Goita ゴイタ

32 tiles: 2 Kings (50), 2 Rooks (40), 2 Bishops (40), 4 Gold, 4 Silver (30 each), 4 Knights, 4 Lances (20), 10 Pawns (10). Four players in fixed partnerships, counter-clockwise. Dealer plays one face-down, one face-up; the next player must play a matching defense tile plus an attack tile. King is wild except for Lance/Pawn attacks. First to discard all wins the hand; score equals the value of the last tile played. Pawn-hand bonus. First partnership to 150 points wins. The game blends trick-taking logic with partnership communication.

Goita emerged in the Noto Peninsula (Ishikawa) in the early 20th century, likely in fishing communities. It uses shogi piece names and values but is a completely different game—partnership-based and tile-driven. Passed down in families and preserved by local cultural groups such as the Noto Goita Preservation Society. The 2024 Noto earthquake affected the region, but festivals and tournaments continue. Ishikawa prefecture recognises it as intangible cultural heritage.

Signal to partner with tile choices—high-value plays suggest a strong hand. Save Kings for emergencies; they're wild. Track opponent discards to predict attacks.

Noto fishing villages; Ishikawa intangible heritage. Community tournaments; symbol of resilience after 2024 Noto earthquake. Geographically specific—rare outside the region. Goita tiles use shogi piece names and values but the game is partnership-based and tile-driven. The Noto Goita Preservation Society and local festivals keep the tradition alive. Sets can be hard to find outside Ishikawa; the game rewards partnership communication and tactical play.