🌸 Haru Ichiban – A Tactical Calm in the Imperial Garden
⭐ 8/10
Number of players: 2
Playing time: approx. 15–20 min
Difficulty level: Light (logic puzzle + tactics)
Game type: Logic / Tactical / Japan vibes
I bought this game, of course, for its Japanese touch — even though it’s only for two players.
And I wasn’t disappointed. Haru Ichiban is beautiful, peaceful, and surprisingly engaging. It proves that small games can hold a lot of charm.
🌬 What Does Haru Ichiban Mean?
“Haru Ichiban” translates to the first spring wind.
In the imperial gardens, nature slowly awakens. Fish, frogs, and dragonflies bask in the sunlight, while two apprentice gardeners compete for the title of Imperial Gardener.
Their task? To use the wind and arrange blooming water lilies into perfect, harmonious patterns on the pond’s surface.
🎯 Goal of the Game
Create one of the required flower patterns on the board — a 2×2 square, a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line — and earn 5 points in total to claim the title of Imperial Gardener.
🪷 How a Turn Works
Each player has eight flower tokens numbered 1–8 but chooses from three random ones each round.
Both players secretly select a flower and reveal it at the same time.
The player with the lower number becomes the Young Gardener
The one with the higher number becomes the Elder Gardener
Turn order:
The Young Gardener places their flower on the dark water lily.
The Elder Gardener places theirs on any free lily pad (and may move the frog).
The Young Gardener summons the haru ichiban – shifting the lily pads one space with the wind.
The Elder Gardener chooses the next dark lily pad for the following round.
If both play the same value, their flowers are placed where the frogs sit — and whoever croaks first decides where to place theirs. 🐸
💮 Why I Like It
✅ Simple rules you can explain in just a few minutes
🌿 Beautiful design – the pond, flowers, and frogs create an instant zen atmosphere
🧠 Lots of strategic thinking – every choice matters
⚖️ A perfect balance between calm and competition – peaceful yet tactical
🏆 How to Win
Think not only about your own pattern but how to block your opponent.
Sometimes it pays to be the “weaker” one – as the Young Gardener, you can shift lily pads and ruin their plan.
Plan a few moves ahead, especially when holding your higher-numbered flowers.
☕ Final Thoughts
Haru Ichiban may look small and delicate, but there’s real depth beneath the surface.
It’s a logic game wrapped in Japanese serenity — beautiful, tranquil, yet full of quiet rivalry.
It’s not a party game, but rather a thoughtful duel in a garden, where every breeze matters.
The balance between simplicity and strategy feels just right. The frogs add a charming and clever twist that can completely change the flow of the game.
And the best part — just setting up the board feels soothing. The pond, the lilies, the blossoms… it’s as if I’m sitting in a Japanese garden: zen, beauty, and harmony in one. 🌸
