Early bank build

The least used consulate ally for the japanese are the dutch, as they do not synergise very well with the common Japanese strategies. How about creating a strategy centered entirely around them ?

This build requires :

• A wood treasure that is easy to access. Without a wood treasure you are too slowed to be competitive.
  • Food treasure are not mandatory but help a lot to get you out of age 1 in a timely manner.
• A map with a trade route

Game plan

Exploit the synergy between the card good faith agreements anf the toshogu shrine wonder to boost your economy with an early bank, then switch alliances to exploit the discounted consulate techs.

Age I :

Perform a consulate opening. However, instead of allying with the Portuguese, you ally with the Dutch. Pick up a wood treasure as fast as possible and build the shrine. You do not need to wait for the alliance to be active to build said shrine.

Assess if your opponent plans for agression (no house in base for example). 

• If yes, ship good faith agreement without delay. You will have access to a shipment in age 2 immediately.
• If not, ship 300w. You can delay the 300w shipment to give yourself time to scout as the crates will not be used until transition. Age up at 14/20 with the toshogu shrine. Build it with 4 villagers.

In transition, with the 300w, build a market and a trade post. Then, purchase wood 3 times using the coin you have accumulated thanks to the Dutch alliance. Buy the first food upgrade at the market and bank 200w. If you have not already, ship good faith agreement.

Age II :

Build a barrack with the 200w you have banked and purchase the discounted bank at the dutch consulate. Train ashigaru in your barrack. On top as acting as a deterrent, producing ashigaru gives you XP to speed the next shipment. The build XP from the bank will allow you to ship something. What to ship depends on what your opponent is doing.

• You are getting rushed : send military units
• Anything else : Ship diplomatic intrigue (300 export)
  • If you are pressured or fear a colonial timing : buy the church then break with the Dutch and go in isolation to grab the discounty military rickshaw and train some units. Then adapt.
  • If you are not pressured : Harass with your ashigaru and ally with the Spanish. Get the nanban trade and merchant navy.

The rest of the guide is written assuming you allied with the Spanish.

Follow up :

You have your infrastructure (bank+church) and your crates/trade routes are boosted. The long term plan is to leverage your crates as much as possible, either in age 2 or 3 while pressuring your opponent. Break alliance with the Spanish and enact isolation. Buy the discounted military rickshaw.

• Shipping 600w is a good start to buy more market upgrades, build TPs, and shrines.
• Shipping 600c allows you to full batch from two military buildings or simply age up to access the better crates.