description Nurikabe Overview
Nurikabe is a binary-determination logic puzzle originating from Japan, where it has been published by the puzzle company Nikoli since 1991. Solvers are presented with a grid containing numbered cells and must determine which cells to shade. The unshaded cells form "islands" containing exactly one number, which dictates the island's total cell count. All shaded cells must create a single continuous "sea" or wall, and no 2x2 block of shaded cells is permitted.
insights Ranking position
Nurikabe ranks #1 of 93 in the Logic Puzzle ranking, ahead of Tsumego.
help Nurikabe FAQ
How do you play the Nurikabe logic puzzle?
In Nurikabe, solvers must shade cells on a grid to create "walls" (often representing water) while leaving unshaded "islands" that contain exactly one number. The number dictates the size of the island, and the walls must form a single continuous area without any 2x2 shaded squares.
Where did the Nurikabe puzzle originate?
The Nurikabe puzzle originated in Japan and was first introduced by the puzzle publisher Nikoli in 1991. The puzzle takes its name from a yokai, or spirit, in Japanese folklore that manifests as an invisible wall.
What are the specific rules regarding 2x2 squares in Nurikabe?
A core rule of Nurikabe is that you can never have a 2x2 block of entirely shaded (wall) cells anywhere on the grid. This rule ensures the walls remain river-like paths rather than large blocky sections.
What Japanese puzzle company popularized Nurikabe alongside Sudoku?
The Japanese company Nikoli is responsible for popularizing Nurikabe, alongside famous puzzles like Sudoku and Kakuro. Nikoli publishes these puzzles in magazines and books, heavily focusing on hand-crafted grids.
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