# Tokaido ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2012 - **BGG Rating**: 6.9 - **BGG Rank**: #841 - **Players**: 1-5 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 45 min - **Weight**: 1.74 / 5 - **Designers**: Antoine Bauza - **Artists**: Xavier Gueniffey Durin - **Publishers**: Funforge, Stonemaier Games, Asterion Press, Delta Vision Publishing, Devir, Enigma (Bergsala Enigma) - **Categories**: Travel - **Mechanics**: End Game Bonuses, Set Collection, Solo / Solitaire Game, Track Movement, Turn Order: Time Track, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict If you're looking for a tranquil journey with clever turn order decisions, Tokaido offers a unique blend of serenity and subtle strategy. It's perfect for those who enjoy a more relaxed, yet engaging, board game experience. Unique time-track turn order mechanic Beautiful, serene aesthetic and theme Accessible rules, easy to learn Satisfying collection and set-building Can feel a bit too passive Limited player interaction Theme might not appeal to all RECOMMENDED ## Description In Tokaido, you embark on a serene and strategic journey along the "East Sea Road," one of Japan's most iconic routes. As a traveler, your goal isn't just to reach the end, but to be the most "initiated" – that is, the one who has experienced the richest and most varied things along the way. The game unfolds on a linear board where players advance to perform actions. The clever twist here is that whoever is last on the track is always the next to play, allowing for an interesting choice: advance slowly to get more turns and collect more items, or speed up to grab that coveted action space before others. This time-track based turn order mechanic is the heart of the game, creating a delicate dance between progress and opportunities. The action spaces offer a variety of activities to score points. You can collect money, spend it to acquire valuable items, assemble souvenir collections that yield points, or simply gain points for stopping at certain locations. Some stops even offer a random action, adding a touch of surprise to your trip. All actions in Tokaido are quite simple and intuitive, which, combined with stunning graphic design, creates an atmosphere of peace and Zen tranquility throughout the game. It's a relaxing experience, but with strategic decisions that keep you engaged. ## How to Play Game Objective Ah, feudal Japan! In Tokaido, you're not in a race, but rather on a tranquil and contemplative journey. The objective is to be the traveler who most enjoys the trip along the legendary Tokaido road, collecting the most beautiful memories, meeting interesting people, and savoring the landscapes and delicacies. The player who accumulates the most Victory Points (VP) at the end of the journey will be the grand winner! Preparation (Setup) Setting up Tokaido is as relaxing as the game itself. Follow these steps to arrange your table: Open the game board in the center of the table. It represents the Tokaido road. Separate the cards by type (Panorama, Encounter, Souvenir, Hot Springs, Meal) and shuffle each pile separately. Place them in their respective spaces on the board. Place the Money coins (if any) and the Victory Point (VP) markers in their designated areas on the board. Each player chooses a traveler pawn and places it on the starting space (the first space on the board). Each player receives an initial number of coins (the manual doesn't specify, but it's usually a fixed value for everyone). Distribute the VP markers to each player, starting from zero. The Game Turn The journey in Tokaido is simple and fluid. The player who is furthest "behind" on the road (i.e., closest to the start of the board) is always the next to play. This means a player can have several consecutive turns! On your turn, you must: Move your traveler pawn: Choose an empty space ahead of your pawn on the road and move it there. You cannot jump over other travelers unless the destination space is empty. Perform the space's action: Each type of space on the board offers a different action: Inns: These are mandatory stopping points. Upon arrival, you can buy Meal cards. Hot Springs: Gain Victory Points (VP) and perhaps some coins. Farms: Gain money. Panoramas: Collect Panorama cards (Mountain, Countryside, Sea). Completing a set of landscapes earns many VPs! Encounters: Draw an Encounter card and follow its instructions, which can range from gaining money to VPs or even other actions. Souvenir Shops: Buy Souvenir cards to collect and gain VPs at the end of the game. Remember: planning your moves is crucial to optimize your actions and collect the best benefits! End of Game and Scoring The game ends when all travelers reach the last Inn. The game is divided into several travel stages, and each stage ends when all players reach the next inn. The final score is calculated by summing: The Victory Points (VP) accumulated during the journey. Points for completing Panorama collections. Points for Souvenir collections. Points for having the most of certain types of cards or for having visited certain locations more often (the manual doesn't detail this, but it's a common rule in collection games). Points for having the most money remaining (if any). The player with the highest total of Victory Points is the winner! Tips for Winning To become a master in Tokaido, consider these tips: Plan your moves: Since the player furthest "behind" always plays, you can plan sequences of actions. Think about which spaces you want to visit and how you can chain your moves to maximize your gains. Don't underestimate the Inns: Although they are mandatory stops, the Meals you can buy there can yield valuable points and are a way to spend your money efficiently. Diversify or specialize? Decide if you want to try to collect a bit of everything (Panoramas, Souvenirs, Encounters) or focus on one or two strategies. Sometimes, being the best in a specific category can earn more bonus points at the end of the game. ## FAQ ### How many players can play Tokaido? Tokaido can be played by 1 to 5 players, making it versatile for different groups and even for a relaxing solo experience. ### What is the average playtime for a game of Tokaido? A game of Tokaido typically takes between 45 and 45 minutes, making it a medium-length game that fits well into shorter sessions. ### Is Tokaido a complex game for beginners? No, Tokaido is considered a low-complexity game (BGG weight of 1.7426/5). Its rules are simple and easy to learn, making it accessible for newcomers to board games. ### What are the main components of the game? The game features a linear track board, traveler pawns, action cards (such as meals, souvenirs, encounters), coins, and scoring markers, all with beautiful artwork reminiscent of Japan. ### Who is Tokaido most recommended for? Tokaido is ideal for players who enjoy light, strategic games with a relaxing atmosphere. It's great for families, couples, or groups of friends looking for a quieter and visually pleasing gaming experience. ### Are there any expansions for Tokaido? Yes, Tokaido has expansions like "Crossroads" and "Matsuri," which add new action cards and elements to further enrich the journey. ## Price Comparison ### Best Offers in Brazil - **R$ 134,85**: R$ 134,85 (https://www.comparajogos.com.br/api/redirect?to=392252) - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/tokaido ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 3.49 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6260451&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 5.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6266278&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 19.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6187005&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 24.49 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5834840&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6273224&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6237796&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6300971&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6291671&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.50 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=489515&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 26.45 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=152287&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/2541/tokaido?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com