Get this excited with no props! A collection of Japanese play ideas
Looking for games you can enjoy without any equipment? In Japan, there are actually many unique games that have long been shaped by creativity and ingenuity.
In this article, we’ll introduce Japanese games like Daruma-san ga Koronda and Kotorokotorō—simple rules, no gear needed, and fun anytime, anywhere.
They’re perfect for big groups, involve running or a bit of thinking, and naturally deepen communication with friends.
Experience these Japanese games where nostalgia and freshness coexist!
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Get This Excited Without Any Tools! A Collection of Japanese Play Ideas (1–10)
Tag (or Tag, holding hands)
In a regular game of tag, when you’re touched by “it,” you switch roles, right? But in this game, Hand-Holding Tag, the number of taggers keeps increasing.
Split into taggers and runners and start with a normal game of tag.
When a runner is tagged, they hold hands with the tagger and, in that formation, chase the other runners.
As the number of taggers grows while the playing area stays the same, you’ll need to instantly spot and move through paths without taggers.
The runners who avoid being caught until the end are the winners.
Gatekeeper Rock-Paper-Scissors
Gatekeeper Janken is a tag game where you play rock-paper-scissors with the taggers to escape and rescue teammates.
First, divide participants into taggers (oni) and runners (children).
A good rule of thumb is two children per tagger.
From among the taggers, choose two gatekeepers and have them stand in front of the taggers’ zones located on both sides of the running court.
At the start signal, the children run away from the taggers; if they are tagged, they play rock-paper-scissors.
If they win, they run away again; if they lose, they enter the taggers’ zone.
By playing rock-paper-scissors with the gatekeepers, you can rescue teammates who have been captured by the taggers, but if you lose, you’ll be captured too.
The taggers win if they capture everyone within the time limit or reduce the number of children to fewer than the number of taggers.
Kagome Kagome
Pick one person to be “it.” The “it” person sits down with their eyes covered.
The other children join hands in a circle and walk around “it” while singing “Kagome Kagome.” When the song ends, “it” says an animal like “dog” or “cat.” The person standing behind “it” then imitates the sound of the named animal.
Listening to the sound, “it” tries to guess who made it.
If the guess is correct, switch who is “it.” If it’s wrong, keep the same “it” and start over from the beginning.
To avoid making it too hard, imitate the animal sound using your normal voice without changing your voice color.
This much fun without any equipment! A collection of Japanese play ideas (11–20)
Inside-out pots!
Pair up in groups of two, face each other, and hold hands.
While singing the children’s song “Nabe Nabe Sokonuke,” swing both hands side to side.
When the song reaches the part that says “kaerimashou” (“let’s go back”), go under your joined hands and turn so you are back-to-back.
If you can get back-to-back without letting go of hands, you’ve succeeded.
Next, try returning from back-to-back to the original position.
If a pair lets go, start again from the beginning.
If there’s a big height difference, it can be tricky, so it helps if the taller person sits down.
Hana Ichi Monme
Once you split into two groups, each group forms a single line and faces the other.
Hold hands with members of your own group and sing “Hana Ichimonme.” When Group One moves forward, Group Two moves backward.
Repeat this motion alternately.
Don’t forget to kick your leg on the “me.” When the song ends, each group discusses and decides whom they want to recruit from the other group.
Once decided, declare “We want [Name]!” The two people whose names are called play rock–paper–scissors.
The loser joins the winner’s group.
The game ends when one group has no members left.
Tōryanse
“Tōryanse” is played along with the song.
Choose two taggers from among the participants; they join hands to make an arch.
The remaining children form a circle and, in turn, pass under the arch to the rhythm of the song.
When the song ends, the taggers drop their arms and catch the child who is under the arch.
The caught child switches places with one of the taggers.
You can vary the play by changing the song’s speed or by having the children link together like a train as they pass under the arch.
As the song nears the end, everyone may start to feel rushed, but be careful not to run or push the person in front of you.
Sitting tag
How about trying a seated game of tag that you can play indoors? First, choose who’s “it,” and have everyone—including the tagger—start in a seated position.
It’s best if people are spaced a little apart.
The rule is that everyone must keep their bottoms on the floor even while moving.
Moving while your bottom stays on the floor is tricky and slows you down more than you’d think—that frustrating feeling is what makes it so fun.
Since you can’t move very far, you can enjoy it in a small space.
Give it a try!
