A Guide for Learning and Playing Japanese Mahjong (2026)

About This Guide

This project began as a small set of reference sheets I created for friends and family while teaching Japanese Riichi Mahjong. Over time, my passion for both the game and teaching it grew, and these materials evolved into a comprehensive guide that I wanted to share more broadly.

The guide is designed to help learners understand the game step by step, combining readings and practice activities so learning and playing happen simultaneously.

Inspired by my experiences teaching and learning from my grandmother—playing without scoring, extra rules, or special equipment—the goal is to make learning Riichi straightforward, enjoyable, and accessible to anyone who wants to explore the game.

While the packets work best together as a curriculum, they can also be used individually. At the end of the day, all you really need is a set of tiles.

Whether learning or teaching, this guide aims to make the game approachable, fun, and rewarding for years to come.

Contents of the Guide

I recommend starting with the Overview & Guide Introduction to get oriented. Click on the links below to access the PDFs. The Back Matter includes full attributions and licensing information.

Start here: Overview & Guide Introduction

---

Then explore:

1. Mahjong Tiles & Winning Hands
2. Setup & Gameplay Reference
3. Introduction to Tile Calls
4. Essential Terms & Rules
5. List of Yaku
6. How to Calculate a Hand’s Score
7. Additional Rules & Supplementary Material
• Three-Player Variants (Coming Soon)
• Two-Player Variants (Coming Soon)
8. Back Matter (Attributions & Licensing)

Permissions & Licensing

• All original content by Christopher Yee © 2026 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
• Selected images and descriptions from Mahjong Soul (Yostar Games) are used with permission for non-commercial educational purposes only.
• Other third-party materials (Mahjong Gate, Mahjongo, etc.) are credited in the Back Matter and remain the property of their respective creators.

Terms of Use

This guide and all associated materials are provided for personal, educational, and non-commercial use only. Commercial use, resale, or use in paid services is strictly prohibited. Inclusion of third-party materials does not imply endorsement or affiliation.

Feedback & Suggestions

If you find errors, have questions, or would like to suggest improvements, please contact: riichimahjongguide@gmail.com.