Food Plains making me sick ?

[r_rolo1]

So when I have too many people, switch to slavery and kill people, then switch back? If 22 was too high, what is a good number to go with ?

You can do that, but because Tokugawa doesn't have the Spiritual trait, you'll lose atleast 1 turn to anarchy when you switch civics, so you better be careful about that. And the "ideal" number of citizens per city is 20, because a city can't work more than 20 squares ( see a city screen. Normally people call it big fat cross (bfc) or the big x). Of course you don't have to work all of the squares if you don't want to.

 

[Ecofarm]

If you do not know what rep is, you need to read the manual and this forum.

Your absurdly high population is a result of your difficulty level. Using slavery is a basic early era skill. Later era switchs are mostly the territory of spiritual civs.

"Condensed tips for beginners", the first thread in this forum, is a good place to start after you have read the manual (perhaps twice).

To enjoy Japan, I might start in the Renesance_Era (spelling), where Samuri are quickly available. Just watch out for french muskets or spanish horses and bring trebs. I would also select no_tech_trading (unless you are one of those tech-trade/lightbulb_geniuses who play at immortal) for a good romp and multiplayer practice.