This is a unique card game where the objective is not to acquire koban, but to be the first to completely distribute your koban.

First, all players simultaneously play one number card from their hand. Starting with the player who played the highest number, players move their Nezumi Kozo by the number shown on their card, distributing koban onto the rooftops as they move.

However, if you play the same number as another player, you can only move and cannot distribute any koban.

This is the first tricky part!

And every time a Nezumi Kozo moves, the Okappiki (police) meticulously follow in the exact same direction, step by step, not to miss them.

The number on the played card represents the "movement distance," but once the card is placed on the board after moving, the number then changes to represent the "height" of the rooftop.

Once the last Nezumi Kozo has finished moving, a check begins from the direction where the Okappiki last stopped.

My heart is beating hard...

If there is a taller rooftop between the Okappiki and the Nezumi Kozo, you are safe from being discovered! If there is no tall rooftop, you are caught as you cannot hide!

And a Nezumi Kozo caught by the Okappiki must take all the koban from that row and escape again!

Larger numbers allow for faster and longer movement, but they are more easily targeted by Nezumi Kozo playing later.

Smaller numbers result in later movement turns, allowing you to control the Okappiki's final stopping position (direction), but your movement steps are also few, making it difficult for you to escape the Okappiki yourself.

It's very challenging to decide which number card to play at which timing!

And the penalty for playing the same number as another player adds a sharp spice to this dilemma!

An Edo townscape spread across the table with 5x5 = 25 tiles

A simple game goal: be the first to distribute all your hand of koban

Deep strategic maneuvering unfolding simultaneously between "Nezumi Kozo vs. Nezumi Kozo" and "Nezumi Kozo vs. Okappiki"

Please enjoy this thrilling stealth battle between Nezumi Kozo and Okappiki unfolding on the rooftops!