    More details for King of Tokyo
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. Karuba

    All details for the board game Karuba and similar games

    Karuba is a tile-laying race game that combines strategy with a touch of luck, as players navigate their explorers through a dense jungle to reach temples and collect treasures. Each player's decision-making skills are put to the test as they create paths and vie to be the first to explore the riches of Karuba.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Karuba
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  27. Coloretto

    All details for the board game Coloretto and similar games

    Engage in the colorful and strategic gameplay of Coloretto, where simplicity meets tactical decision-making. The game revolves around drawing cards to play into rows or claiming entire rows to expand your collection. As the rounds progress, players aim to create extensive sets, but there's a catch – exceeding three colors incurs penalties, adding a layer of strategic depth.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    More details for Coloretto
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  28. Ticket to Ride

    All details for the board game Ticket to Ride and similar games

    Ticket to Ride offers a delightful and accessible gaming experience that can be grasped in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for both newcomers and seasoned gamers. Designed by the renowned Alan R. Moon, this board game revolves around a railway adventure across North America.

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 11.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2004

    More details for Ticket to Ride
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Ticket to Ride

    • YouTube Review for the game "Ticket to Ride" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  29. The Resistance

    All details for the board game The Resistance and similar games

    The Resistance is a dynamic party game focused on social deduction, set against the backdrop of a dystopian empire. It's designed for five to ten players and offers a thrilling experience of intrigue and deception.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for The Resistance
    • 5 - 10 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Incan Gold

    All details for the board game Incan Gold and similar games

    The board game known as Diamant or Incan Gold unfolds as an exhilarating press-your-luck experience, offering players a quick and enjoyable journey into mine shafts and jungle paths. As participants flip cards from a deck, the gems discovered are evenly distributed, creating a shared bounty. However, the decision to venture deeper comes with the risk of encountering hazards like scorpions, snakes, poison gas, explosions, and rockfalls.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for Incan Gold
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

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