40 Best Japanese Games and Toys to Buy Online
by Tabitha Wilders | LIFESTYLE
© Columbia Museum of Art, Kokeshi Dolls
Embark on an exhilarating journey through the captivating universe of Japanese Games and Toys! Discover the magic within this carefully curated compilation of 40 sensational toys and games, perfect for enjoying with your family. From timeless classics to mind-bending puzzles, adorable crafts to vintage treasures, and cutting-edge console games, this diverse list promises an adventure for every taste. Conveniently available online, these options open the door to endless fun. Gear up for an exciting exploration into the world of Japanese play, where the thrill knows no bounds!
This list of Japanese games and toys that you can buy online is divided into 8 categories: classic Japanese games, puzzles & brain teasers, cute & creative crafts, vintage toys (cool Japanese pop culture exports from the 1980s and 1990s), console games, Japanese language learning games, food-related, and kids games.
Our editors independently researched and recommend the best products. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links at no additional cost to you.
Classic Japanese Games
1. Go
A timeless game still played in its original form, Go originated in China thousands of years ago. It later spread to Japan, where the success of the 1990s manga, Hikaru no Go, added to its popularity. The aim is to surround more territory than your opponent on a 19x19 grid, and dueling players use black or white pieces to mark their territory. This portable Go set consists of magnetic pieces, two semi-transparent containers, and a collapsable playing board for space-saving storage.
2. Shogi
Daily coverage of 18 year old shogi prodigy Sota Fujii shogi master has served as an unlikely palette cleanser to the constant coronavirus coverage in Japan, leading to an increase in housebound novices eager to learn the rules of the game. Shogi, the Japanese variant of chess, consists of forty wooden pieces with kanji to indicate each piece’s rank of king, general, knight, lance, rook, bishop and pawn. In true Japan Shogi Association fashion, be sure to tweet what you ate during your lunch break!
3. Kendama
A classic cup-and-ball game from Japan that combines artistry and skills, a kendama consists of a wooden spool (ken, or sword) with three cups and a spike attached by a string to a wooden ball (dama, or ball) which has a hole in its center. Traditionally, the ball can be caught in one of the cups or on the spike and is commonly used as a tool to improve eye-hand coordination in both children and the elderly. However, modern day kendama has become an extreme sport of sorts where advanced players dazzle the crowd with impressive acrobatic tricks. This kendama has the literal Japan Kendama Association seal of approval and may be used for official competitions and level placement tests.
4. Daruma Otoshi
Daruma otoshi is a game that consists of five wooden pieces and a mini mallet. The goal is to use a mini-mallet to knock out the rainbow colored pieces from bottom to top. Sounds easy, right? Wrong! You’ve got to knock out all pieces without compromising the structural integrity, i.e. without toppling the structure. The head piece represents daruma, a Buddhist symbol of good luck and perseverance associated with wishes. Despite its relative simplicity, daruma otoshi is a game that requires great skill and eye-hand concentration - good luck!
Daruma Otoshi – Available at Amazon
5. Koma
Spinning tops, known as koma, are a traditional Japanese folk craft that served as both a toy and an art form. Handcrafted individually by Mokkougei Sasahara in Hokkaido, Japan, each koma boasts a unique spinning style. While acquiring the proper technique may require some time and practice, it promises to engage and enhance your concentration skills, making it an intriguing table game. The handmade spinning tops feature a delightful variety of colors and wood grains, adding to their charm and appeal.
Japanese Puzzles & Brain Teasers
6. Puzzle Ninja
Grid logic number puzzles like sudoku and kakuro are commonly associated with Japan, yet they did not originate in Japan. Nevertheless, in Japan these number puzzles gained a massive following, where its nationwide popularity led to s global export of puzzles in the early 2000s.
Alex Bellos’ Puzzle Ninja explores the puzzle scene in Japan, its innovators and masters, all while introducing you to more than 200 puzzles ranging in various levels of difficulty. Be warned, however, that logic puzzles are highly addictive, so try at your own risk!
Puzzle Ninja – Available at Amazon
7. Ten-Step Puzzle Box
It’s hard to imagine what kind of tiny puzzle pieces are housed inside this wooden, palm-sized box, but the box itself is the actual puzzle! Known as himitsu bako (secret boxes), these puzzle boxes originated in Japan’s Hakone region in the 19th century as a means to safeguard artisans’ tools from theft. This is a 4-sun 10 step puzzle box where sun is a traditional Japanese unit of measure to denote length (approximately 3cm or 1¼ inches). Picture instructions guide you through the process of unlocking your box, where you can store your valuable items and try to unlock it again!
Puzzle Box – Available at Amazon
8. Hanayama Enigma Puzzle (Level 6 - Expert)
For those of you who can’t get enough of puzzles and brain teasers and love a good challenge, we present to you Hanayama’s Enigma puzzle. Created by mechanical engineer and puzzle craftsman Eldon Vaughn, the Enigma is widely regarded as one of Hanayama’s most difficult brain teaser puzzles. The Enigma ranks as a level six puzzle on Hanayama’s six level scale, where level six puzzles require critical thinking and problem solving skills to unlock the pieces. Once you’ve managed to unlock the 3 pieces, however, you’ll need to hold off on celebrating, because you’ve still got to put them back together again!
Hanayama Enigma Puzzle – Available at Amazon
9. Hanayama Key Puzzle (Level 1 - Beginner)
Hanayama is synonymous with mechanical brain teaser puzzles that are a favorite among kids and adults alike. Available in six challenge levels, Hanayama’s level one puzzles aim to introduce beginners to the mechanics behind these puzzles. This key puzzle consists of two interlocking metal cast keys that look simple enough to solve, but actually require a number of moves to unlock. Once you’ve solved this one, you’ll surely be eager to tackle other Hanayama puzzles.
Hanayama Key Puzzle – Available at Amazon
10. Crystal Totoro 3D Puzzle
When you first think of puzzles, it’s likely that 2-dimentional jigsaw puzzles come to mind. But,
Beverly, a puzzle maker headquartered in Tokyo’s Ginza district, is here to broaden your horizons. Beverly specializes in unique and decorative 3D puzzle art, like this 42 piece crystal Totoro that also doubles as a night light! Whether you’re a puzzle novice or puzzle master, you’ll have fun piecing together one of Studio Ghibli’s most iconic characters.
Cute & Creative Japanese Toys
11. Kokeshi Doll
Kokeshi are traditional, handcrafted wooden dolls associated with Japan’s northern Tohoku region and were crafted as children’s toys in the 19th century. While kokeshi aren’t conventional dolls that you dress and style, they are certainly collector’s items that would make a fine addition on your desk or entryway table. This Usaburo Kokeshi kimono maiden has chestnut brown hair styled in twin buns and is clad a navy blue kimono paired with a bright red obi adorned with plum blossoms. If you look closely, you can see the wood grain faintly below the surface of the paint, a trait of Usaburo Kokeshi dolls. Be sure to browse Usaburo’s lineup of kokeshi dolls to add to your collection.
Kokeshi Doll – Available at Amazon
12. A Passion for Japan: A Coloring Exploration Coloring Book
If you think coloring books are for kids, then think again! In recent years, demand has grown for adult coloring books as a means to relieve stress and to explore one’s creative boundaries. A Passion for Japan: A Coloring Exploration Coloring Book takes you on a fantastic journey across Japan's islands while depicting fascinating scenes of Japanese culture and landscapes. Let your color pencils glide across the pages of Japanese gardens, ponds filled with koi fish, and festival lanterns swaying gently in the summer night breeze.
A Passion for Japan Coloring Book – Available at Amazon
13. Origami
A student of origami master Toyoaki Kawai, Tomoko Fuse is widely regarded as the most renowned origami master alive and has published more than 60 books related to origami. Origami Boxes is a volume of 30 origami gift box projects that celebrate the history of origami, a 17th century Japanese art form of folding squares of paper into simple and intricate shapes.
Origami is an effective therapeutic exercise that helps you develop and improve muscle memory. The tangible sense of accomplishment and happiness you feel once you’ve completed one of Fuse’s projects will surely encourage you to try your hand at other origami designs as well.
14. Poppin Cookin Sushi Set
Poppin Cookin is a whimsical series of DIY candy kits that foster creativity and one’s appreciation of the culinary arts. The brand is designed for children, but there’s plenty of fun in each box for adults as well. This particular Poppin Cookin sushi set comes with all you need to recreate your sushi restaurant experience at home. Serve grape and soda flavored egg, tuna, salmon roe sushi atop a bed of candy floored rice and wrapped in sweet seaweed for a creation that will have you wondering if it counts as dinner or dessert!
Poppin Cookin Sushi Set – Available at Amazon
15. Bonsai Nanoblock Set
Whether you’ve got a green thumb or are all thumbs when it comes to gardening, here’s a bonsai tree that will never wilt. Nanoblocks, the miniature building blocks from Japan that promise “a superior building experience with greater challenge, sophistication and detail than any other construction set” have released this deluxe bonsai set to help you cultivate the experience of bonsai as mediation. Step by step instructions will guide you as you piece together the 1130 parts to create a lifelike bonsai pine tree.
Vintage Japanese Toys
16. Gudetama Tamagochi
Once one of the hottest toy trends of the 1990s, Bandai’s Tamagochi is a series of portable digital pets that live in colorful, plastic egg-like keychain devices. Its newest iteration features the Sanrio character Gudetama, a lethargic egg yolk with a pert derrière. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to successfully raise your baby Gudetama without letting it become one of 20 delicious egg dishes. Unlike its virtual predecessors, Gudetama, by nature, is less hands on, so you won’t have to devote too much time to feeding, bathing, and playing with your egg yolk.
Gudetama Tamagochi – Available at Amazon
17. Gachapon Machine
Why do you need a gachapon machine? Well, a better question is, why wouldn’t you want your very own gachapon machine? Just think of all the possibilities: use it as a snack machine, store trinkets and accessories, or even to divide household chores fairly. This lightweight machine is a product of Bandai, one of Japan’s country's largest capsule toy manufacturers, and comes pre-assembled with 6 capsules. It’s a faithful replica of the rows of gachapon machines found in Narita Airport where travelers eagerly spend their leftover yen before departure.
Gachapon Machine – Available at Amazon
18. Gundam RX-78 Model
Travel to Japan is still up in the cards, but with this Gundam RX-78 model, you’ll be able to get a sneak peek at the fully movable, 18 meter tall Gundam that’s coming to the port city of Yokohama in October 2020! This RX-78 represents the first generation of mobile suits in the Mobile Suit Gundam universe, and it is one of the first Bandai Gundam model kits that kicked off a gunpla (gundam plastic model) craze that has sold more than 450 million units worldwide since 1980.
Gundam RX-78 Model – Available at Amazon
19. Samurai Darth Vader
Tamashii Nation, a division of Japanese toymaker Bandai, features a lineup of action figures that reimagine iconic Wesetern pop culture icons with Japanese aesthetics. This samurai Darth Vader pays homage to the Japanese influences in Star Wars, the intergalactic multimedia franchise that chronicles the saga of dark versus light. George Lucas drew heavy inspiration from the works of legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, and it’s not hard to imagine an alternate history where this samurai Darth Vader leads the charge on the battlefields of feudal Japan!
Samurai Darth Vader – Available at Amazon
20. Mini Arcade Game
Experience nostalgic thrills and victory with this USB powered mini arcade game console from SNK. Featuring an impressive lineup of 40 classic Neo Geo games like Sengoku, King of Fighters and Fatal Fury, you’re bound to have endless hours of entertainment while social distancing comfortably in your home. The console is also compatible with your TV’s HDMI port and controllers to enhance your gaming experience.
Japanese Console Games
21. Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee
Nintendo started out as a trading card company in the late 19th century, so it’s hardly surprising that Nintendo created a trading card game to accompany its Pokemon video games and animated series. Coming twenty years after the debut of Pokemon Yellow is the release of Let’s Go Eevee, a game for the Nintendo Switch that will bring back all those memories from your GameBoy Color days. This set also comes with the Poke Ball Plus controller that lights up and vibrates during game play. Simply attach the strap around your wrist and flick during gameplay to catch wild pokemon. Listen closely and you’ll even hear the calls of the pokemon inside your Pokeball!
Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee – Available at Amazon
22. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
do has given us some of the most successful consoles and franchises in the video game industry and its most iconic characters face off in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a multiplayer battle game. Start with the original 8 characters, Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox, and Pikachu, to unlock 63 additional characters and new costumes. Play solo versus the computer, online, or locally with family and friends for hours of endless fun.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Available at Amazon
23. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has encouraged nearly 12 million players to turn on their Nintendo Switch and stay home to interact with virtual neighbors in a time of social distancing and self-quarantine. There’s no doubt that this game will be used in years to come to define a generation housebound by social restrictions amid the current coronavirus pandemic. Enjoy real-time events on your fully customizable island with animal inhabitants in a game that simply asks you to live in the moment and be present now.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Available at Amazon
24. Ghosts of Tsushima
Hailed for its breathtaking graphics, seamless gameplay, and interactive environments, Ghosts of Tsushima follows lone samurai Jin on his quest to protect the island of Tsushima from Mongol invaders. Tsushima Island is an actual locale in Japan, admisited by Nagasaki Prefecture and located between Japan’s largest island, Honshu, and the Korean Peninsula. As you explore the vast terrain of Tsushima and interact with its characters, you’ll be swept away by the open-world experience of storytelling and combat that has helped Ghost of Tsushima become one of fastest selling games for the PlayStation 4.
Ghosts of Tsushima – Available at Amazon
25. Ryu ga Gotoku (Yakuza 0)
The Yakuza series, known as Ryu ga Gotoku (Like A Dragon) in Japan, is a crime drama that follows the exploits of Japanese mobster Kiryu Kamaza in a fictionalized version of Tokyo’s infamous red-light district. Kazama’s story made its debut on the PlayStation 2 in 2005 and spans across 7 games, a prequel, and several spinoffs. Yakuza 0, the prequel, was released in 2017 and is perhaps the best place to start if you’re new to the series, because it’s where you meet 20 year old Kazama working as a debt collector during Japan’s economic bubble.
Japan Language Learning Games
26. What am I? Card Game
Perfect for Japanese learners of all ages, this family game offers a fantastic opportunity to improve language skills while having a great time. Enjoy three hours of entertainment with three unique card sets and enhance question and deduction skills. It includes a tip poster for extra guidance.
Watashi Wa Nani Card Game – Available at Amazon
27. Japanese Vocabulary Flashcards
Boost your Japanese vocabulary with 75 beginner hiragana flashcards. Designed for all ages, these cards feature pronunciation, sentence examples, and colorful pictures for comprehensive learning. Scatter them around your home for interactive memorization. A valuable language learning tool!
Japanese Vocabulary Flashcards – Available at Amazon
28. Japanese Lingo Playing Cards
Ideal for travelers and language learners, these Japanese lingo playing cards feature 52 essential phrases and translations, perfect for your Japan trip or language studies. Learn Japanese words while playing classic card games like Poker, Blackjack, Spoons, Rummy, Go Fish, Memory, Crazy Eights, Hearts, and Solitaire. Be the talk of the game night by ordering your Lingo Playing Cards today.
Japanese Lingo Playing Cards – Available at Amazon
29. Japanese Word Search for Kids
Make learning Japanese stress-free with 100 fun word search puzzles for mastering hiragana and katakana. Ensure your child enjoys the language-learning process, fostering retention, fluency, and confidence. The 12 themed word search games provide a non-overwhelming exploration of the language. Featuring cute illustrations and a comprehensive word list, from A to Wa, this accessible tool makes learning Japanese a breeze.
Japanese Word Search for Kids – Available at Amazon
30. Kanji Word Search Puzzles for Japanese Learners
Boost your Japanese kanji proficiency with this dynamic study tool – the ultimate kanji word search puzzles! Accelerate your learning in a fun way with 277 puzzles designed for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Don't waste time, level up your Japanese language skills now!
Japanese Food Games
31. Ramen! Ramen! Board Game
Compete to be the top ramen chef in this fast-paced game! Work swiftly and carefully at the world's best ramen shops, aiming to serve the most and best bowls. The catch: the chef with the highest points takes home the day's tips. Strategically add ingredients to your ramen bowls to maximize points and prevent your opponent from stealing them. Rush to finish bowls as the draw pile empties and determine who truly reigns as the best ramen chef!
Ramen! Ramen! Board Game – Available at Amazon
32. Fun Teppanyaki Cooking Themed Strategy Game
Get ready for the sizzling Hibachi Board Game, a dynamic mix of dexterity and strategy set in the world of a hibachi grill chef. Take on the role of a chef, cooking quickly and efficiently in front of guests. Precision and strategy are crucial as players skillfully throw utensils to collect ingredients for customer orders. Sharpen your skills, throw the egg, grab the pepper, and showcase your hibachi mastery in this exciting tabletop adventure!
Hibachi Board Game – Available at Amazon
33. OH! Sushi Game
Explore the Sushi Game, a unique balancing experience with sushi-themed pieces! Enjoy 10 games like Sushi Tower and Sushi Dominoes. The manual makes it ideal for parties or family nights. With multiple versions, it's a versatile and entertaining choice. Think Jenga meets Charades/Minute to Win It – Sushi Game offers hours of laughter and skillful balancing challenges for everyone!
OH! Sushi Game – Available at Amazon
34. Chopsticks Fish Puzzle
Explore a captivating three-dimensional puzzle game, mastering chopsticks to delicately pick fish parts. This unique and engaging experience offers an enjoyable challenge that becomes addictive as you practice your chopstick skills daily. Fall in love with the thrill of picking fish parts in this delightful and irresistible puzzle-solving adventure, turning chopstick practice into a fun daily ritual!
Chopsticks Fish Puzzle– Available at Amazon
35. Chopsticks Beans Challenge
Experience the Chopsticks Manner Learning Game's second edition, a friendly competition for two players aiming to become chopstick masters. Pick up beans shaped like traditional ones for ease but face an extra challenge with rounded-triangle and M&M-shaped beans. For added fun, set aside the trickier beans until you're ready, creating an enjoyable and entertaining chopstick proficiency test!
Japanese Kids Games
36. Japanese Goldfish Matching Game
Immerse yourself in Kingyo, the Japanese goldfish matching game! Catch vibrant Kingyo by matching dice colors. Form teams, grab a Bowl card, and roll the dice. In a fast-paced frenzy, players snatch matching Kingyo cards, announcing victories. Brace for excitement in this dexterity-filled family game for kids and adults alike!
Goldfish Matching Game – Available at Amazon
37. Gasha
Dive into Gasha, the thrilling card collection game inspired by Japanese toy dispensers! Choose to draw two Gasha cards, unveiling mysteries, or trade Gashas for Set Reward cards, earning endgame points and bonuses. Like cranking a real machine, the unpredictability adds to the excitement. Collect Gashas to redeem set rewards and bonus tokens, accumulating points for victory. In Gasha, strategic moves lead to triumph, securing the most collection, bonus, and Gasha points. Are you ready for the excitement of Gasha?
38. Naruto Monopoly
Embark on a ninja journey in the Naruto Monopoly collectible edition! Prove leadership skills to the Hokage, recruit top ninjas, and dominate the board through buying, selling, and trading. Immerse in the Naruto Shippuden universe with properties like Sasuke and Sakura. Use collectible tokens, like Akasuki's Cloud or Kakashi Anbu Mask, and stack Ramen Bowls and Onigiri. Pick up Training and Mission cards to be the last shinobi standing in this thrilling Naruto-themed Monopoly adventure!
Naruto Monopoly – Available at Amazon
39. Machi Koro Board Game
Experience the ultimate city-building in Machi Koro! A Japanese smash-hit with over a million copies sold, it's a must for families and gamers. As the Mayor of Machi Koro, face colossal demands for jobs, theme parks, cheese factories, and more. Armed with just a wheat field, bakery, and a die, grow your city into the region's largest. Collect income, build public works, and strategize against neighbors. Beware, rivals might have the same ambitions!
Machi Koro Board Game – Available at Amazon
40. Japanese Flower Playing Cards
Dive into the nostalgic world of hanafuda with this authentic Japanese deck! The vibrant floral designs on sturdy, black-bordered cards bring back childhood memories. The colorful paper on heavy board cards captures the essence of authentic play. Relive the joy of hanafuda with cards that look and feel like those from the past. Experience lots of fun in the authentic world of hanafuda, directly from Japan!
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January 26, 2024 | Lifestyle, Shopping
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