About Saashi & Saashi – Masters of Thematic Indie Design from Japan

Saashi & Saashi is a small but highly creative game design studio based in Japan, founded by the duo Saashi and Saashi. Despite being only two people, they have developed a remarkably diverse portfolio of games in just a few years, all marked by strong themes, clever mechanics, and polished presentation. Their catalog demonstrates an impressive ability to balance novelty with familiarity—each new game feels distinct, yet recognizably theirs.

Signature Games and International Recognition

The publisher is perhaps best known for Coffee Roaster, a solo game simulating the roasting process of coffee beans, and Let’s Make a Bus Route, a roll-and-write game where players collectively draw routes through the city of Kyoto. Other standout titles include Remember Our Trip, co-designed with designer Daryl Chow, which challenges players to reconstruct shared memories of a journey, and Take the A Chord, a trick-taking game that connects music theory with clever card play. Each release is marked by thematic precision and accessible mechanics that resonate with both casual and dedicated players worldwide.

Why Saashi & Saashi Belong on Spielradar

At Spielradar, our mission is to bring rare and hard-to-find games into Europe, and Saashi & Saashi’s catalog fits perfectly into that vision. Many of their games are available only in limited print runs or exclusively within Japan, making them difficult for European players to access. By offering their titles, we ensure fans can enjoy these unique thematic experiences without the barriers of international importing.

Design Philosophy and Personal Impression

Saashi & Saashi embody the spirit of indie game design: personal, thematic, and innovative. Each game they create explores a different theme—from coffee culture to urban transport to music—yet always uses mechanics that feel familiar if you have played their other titles. This makes their body of work cohesive, yet endlessly inventive. Personally, I have rarely encountered two people who pour so much love and originality into their designs. Meeting them through their games leaves you with the impression of genuine care and boundless creativity.

The Future of Saashi & Saashi

With international acclaim already growing, Saashi & Saashi continues to carve out a special place in the global indie scene. Their commitment to quality, thematic resonance, and approachable yet clever design ensures that every new release excites both their loyal fans and new audiences. For Spielradar players, their titles represent some of the finest examples of Japanese indie board game design available today.