Contents
Welcome to the Hanamikoji Game!
I’m excited to guide you through the rules of this delightful game. Get ready for a fun and strategic adventure!
Objective
First, let’s talk about the objective. In Hanamikoji, our main goal is to impress the geisha and win her favor. To do so, we’ll have to collect their favorite items and present them as gifts.
Setup
Now, let’s set up the game. We start with 21 cards, featuring different geisha items. Four cards are placed face-up on the board, and the rest are divided equally between the two players. Each player also receives 4 favor tokens.
Gameplay
Great! Now we’re ready to dive into the gameplay. On your turn, you must perform one of the four actions:
- Offer: You select one item card from your hand and place it face-down in front of you. This card is considered for scoring at the end of the round.
- Pick: You select one of the four face-up item cards on the board and add it to your hand. Be wise with your choice, as you’ll want to collect the items that will impress the geisha you’re vying for.
- Replace: You can swap any number of face-up item cards on the board with an equal number of cards from your hand. This allows you to manipulate the available options and strategize your moves.
- Collect: You can choose to collect the 4 favor tokens directly, instead of taking any of the above actions. This move can be powerful, as favor tokens play a crucial role.
Remember, each player takes turns performing only one action until both players have performed 4 actions in total.
Round End and Scoring
At the end of the round, it’s time to score our collected items and determine which geisha we have managed to impress. To do this, we compare the number of favor tokens each player has.
If a player has obtained more favor tokens for a specific geisha than their opponent, they have won the favor of that geisha and score a point. If both players have an equal number of favor tokens, that geisha remains unimpressed and no points are awarded for that round.
The game continues with subsequent rounds until one player has collected 11 points and emerges as the true champion of Hanamikoji!
In Conclusion
Now that you know the rules of Hanamikoji, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Remember to strategize, adapt, and be mindful of your opponent’s moves. May the geisha smile upon you and bring you victory!

Welcome to Hanamikoji, the famous street in the old capital where geisha, talented women trained in art, music, dance, and other artistic performances, are highly respected and admired. Geisha, often called “artists,” captivate everyone with their graceful dances, beautiful songs, and delightful entertainment.
In Hanamikoji, two players compete to win the favor of the seven geisha masters by collecting the items they need for their performances. You’ll need to strategize and make bold moves to acquire the most important items and consider giving up less critical ones. The question is, can you outsmart your opponent and win the heart of the geisha?
What’s Inside the Box?
Let me tell you about the components you’ll find in the box:
- There are 7 Geisha Cards that you can use to enhance your gameplay.
- You’ll also find 21 Item Cards that will add excitement and strategy to your game.
- Don’t forget the 8 Action Markers that you’ll need to keep track of your moves.
- And finally, there are 7 Victory Markers that you can use to celebrate your success.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the cards:
Geisha Cards
I can’t stress enough how important charm points are. They play a crucial role in the game and can really elevate your gameplay. So, what exactly are charm points?
Charm points are like little tokens of power. Think of them as your secret weapon. Each charm point you have is equal to the number of item cards you possess, so the more charm points you have, the more item cards you can use.
Item cards are the key to success in this game. They give you special abilities, bonuses, and advantages that can help you defeat your opponents. The more item cards you have, the more options you have in the game.
Let’s say you have 3 charm points. That means you can use up to 3 item cards in a single turn. And trust me, having multiple item cards at your disposal can really give you an edge. It’s like having a whole arsenal of weapons to choose from.
Imagine you’re in a battle and you have a charm point. You decide to use it to play an item card called the “Fireball”. This card allows you to launch a devastating fireball at your opponent, causing massive damage. Without that charm point, you wouldn’t have been able to use this card and unleash such a powerful attack. That’s the power of charm points.
So, next time you’re playing the game, make sure you take advantage of your charm points. They might just be the key to victory. Collect as many item cards as you can and use them strategically to outsmart your opponents. Trust me, it will make a huge difference in your gameplay.
Item Cards
In the game, you earn Charm Points, which are equal to the number of Item Cards of the corresponding type. Each Item Card corresponds to a specific number of Charm Points.
The game of Hanamikoji has a simple objective: to win 4 Geisha or accumulate 11 or more Charm Points. To achieve this, you and your opponent take turns performing actions to acquire different types of Item Cards.
To win the favor of each Geisha, you need to possess more Item Cards of the corresponding type than your opponent.
The game continues until one player reaches the winning goal during the Scoring phase.
Game Setup
Let’s get started with the game! Here’s what you need to do:
1. Arrange 7 Geisha Cards in a row, from left to right, between the players.
2. Put a Victory Marker on the center of each Geisha Card.
3. Take the Item Cards and make a face-down pile next to the game area.
4. Each player chooses 4 Action Markers of the same color and places them in front of themselves.
Now, let’s determine who goes first. The younger player will start the game.
How to Play
The game consists of one or more rounds, with each round having 3 phases:
- Phase 1: Deal
- Phase 2: Action
- Phase 3: Scoring and Update
If a player reaches the winning goal during the Scoring phase, the game ends right away. If neither player reaches the winning goal, the game moves on to the next round. The game continues until one player wins.
Phase 1: Let’s Get Started
First things first, I shuffle all 21 Item Cards together and create a face-down pile. But, here’s the twist: I secretly remove 1 card from the game and tuck it away in the game box. No one knows what that card is or what it does. It’s a mystery waiting to be revealed!
Next, I deal each player 6 Item Cards to create our hands. And here’s the sneaky part – we keep our hands hidden from each other. It’s a secret stash of possibilities!
The remaining Item Cards get stacked face-down, creating the “Item deck.” I place it next to the line of Geisha Cards, just waiting to be discovered.
Phase 2: Take Action!
Now it’s time to get into the action. Starting with the first player, we take turns back and forth, making moves and strategizing until both players have completed 4 turns.
On my turn, I draw a card from the Item deck, adding even more mystery to my hand. Then, I get to choose what action I want to take. There are no rules about the order of actions – I have the freedom to decide!
When you do something, you pick one of your visible colored Action Markers and do the action that matches it. Once you’re done, turn the marker over. You can’t pick a marker that’s already face-down (each of your markers can only be used once per round).
There are 4 actions you can take in Hanamikoji:
Secret

Trade-offs
When making decisions, I often find myself faced with a difficult choice. Sometimes, I desire one thing, but in order to have it, I must sacrifice something else. This is known as a trade-off, and it is an inevitable part of life.
I’m sure you’ve experienced this too. For example, imagine you have some money and you want to buy a new video game. You could take that money and spend it on the game, but then you wouldn’t have any left to buy a toy you’ve been eyeing. So, you have to make a trade-off. Do you want the game or the toy more? Only you can decide.
Trade-offs are everywhere, not just in purchasing decisions. They are an integral part of life, and they shape our choices and experiences. They require us to think about what we truly value and what we are willing to give up to get it.
Sometimes, trade-offs can be difficult to make. We might really want two things that are mutually exclusive, and it can be hard to choose. But even if we can’t have it all, making trade-offs allows us to prioritize our desires and make the most of the options available to us.
So, the next time you find yourself faced with a difficult decision, remember that trade-offs are a natural part of life. Embrace the challenge and take a moment to think about what is truly important to you. By carefully weighing your options and considering the trade-offs, you can make a decision that aligns with your values and brings you closer to what you really want.

What Makes a Gift Special?
When I think about gifts, it’s like trying to unravel a mystery. There’s something fascinating about the way a simple act of giving can evoke such joy and gratitude. You know, those moments when you open a present and you’re filled with excitement and anticipation, wondering what could be inside. It’s that feeling of being seen and understood, knowing that someone took the time to choose something just for you. And that’s what makes a gift special – the thought and care put into it.
A gift isn’t just a physical object; it’s a symbol of love, appreciation, and connection. It’s a way of saying “you matter to me” without using words. Have you ever received a gift that made you feel seen and understood? It’s a magical experience, isn’t it? It’s like the person who gave you the gift can see into your soul and knows exactly what will make you happy.
But what makes a gift truly special? Is it the price tag? The brand name? The latest trend? No, it’s none of those things. A special gift is one that comes from the heart. It’s the result of someone really knowing you and paying attention to your likes, dislikes, and interests.
When you receive a special gift, you can feel the love and thoughtfulness that went into choosing it. Maybe it’s a book by your favorite author, a necklace with a charm that symbolizes something meaningful to you, or a homemade dinner cooked with love. It’s the little details that make all the difference.
So, the next time you’re thinking about giving a gift, remember that it’s not about how much you spend or the latest trend; it’s about the thought and care you put into choosing something meaningful. Take the time to really get to know the person you’re giving to. Pay attention to their interests, hobbies, and passions. And most importantly, remember that it’s the thought that counts.
When you give a gift from the heart, you’re not just giving an object; you’re giving a piece of yourself. You’re saying “I see you, and I care about you.” And that, my friend, is what makes a gift truly special. So go ahead and spread some joy and love through the power of giving. You never know just how much of an impact your gift might have.


Hey there! Let me walk you through a cool game called “Competition.” Here’s how it works:
First, grab your deck of cards and pick 3 of them. Lay them face-up in front of you. Now, get ready for a little challenge. Your opponent gets to choose 1 out of those 3 cards and puts it next to the Geisha that matches it.
Next, take the remaining 2 cards and place them beside the other Geishas on your side. These cards are the ones we’ll be scoring.


So here’s what you do: choose 4 cards from your hand and put them face-up in front of you. Split them into two sets, each with 2 cards. Now, your opponent gets to pick one of those sets and place those 2 cards next to their Geishas. Finally, put the 2 remaining cards next to your own Geishas. These cards are the ones that will be scored.
Phase 3: Scoring and Update
Once both players have done 4 actions, it’s time for Phase 3.
Both you and your opponent reveal the card under your Secret markers and put it next to your corresponding Geisha. Then, let’s see how many Item Cards each side has:
- If one side has more cards than the other: The side with more Item Cards wins that Geisha. Move the Victory Marker to that side.
After the cards are drawn or no cards are played, there are two possible outcomes. First, if the victory marker has not been moved, it stays in place. Secondly, players tally up the number of Geisha they have acquired and add their Charm Points. If a player reaches the goal first, the game ends right away (For more information, see: End of the Game).
If neither player reaches the goal, the next phase begins. Here’s what happens:
1. Gather all the Item Cards from the table and box and stack them face-down in a pile. Set this pile aside.
2. Leave the Victory Markers where they are – no need to move them back to the center of each Geisha Card.
3. Both players flip their Action Markers face-up.
4. The second player becomes the new starting player.
5. The next round begins.
Let’s talk about the End of the Game. The game will end immediately if any player collects 4 Geisha or amasses 11 or more Charm Points.
When it comes to determining the winner in this game, it’s actually quite straightforward. If only one player manages to reach the goal first, then that player is declared the winner. Pretty simple, right? But here’s where it gets a bit more interesting. If one player has 4 Geisha and the other player has 11 or more Charm Points, then the player with the higher Charm Points is considered the winner. It’s like a dance-off between the Geisha and the Charm Points, and whoever comes out on top takes home the victory.
Example: I won 3 Geisha cards, which gave me a total of 8 Charm Points. The opponent also won 3 Geisha cards, but had a total of 11 Charm Points. Since the opponent reached the winning goal first, the game ended right away. The opponent was declared the winner.