In Japan, you often see people on trains, buses looking at their phones and I am sure many have wondered what are they doing, are they playing a game? Are they watching something?

Many people in Japan like playing games on their phone and here are a few of the most downloaded and popular games you can play for free while commuting, waiting in line or during your free time:

1. Disney Tsum Tsum

The mobile game ツムツム(tsum tsum/pronounced tsoom tsoom)by Line Co., Ltd. is probably the most popular among Japanese people and can be downloaded for free on the App Store, respectively Google Play.

For both iPhone and Android, Tsum Tsum is a fun and adorable game you can play anytime, the rules being quite simple and easy to understand. It is a puzzle kind of game and you need to clear the Tsums within the time given.

2. Line Bubble 2

Another mobile game from Line Corporation is Line Bubble 2. It is a bubble shooting app game that involves the line characters and Cony (the rabbit)’s quest to save Brown (the bear).

There are many stages and each time it gets more difficult to clear them, but the challenge is what makes this game so catchy!

3. E Shiritori

Shiritori is a simple word game, but the app game I want to present to you is E(picture) shiritori.

I love playing it with my friends when waiting in line at Disneyland and it always gets super interesting and fun. Someone picks a random letter and draws a picture of a word starting with that letter.

Then, players take turns and the second player needs to guess what that picture is and with the last letters of the word, they will draw another picture. It is really fun and I highly recommend trying it out!

4. Animal Tower

You can play this game online and have battles with players around the world. The game is a balance game and you will need to balance animals while taking turns.

5. Red Vs Blue

A competitive game with lots of mini-games such as curling, boxing, musical chairs, friend or foe, etc. It has around 25 games you can try out and you usually play it in two (one is red, the other is blue). Not to mention that it looks super cute and you will surely get very competitive while playing it. I love the curling mini-game, so try it out!

6. Teni Rabi (テニラビ/Shin Prince of Tennis -The Rising beat)

Teni Rabi is a music game by Akatsuki and if you are a fan, like me, you will love it! You have stories of the characters and you’ll gradually get their songs while playing the game with your favorite character.

I need to warn you that the expert level is super hard, though. But don’t worry, you’ll eventually get the hang of it!

7. Taiko no Tatsujin

Another rhythmic game is Taiko no Tatsujin, the Japanese game popular in arcades, now available on mobile too!

Taiko no Tatsujin is a drumming game and all you need to do is choose your song, level and start tapping on the tunes.

It might be a bit difficult for those with no rhythm sense like me, but you’ll get used to it in no time! The practice is the key!

8. Disney Frozen Free Fall

A game similar to Tsum Tsum is Disney Frozen Free Fall, a matching game and a puzzle app inspired by Frozen!

9. Pro Yakyuu Spirits A (Professional Baseball Spirits Ace)

Japanese people love baseball, so recently the Pro Yakyuu spirits A game has been quite popular between the baseball fans.

The graphics are so real and you get to experience the game with your favorite players and team on your mobile! Isn’t that amazing?

These are my 9 recommendations and I hope you can find a few games suitable for your taste!