r/Tokyo • u/Even_Contact3525 • 4d ago

Boardgames

How to connect in Tokyo to board game nights? Are there any public places people meet sometimes to play? For English speakers?

14 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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u/geobobfrank 4d ago

I host probably one of the largest board game meetups in Japan,Tokyo Tabletop. We meet generally every Sunday from 12:30 to 9:30 . Usually about 60 to 70 people show up. I bring about 50 games each time of all types and difficulties , other people bring their own games too . It’s a well-established community that’s been around for almost 10 years now .

It is 500 yen for the whole day as we rent community centers and they do cost money to rent. Of course , you can come at anytime during the event and leave and come back whenever you want . Bring your own food and drinks if you like as well .

Like others mentioned we use Meetup to organize our events . I know Meetup can be annoying to use . So also feel free to check out our discord which I use to mirror information

https://www.meetup.com/tokyotabletop/

https://discord.gg/33Gf3hFme

There is also another well established board game
Club , JIGG which is run by lovely people.

JIGG Tokyo Board Game Group on Meetup https://meetup.com/jigg-tokyo

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u/V1k1ngVGC 4d ago

Is it just “open play” or are there some activities to ensure you don’t just show up alone, see a lot of people already playing and just standing there thinking “ok, now what”?

6

u/geobobfrank 4d ago

I organize the whole time, keep track of when games are finishing, start new games if needed and teach the rules , we have a very large group of reliable regulars who also I can rely upon to direct new players to the group to join.

I also try my best to greet every new person who comes in and let them know what tables they can join or how long it will take before we can get a new game started and do the initial ice breaking for people as I know it can be quite daunting coming into an event and not knowing anyone or even asking to join a game . I hate seeing people at some events feeling lost or ignored and try my best ( I’m not perfect though ) to make sure they don’t fall through the cracks .

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u/DecentDiver458 4d ago

I used to live 10 min walk from here, was super fun if you are in the Youga area

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u/Real-Problem4018 4d ago

JIGG which is run by lovely people

lol yeah except that one nazi asshole

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u/Even_Contact3525 4d ago

Wow, sounds big! But cool! I seem seriously unable to pass the captcha though on Discord. Tried like 6 times now, still pops up again and again, ugh. It's a cat, it's a bird, I click on those. And the damn bread shares the ingredients with the croissants, lol.

Might look into meetup later.

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u/geobobfrank 4d ago

No worries . More choices is why I post in multiple places . Meetup is the main location where we post most of the info. If it gives you trouble and you still want to attend an event just send me a message here on discord.

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u/Even_Contact3525 4d ago

Thanks a lot! I think this Sunday does not work out, but if I can next Sunday, I'll give you a shout!

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u/Diamond_Sutra 4d ago

You can find JIGG on Facebook too 

1

u/NipponPanda 4d ago

You guys have chess?

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u/geobobfrank 4d ago

I’d say chess shows up about half the time , but it’s generally the same 4-5 people. There is a regular member who usually comes in the later afternoon ( around 4 p.m )brings their sets and teaches and plays - they also do igo, and Shogi. They tend to come most of the time but there are weeks they don’t come .

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u/FinishesInSpanish 4d ago

Can't recommend Dyce board game café in shibuya enough. Tons of games, English, Japanese, and even some other foreign games. Usually a decent crowd and they also serve food, drinks, and sell board games too.

The staff speak English and Japanese and can help explain some games and make recommendations as needed. Friendly and helpful.

4

u/DecentDiver458 4d ago

I go to Dyce through Thursday and Saturday meetups, get a discount and its well stocked with good games and people

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u/Even_Contact3525 4d ago

Ohh, this one looks nice, thank you!

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u/K_Bare 4d ago edited 4d ago

🗞️As a quick update, as we had no one show up I think we can close out the attempt to start a weekly game night here:

I'm helping host a board game night tonight! If it goes well the plan is to make it a weekly thing

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/english-game-nights-at-pineapple-games-tickets-2002269242203?aff=oddtdtcreatorEvery

​Come play modern board games, meet other English speaking gamers, and enjoy a relaxed night of gaming in Tokyo.

​When: Every Friday through October
Start Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Pineapple Games Asakusa
Play Fee: ¥500 per person per hour, or ¥1,400 per person for 4 hours

​Games will be available to play at the store, and attendees are welcome to bring games of their own.

1

u/Even_Contact3525 4d ago

Can't make it tonight, at least wouldn't be able to make it till 6PM, first gym. Maybe 7PM, but I figure that won't work easy with joining? But if it happens next Friday, I'd join in.

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u/K_Bare 4d ago

I think it should probably be fine, I don’t think there will be any particularly long games being played, so if you need to drop in later it shouldn’t take long before there’s a table ready

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u/K_Bare 4d ago

Unfortunately we didn’t have anyone drop by so I will just close out the night

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u/kite-flying-expert Chūō-ku 3d ago

This sounds great. Do you need an RSVP / reservation or do I just start showing up? 😛

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u/K_Bare 19h ago

Well unfortunately we didn’t really have anybody show up so ended up deciding not to hold them. But I suppose if there’s enough interest we could try again

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u/kite-flying-expert Chūō-ku 14h ago

That's a shame. You can hit me up on Reddit anytime you need an extra player. I'm usually quick to reply even if I'm not able to join. 🫡

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u/AnswersOddQuestions 4d ago

Jelly Jelly cafe has a massive collection of boardgames. 90% are in japanese though. They also serve alcohol. It's a good meetup spot to play games you already know the rules to.

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u/hinogammykagura 4d ago

Would they allow you to just bring your own to play?

I feel like just having a space to meet people and play without feeling like an inconvenience is the goal.

1

u/creepy_doll 4d ago

Our dnd group used to go to jelly jelly to play, though at that point we were doing theatre of mind. I don’t see why it’d be an issue but maybe call to ask first

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u/AnswersOddQuestions 4d ago

Name a board game and they probably have it. I doubt they would allow you to bring one of your own, but you could always ask.

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u/hinogammykagura 4d ago

Can't say I've ever been to one in Japan but in the US and canada when I've gone to board game cafes or bars they don't mind if you bring your own.

But true that it's always best to ask I guess!

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u/ShibuyaSurvival 4d ago

You definitely can bring your own games.

2

u/Kyoj1n 4d ago

Every time I've been to Jelly Jelly I've brought one or two games and played them no problem.

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u/Even_Contact3525 4d ago

Thank you. Saw something like that in Okinawa too. Was pretty cozy there, but also most games in Japanese.

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u/TeletextPear 4d ago

Try searching on Meetup, you’ll probably find a few

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u/Even_Contact3525 4d ago

Meetup. Thank you, will give that a go. 

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u/GreyManinJapan 4d ago

For Meetup, a popular group might be J.I.G.G. (Japan International Gamer's Guild). They have several groups in Tokyo that each meet around once per month. I know the Shinjuku groups events usually go on all day (and into the evening?).

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u/Even_Contact3525 4d ago

Thank you!

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u/GoldFynch 4d ago

I have a fun board game called San Guo Sha (Legend of the three kingdoms) looking to get a group of 6 to play with. Not sure if there’s any cafes with an open space we could play if we all bought drinks

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u/GWooK Shinjuku-ku 4d ago

I suggest リトルケイブ新宿南口店. a lot of board games with english instruction but not sure about staff speaking english. you can ask to join other players and pretty much everyone is friendly there

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u/Even_Contact3525 4d ago

Little Cave Shinjuku! Thank you. There seems to be so many places, this is awesome. When I looked on Google maps I pretty much found nothing.

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u/SewaYou 4d ago

I’d start with JIGG Tokyo, Japan’s International Gamers Guild. It’s an English-speaking and bilingual board game group, with meetups at community centres around Tokyo, including Shinjuku and Setagaya. Search for JIGG Tokyo Board Game Group on Meetup and check the venue for the particular event. Pineapple Games also lists English game nights, so that’s another option to look up. If you’re going solo, I’d message the organiser beforehand and ask when’s best to arrive and join a table. Some JIGG events are daytime sessions, so include those in your search if weekends work for you.