Part 1: Introduction to Parlors This is a multi-part article series about riichi mahjong parlors in Japan written by Josh Kwan. Have you been to Japan and noticed the characters for Mahjong, 麻雀 (kanji) or まーじゃん on a building or posterboard outside a shop? Indeed, urban areas in Japan are exploding with mahjong parlors, sometimes multiple in the same building, all trying to get as many players in as possible. Members of our community often visit Japan, and the natural question