Wouter & Ymke 
In Kimono Memories, two rival photographers compete to capture the elegance of traditional kimonos on the bustling streets of Kyoto. As you wander through this vibrant city, your goal is to snap the most breathtaking photos and preserve the beauty of these iconic garments in your photo album. This two-player game turns your camera into a tool for building cherished memories—so who will capture the most mesmerizing moments?
👥 1-2 players, ages 10+
⌛ Playing time: 20 minutes
📝 Designer: Nao Shimamura
🎨 Artwork: Maisherly
🏢 Publisher: EmperorS4 (Review copy provided)
Gameplay Overview
Kimono Memories unfolds over several rounds, ending when only two photo cards remain around the board. On your turn, you’ll move the photographer between one and three spaces, selecting the last kimono card you pass as your photo. This card is then placed in your photo album, and a new card replaces the one you took.
Each photo card features a distinct pattern symbol and may also display one or two partial patterns or cat symbols. Additionally, a mon symbol is located in one corner of the card. Your album is built in a pyramid shape, and you decide when to start stacking the next layers. The challenge lies in strategically placing cards with matching symbols next to each other, advancing the corresponding pattern scoring marker in your favor. Think of it as a tug-of-war: the more matching patterns you complete, the further you pull the marker toward your side. If you manage to complete a full cat symbol, you’ll earn a cat token, which will score you points at the end of the game.
Some photo cards also contain object symbols like fans, lanterns, or flowers. These symbols can score additional points if they match one of your scoring prop cards during final scoring.
When only two cards remain around the board, the game ends. These last two cards are set aside, along with the two cards that were removed from the draw pile at the start of the game. Beginning with the pattern scoring marker at position 3, the player who controls each marker chooses one of the remaining cards, places it in their album, and may influence other markers in the process. Players also receive the corresponding point tile for each pattern score track they’ve won.
Once the final cards are placed, players tally their points. Scoring is based on scoring tiles, cat tokens, object symbols matching their prop cards, and mon symbols. Only visible mon symbols in your album will count toward your score, and their value depends on which layer of the pyramid they occupy. After all points are counted, the player with the highest score is crowned Kyoto’s top photographer.
Game Info
Designed by Nao Shimamura, whom you might recognize from District Noir, Kimono Memories is published by the Taiwanese board game publisher EmperorS4. It marks the third installment in the Hanamikoji series, following the beloved Hanamikoji and Geisha’s Road. This two-player game, ideal for ages 10 and up, offers a quick and strategic experience, with a playtime of around 20 minutes—just enough time for a quick duel of wits!
Components and Artwork
The visual elements of Kimono Memories are nothing short of captivating. Illustrated by Maisherly Chan, the artwork truly reflects the elegance of Kyoto, giving the game an authentic, traditional atmosphere. The production quality is equally impressive, with sturdy components included in the game. The cards and tokens are beautifully designed, and the wooden photographer figure and pattern scoring markers are custom-shaped, giving the game that extra touch of appeal. Even the game board itself has a scoring track printed on the back, making it not just visually appealing but also functional.
Gameplay and Strategy
One of the things we appreciated most is how easy Kimono Memories is to learn and teach. The rulebook is clear and concise, meaning you can dive into the action quickly. However, don’t be fooled by its simplicity—the game offers plenty of room for tactical decision-making.
At its core, the game challenges you to strategically place cards in your photo album, aiming to match patterns on adjacent cards to advance the corresponding pattern scoring markers in your favor. While building your album, you’ll need to pay close attention to the mon symbols, making sure they stay visible in higher layers of your pyramid, as they’ll earn you more points the higher they are. Occasionally, though, you’ll face tough choices. Do you cover up a symbol to secure a better position for a pattern scoring marker or complete a cat symbol for extra points? Decisions, decisions!
Part of the challenge is getting into your opponent’s head and predicting their next move before they make it. Every move your opponent makes directly affects your next step, so it becomes a fascinating mental tug-of-war, as you not only plan your move but also counter theirs. Keeping an eye on their open symbols and anticipating their moves can give you an edge—sometimes you might even grab a card just to prevent your rival from getting the one they really want. Although all cards will eventually be played, the order in which they appear keeps things from getting too predictable.
A pair of face-up cards is set aside at the start of the game, visible to both players. Securing pattern markers early can give you a leg up, as it allows you to take an additional card at the end of the game. If a card is crucial to your strategy, winning the 3-point pattern marker lets you snag it first at the end—sneaky, right? But that’s not all. Prop cards can further refine your strategy, guiding you toward collecting specific objects for bonus points at the end.
Expert Mode vs Basic Game
For this review, we focused primarily on the full Expert Mode, which features comprehensive scoring at the end and offers a deeper, more tactical experience. This mode ramps up the complexity in a way that really hits the sweet spot for those who enjoy more strategic thinking. We found ourselves returning to this mode again and again, as it gave us the best challenge.
For newer or younger players, though, the game also includes a Basic Mode, where the winner is determined simply by counting the pattern scoring markers. While this version may feel a bit too straightforward for seasoned players, it’s perfect for teaching the game to beginners—or for when you just want a light, breezy match without overworking your brain.
Final Thoughts
Kimono Memories is a fantastic addition to the Hanamikoji series, offering yet another engaging two-player experience with plenty of strategic depth. The puzzle-like challenge of matching symbols and carefully constructing your photo album makes for a rewarding and satisfying gameplay experience.
You won’t need a rulebook refresher every five minutes—this game is quick to grasp, but it still challenges your brain with plenty of smart, tactical decisions. With its gorgeous artwork and smart mechanics, the game delivers a compelling mix of beauty and brains. Plus, it plays quickly—so you can fit in multiple rounds in one session without feeling rushed.
📝 We received a copy of the game from EmperorS4 for review purposes.
