Honshu is a trick-taking, map-building card game taking place in feudal Japan. Players are lords and ladies of noble houses looking for new lands and opportunities for fame and fortune.

One game of Honshu lasts twelve rounds, and each round is split into two phases. First, map cards are played in a trick, and the player who played the most valued card gets to choose first from those cards played. Then the players use the map cards selected to expand their personal maps. Each player must expand their personal maps to maximize their scoring potential.

Manipulating your position in the player order is critical for mastering Honshu.