In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the line between fantasy and reality is constantly blurred by the Animus. But Sengoku-era Japan had its own share of folktales about Yokai – ghosts, spirits, monsters and demons – which were all widely believed by the superstitious public.
To the east of Kiyomizudera, Naoe and Yasuke speak to a demon-hunting monk, Mamushi, who sets them on a skeptic’s journey to prove the rumours of Yokai around the countryside are nothing but myth.
He promises you a reward for finishing the investigation, which is more involved and difficult than you might think. You can start your Yokai-hunting investigation almost as soon as you make it to Kyoto, but the toughest cases wind all the way up to level 38, towards the end of the mid-game of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
What’s more, while an analytical brain will serve you best for much of the investigation, I recommend bringing Yasuke for some of the more difficult fights, as Naoe lacks the stopping power to deal with many would-be Yokai.
But, if you’re not too frightened to get to the bottom of these supernatural mysteries, here’s where to find all of the Yokai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yokai Locations
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Assassin’s Creed Shadows Kappa location
Green river spirits with the webbed extremities of a frog and shelled back of a turtle, Kappa are capricious but proud water-dwelling creatures similar to water nymphs or drowners in western mythology.
To the northwest of Kyoto, there have been reports of merchants and travellers going missing, lured into the water and supposedly drowned by these mysterious sprites, and now it’s Naoe and Yasuke’s job to investigate.
Start northwest of the golden pagoda, Kinkaku-Ji, in the top left-hand corner of Kyoto, then go past where it says Genbu Highlands on the map. There you find the Haunted Tatarigami Village mentioned in the clue.
When you arrive at the village you find it haunted not by ghosts, but a posse of bandits.
To complete your search, make your way down to the road at the bottom of the village, where the disappearances have been reported.
Squabbling on the roadside, you find the two alleged Kappa. Approach them, then follow them back up towards the village.
Defeat the bandits in the village as instructed, then speak to the Kappa themselves.
Forced to serve as a distraction for the bandits while they rob people, you let the unfortunate Kappa go free and mark this case as closed.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Daitengu location
Powerful and dangerous spirits, Tengu are formidable Yokai born of the restless ghosts of people who were sinful in their earthly life.
The prefix “Dai” in Japanese usually means big or great, making the “Daitengu” a greater spirit who possesses a strong and disruptive energy.
Tengu were often depicted as having monkey or bird-like characteristics, and it’s the latter Naoe and Yasuke have been asked to look into in the province of Harima in the west of Japan.
To find the Daitengu, make your way to Kakogawa Estuary near the border between Harima and Settsu.
Next, go to Arima Onsen between Kakogawa Estuary and Nakayama Peak, taking the long straight road which leads up to the onsen from the southwest.
There, amongst the snow monkeys depending on the season, you find the alleged Daitengu, sword in hand, practicing his kata.
The Daitengu will turn aggressive immediately, and given the difficulty of this fight, Yasuke is highly recommended for taking him on.
When he’s been defeated, you receive his katana as a reward and you can also find a Legendary chest just to the north of the onsen area which is well-worth picking up.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Bakemono location
Known for their ability to transform into just about anything, Bakemono are spirits who masquerade as people or take on twisted and horrific humanoid forms to their own mysterious ends.
In the northeastern part of Settsu where watermelons are grown, there have been reports of such creatures taking on the anthropomorphic form of melon men, a tall tale that begs to be investigated by Naoe and Yasuke as they scour the land in search of true Yokai.
The Bakemono are one of the trickiest Yokai to locate, but you get the following clues:
- They were reported in Settsu
- They were spotted in the Suika Lands
- They can be found in Summer or Fall
When the season flips around to summer or fall, you can find the Suika Lands to the northeast of Takasuki, next to Yamazaki and Ogura Pond.
Approach the village and you see two men practicing their swordplay with melon helmets on their heads. Talk to them and after some background on the folk story of the melon harvest, you’re asked to decide: do you prefer watermelon (suika) or honeydew melon (makuwauri).
Depending on your choice of melon, you will have to fight for the supremacy of your chosen fruit. Then when they’re defeated, you’ll get the damage after ability engraving and tick another supposed Yokai from your list. No demons yet, just odd ducks.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Oshiroi Baba location
The Oshiroibaba is a folk tale local to the city of Nara in Japan, where she is said to wander the hillside dragging a clanging mirror with a frightening appearance and unnerving presence due to the white-painted face powder – called Oshiroi – she wears. Oshiroi is also worn by Kabuki performers and geisha.
However, despite being offputting and scary, many of the stories about Oshiroi Baba are actually helpful, with her being said to bring hot sake to lost and needy travelers in the snow.
But in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke are sent to look into a more malevolent interpretation of the myth. A ghostly white apparition has been seen in the fields of Yamato after dark, making otherworldly noises that could wake the dead.
Start in the eastern province of Yamato, and follow the clues you’re given:
- She was reported in Yamato
- She is south of Nara Heartland
- She has only been seen after dark
To find her exact location, go between where it says Nara Heartland and Katsuragi on the map, and there, amongst the burned out villages you find a port trader.
Next to the trader, at night, you find the marker for the Oshiroi Baba. She’s an absolute menace who can dodge your attacks with ease and hits like a truck. You need to focus on deflecting her blows and spamming your abilities, and, again, Yasuke’s superior fighting prowess might be necessary.
At the end of the battle, you get the Adrenaline under Half Health engraving and close another unsolved mystery with a rational explanation.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Taka Nyudo location
The bald-headed demon Taka Nyudo is said to punish peeping toms and unwary travellers with an extending neck that looms over even the sturdiest samurai.
But in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the Taka Nyudo however is depicted as a cruel and imposing giant of a man, using his extreme stature to intimidate Kabasaka Village.
Your case file gives you the following three clues to find him:
- He was reported in Tamba
- He is rumored to be in the Silver Lands
- He was spotted in Kabasaka Village
Kabasaka Village is in the northwest of the Silver Lands, just up from where it says “Silver Lands” on the map.
Take the main road from the Silver Mine west to the village, which is just by the roadside.
You find the Taka Nyudo in the fenced off portion of the village, surrounded by crying women.
As with the rest of these fights, I’d recommend Yasuke due to his intimidating size. But after his defeat, Chitose, the woman attacked by the would-be Taka Nyudo, tells you an interesting tidbit about the demon-hunter Mamushi, before taking her leave.
For your efforts, you receive the Tail of the Beast Kanabo and Armor Piercing on Afflicted engraving.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yuki Onna location
Finally, in the depths of winter, Naoe and Yasuke are sent to investigate one of the most famous Yokai, the Yuki Onna – the Snow Woman.
As shown in incredible films from legendary Japanese directors like Masaki Kobayashi and Akira Kurosawa, the Yuki Onna appears to near-frozen travellers caught in a blizzard before drowning them in an icy embrace.
When winter comes, you can find the Yuki Onna in Omi with the following clues:
- She was spotted in Omi in Winter
- She is north of Suzuka Foothills
- She is at Kawachi Kaza-ana Cave
Kawachi Kaza-ana Cave is almost perfectly nestled between Ibu Highlands and Suzuka Foothills on the map.
The easiest way to get there is to ride down the main road along Lake Biwa to Nomura Village to the southeast of Nagahama, then follow the river eastwards and you’ll eventually reach the Cave.
On the far side of the pond you’ll see the Yuki Onna standing parasol extended in the snow. Approach her slowly and she’ll invite you inside the cave.
Follow her up the path, and as you warm yourself by the fire the Yuki Onna will attack within the confined space.
For defeating her, you get the Violet Night Legendary Katana and the Affliction after deflect Engraving.
However, before you leave, crawl through the space in the cave next to where you fought and you find the remains of the would-be Yokai’s victims.
Inside, you find a letter on a body at the far side of the cave. He’s revealed to be the Mountain Yamabushi, dead, but not by your hand. You likely don’t have this wheel of targets yet, but finding him now saves you a trip later.
But with all of the Yokai investigated, make your return to Mamushi near Kyoto for a rational ending to your skeptical journey and your final reward: a massive chunk of XP, the Critical Change on Backstab engraving and a melon cart for your hideout.
For more full lists of targets to take down in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, check out our pages on the Kabukimono, Twisted Tree and Origami Butterflies.