This is one of those games that just brings me joy. The scoring at the end being a storytelling exercise where you can tell the table all about your trip is lovely.
This brings back so many fond memories of my past two trips to Japan. If successful, I could see it expanding to include more areas of Japan, as we covered way more than two cities over the course of a week. Definitely experienced more than a few "walks" during those visits. One of the most memorable was just hoping off the train going up to see Mount Fuji, in order to explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum for a couple of unplanned hours. It extended the day, but was well worth it. I'm hoping this game will help expand my kids interest in visiting, so that in a year or two, when they can carry their own backpacks and gear, we can head back. Have the deluxe edition waiting to be unwrapped and explored.
The drafting system is actually rather clever and adds tension. You watch your discard pile build up with Kyoto cards when you are leaning into Tokyo, and you know that it's time to collect some trains or plan a swift 180 turn in trip direction. When you are passing cards you have to be cautious because if you lump a lot of 'bad' cards together (many red tiredness/spend money symbols for example) you can actually hand someone a big scoring combo ('Take a Drumming Class' is a prime example) The change of direction also spices things up because, at that stage, any player who is taking notice of your tableau is aware of what you need - but then has to rethink what they pass/hold. In short, the drafting varition adds depth to the strategic element of the game.
I playtested this and I feel it's Josh's best design yet, by far. It's well-paced, fun, cute, and the love and respect for the country of Japan is very much felt.
I just got my copy and I'm excited to get it to the table. I went to Japan in 2018 so the theme instantly drew me in. Two weeks in the fall for the autumn leaves. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and then back to Tokyo for Halloween. I've wanted to go back ever since. Have fun Roy when you go 👍
I wonder how this game would pair with Tokaido for a themed game night. Also, just going for a walk can sometimes make Thursday the best day of your whole trip to Japan.
First: I love Santa Monica! Such an underrated game in my opinion. Fiddly at times, but so much fun. Second: great review! I now want this game very bad.
Agreed. I don't know why those tokens are necessary beyond the fringe situation where you need to a) decided to flip it to the other side and B) need to prove it was a walk at some point. Has never come up so far.
I miss these four-person reviews having an official name (Four Squares). Having four people makes them seem more important and it would be nice to have a throwback to the Miami Dice episodes (that never starred Zee).
I've only played once at 2P, but I am also looking forward to more. There aren't many games where the scoring phase is one of my favorite parts of the game!
Had this delivered just before a long work trip. Can’t wait to get it to the table! If I could presume to give a question to Roy…was the 2-player experience good and fulfilling? That’s how it’ll mostly be played in my house. Thanks for the great work, y’all!
@@UnimatrixOne @ianlewis8726 It is absolutely just as good 2-player and solo as it is at higher player counts. Frankly, there's very little reason you couldn't add 2 or 3 more players, if you had the player components.
Wow this game reminds me a bit of "It's a Wonderful World" with the drafting/planning aspects except its significantly more thematic. Would be awesome if they could up the player count somehow to match Wonderful World.
I was in the same boat! Game looked fun but the bowls were silly. Seems like it may be worth grabbing in retail (and maybe seeing if upgraded components might be available on website…)
I backed the deluxe version but they would not accept my payment for whatever reason and I didn't get mine. I'm very disappointed. So I will just play Tokaido more.
No reason they can't, except that you need someone who is *extremely* interested in it as a destination. I don't think Let's Go! To Japan would be nearly as good a game if it had less enthusiasm in the design.
This is sadly one of the worst games I have played. Was so excited because of the theme, but the gameplay was very uninteresting and the scoring takes just as long as the play time. While the art is nice, I did not at all think the theme mattered as all I paid attention to was the icons. Also, I never quite understood "the game plays itself" until I played this game. 1/10 right down there with Under Falling Skies.
This is one of those games that just brings me joy. The scoring at the end being a storytelling exercise where you can tell the table all about your trip is lovely.
It really is a nice way to score.
Absolutely agree! I got to play this with the creator and I loved the experience! It felt like I was actually planning my trip.
Thank you for the review! Have a good time in Japan, Roy!
Mike not being on this review is crazy 😂 he invented this game YEARS ago
Mike Dilisio is a National Treasure....including in Japan.
The best gift you could give to someone who loves japan
This brings back so many fond memories of my past two trips to Japan. If successful, I could see it expanding to include more areas of Japan, as we covered way more than two cities over the course of a week. Definitely experienced more than a few "walks" during those visits. One of the most memorable was just hoping off the train going up to see Mount Fuji, in order to explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum for a couple of unplanned hours. It extended the day, but was well worth it.
I'm hoping this game will help expand my kids interest in visiting, so that in a year or two, when they can carry their own backpacks and gear, we can head back. Have the deluxe edition waiting to be unwrapped and explored.
This art is awesome! And the deluxe bits push it even farther over the top!
The drafting system is actually rather clever and adds tension. You watch your discard pile build up with Kyoto cards when you are leaning into Tokyo, and you know that it's time to collect some trains or plan a swift 180 turn in trip direction.
When you are passing cards you have to be cautious because if you lump a lot of 'bad' cards together (many red tiredness/spend money symbols for example) you can actually hand someone a big scoring combo ('Take a Drumming Class' is a prime example)
The change of direction also spices things up because, at that stage, any player who is taking notice of your tableau is aware of what you need - but then has to rethink what they pass/hold.
In short, the drafting varition adds depth to the strategic element of the game.
I playtested this and I feel it's Josh's best design yet, by far. It's well-paced, fun, cute, and the love and respect for the country of Japan is very much felt.
I just got my copy and I'm excited to get it to the table. I went to Japan in 2018 so the theme instantly drew me in. Two weeks in the fall for the autumn leaves. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and then back to Tokyo for Halloween. I've wanted to go back ever since. Have fun Roy when you go 👍
I wonder how this game would pair with Tokaido for a themed game night. Also, just going for a walk can sometimes make Thursday the best day of your whole trip to Japan.
First: I love Santa Monica! Such an underrated game in my opinion. Fiddly at times, but so much fun.
Second: great review! I now want this game very bad.
Santa Monica is indeed a lovely game. I would like to know if Let's go to Japan is different enough to own both...
This game is a huge hit with us, everyone gets so much joy from playing and we always want to play just one more time. Highly thematic game.
Played 4 games.Never used the Walk Tokens.Other players never questioned me about them.
Agreed. I don't know why those tokens are necessary beyond the fringe situation where you need to a) decided to flip it to the other side and B) need to prove it was a walk at some point. Has never come up so far.
We played this twice this weekend...such a fun game.
I really enjoyed this game the first time I played it a year ago with the designer at Dice Tower West so glad to see others enjoy it as well
I was so close to backing this! I think there were just a ton of great KSers that month.
I miss these four-person reviews having an official name (Four Squares). Having four people makes them seem more important and it would be nice to have a throwback to the Miami Dice episodes (that never starred Zee).
I've only played once at 2P, but I am also looking forward to more. There aren't many games where the scoring phase is one of my favorite parts of the game!
You should try Faraway
@@elqord.1118 Already on preorder :)
I doubt they could get the license, but this could make a killing among the Disney Parks community.
Oh my gosh you are so right
I love Japan. One of the few times I want a board game more for the theme than the mechanics.
Had this delivered just before a long work trip. Can’t wait to get it to the table! If I could presume to give a question to Roy…was the 2-player experience good and fulfilling? That’s how it’ll mostly be played in my house. Thanks for the great work, y’all!
Yeah, is it still that good at 2?
Yes it is!
@@UnimatrixOne @ianlewis8726 It is absolutely just as good 2-player and solo as it is at higher player counts. Frankly, there's very little reason you couldn't add 2 or 3 more players, if you had the player components.
Wow this game reminds me a bit of "It's a Wonderful World" with the drafting/planning aspects except its significantly more thematic. Would be awesome if they could up the player count somehow to match Wonderful World.
They both play 1-5 players
Wanted to back the Deluxed version but didn't want the extra bowls, there was no mid pledge. So I wanted for retail
I was in the same boat! Game looked fun but the bowls were silly. Seems like it may be worth grabbing in retail (and maybe seeing if upgraded components might be available on website…)
The bowls are excellent I use them for everything now
I thought the bowls would be a dumb addon, but backed it anyway. They were absolutely worth it.
I backed the deluxe version but they would not accept my payment for whatever reason and I didn't get mine. I'm very disappointed. So I will just play Tokaido more.
Huh I expected this to flop when I saw it on KS. I'll have to check it out
I feel like in a world with Tokaido and Namiji this game really is not able to stand out.
Although those deluxe train tokens are really neat
The graphic design here reminds me so much of Tapestry that it is distracting.
I hope they do an italian sequel to the game 😁
No reason they can't, except that you need someone who is *extremely* interested in it as a destination. I don't think Let's Go! To Japan would be nearly as good a game if it had less enthusiasm in the design.
Good one Roy.. ruin the synchronicity of the scores..
Is there no VP track?
There’s a scoresheet that scores it day by day. It works well and makes a score board less needed but I can see people wanting the option.
Overview is all mechanisms. Didn’t get flavor or even goals
Too many ads
This is sadly one of the worst games I have played. Was so excited because of the theme, but the gameplay was very uninteresting and the scoring takes just as long as the play time. While the art is nice, I did not at all think the theme mattered as all I paid attention to was the icons. Also, I never quite understood "the game plays itself" until I played this game. 1/10 right down there with Under Falling Skies.
I played Let's Go and I like it, however Forest Shuffle is the better game
Really, Lisboa is the better of the three. Wait, why are we comparing games that have nothing to do with each other?
First
I’m so glad I won this game at dicetower east 2024 hot games giveaway!