Long ago, in the time of our ancestors, in an era that humanity has since forgotten, the Great Spirit inhabited the forest. Its mere presence permeated everything with life, abundance, and peace. After a certain time, the Great Spirit would depart, never to return. A Bitoku spirit, worthy of taking its place, would then emerge to preserve the harmony of the forest. This primordial forest, millennia old, is one of the five hearts of the world, and it is said that in its deepest, densest regions, the trees and vegetation are so thick that lost souls wandering there are finally able to find peace and transcend to the beyond—or be lost forever and cease to exist once the last memory of them is forgotten.
The board game Bitoku casts players in the roles of Bitoku spirits of the forest on their path to transcendence, with the goal of ascending to become the next Great Spirit of the forest. To do so, they will have the help of yokai, kodama, and various pilgrims who accompany them on their journey. The game is played over four rounds, each representing one more year for the Great Spirit. Each round is divided into four phases named after the seasons. At the end of the Winter phase in the fourth round, the game ends and the Ascension takes place. In each phase, you will perform actions to earn so-called Virtue Points. As you earn them, you will progress along the Spirit Path, which stretches around the outer edge of the board. During Ascension, you can earn additional points by fulfilling certain objectives. The spirit who advances the furthest on that path will be the winner—and become the new Great Spirit!

Awards and Honors:
2023 Nederlandse Spellenprijs Best Expert Game Nominee
2023 GEEKS d'OURO Board Game of the Year Winner
2023 GEEKS d'OURO Board Game of the Year Nominee
2022 UK Games Expo Best Boardgame (Euro-Style) Nominee
2022 UK Games Expo Best Boardgame (Euro-Style) Judges Award Winner
2022 Tric Trac Expert Nominee
2022 American Tabletop Complex Games Recommended
2022 5 Seasons Best Solo Mode Nominee
2022 5 Seasons Best Portuguese Complex Game Nominee
2021 Golden Geek Heavy Game of the Year Nominee
2021 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork & Presentation Nominee