A Shogi Map: 5 Japanese Organizations That Shape the Game
If you’ve been watching shogi online or learning the rules at home, you’ve probably wondered: “Who runs all this?” In Japan, shogi is not only a game. It’s a whole culture, with leagues, events, teachers, and big community networks.
Below are five major shogi organizations (and one big network) that you’ll see again and again when you explore Japanese shogi life. I’m not ranking them. This is just a helpful “map.”
Heads up: these sites are mostly Japanese. Your browser’s translate button can do a lot.
Quick “Japanese site survival” tips
- Look for dates like 2025/12/16 or 2025年12月16日. That’s usually what’s new.
- Words you’ll see everywhere: 棋戦 (tournament), 対局 (game), 棋士 (pro), 女流 (women’s pro), 大会 (event), 支部 (branch).
- Don’t overthink it. Even with rough translation, you can usually spot: who is playing, where, and when.