NAMIJI

Namiji is a beautiful, relaxing board game that takes players on a maritime journey along the coast of Japan. It is the spiritual successor to the beloved game Tokaido, also designed by Antoine Bauza. The game is intended for 2–5 players and lasts about 30–45 minutes.

In Namiji, players take on the role of fishermen sailing across the southern seas of the Japanese archipelago. Their goal is not only to catch fish, but also to observe sea creatures, make offerings to the gods, collect panoramic views, and find spiritual balance. The game is filled with Japanese aesthetics, tranquility, and the feeling of traveling, making it incredibly rich in theme.

Players move their boats along a circular route and stop at various stations, collecting different types of fish, panorama cards, crustaceans, and sacred stones.

Different stations:

• Angling Station: Catch fish to score points based on colors or species.
• Net Casting Station: Use larger fishing nets that cover multiple spaces on the board.
• Crustacean Trap Station: A “press-your-luck” mechanic – draw crustaceans from a bag, but if you draw the same crab twice, you lose all your points.
• Whirlpool Station: Make offerings to the gods to reduce end‑game penalties.
• Panorama Stations: Collect panorama cards (dolphin, squid, whale) for bonus points.
• Sacred Rock Station: Choose special cards with additional effects.

Players move along a linear path, choosing stations with different actions. The mechanic is similar to Tokaido – the player who is farthest behind on the path takes the next turn. Catching fish, collecting sea creatures, and visiting shrines are based on set collection, which awards points. Players must choose actions wisely, as each move affects the opportunities available to others. The game combines light strategy with a sense of calm – it’s not aggressive, but encourages thoughtful decision‑making.