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Hono Kurashi no Niwa

Hono Kurashi no Niwa is a life simulation game set in Kagetsu Village, developed by the Yomawari series staff, launching July 30, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Windows. It placed third in Japan's Steam sales rankings for the week of August 7, 2026.

Synthesized from 3 Yomimono stories · updated 6d ago

Hono Kurashi no Niwa is a life simulation game set in the nostalgic countryside village of Kagetsu Village. It is developed by the staff behind the Yomawari horror series, with planning and game design by Yuu Mizokami. The game launches on July 30, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Windows. The price is 9,020 yen for the Switch 2, PS5, Steam, and Windows versions, and 7,920 yen for the Switch version. The game carries a CERO C rating, indicating ages 15 and up.

On July 10, 2026, Nippon Ichi Software released five gameplay videos via the official website, each following a different play style. The videos were posted sequentially on the game's X account from July 6 to July 10 before being compiled. The styles are: savoring each day slowly, enjoying DIY, living with animals, walking the night village, and devoting to farming. The night exploration video in particular shows a main scenario, late-night exploration, a skill tree, and a library, hinting at a darker layer beneath the peaceful rural life.

In the latest Steam sales rankings for Japan, Hono Kurashi no Niwa placed third, following Capcom's Street Fighter 6 at first and Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation at second. The ranking reflects current demand on Steam's Japanese storefront, with the game appearing alongside free-to-play staples and two other new titles.

Key facts

Developer
Staff of the Yomawari horror series
Planning and game design
Yuu Mizokami
Setting
Kagetsu Village, a nostalgic countryside village
Release date
July 30, 2026
Platforms
Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Windows
Price
9,020 yen for Switch 2, PS5, Steam, and Windows; 7,920 yen for Switch
Rating
CERO C (ages 15 and up)
Steam sales ranking
Third place in Japan's Steam sales rankings

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Release
game · 2026-08-07 · Japan · 2026-08-07
Release
game · week of July 27 to August 2, 2026 · Japan and North America · 2026-07-26

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/hono-kurashi-no-niwa. CC BY 4.0.

All coverage

6d ago

Game Spark Review: Honokurashi no Niwa Blends Slow Life With a Cursed Village

Nippon Ichi Software released Honokurashi no Niwa on July 30. Produced by the Yomawari series staff, it is a life simulation set in a suspicious mountain village. The review praises the story-driven fusion of farming and horror, notes early-game restrictions and UI issues, and recommends Honokurashi Mode for horror-averse players.

Aug 7

Street Fighter 6 Tops Steam Sales, New Titles Follow

Capcom's Street Fighter 6 took first place in the latest Steam sales rankings for Japan, boosted by a 50 percent discount. New releases followed closely, with Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation at second and Nippon Ichi Software's Honogurai no Niwa at third. The list also includes free-to-play staples and two other new titles.

Jul 26

This Week's New Games: Halo Remake, Xenoblade 2 Switch 2 Edition, and More

The week of July 27 to August 2, 2026, sees a slate of major releases across platforms. Leading the lineup is 'Halo: Campaign Evolved', a Unreal Engine 5 remake of the original 2001 campaign, launching July 29 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S at 7,900 yen. It includes 10 original missions plus three new ones, 4-player online co-op with cross-play, and a Campaign Remix mode with randomized modifiers. Early reviews are positive, with Metascores of 81 on PS5 and 84 on Xbox Series X as of July 26, though the lack of competitive multiplayer drew some criticism. Also releasing July 30 is 'Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition', an enhanced version for the new console. The same day sees the extraction shooter 'Mistfall Hunter' on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, along with 'BLUE REFLECTION Quartet: The Miracle of the Girls' (7,480 yen), 'Culdcept the First', 'Volcano Princess', 'TATSUJIN EXTREME', and 'Honoboshi no Niwa'. On July 31, dark fantasy action RPG 'The Relic: First Guardian' arrives on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The week's releases span genres from FPS and RPG to puzzle and simulation, with several titles also available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

Jul 10

Hono Kurashi no Niwa Releases Five Gameplay Videos Ahead of July 30 Launch

Nippon Ichi Software released five gameplay videos for the life simulation game Hono Kurashi no Niwa on July 10, 2026, via the official website. The videos, each following a different play style, were posted sequentially on the game's X account from July 6 to July 10 before being compiled. The styles are: savoring each day slowly, enjoying DIY, living with animals, walking the night village, and devoting to farming. The game is set in the nostalgic countryside village of Kagetsu Village and is developed by the staff of the Yomawari horror series, with planning and game design by Yuu Mizokami. Hono Kurashi no Niwa launches on July 30, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Windows. The price is 9,020 yen for the Switch 2, PS5, Steam, and Windows versions, and 7,920 yen for the Switch version. The game carries a CERO C rating, indicating ages 15 and up. The night exploration video in particular shows a main scenario, late-night exploration, a skill tree, and a library, hinting at a darker layer beneath the peaceful rural life.