I am an American living in Japan, and I am hosting housewarming with my mostly American co-workers and their spouses. I want to incorporate some Japanese style party games. We are all adults, so drinking games are options. Please share the names and rules of the games. Thank you!
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/15yxa03/what_are_some_japanese_home_party_games_what_are/
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Yamanote-sen drinking game
Japanese style Rock, Paper Scissors has always been a favorite of mine, although I may just be immature. I don’t know if I can explain properly, look up “Jan Ken Po Achi Muite Koi”
In Japan, there are several traditional home party games that people enjoy. Here are a few popular ones:
Karuta – This card game involves quick reflexes and a good memory. Players must snatch specific cards (karuta) from a central pile when a related poem is read aloud. It’s a competitive and fast-paced game.
Fukuwarai – Similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey, this game involves blindfolding a player and having them stick paper facial features onto a blank face. The goal is to create the funniest, and often absurd, face.
Sugoroku – This is a traditional Japanese board game, somewhat akin to backgammon. Players roll dice and move their pieces across a board, aiming to reach the finish line while navigating obstacles.
Omikuji – Not exactly a game, but a popular activity at Japanese parties. Participants draw random fortunes from a box (omikuji) which predict their luck for the future. It can be a fun and suspenseful ritual.
Kendama – While not exclusive to home parties, Kendama is a skill-based toy/game that involves catching a ball on a spike attached to a handle. It’s often played competitively, with players attempting various tricks.
To play these games, you’d typically need the necessary equipment, like karuta cards, Fukuwarai face pieces, a Sugoroku board, or a Kendama toy. Rules can vary, so it’s a good idea to look up specific instructions or ask someone experienced in the game to guide you through the rules and gameplay.
Mario Kart.
I dunno, I think “drinking games” are so blindingly stupid. They’re usually just rhythm games where you have to quickly come up with the name of things within a subject that you set.
Mafia/werewolves if you’re young, I guess.
Card games, especially daifugo/millionaire. Or babanuki/Old Maid. Uno.
Charade. Guess the drawing game.
Game of Life and Monopoly are popular board games.
Any game will really do. Video games, card games, Jenga… simple is better in case there’s a language barrier.
Japanese version of Spicy Roulette / Hot Pepper Challenge using Takoyaki.
King Game (王様ゲーム)
: Players draw sticks that are marked with numbers and one of them has “king.” The one who draws the “king” gives orders like “Number 3 and Number 5, act like a cat and dog!” or something silly. If you’re adding alcohol, the “king” might order someone to take a shot.
借り物競争 (Karimono Kyōsō). Usually played at a Undokai (Sports Day) at schools. It’s a scavenger race where you are supposed to find an object / person according to the theme set by the announcer
Below are games that aren’t traditionally Japanese party games but have Japanese themes.
[GeoGuessr](https://geoguessr.com/) with Japan maps. It’s an online geography game that drops players onto a random location using Google Streetview images.