# Kanagawa: Yokai ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2019 - **BGG Rating**: 7.2 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 45 min - **Weight**: 1.71 / 5 - **Designers**: Bruno Cathala, Charles Chevallier - **Artists**: Jade Mosch - **Publishers**: IELLO, 2 Pionki, Buró, Mancalamaro, Portal Games, Reflexshop - **Categories**: Animals, Card Game, Expansion for Base-game - **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Open Drafting, Pattern Building, Push Your Luck, Set Collection, Worker Placement ## Verdict Fans of Japanese art and folklore will love Kanagawa’s expansion!Yokaï adds risk and rewardFresh visual themesAccessible gameplayMarkers can cost pointsLearning curve stays lightHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Kanagawa: Yokai is the expansion that adds a splash of folklore and color to the already charming card game Kanagawa. The concept is straightforward: swap two of the base game’s elements for three new ones—kites, parasols, and paper lanterns—and watch the dynamic gain a new layer of strategy. Yokai cards feature the mystical yokaï symbol, visible when you place the card on your painting or studio. Doing so earns you a yokaï marker, which can come from the supply or another player. If you collect all three markers, a special bonus appears, but beware: players holding markers at the end lose points. This makes the timing and placement of cards critical, creating a risk‑reward balance. The expansion keeps the base game’s hand‑management, open drafting, pattern building, push‑your‑luck, set‑collection, and worker‑placement mechanics, but adds fresh visual themes and an extra tension layer. For fans of Kanagawa, it deepens depth and variety of combinations, while newcomers may be surprised by the blend of Japanese art, yokaï mythology, and accessible gameplay. If you enjoy card games that demand strategic thinking and have a taste for Asian and artistic themes, Kanagawa: Yokai is a choice that will please. The game remains light, with roughly 45‑minute sessions and ideal for 2 to 4 players. Components are well produced: illustrated cards, yokaï markers, and game pieces that fit perfectly into the Kanagawa universe. The expansion does not drastically alter the learning curve; it actually reinforces the known experience, adding only more combination options and a small risk element. In short, Kanagawa: Yokai is a fun, thematic addition that expands the base game’s universe without complicating gameplay. ## How to Play Objective of the Game Kanagawa: Yokai is an expansion for Kanagawa and requires the base game to be played. In this game, players aim to paint Kites, Lanterns, and Umbrellas in their Prints to earn new Diplomas. Players must also beware of the malicious Yokai, who will try to steal their Harmony points at the end of the game. Preparation (Setup) The set-up is the same as in the base game, with the following exceptions: Choose 4 sets of Lesson cards that you want to play with; two from the base game and two from the expansion. Put the other cards back into the box. Place the Yokai Diploma tile next to the other Diploma and Studio tiles. Next, pick out the Print Diploma tiles that correspond to the Main Subjects of the Lesson cards you have chosen to play with and sort them by color as described in the base rules. There should only be 4 categories of Print Diploma in use for this game. Place the Yokai tokens next to the remaining Brushes within reach of the players. Fluxo do Jogo The game is played in the same way as the base game, with the following exceptions: Arrival of a new Yokai: When you pick up a new card from the School board with the specific icon shown in the manual, you must take one of the Yokai tokens from the reserve and place it in front of you. This happens regardless of whether you choose to place the card in your Print or in your Studio. If the reserve is empty, take a Yokai token from another player of your choice. Movement of a Yokai: When you add a card to your Studio with the specific icon shown in the manual, give one of your Yokai to an opponent of your choice. If you have no Yokai, this symbol has no effect (you can’t use it later). Just as in the base game, at the end of your turn you may choose to either take a Diploma or to leave it. Some Diploma tiles have unique traits. Ações e Como Jogar Players can earn Diplomas and points based on the cards in their Print: Gain 6 points and 1 Storm token if you have at least 7 Kites in your Print. They can be of different colors. Gain 5 points and the Assistant pawn if you have at least 2 red Kites in your Print. Gain 3 points and 1 Brush if you have at least 3 yellow Kites in your Print. Gain 4 points and give one of your Yokai to another player if you have at least 3 blue Kites in your Print. Gain 6 points if you have 3 cards with 1, 2, and 3 Lanterns respectively in your Print. Gain 3 points if you have 3 cards with 1 Lantern in your Print. Gain 4 points if you have 2 cards with 2 Lanterns in your Print. Gain 5 points and the Assistant pawn if you have 3 Umbrellas on one or more consecutive cards in your Print. Gain 7 points if you have 4 Umbrellas on one or more consecutive cards in your Print. Gain 3 points and give one of your Yokai to another player if you have 2 Umbrellas on one or more consecutive cards in your Print. Note: if a card has more than one Umbrellas, they count as being consecutive with each other. For example, a single card with two Umbrellas would be sufficient to earn the smallest of the Umbrella diplomas. There is also a specific Diploma tile related to Yokais: Gain 4 points if you have all 3 Yokai tokens in front of you. This Diploma stays with you even if at some point you no longer have all 3 Yokai tokens. Fim de Jogo e Pontuação The end of the game is played out just as in the base game with one exception: The cunning Yokai spirits steal your points. During the final count, subtract points based on the number of Yokai tokens that you have in front of you: -1 point for one Yokai token. -4 points for two Yokai tokens. -9 points for three Yokai tokens. Dicas para Vencer Consider the Yokai Diploma tile: gaining 4 points for having all 3 Yokai tokens can be a significant boost, even if you lose them later. Strategically use cards that allow you to give Yokai to opponents, especially those with blue Kites or Umbrellas, to mitigate end-game point loss. Pay attention to the specific combinations of Kites, Lanterns, and Umbrellas needed for Diplomas, as these can provide substantial points and other benefits like Storm tokens, Brushes, or the Assistant pawn. ## FAQ ### How long does a game last with the expansion? The game stays around 45 minutes, just like the base game. ### How many players can play? The expansion works with 2 to 4 players, the same as the base game. ### Does the expansion increase game complexity? No, the learning curve stays light; it only adds new combination options. ### What new components are included? Yokaï cards, yokaï markers, and three new scoring elements: kites, parasols, and paper lanterns. ### How do the yokaï markers work? When you place a yokaï card, you collect a marker; if you have three at the end, you get a bonus, but players still holding markers lose points. ### Is the expansion compatible with the base game? Yes, just swap two base game elements for three new ones and use the added cards and markers. ### Who is the ideal audience for this expansion? Players who already enjoy Kanagawa and appreciate Asian themes, Japanese art, and risk/reward mechanics. ## Price Comparison ### Best Offers in Brazil - **Amazon**: R$ 148,70 (https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B08ZJW5P4Q?tag=bgbot26b-20&linkCode=as2) - **Caixinha Boardgames**: R$ 73,47 (https://www.caixinhaboardgames.com.br/produtos/yokai-expansao-kanagawa/?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Paladins Games**: R$ 74,31 (http://paladinsgames.com.br/produto/733442/kanagawa-yokai-expansao?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **PlayEasy**: R$ 83,61 (https://www.playeasy.com.br/kanagawa-yokai-expansao?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Cangaia Jogos**: R$ 92,99 (https://www.cangaiajogos.com.br/todos-os-jogos/jogos-para-familia/kanagawa-yokai?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Dalaran Games**: R$ 132,90 (https://www.dalaran.com.br/kanagawa-yokai-expansao?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/kanagawa-yokai ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 14.83 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3436491&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/28259/kanagawa-yokai?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com