Josh Wood, the creative mind behind tabletop hits like Cat Lady and Santa Monica, originally planned a journey to Japan in April 2020. When the pandemic necessitated a cancellation, Wood repurposed his detailed travel notes into a new board game, Let’s Go! To Japan, which debuted in 2024.
“I often joke that everyone had their own pandemic project,” Wood shared during a video interview with Polygon. “Some turned to sourdough baking; I focused on this game. It was essentially my way of processing everything happening around us.”
The immersive, escapist nature of the vacation-planning mechanics resonated with players, prompting Wood to develop a standalone sequel: Let’s Go! To France. The project launches on Kickstarter on May 19, with the design bolstered by Wood’s own firsthand research during a recent trip to France.
Alderac Entertainment Group
“I consumed an incredible amount of croissants and visited every art museum I could find,” he noted. “I spent over a week there, and I don’t believe in leisurely travel. I typically walk about 12 miles a day on vacation. I prefer to pack my schedule with experiences; if I’ve invested in the trip, I want to see as much as possible.”
In Let’s Go! To Japan, participants curate itineraries for Tokyo and Kyoto, accumulating points by fulfilling sets of specific activities, such as gourmet dining or local shopping. Players must strike a delicate balance between their budget, stress levels, and the logistical challenges of moving between cities. While most cards are obtained through a drafting mechanic, players can also choose to “go for a walk,” which allows them to draw a random card.
“I always encourage people to explore spontaneously,” Wood said. “Walking from one point to another without a rigid plan, instead of opting for a taxi or train, often leads to the best discoveries.”
Let’s Go! To France retains the core framework of its predecessor, though it shifts its primary focus to Paris, incorporating additional maps that allow for day trips to Normandy and Provence.
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“When you visit a major country, the options are limitless,” Wood remarked. “As I prepare for the launch of Let’s Go! To France, I keep discovering gems I wish I could have included.”
Wood finally visited Japan in the spring of 2023, shortly after the Kickstarter for his first travel game concluded. He described it as a surreal experience, noting that his game has now inspired others to follow in his footsteps. “People bring the game along and take photos of the cards against the actual locations,” he said. “It’s rewarding to know I’ve helped facilitate better travel experiences for others.”
To further that immersion, the Let’s Go! To France rulebook functions as a mini-travel guide, complete with local phrases, tips on French cheeses, and a curated map of Parisian parks.
Alderac Entertainment Group
While the development of the original game was too far along to include his own firsthand research, Wood is launching a 50-card expansion focused on Osaka alongside the new Kickstarter. The campaign also features a Bon Voyage! deluxe edition of the France game—complete with themed ramekins for tokens—and a travel-journal style companion book for logging play sessions.
Looking ahead, Wood is already scouting locations for future installments. “France felt like a reliable, classic choice,” he said. “Moving forward, I’m interested in exploring more unconventional destinations or landscapes beyond just metropolitan cities. I want to ensure every entry in the series feels distinct rather than repeating the same formula.”
Source: Polygon
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