The magic of travel
Tokaidois a beautifully published and very enjoyable board game in which we can feel like travelers wandering along the Eastern Sea Road. Its origins date back to the 11th century and it connects the two most important cities in Japan. On the route from Kyoto to Edo (aka Tokyo) we will find 53 points – where we can stop at our discretion. They include, among others taverns, souvenir shops, panoramic views and hot springs (onsen). In each location, depending on its purpose, we can enjoy local food (then we collect cards of such delicacies as kamaboko sushi or daifuku rice dumplings) or buy a gift – here we can choose from e.g. wooden slippers (Jap. geta), decorative figurines (Jap. netsuke) or woodcuts (Jap. ukiyo-e). Everything is great, but what is the goal of the game? A trip to the Land of the Rising Sun without leaving home? Yes and no.
Sensations, sensations, sensations!
In this game, the most important thing is, colloquially speaking, “wczuwka”. When we immerse ourselves in the world presented on the board and use our imagination to taste the dishes illustrated on the attached cards or bask in Asian hot springs (interestingly, they are sometimes used to cook eggs and vegetables, and are extremely popular in Japan itself) – we are able to derive great satisfaction from it.
Okay, but who’s winning? In fact, it is not important, but to be precise – the person who scores the most points after reaching Edo. They are awarded for the collected landscapes, the number of owned souvenirs, victuals and the collection of cards with baths and characters encountered during tireless wandering. Believe me, winning really isn’t important: here the journey is an end in itself. The position is ideal for lovers of Japanese culture, aesthetes and people who appreciate creative game mechanics, different from many available on the market. I’ve never seen anything like it before!
To sum up, I had a great time, especially since I am about to embark on a real journey to the land of the samurai. So do my comrades, because they draw heavily from this culture in their choices when it comes to film or literature. And of course board games!
