Kohaku (2nd Edition) is a calm and aesthetically pleasing board game in which players create their own unique koi pond. It’s a tile‑laying game that blends a relaxing atmosphere with deep tactical decision-making.
In Kohaku, players build their personal koi pond filled with colorful fish, flowers, frogs, butterflies, turtles, and other elements. The goal is to create a harmonious and visually appealing layout that yields the highest score. The game is designed to reflect the serenity and beauty of Japanese garden ponds.
Kohaku is a game for 1 to 4 players, suitable for ages 10 and up, with a playtime of about 30–45 minutes. On their turn, each player selects two adjacent tiles from the central display: one koi tile and one feature tile (such as a flower, frog, or butterfly). These tiles are then placed in the player’s pond, following the alternating placement rule (fish and features cannot touch another tile of the same type).
Each feature scores in a unique way:
- Flowers score points when surrounded by fish of matching colors.
- Frogs score points when adjacent to fish with butterflies.
- Butterflies score points based on fish of the same color in the same row or column.
- Turtles and the statue provide balance and additional points depending on their placement.
When no more tiles can be added to the central supply, the game ends, and players tally their points based on their pond layout.
For fans of games that combine aesthetics, strategy, and a relaxing gameplay experience, Kohaku is an excellent choice. 🐟
