Playing online
Japanese Mahjong can be played on various online sites and clients.
Tenhou.net
Tenhou.net, introduced in 2004, is one of the most popular sites to play the game, and the most established.
Basic info:
- Platforms: Web browser, mobile (IOS/Android), downloadable client (requires subscription)
- Pricing (for mahjong): Web browser/mobile is entirely free until the highest level lobby (Houou room), which requires a subscription. Subscription costs 550 yen/25 days (660 yen/month); the cost is reduced if buying in bulk.
- Languages: Japanese. Minimal English support without a translation add-on (Chrome, Firefox).
Notes:
- In-game hints: Prompts for chii/pon/kan/riichi. No hints for waits, tiles left, or tedashi/tsumogiri.
- Significantly older than most of its competitors. Its UI is "minimialist" - not as polished, but with less bloat.
Gacha games
The following games all feature gacha mechanics and an "anime"-inspired aesthetic. The gacha mechanics allow pulling for different characters and other cosmetics, with no impact on the mahjong gameplay.
Mahjong Soul
Mahjong Soul, introduced in 2018, is another one of the most popular sites. Released much later than Tenhou, it features more polished graphics, "anime" aesthetics, and has native English support.
Basic info:
- Platforms: Web browser, downloadable client, Steam, mobile (IOS/Android)
- Pricing (for mahjong): Each game in Silver room (second-lowest room) or higher requires copper. Copper can be obtained for free in-game; in-game events provide enough copper for practically unlimited play.
- Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean. Native English support.
Notes:
- In-game hints: Prompts for chii/pon/kan/riichi; displays waits and tiles left. No hint for tedashi/tsumogiri.
- Gacha system used for cosmetics.
- 4-player modes are region-locked for Bronze/Silver room. This makes it hard to find hanchan games in 4P Bronze specifically (Silver Room 4P hanchans are well populated, though).
Riichi City
Riichi City, introduced in 2022, is a riichi mahjong simulator that can be considered a "clone" of Mahjong Soul. Its gacha system is nicer for free-to-play players, and the client is newer, but the player count is much smaller than MajSoul.
Basic info:
- Platforms: Downloadable client, Steam, mobile (IOS/Android)
- Pricing (for mahjong): Each game in Moon room (second-lowest room) or higher requires coins. Coins can be obtained for free in-game; enough coins are given for practically unlimited play.
- Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean. Native English support.
Notes:
- In-game hints: Prompts for chii/pon/kan/riichi; displays waits and tiles left; displays tedashi/tsumogiri.
- Gacha system used for cosmetics.
- Player count, as of the time of writing (Sept. 2024), is significantly lower than Tenhou/Mahjong Soul, especially at higher rooms.
- Ranking system does not encourage 4th place avoidance; point spread is split mostly even between 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th.
Hime Mahjong
Hime mahjong, introduced in 2019, is another Mahjong Soul "clone". It is Japanese/Chinese-only, but the gacha system and characters have fostered a few English-speaking fans.
Basic info:
- Platforms: Steam, mobile (Android; IOS requires Japanese account)
- Pricing (for mahjong): Games are entirely free.
- Languages: Japanese, Chinese. No English support.
Notes:
- Gacha system used for cosmetics.
Other Sites/Clients
- RonRon: PC, Japanese only. Main appeal is the integration with the Japan Professional Mahjong League, potentially allowing you to play against top players in the world. However, playing requires a subscription (1100 yen/month, reduced if buying in bulk).
- MahjongTime: PC, English. Main features are a wide variety of non-Japanese mahjong variants available (Mahjong Competition Rules, American, Hong Kong Old Style, etc.). Game # per day is limited, especially without a subscription.
- Sega Mahjong: PC/Mobile, Japanese only. Features gacha systems, but is significantly different than Mahjong Soul.
- Maru-jan M: Mobile, Japanese only.
Single-player games
- The Gamedesign mahjong
- Bamboo Chinitsu Game - played against a single computer opponent using only the 36 Souzu tiles.