Tokaido: Eriku

Eriku arrives as a bonus character for fans who already love Tokaido and its expansion Tokaido Crossroads. The card was distributed at the Spiel fair in 2013 as a promotional gift, bringing a fun backstory: Eriku is a nod to host Eric Burgess of the Boardgame Babylon podcast, who gained fame teaching Tokaido rules at a 2012 event. The joke began when Eric, during explanations, mixed up the order of travelers’ meals, and the card’s creator humorously corrected him, creating the character named Eriku. Mechanically, Eriku does not drastically alter the game flow; it functions as a bonus card usable at specific moments, adding a touch of narrative and fun. For those who already own the base game or the Crossroads expansion, the card is a curiosity and fun collectible, perfect for fans of promotional components and wanting an extra narrative bite. If you’re new to the Tokaido universe, try the base game first, as Eriku works best once you understand the basic rules and solid travel experience through Japan.