List of Japanese board games

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This is a list of board games invented, developed, and/or with cultural significance in Japan.

Game name	Year	Origin	Players	Gameplay style	Similar Games
Go (囲碁 igo)	?	Traditional (originated in China)	2	Strategic territory and surrounding game
Love Letter	2012	Kanai Factory	2-4	Risk and deduction game	Coup
Gomoku (五目並べ gomokunarabe)	?	Traditional	2	Strategic abstract game played with Go pieces on a Renju board (15x15), goal to reach five in a row	Renju, Four in a row, Irensei
Irensei (囲連星)	?	Traditional	2	Strategic abstract game played with Go pieces on a Go board (19x19); unites elements of the game of Go with those of Gomoku	Go, Gomoku
Jinsei Game (人生ゲーム jin-sei gēmu)	1967	Takara	?	Japanese adaption of The Game of Life	The Game of Life
Renju (連珠)	?	Traditional	2	Strategic five-in-a-row game with equal chances for both players	Pente, Gomoku
Shadow Hunters (シャドウハンターズ shadō hantāzu)	2005	Game Republic	4-8	Supernatural themed, strategic, secret team play	Bang!, Mafia
Riichi Mahjong (リーチ麻雀 Riichi Maajan)	?	Traditional	4	Chinese Mahjong with Japanese rules	Mahjong
Shogi and variants (将棋 shōgi, generals' chess) Japanese chess	?	Traditional	2	Played on a 9x9 board; can use captured pieces against opponent	Chess
Sugoroku (双六)	?	Traditional	?	Race game, two variants	Backgammon (variant), Snakes and Ladders (variant)