Easy and Fun Japanese Drinking Games: From Bamboo Shoot to Anime

Ever heard of a game where you raise your hands and shout like a sprouting bamboo shoot? Welcome to Takenoko Nyoki Ki, the bamboo shoot drinking game that’s as fun as it sounds and uniquely Japanese! Popular in Japanese social gatherings, it’s easy to learn and guarantees laughs and a strong sense of camaraderie. 

This guide covers everything you need to know to get started with some of Japan’s most popular drinking games, each one simple to learn and guaranteed to create unforgettable moments.

What is the Bamboo Shoot Drinking Game?

The Bamboo Shoot Drinking Game, known in Japanese as “Takenoko Nyoki Ki,” is a game rooted in Japanese drinking culture. 

“Takenoko” translates to “bamboo shoot,” and “Nyoki” is an onomatopoeic word representing the sound of bamboo sprouting up. The game’s simplicity and cheerful nature make it a favorite for groups, letting players loosen up and enjoy a unique aspect of Japanese socializing.

How to Play Bamboo Shoot Drinking Game?

1. Setup: Gather a group of at least five players.
2. Starting the Game: Players sit in a circle and take turns in a clockwise direction.
3. Counting Sequence: Each player takes turns saying a number in ascending order, starting from one and going up to one less than the total number of players (e.g., if there are eight players, count from 1 to 7).
4. Elimination Rules: If two players say the same number simultaneously, both are eliminated and must drink.
5. Winning: The last remaining player who hasn’t been eliminated wins the round.

8 Popular Japanese Games Similar to Bamboo Shoot 

Looking to spice up your night beyond Takenoko Nyoki Ki? Japanese drinking games offer a mix of strategy, quick thinking, and light-hearted fun. Here are some of the best games similar to the Bamboo Shoot Drinking Game, complete with clear instructions on how to play.

1. Kiku No Hana  (Chrysanthemum Game)

How to Play:

1. Best for 3+ Players.
2. Gather players in a circle with a central cup and a bottle of sake or other drink.
3. Players take turns pouring a small amount of sake into the cup, aiming to avoid filling it to the top.
4. Whoever fills the cup to the brim must drink it. The game then resets, and the cup is emptied for the next round.

Goal: The suspense builds as each player tries to pour just enough without overfilling the cup. Precision and a steady hand are key here—no one wants to be the one finishing the drink!

2. Daruma-san (Red Light, Green Light)

How to Play:

1. Best for 4+ Players.
2. Choose one player to be “It,” who stands at one end of the room facing away from the others.
3. The rest of the players line up at the opposite end and begin moving toward “It” as quietly as possible.
4. At any random moment, “It” turns around while shouting “Daruma-san ga koronda!” (meaning “The Daruma doll fell over”).
5. All other players must freeze immediately. If “It” catches anyone moving, that player has to take a drink and returns to the start.

Goal: The objective is to reach “It” without getting caught moving, adding an element of stealth and hilarity, as players often freeze mid-motion to avoid drinking.

3. Yamanote-Sen (The Train Game)

How to Play:

1. Best for 4+ Players.
2. Players sit in a circle, and one player picks a theme (such as train stations on Tokyo’s Yamanote Line, Japanese cities, or famous foods).
3. Going clockwise, each player quickly names something within the chosen theme.
4. Anyone who hesitates, repeats an answer, or makes a mistake has to take a drink.

Goal: This game tests quick thinking and memory, making it harder as the round goes on. As players struggle to come up with new answers, the game gets progressively funnier and more challenging.

4. Hashiken (Liar’s Game)

How to Play:

1. Best for 2 Players.
2. Decide Who Goes First: Start with Janken (Rock, Paper, Scissors). The loser becomes the first player and hides a few chopsticks under their forearm, putting forward one, two, or three chopsticks.
3. Second Player’s Turn: The second player adds chopsticks from their stash, trying to make the combined total exactly three.
4. Guess and Reveal: The first player guesses the total number of chopsticks (choosing either one or five), and then both players reveal their chopsticks.
5. Scoring:
   • If the total is exactly three, the second player wins the round.
   • If the first player’s guess is correct, they win the round.
   • The player who scores two points wins, and the loser takes a drink.

Goal: This game tests strategic guessing and quick thinking, as players aim to match or correctly guess the total number of chopsticks to score points and avoid drinking.

5. Pocky Game (Best Dating Game)

How to Play:

1. Best for 2 Players.
2. Two players place a Pocky stick (or any thin biscuit stick) between their lips, each holding one end.
3. Both players start nibbling their way toward the center of the stick at the same time.
4. The first person to back away or accidentally drop the stick loses and has to drink.

Goal: The challenge here is to see who can hold their nerve the longest. It’s a game that combines humor and tension, especially as the players get closer!

6. Ōsama (King) Game

How to Play:

1. Best for 5+ Players.
2. Players draw sticks, one of which is marked as the “king.”
3. The player who draws the “king” stick can give any command to the other players, such as “Player 3 and Player 5 must take a shot” or “Player 2 must sing a song.”
4. The game continues, with each player having a chance to be the king in a new round.

Goal: The King’s commands can be as creative or silly as you like, adding lots of humor and unpredictability to the game.

7. Konpira Fune Fune (The Rhythm Game)

How to Play:

Best for 2 Players. Players sit facing each other with a small object (like a flat box or chopstick) placed in the center of the table, optionally on a towel.

1. In rhythm, players take turns either touching the object with an open hand (if it’s on the table) or tapping the table with a closed fist (if the object has been picked up).
2. Players can hold the object for up to 3 turns, but it must be placed back afterward.
3. Traditionally, this game is played to the “Konpira Fune Fune” song, which speeds up as it progresses, increasing the challenge.

Goal: Keep up with the rhythm without mistakes. If a player uses the wrong hand, misses a beat, or loses track, they lose the round and take a drink, making this a fun, fast-paced test of reflexes and coordination.

8. Tora Tora Tora (Rock, Paper, Scissors)

How to Play:

1. Best for 2 Players.
2. Similar to Jan Ken Pon, players face off but instead of rock, paper, or scissors, they choose characters—like a tiger, a samurai, or an old woman.
3. Each character “beats” another (e.g., tiger beats old woman, samurai beats tiger, old woman beats samurai).
4. The losing player must drink.

Goal: The game adds a twist to rock-paper-scissors, making it extra fun with character roles that players act out.

Level Up Your Party with Japanese Anime Drinking Games

After the lively energy of the Bamboo Shoot Drinking Game and other classic Japanese drinking games, why not take things to a new level with the Japanese Anime Drinking Game? 

Perfect for Japanese Anime enthusiasts, this game turns classic anime moments into fun drinking challenges. Whether you’re a fan of One Piece, Naruto, Attack on Titan, or any other popular series, the anime drinking game brings a new level of engagement and camaraderie  to your anime binge sessions.

How to Play the Japanese Anime Drinking Game

1. Choose Your Anime: Pick an anime series that everyone knows, or one that has lots of recurring themes, memorable catchphrases, and character quirks.
2. Set Drinking Rules: Create a list of “drink triggers” based on typical anime moments. For example:
   • Take a sip whenever a character yells their signature catchphrase.
   • Take a drink for every epic fight scene or when a character uses a special move.
   • Finish your drink if there’s a dramatic transformation or a lengthy monologue.
3. Start Watching and Play Along: Hit play on the anime and keep an eye out for the triggers. Take a drink each time a rule is triggered to stay engaged with the action.
4. Customize Rules for Each Anime: Make the game even more immersive by adding unique rules for each series—like drinking for every new character introduction in Naruto or every “power-up” moment in Dragon Ball Z.

Goal: The Japanese Anime Drinking Game brings an extra level of fun to anime nights, transforming classic anime tropes into a shared challenge that fans will love.

Japanese drinking games offer a delightful mix of fun, strategy, and camaraderie, making them a great addition to any social gathering. From the lighthearted simplicity of the Bamboo Shoot Drinking Game to the quick-thinking challenges of Yamanote-Sen, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a competitive yet entertaining game, a rhythm-based challenge, or a quirky anime-themed twist, Japanese drinking games guarantee laughter, memorable moments, and strong social connections.

So grab your friends, throw on some anime, and prepare for a night full of ridiculous fun. It’s basically the social equivalent of a rollercoaster – except with more sake. Kanpai!

FAQs for Japanese Drinking Games