Play Tamura Koushou Mahjong Seminar (Japan) Online

Ever stumbled into a mahjong parlor in Japan and had no clue what was happening? Tamura Koushou Mahjong Seminar is basically that experience, but with a patient teacher and no judgmental stares. It’s an NES game that doesn’t just throw tiles at you—it actually explains things, which is rare for a mahjong game from the '80s.

The tutorial mode feels like sitting down with Tamura himself (he’s a real pro, by the way), walking you through riichi, dora, and why discarding that 5-pin was a terrible idea. The pixelated tables and chiptune clacks of tiles won’t win any beauty contests, but there’s something weirdly cozy about it. Just don’t expect to "get it" right away—this is the kind of game where you’ll lose five rounds before realizing you’ve been misreading your hand the whole time.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn proper Japanese mahjong without the pressure of actual humans sighing at your mistakes, this is your best shot. Just maybe keep a strategy guide handy.