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, a free in-game currency. However, in-game events - which are run near constantly - provide more than 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.
Riichi City
Riichi City, introduced in 2022, is a Riichi mahjong simulator that can be considered a "clone" of MahjongSoul. Its gacha system is significantly 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, a free in-game currency. However, 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 MahjongSoul "clone". It is Japanese/Chinese-only, but the gacha system and characters create a small English-speaking fanbase.
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.
RonRon
RonRon, formerly known as Ron2, is a mahjong site endorsed by the Japan Professional Mahjong League.
Basic Info:
- Platforms: Website
- Pricing (for mahjong): Playing games requires a subscription, costing 1100 yen/month; the cost is reduced if buying in bulk.
- Languages: Japanese. No English support.
Notes:
- In-game hints: Prompts for chii/pon/kan/riichi. No hints for waits, tiles left, or tedashi/tsumogiri.
- The UI is basically identical to Tenhou.
- The main appeal of the site is the JPML integration, and possibly being able to play against the strongest players. However, these points are basically irrelevant until you reach Tenhou's tenhoui rank (or equivalent), or if you want to play in the JPML.
Other Sites/Clients
- MahjongTime: PC, English. Main features are a wide variety of non-Riichi mahjong games (Mahjong Competition Rules, American, Hong Kong Old Style, etc.). Game # is limited, especially without a subscription.
- Sega Mahjong: PC/Mobile, Japanese only. Features gacha systems but significantly different than MahjongSoul.
- 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.