Explore Tokyo’s beginner-friendly gaming circles

Think of this as Tokyo’s entry-level hub for board and card games. With more than 4,000 members, Tokyo Tabletop has no restrictions on who can join, what games you can bring or how long you stay.

The format is simple: the organiser provides an eye-popping collection of 176 games, and you’re free to bring your own too. Sessions are held every Sunday in Shibuya, and you can expect to see half a dozen new games on the table each time.

The range is huge – from quick classics like Go Fish or Crazy Eights to multi-hour strategy epics and roleplaying campaigns. Some members even bring unreleased titles to playtest with strangers.

When: Every Sunday

Where: Shibuya (various venues)

Entry fee: ¥500

Vibe: Very casual, English-friendly and always welcoming to newcomers

If you’ve ever been curious about Dungeons & Dragons but don’t know where to start, this comedy twist makes for an easy entry point. Roles for Initiative is a monthly improv-meets-RPG show at Tokyo Comedy Bar.

Here’s the setup: three or four comedians build a DnD adventure on the fly, riffing with the audience as they go. Crowd suggestions – brilliant or ridiculous – get folded into the story, keeping every show unpredictable. Sometimes miniatures of the show’s characters are raffled off as souvenirs.

Even if you don’t know DnD rules, it’s easy to follow, and the audience is a mix of seasoned players and total beginners. Many newbies find their first gaming groups here, making RFI a hidden gateway into Tokyo’s roleplaying community.

When: Last Sunday of each month

Where: Tokyo Comedy Bar (Shibuya)

Entry fee: ¥2,000

Vibe: Packed house, interactive, lots of laughs

For those who want the real thing, the Tokyo Roleplaying Society runs long-form tabletop RPG sessions – no comedy, just dice, imagination and immersive stories.

The group has been active for years, hosting both in-person and online games across a wide range of systems: Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu and indie gems. Sessions typically run about three hours, with most structured as one-shots – self-contained adventures you can complete in a single sitting.

The group is famously beginner-friendly. Veteran Dungeon Masters take the time to guide newcomers, focusing on collaborative storytelling rather than strict rules. Events are volunteer-run and free, though it is good manners to buy at least one drink.

Meetups rotate between areas like Jiyugaoka, Ogikubo and Asakusa, so you can usually find one within easy reach. If you want to get more involved, or host your own games, chatting with an organiser at any event gets you an invite to their Line group, where new sessions are posted.

When: Multiple times per month

Where: Jiyugaoka, Ogikubo, Asakusa (various venues)

Entry fee: Free / venue split

Vibe: Collaborative storytelling, friendly mix of locals and expats