How I got into Japanese style Mahjong

This year, I picked up Japanese Mahjong as a new hobby.

My dad, who has been playing Mahjong since his teenage years, taught me the basic rules and scoring system.

Recently, I read an article about the growing popularity of Mahjong among young Japanese people. Inspired by this trend, I decided to write a blog post about the benefits of playing Mahjong.

Have you ever seen a movie where Chinese aunties are playing Mahjong in the back room of a Chinese restaurant? I've always admired how they spend time together, playing Mahjong and chatting about their lives.

But there are couple difference between Chinese Mahjong and Japanese Mahjong.
These are couple of differences between Chinese and Japanese Mahjong:

Riichi Declaration:

Japanese Mahjong:
Players can declare "Riichi" when they are one tile away from winning, indicating that they are ready to win. This adds an element of strategy and risk, as it locks their hand.

Chinese Mahjong:
There is no equivalent to the Riichi declaration.

Dora Tiles:

Japanese Mahjong:
The game includes Dora tiles, which are bonus tiles that increase the value of a hand. The Dora indicator is revealed, and any tile matching the Dora indicator's sequence becomes a Dora tile.

Chinese Mahjong:
Traditional Chinese Mahjong does not have Dora tiles.

During my three-month stay in Japan, I played Mahjong with my family and friends while socializing and enjoying snacks. I've realized that there are multiple benefits to playing Mahjong.

It significantly improves memory and concentration. Keeping track of tiles, remembering discarded tiles, and anticipating opponents' moves enhance these cognitive skills.

Additionally, it helps me develop strategies to form winning hands. Considering the Riichi and Dora mechanics sharpens my strategic thinking and decision-making abilities.

Most importantly, participating in Mahjong games helps build a sense of community and belonging among players.

I am back in North America, but I still play Mahjong online using a mobile app called MJ Mahjong to stay sharp and not forget how to play. This app allows me to play with other players!

I enjoy finding new hobbies because they broaden my thinking and allow me to have fun with others. What would be a good hobby to start next?