From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Takenoko?

Pegasus Spiele German rules, English summary

The player whose head is highest above the ground goes first.

Rule details

Turns continue clockwise. Every player skips the weather roll on their own first turn.

Source & edition

Takenoko: Pegasus Spiele rulesPegasus Spiele · Spielvorbereitung, final sentence; Spielablauf; PDF pages 3, 4 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 3, 4
PDF page 3 PDF page 4

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Image: © Pegasus Spiele GmbH (German edition publisher) · Pegasus Spiele

If there’s a tie

The rulebook doesn’t say.

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<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/takenoko-pegasus-de-summary/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Takenoko?</strong> The player whose head is highest above the ground goes first.</p>
  <p>Source: <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/takenoko-pegasus-de-summary/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Pegasus Spiele German rules, English summary)</p>
</blockquote>

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