NEXT Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), the developer of the Hiragana Mahjong game 'Hiragajong,' held its first demonstration sale at the long-established toy store 'Hakuhinkan TOY PARK' in Ginza, Tokyo, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Many customers experienced the game on the day, with both domestic and international visitors showing strong interest.

Experiencing 'time to play with words' at a Ginza landmark 'Hiragajong' is a new style of communication game that blends 'wordplay' with 'Mahjong.' Featuring a simple rule of rearranging Hiragana tiles to form 2-3 character words, the game is designed for all ages, from children to adults. The demonstration sale at Hakuhinkan provided a valuable opportunity for customers to touch the tiles and experience the game's appeal firsthand.

Strong interest from international visitors Notably, international visitors showed great interest in the alphabet version of 'Hiragajong.' Even for those unfamiliar with Japanese Hiragana, the familiar alphabet allowed them to intuitively assemble words and play, highlighting the game's potential to bridge language barriers. By utilizing universally readable characters while retaining the strategic depth of Mahjong, the game is supported by a broad audience both domestically and abroad. The alphabet version is expected to see further growth as a gateway for international customers and Japanese language learners.

Turning learning that starts with 'play' into a culture for the future Under the philosophy of 'Turning words into play, and play into the future,' Hiragajong is engaged in efforts to promote the game in schools, after-school programs, childcare facilities, and nursing homes. It has previously been utilized in elementary school Japanese language classes and featured in donation projects for local governments. With this first demonstration sale at Hakuhinkan in Ginza, the company plans to continue delivering 'time to play with words' to more people.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event