What you’ll do:

• Make tough choices every two in-game days that shape your family’s fate.

• Manage limited cash, daily energy (“spoons”), and community patriotism—let patriotism fall to 0 and the game ends.

• Navigate hundreds of location- and season-specific incidents, mail calls, and notable dates (including the loyalty questionnaire and discussion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team).

• Experience events tied to real calendar moments, culminating on December 25, 1943 when the father returns—followed by an epilogue about the war’s aftermath.

Features:

• Playable history: Turn-based, text-forward design with clear, consequential choices.

• Three phases, distinct challenges: Portland home → Assembly Center → Minidoka.

• Historically aware systems: Weather, seasons, and news affect risks and options.

• Replayable: Different choices and resource trade-offs lead to new outcomes.

• Classroom-friendly: Built for discussion about civil liberties, loyalty, and identity

Historical scope & accuracy:

• Draws on family letters and FOIA-confirmed FBI interrogations of Dr. Kei Koyama (a Portland dentist).

• Notes that many Japanese Americans inland faced surveillance/house arrest; West Coast families were mass removed and confined.

• Reflects that no incidents of Japanese or Japanese American espionage came to light.

• Stays true to the Koyama story with modest creative license; includes William Koyama’s work outside camp and his 1943 departure to a New Hampshire boarding school

Who it’s for:

• Educators & students (history, civics, ethnic studies).

• Players who love narrative strategy and Oregon Trail–style decision making.

• Families & community groups seeking an accessible entry point to this history.

Tech requirements:

• Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari (latest versions).

• Works on macOS, Windows, Linux, and most mobile devices (but note that saving your progress only works on Desktop systems).

• When you close your browser, the app resets.  This means that unless you saved your progress and downloaded the save file to your computer, you will lose your progress.

• Note: If you get a blank screen, press the Reset button.  You might have to reset four or five or six times, but the game will eventually load.

Content note

The game depicts period racism and discriminatory policies (e.g., exclusionary signage) in a historical context. No graphic violence. Recommended ages 12+ with guidance.

Created by Weston Koyama, a Japanese American public defense attorney and educator. Questions or classroom requests? Message me here on Gumroad—I'd love to hear how you use Idaho Trail.

Support

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need support!  You can text me at the number below, or by email (preferred), which is my last name (Koyama) dot my first name (Weston) at gmail dot com.