Onitama is a perfect abstract information game for two players. The game has a random starting position. On a 5x5 board, both players start with five pawns on their side, with the main pawn in the middle.

Each player has two face-up cards, each representing a possible move for each of his pieces. There is a fifth card that cannot be used by either player. On a player's turn, he chooses one of his cards, moves one of his pieces according to the chosen card and replaces the card he used with the fifth card. The other player then chooses one of their cards, moves accordingly, and swaps that card with this fifth card - which of course is the card the first player just used.

By moving to one of the opponent's pawns, that pawn is removed from the game. If you take the opponent's main pawn, or move your main pawn to the starting space of your opponent's main pawn, you win the game.