In Takenoko, the players will cultivate land plots, irrigate them, and grow one of the three species of bamboo (Green, Yellow, and Pink) with the help of the Imperial gardener to maintain this bamboo garden. They will have to bear with the immoderate hunger of this sacred animal for the juicy and tender bamboo. The player who manages his land plots best, growing the most bamboo while feeding the delicate appetite of the panda, will win the game.
2-4 players will compete in an action points allowance system set in the Japanese Emperor's garden, with the goal of completing secret mini-missions. These objectives could include things like feeding the panda or growing the garden to a certain size (or height).
Takenoko's landscape begins with a hexagonal pond tile. The panda and the gardener, two pre-painted minis, start here.
As players race to accomplish seven Objective Cards, this garden will expand in a modular form during the game (in a four-player game).