Tokaido Duo

A two-player travel game on Shikoku: draft dice, steer a pilgrim, a merchant and an artist.

Designer: Antoine Bauza
Publishers: Funforge, Stonemaier Games
Editions by: Hobby Japan, Pegasus Spiele, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Mancalamaro

Tokaido Duo is a two-player standalone inspired by Tokaido, with all-new mechanisms, set on the Japanese island of Shikoku. Each turn you use a quick dice draft to steer three different characters along separate tracks. As the pilgrim you visit shrines, gardens, seashores and hot springs. As the merchant you collect and sell traditional souvenirs. As the artist you paint beautiful vistas and gift your paintings to locals. Every character's discoveries earn points, and you race to complete one of their jobs while still enjoying the journey. The Stonemaier Games version adds character guides for each player and an Automa solo mode. About thirty minutes, from 2022, and not the same as the original Tokaido.

Three characters on three tracksDice draft steers the journeyStandalone, with an Automa solo mode

Who it's for

You and a partner want a calm, scenic duel that is easy to bring to the table after dinner and rewards neat planning.

Not for you if…

You expect the original Tokaido's group experience or want more than two players. This is its own two-player game.

Vibe's take

Gentle but clever: each die forces a small trade-off between your three travellers, and the scenery of the island keeps the mood pleasantly relaxed.