Reiner Knizia's Samurai has been a fixture of area-control collections since 1998, and now it is getting a makeover that swaps feudal Japan for a far gentler scene. Keymaster Games' Hanami keeps the bones of the classic but reskins it around hanami, the Japanese tradition of gathering under the cherry blossoms for a spring picnic.
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See how it worksIn Hanami, each tile is a picnic blanket your group lays down to claim a prime spot in the park. Place well and you build influence over the activity tokens dotted around the board, then score by controlling the most of each type. It is the same elegant tug-of-war over majorities that made Samurai such a quiet classic, dressed in soft pinks rather than helmets and warlords. The game plays 2 to 4 in about 30 to 60 minutes.
Keymaster Games made its name with the lovely hiking game Parks, and the same eye for presentation runs through Hanami. Helpfully for newcomers and veterans alike, it ships with two ways to play. The Japan map runs the original Samurai ruleset for purists, while a Tokyo setup layers in new mechanics and special abilities for anyone who wants a fresh challenge. The reimagining raised $250,845 from 3,930 backers on Kickstarter and is due to reach players in 2026 at around $40 (roughly £31).
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Find events near youSamurai has a reputation for being easy to teach but tricky to master, which makes Hanami a strong pick for introducing area control to a group without scaring anyone off. If you fancy running a learn-to-play session, it is the sort of game new players warm to quickly. Line up a night and invite your group.
Sources: Keymaster Games | Miniature Market | ICv2 | Game Nerdz
