Haniwa

Discover Haniwa, the ancestral funerary sculptures of Japan!

Haniwa is a tile-laying board game for 1 to 4 players, published by Musoka Studio in Paris. Designed by Akira Yasunaga (Be-Lumber) and illustrated by OBOtto and Yukashi, it plays in 10 to 20 minutes from age 8 and includes a solo mode.

During the Kofun period, powerful gōzoku clan leaders hold a grand festival where sculptors compete for glory. In Haniwa, you take on the role of a master sculptor, offering your finest haniwa statues to earn the clan chiefs’ favor.

The challenge? Place your tiles wisely to score the highest points in each column. But that’s not all, reaching exactly 8 points on certain rows unlocks the strange and powerful dogū statues…

With multiple game modes, including a solo variant, Haniwa delivers fast, tactical, and engaging matches for 1 to 4 players in 10 to 20 minutes. A mix of historical inspiration and sharp strategy, perfect for both casual players and puzzle enthusiasts alike.

🔑 Key Features

🎭 Unique setting: inspired by Japan’s ancient statues and traditions.

🧩 Smart mechanics: tile placement with a clever scoring system.

👥 1 to 4 players: from a solo challenge to a four-player table.

⚡ Fast-paced yet deep: 10 to 20 minutes packed with tactical decisions.

🎨 Artistic design: elegant and immersive illustrations.

👶 From age 8: simple rules, real depth.

Designer : Akira Yasunaga (Be-Lumber)

Artist : OBOtto, Yukashi

Frequently asked questions

How many players is Haniwa for, and how long does it take?

Haniwa plays with 1 to 4 players and a game takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Can you play Haniwa solo?

Yes. Haniwa has a solo mode, and the box includes solo rules sheets in English and French.

What age is Haniwa suitable for?

From age 8.

What is in the Haniwa box?

52 tiles, 4 dice, two rulebooks (English and French), two solo rules sheets, two variant rules sheets and two summary cards.

More about the game on BoardGameGeek (Haniwa).

Rules — read the full Haniwa rules online: components, setup, how to play and end of the game.