Shiritori

Quick wit meets wordplay in this classic Japanese game!

Sharpen your vocabulary and test your reflexes in Shiritori, the fast-paced, word-chain game where each new word must start with the last character of the previous one. Rooted in Japanese tradition and beloved by all ages, Shiritori is easy to learn but endlessly challenging to master.

What Is Shiritori?

"Shiritori" is a Japanese wordplay that means "to take the end." Players take turns saying words that begin with the final kana (syllable) of the word before. It’s a fun way to practice language skills and keep your mind sharp, especially in Japanese!

Example Chain:

りんご (ringo – apple) → ごりら (gorira – gorilla) → らっぱ (rappa – trumpet) → パンダ (panda)

But be careful! Words ending in ん (n) are forbidden—since no Japanese word begins with that sound, saying one ends the game!

How to Play

• One player says a word in Japanese.
• The next player responds with a word starting with the last syllable of the previous word.
• No repeating words!
• The game ends if someone:
• Says a word ending in "ん"
• Can’t think of a valid word in time

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