Railways of the World: Nippon Expansion

About this expansion

Railways of the World: Nippon Expansion is a 2–4 player railway strategy game set in Japan during the rapid industrial growth of the Meiji era, with play lasting about 120 minutes. This expansion requires a Railways of the World base set; Railways of Nippon is the corresponding standalone version.

Take the role of an entrepreneurial railroad baron competing to build the richest railway empire in Japan. Plan routes, lay track, upgrade your trains, and sell goods to distant cities while using operation cards to develop your growing business.

• Build rail connections across a new map of Japan.
• Upgrade trains and deliver goods to distant cities.
• Use operation cards to support your railroad strategy.
• Manage bank bonds carefully to protect your business.

Japan’s mountainous, narrow landscape creates intense competition for available space. With room often limited, you must anticipate your opponents’ plans and make carefully considered decisions about where to expand.

Competition also affects trade: you can use only the track you personally laid when transporting goods. This makes route planning especially important, as an opponent’s network cannot simply become part of your own trading infrastructure.

Balancing expansion, train improvements, deliveries, and finances is central to success in Railways of the World: Nippon Expansion. Taking too many bank bonds can damage your business over the course of the game, so ambitious growth must be matched with disciplined budgeting and close attention to rival railroad barons.