The Best of the East: 10 Japanese and East Asian Exhibitors to Visit at UKGE 2026

If you’re anything like me, when you head to a big convention like the UK Games Expo (read my past coverage here), you’re always looking for that something a bit different. The unusual game. The hidden gem. Publishers and designers from the other side of the planet are hot in the board game world right now, thanks to games like Eternal Decks (read my review here) making waves.

More and more people are bringing their games across the world to show at UKGE each year, but with around 800 exhibitors occupying at least three enormous halls, it’s easy to feel lost or to miss something good. So, here’s my guide to the best people to visit when you head there at the end of May 2026 to try to unearth your own hidden treasures.

Each entry on the list has its stand number listed next to it, so you can plan your visit using the app or the map on the UKGE website.

If you can’t make it to the show, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

1. Saashi & Saashi (stand 3-761)

Saashi & Saashi are the most well-known Japanese indie studio, and with good reason. Their games have fast gone from cult underground hits to big news. Friendly, beautiful, small-box games with easy-to-learn rules are their big selling points.

If you come to find them this year, don’t leave it too late. They tend to sell out quickly. For the sake of transparency, I’ll be working there this year, so come along and say hello. Even without that, this stand would have been at the top of this list. It was the first place I visited last year and the first place I spent my money.

Games to look out for

• Railway Porters – their big new release for the year. Read my review here.
• Shall We Dance – a lovely new set-collection card game.
• Come Sail Away – their only game I know of with UK distribution, so if it’s sold out at the stand, you might find it at another big retailer.

2. Synka Games (stand 2-961)

Synka Games might not be a name you’re familiar with, but they’re worth your time. It’s a small studio but with some great games to its name. Last year, I headed there on a whim and bought Lunar Trick (review here), which turned out to be a beautiful game like no other I own.

Games to look out for

• Green City – if Green City is on show, I’ll probably be buying a copy myself, as it’s by designers Fabio Lopiano and Mandela F-G.
• Lunar Trick – it really is beautiful with its silky cloth board and unique twist on trick-taking.
• Crazy Corgi – a silly little push-your-luck game with gorgeous, bright artwork that kids will love.

3. Origame (stand 3-1067)

Origame are from Singapore and make some really nice games. You might have seen the designer’s name, Daryl Chow, before. He’s worked with the likes of Saashi & Saashi before, including games such as Come Sail Away (read the review here). The people on the stand are really friendly and helpful, and I strongly advise paying them a visit.

Games to look out for

• Wok and Roll – the box art alone is enough to tip many people over. A charming roll-and-write game about running a restaurant.
• Overparked – I picked this up on a whim (read my review here), and it quickly cemented a place in my collection. A clever spatial puzzle about running a car park!
• Plantopia – a lightweight game of set collection and combos, with great art from Ryu Ho.

4. Hobby Japan (stand 4-T93)

Hobby Japan are a bit of an unknown quantity when it comes to the UK Games Expo. They were there last year with a few games to test the water. In Japan, the company is huge, but outside of their home nation, it’s a different story. The stand is likely to be small, but it’s worth taking a look because you might end up walking away with something that nobody else has.

Games to look out for

• Gibberers – last year this was a bit of a sleeper hit. An odd game of making up a language, check it out.
• Guessocracy – I bought this on a whim and really enjoyed it. Again, unique and unusual. Read my review here to find out more.

5. Moaideas Game Design (stand 3-1170)

Hailing from Taiwan, Moaideas make some really great games, including some a bit heavier than you often get from East Asia. You might even have played one of their games, because the availability has historically been very good.

Games to look out for

• Mini Express – a cube rail game with a low rules overhead and a great shares system. I love this game, and you can find out more by reading my review.
• Jiangnan: Life of Gentry – a beautiful modern Euro game combining worker-placement and bag building.
• Joraku – it’s a bit of an outside bet, but if you see Joraku, grab a copy. An amazing trick-taking, area-control game that’s really hard to find.

6. Oink Games (stand 2-336)

Oink Games from Japan isn’t exactly the best-kept secret, as you can buy their games absolutely everywhere now. However, it’s always worth paying a visit to the stand to see what stock they’ve got. You never know what new or harder-to-find games they might have, and the staff are really lovely.

Games to look out for

• Scout – one of the best card-shedding games out there. Immediately accessible and a ton of fun. Read the review here.
• DroPolter – a truly unique game. You hold a bunch of objects in your hand, then race to drop only the items shown on a card. Hilarious and infuriating.
• A Fake Artist Goes to New York – communal Pictionary, but one of you doesn’t know what they’re drawing. A party favourite, check it out.

7. Amuri Studio (stand 3A-B43)

Amuri Studio is an unusual addition to this list, if only because I don’t believe they’re bringing any games to sell. I backed their games on crowdfunding this year and was really impressed, so when I saw they were on the exhibitor list, I had to give them a shout-out. Go and see something a bit different.

Games to look out for

• The Coil – I backed this, and I’m glad I did. It’s an unusual mix of card and dice, which sees you battling for dominance while completing secret objectives.
• Briscola Chiamata – a new print of a traditional five-player Italian trick-taking game. If that doesn’t sound interesting, then I don’t know what does.
• Fantasy Tavern Brawl – a really fun game where you throw cards at a tavern on the table. Cards have special powers, and each card touching the tavern also expands it. Fun!

8. Ice Makes (stand 3-571)

You might not know the name Ice Makes, but you might well have seen their games. Or rather, one in particular. The Hong Kong studio makes some very impressive games, so swing by and say hello.

Games to look out for

• Terrorscape – if you’ve seen Terrorscape, you’ll know it. A one-vs-many horror film game in a box with a huge building on the table that doubles as a screen and dice tower. I previewed the new version right here.
• Eila and Something Shiny – a beautiful story-driven game about a rabbit. Just be warned that although it looks kiddy-friendly, some of the stuff in it is meant for more mature players.
• Epochs: Course of Cultures – this is Ice Makes’ new big 4X strategy game. It’s winning prizes, and it’s one I’ll be checking out, too.

9. Itten (stand 3A-433)

Itten are another Japanese game studio, and one that focuses on silly, fun games. If you’ve never played one of their games, make sure you pay them a visit and pick up something unusual.

Games to look out for

• Viking See-Saw – a silly game of placing luggage on an unstable boat. It’s got great table presence and universal appeal.
• Crash Octopus – another bonkers game. You have to rescue shipwrecked things from an octopus using your whole table as a playing area. To scatter the items, you drop them on the octopus’s head – ouch!
• Wonder Bowling – yep, you guessed it. Nonsense of the very best kind. You bash the bowling lane to try to make just the right number of pins to fall over.

10. Playte (stand 3A-602)

Playte, from South Korea, are starting to get more well-known, so now is a great time to swing by and see what’s on offer. They make a lot of small box games that are as pretty as they are fun. Of special interest this year is the ability to pre-order a box full of their games for pick up at the show. Fill out this form to pre-order.

Games to look out for

• Can’t Stop – that’s right, the old Sid Sackson game. It’s on here for a reason, though. Firstly, it’s not always easy to find a copy, and secondly, the Playte version is beautiful.
• Betty Botter Bought Some Butter – This tongue twister game is hilarious, especially after a Babycham or two around the Christmas dinner table.
• Orapa Space – Playte make some brilliant deduction games (I reviewed Digit Code here), and Orapa Space is the next big one.

Can’t make it to the show?

I know. Sometimes life gets in the way, or maybe you don’t feel like contending with 40,000 other people for space and oxygen. UKGE isn’t for everyone. If you can’t make it, however, don’t worry. You can still browse and buy some incredible, very rare and unusual games from the comfort of your own home.

Friend of Punchboard, Travel Games, has you covered.

Head over to https://travel-games.co.uk/ right now to browse and buy some games that you’ll almost certainly never see in the shops, or even most online stores, too. In fact, Travel Games’ head honcho and resident hedgehog aficionado, Ben, is off to Tokyo Games Market very soon. He’ll soon be bringing back all manner of shiny new things for us to buy. Safe travels, Ben.

Your favourites?

Have you got a favourite Asian publisher or designer? Have I missed anyone special off the list? Do you have a hot tip for visitors to UK Games Expo? Let me know in the comments below.