Iki: Akebono introduces a new location to explore in Edo: Nihonbashi Bridge, which expands the main street and offers players new possibilities. Players can stop at the bridge to meet famous personalities from the Edo era (such as Hokusai Katsushika, Sanyo Rai or Tokunai Mogami) and trade with the ships (built by the players) in the river.

The Akebono expansion also adds new character cards, building cards, and new pipe, tobacco, and fish tokens for greater strategic depth and decision-making.