The White Castle – Win the Favour of the Daimyo 🏯🌸

Japan, 1761, Harima Province. The White Castle by Sheila Santos and Israel Cendrero (Llama Dice), the designers of The Red Cathedral, illustrated by Joan Guardiet and published by Devir, is a strategy game for 1 to 4 players aged 12 and up, in about 80 minutes.

As leaders of minor clans, you try to gain influence at Himeji Castle, the great white fortress of the Sakai clan. The dice are rolled and lined up by colour and value on three bridges over the castle pond. On your turn, take one die: its colour decides which action cards you can use, and its value how strong the action is – low dice can be boosted with coins. Send gardeners to the gardens with food, warriors to the training grounds with iron and courtiers up through the castle floors with mother-of-pearl, earning fame and resources. Spaces are scarce and you have only 9 turns in the whole game, so every choice counts. The setup varies from game to game, and a solo mode, "Visit from the Tokugawa Clan", offers three difficulty levels.

🎲 Dice on Bridges

Colour and value matter.

👥 Three Clan Roles

Gardeners, warriors, courtiers.

⏳ Only 9 Turns

Every choice counts.

👤 Solo Mode

Three difficulty levels.

Why You'll Love The White Castle:

• 🧠 Tight Decisions: lots of depth in a short game.
• 🔄 Variable Setup: a new puzzle each time.
• 🎨 Ukiyo-e Style: art inspired by Japanese prints. More ideas among our strategy games.

Quick facts

• Players: 1–4
• Playing time: about 80 minutes
• Age: 12+
• Designers: Sheila Santos, Israel Cendrero (Llama Dice)
• Illustrations: Joan Guardiet
• Publisher: Devir
• Edition / language: Multilingual Edition

Can I play solo? Yes – with its own card deck and three difficulty levels.
How long is a turn? Quick – you take one die per turn.

Lead your clan and play The White Castle together. 🏯

⚠️ Warning: Choking hazard – small parts. Not for children under 3 years.