Traditional games that Japanese children have enjoyed for generations are filled with elements of Japanese culture and wisdom. This article introduces various traditional Japanese games, including hand games, outdoor games, board games, card games, New Year's games, and nursery rhymes with hand movements.
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Traditional Japanese "Hand Games"
Origami
Origami is a traditional Japanese paper-folding game where a single sheet of paper is folded to create various shapes, such as animals, plants, and vehicles. Since no scissors or glue are used, it helps develop dexterity and spatial awareness. The difficulty level varies depending on the folding method, ranging from simple designs for beginners to intricate and complex creations.
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Ayatori (String Figures)
Ayatori is a game where a thin string is looped around the fingers to form different shapes. It can be played alone or with two players who pass the string back and forth, changing its shape in a game called "Ayatori Relay." Popular shapes include "Tokyo Tower," "Broom," and "Bridge," and successfully creating them gives a sense of accomplishment. The game has simple rules, requires only a single string, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Similar games exist in other countries as well.
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Kendama
Kendama is a wooden toy consisting of a ball attached to a handle called the "ken" by a string. The game involves catching the ball on the handle's cups or spiking it onto the tip. There are various techniques, from basic ones like "Big Cup," "Small Cup," and "Middle Cup" to advanced tricks like "Lighthouse" and "Airplane." Playing Kendama helps develop focus and balance. It has been a beloved pastime in Japan for many years and has even become a competitive sport with national tournaments.
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Paper Balloons
Paper balloons are lightweight balloons made of thin Japanese paper that are played with by bouncing them in the air using one's hands. After inflating the balloon by blowing air into it, the basic way to play is to keep it floating by gently tapping it with your fingers. Since they are made of paper, they are durable and safe for small children to play with. Paper balloons are often seen during traditional Japanese celebrations such as New Year's and summer festivals. Their colorful and charming appearance also makes them a popular choice for decoration.
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Ohajiki
Ohajiki is a game played by flicking small glass or plastic discs with your fingers. Players line up the discs on a floor or table and flick them to move them to a target spot or knock their opponent’s pieces away. While it may seem simple, precise finger movements and control over force are essential, making skill and strategy important aspects of the game.
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Otedama (Juggling Beanbags)
Otedama is a game where small fabric bags filled with beans or beads are tossed and caught in rhythm. Players can use one or multiple bags, juggling them in a coordinated manner or playing along with a song. This traditional game has been especially popular among girls, and in the past, grandmothers would often make Otedama for their grandchildren.
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Beigoma (Spinning Tops)
Beigoma is a game where small metal spinning tops are wrapped with a string and launched to battle against each other. The goal is to either knock the opponent's top out of the ring or keep yours spinning the longest. Mastering Beigoma requires advanced techniques, as the way the top is thrown and the strength of the spin greatly affect the outcome. In the past, this game was extremely popular among children, and candy shops often had special arenas where kids could play.
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Traditional Japanese "Outdoor Games"
Temari (Handball Game)
Temari is a traditional Japanese ball game played with a beautifully patterned thread-wrapped ball. It is typically enjoyed by bouncing the ball on the ground or tossing it rhythmically with one hand. In the past, it was a popular game among girls, often played along with nursery rhymes known as "Temari songs." Today, Temari is also valued as a decorative art piece and has gained recognition as a traditional craft.
Takeuma (Bamboo Stilts)
Takeuma, or bamboo stilts, is a game where players stand on footrests attached to long bamboo poles and walk while maintaining balance. The basic challenge is to move forward, but as players improve, they can run or even overcome obstacles. Takeuma has been a beloved pastime for children for generations, as it helps develop core strength and balance. In some regions, competitions are held where players race or showcase advanced tricks.
Kankeri (Kick the Can)
Kankeri is a game that combines elements of tag and hide-and-seek and is typically played in open spaces. The rules are simple: a can is placed in the center, and one player takes the role of "it," while the others hide. "It" must find the hidden players and call out their names while returning to the can. However, if someone kicks the can before "it" can return, all captured players are freed, forcing "it" to start over.
Fireworks
Fireworks are a beloved summer tradition in Japan, with various types ranging from handheld sparklers to large-scale aerial fireworks. Handheld fireworks are especially popular for family and group activities, featuring colorful and sparkling effects. One common game is competing to see whose "senko hanabi" (a delicate type of sparkler) lasts the longest before its flame drops. Fireworks provide a chance to enjoy both the thrill and beauty of summer nights.
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Soap Bubbles
Soap bubbles are a playful activity where transparent, shimmering bubbles are created using soapy water. Players can blow into a wand to produce bubbles of different sizes, let them float on the wind, or even compete to make the biggest one. The outdoor setting enhances the beauty of the bubbles as they reflect sunlight, making them a popular choice for photography and a fun pastime for both kids and adults.
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Take-Tombo (Bamboo Dragonfly)
Take-Tombo is a simple toy made of bamboo that is spun by hand and launched into the air. The trick to making it fly well lies in how you spin it—if you use too much force, it loses balance and won’t go far. However, with the right technique, it can soar high and travel long distances. In the past, children used to make them by hand, and even today, they can be crafted at workshops or special events.
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Traditional Japanese "Board Games"
Shogi
Shogi is a traditional Japanese board game played on a 9×9 grid, where the objective is to checkmate the opponent’s "King (Gyoku)." One of its most unique features is the "piece drop" rule, which allows captured pieces to be reused as your own, making the game highly strategic. In professional play, major tournaments like the Meijin and Ryuo championships attract widespread attention in Japan and abroad.
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Go
Go is a board game that originated in China and has a long history in Japan. Players take turns placing black and white stones on a 19×19 grid, aiming to expand their territory while surrounding and capturing their opponent’s stones. While the rules are simple, the game offers endless strategic depth, making it enjoyable for both beginners and professionals. Different skills are required in each stage—opening tactics, mid-game battles, and endgame techniques—developing logical thinking and foresight.
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Othello
Othello is a game played on an 8×8 board using black and white circular discs. Players flip their opponent’s pieces by trapping them between their own, and the player with the most pieces in their color at the end wins. The rules are simple, making it easy for beginners to enjoy, but the game has a high level of strategy, especially in the endgame. A key tactic is to let your opponent take pieces early on, establish a strong position in the mid-game, and then flip many pieces at the end. Since it balances luck and skill, Othello is popular across all age groups.
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Traditional Japanese "Card Games"
Karuta
Karuta is a traditional Japanese card game played with reading and matching cards. The most famous type is "Hyakunin Isshu Karuta," which features classical Japanese poems. A reader recites the first half of a poem, and players must quickly find the corresponding second half among the cards. The game requires both reflexes and memory, and competitive tournaments are held nationwide. It is often played during New Year’s gatherings and family events, offering a fun way to learn about Japanese language and culture.
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Hanafuda
Hanafuda is a traditional Japanese card game featuring beautifully illustrated cards representing the four seasons. One of the most popular ways to play is "Koi-Koi," where players match their hand with cards from the field to form scoring combinations. Examples include "Hanami de Ippai" (Cherry Blossom Viewing with Sake) and "Tsukimi de Ippai" (Moon Viewing with Sake), which reflect seasonal themes. While it was once mainly enjoyed by adults, it has gained popularity among younger generations thanks to mobile apps and digital versions.
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Menko
Menko is a game played by slamming thick paper or plastic cards onto the ground to flip or knock over an opponent’s card. Menko cards come in various shapes, with round and square types being the most common. In the past, cards featuring popular anime and manga characters were particularly popular. Although the game is simple, mastering the angle and force of your strike requires skill. It was a staple childhood game during the Showa era, with kids collecting and competing for the best Menko cards.
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Traditional Japanese "New Year's Games"
Hanetsuki
Hanetsuki is a traditional Japanese New Year's game played by hitting a shuttlecock with a wooden paddle called a hagoita. The shuttlecock has a black ball attached to it, and the goal is to keep it in the air by hitting it back and forth, similar to badminton. There are different ways to play, such as "oi-hane," where two people rally the shuttlecock, and "hitori hanetsuki," where one person tries to keep it in the air for as long as possible. Hagoita are also popular as decorative items, with beautifully designed paddles often displayed as New Year's decorations.
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Kite Flying
Kite flying is a fun activity where kites soar in the open sky. In Japan, traditional kites made of washi paper and bamboo are commonly used. Popular types include the square-shaped "Edo kite" and the warrior-shaped "Musha kite." The key to the game is using the wind to lift the kite high and skillfully maneuvering the string to keep it stable. On New Year's, it's common to see children flying kites in parks and riverbanks. In the past, kite flying was also a tradition to pray for the health and growth of boys.
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Fukuwarai
Fukuwarai is a game where players place facial features on a blank face while blindfolded, creating humorous results. The game is simple: players use their hands to position eyes, noses, and mouths, then remove the blindfold to see the funny face they've made, often leading to laughter. Traditional designs feature "Okame" and "Hyottoko" faces, and the unexpected combinations make the game especially amusing.
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Sugoroku
Sugoroku is a board game where players roll dice and move pieces, combining simplicity with strategy. Traditional "Sugoroku" includes "E-sugoroku," where players advance on a board, and "Dochu-sugoroku," a competitive game focused on winning. Families often enjoy playing this game together during the New Year. Since the dice rolls determine the outcome, the game remains exciting until the very end.
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Daruma Otoshi
Daruma Otoshi is a game where players use a hammer to knock out stacked wooden blocks from the bottom without toppling the "Daruma" figure on top. The challenge is to hit the blocks with just the right force and accuracy, making it trickier than it looks. During New Year's, people often play with daruma-themed sets, as daruma figures are considered symbols of good luck. Families and friends enjoy testing their skills together.
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Spinning Tops (Koma-mawashi)
Koma-mawashi is a game where players spin wooden or metal tops using strings or their hands, competing for spin duration or performing tricks. In Japan, tops have long been cherished as "koma," and playing with them during New Year's is a beloved tradition. Different styles include "Nage-goma," where tops are thrown with a string to spin, and "Kyokugei-goma," where tops balance on hands or sticks for impressive performances.
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Popular Children's Songs & Hand-Play Games
Oshikura Manju
"Oshikura Manju" is a game played in cold weather, where participants huddle together and gently push against each other. Players stand in a circle with their backs facing inward and sing "Oshikura manju, osarete nakuna!" while playfully pushing. This traditional game is popular in winter as it naturally warms up the body.
lyrics
おしくらまんじゅう
おされてなくな
Oshikura manju
Osarete nakuna
Hanaichimonme
Hanaichimonme is a game where children split into two groups, hold hands, and sing while trying to recruit members. As they sing back and forth, one team eventually calls out, "We want ○○-chan!" The two teams then play rock-paper-scissors, and the winning team gets to take the chosen child into their group.
lyrics
勝ってうれしい はないちもんめ
負けてくやしい はないちもんめ
あの子がほしい あの子じゃわからん
この子がほしい この子じゃわからん
相談しましょ そうしましょ
Katte ureshii hanaichi monme
Makete kuyashii hanaichi monme
Anoko ga hoshii Anoko jya wakaran
Konoko ga hoshii Konoko jya wakaran
Soudan shimasho soushimasyo
Toryanse
Toryanse is a game where two children hold hands to form an arch while others pass underneath as they sing. At the final line, "Tooshite kudanse," the arch comes down, and the child caught beneath becomes the "oni" (tagger). This traditional game dates back to the Edo period and is known for its distinctive melody.
lyrics
通りゃんせ 通りゃんせ
ここはどこの細道じゃ
天神さまの細道じゃ
ちょっと通してくだしゃんせ
ご用のないもの通しゃせぬ
この子の七つのお祝いに
お札を納めにまいります
行きはよいよい 帰りはこわい
こわいながらも 通りゃんせ 通りゃんせ
Toryanse toryanse
Koko ha doko no hosomichi jya
Tenjin sama no hosomichi jya
Chotto tooshite kudasyanse
Konoko no nanatsu no oiwai ni
Ofuda wo osame ni mairi masu
Iki ha yoiyoi kaeri ha kowai
Kowai nagaramo toryanse toryanse
Kagome Kagome
Kagome Kagome is a game where children sit in a circle, and one child sits in the center with their eyes closed. As they sing the song, a "tagger" is chosen. When they reach the final line, "Ushiro no shoumen daare?" ("Who is behind you?"), the child in the center must guess who is standing behind them. This song is well-known for its mysterious and almost mystical atmosphere.
lyrics
かごめ かごめ
かごの中の鳥は
いついつ出やる
夜明けの晩に
鶴と亀がすべった
後ろの正面 だあれ？
Kagome kagome
Kago no naka no tori ha
Itsu itsu deyaru
Yoake no ban ni
Tsuru to kame ga subetta
Ushiro no syomen daare?
Antagata Dokosa
Antagata Dokosa is a rhythm-based game where players clap their hands or bounce a ball while singing. The famous lyrics "Higo sa Kumamoto sa" make it widely recognized. The song’s catchy rhythm makes it fun to sing and easy to remember, making it a popular choice for ball games.
lyrics
あんたがた どこさ
肥後さ 肥後どこさ
熊本さ 熊本どこさ
せんばさ せんば山にはタヌキがおってさ
それを漁師が鉄砲で撃ってさ
煮てさ 焼いてさ 食ってさ
それを木の葉でちょいとかぶせ
Anta gata dokosa
Higo sa higo dokosa
Kumamoto sa kumamoto dokosa
Senba sa senba yama niha tanuki ga ottesa
Sore wo ryoshi ga teppou de utttesa
Nitesa yaitesa kuttesa
Sore wo konoha de choito kabuse
Ocharaka Hoi
Ocharaka Hoi is a hand-clapping game where players chant "Ocharaka Hoi" in rhythm. The game also involves rock-paper-scissors, helping children develop coordination and a sense of rhythm as they play.
おちゃらか おちゃらか おちゃらか ほい
おちゃらか おちゃらか おちゃらか ほい
おちゃらか おちゃらか おちゃらか ほい
(Players then decide the winner with rock-paper-scissors.)
Ocharaka ocharaka ocharaka hoi
Ocharaka ocharaka ocharaka hoi
Ocharaka ocharaka ocharaka hoi
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