Written by Shyam Bhardwa
After an extensive world tour, the Assassin’s Creed video game series has finally followed in our footsteps and come to Japan with Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. But it’s not the Japan of the 21st century, and there are no bright lights or sleek Shinkansen here.
Instead, you’re in 16th-century feudal Japan, during one of the most momentous periods of the country’s history. If that gets your feet itching to follow in Yasuke and Naoe’s paths, we hear you. Here’s our list of must-visit IRL Assassin’s Creed: Shadows locations.
Where and when is Assassin’s Creed: Shadows set?
AC: Shadows opens in 1597 during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, which was a time of intense civil war. The game focuses on the region that would become modern-day Kansai, with Osaka and Kyoto two prominent locations in-game. However, the game still uses period-specific names for provinces like Iga and Ise, which became modern-day Mie Prefecture.
1. Himeji Castle, Hyōgo
68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyōgo, 670-0012From Osaka Station, take the Tokaido-Sanyo Line Special Rapid to Himeji, before either catching a bus or walking to the castle. The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
¥1,000 for adults, and ¥300 for under-18s.
If you’re after the best loot, castles are a must. Between mastery points, legendary chests, and all the extras you pick up, those daisho assassinations are worth it. And where better for an epic stealth mission than one of the most beautiful spots in Japan?
Himeji Castle is one of the oldest castles in Japan, dating back to the original fort built in 1333. Since then, it’s had a tumultuous history, surviving the destruction of Japanese castles at the end of the Meiji period, the Great Hanshin Earthquake, and even World War II. Nowadays, it’s considered one of Japan’s three main castles, and one of the top attractions in the Kansai area.
Visitors can tour the interior buildings, turrets, and even the blooming gardens around the keep. It’s a great place for photos, whether on the red bridge over the moat or from the turrets overlooking the courtyard. Don’t miss out on the surrounding Himeji area either, as there’s plenty more to see.
2. Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto
1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862From Kyoto Station, take either the 5 or 206 city bus to the entrance.
¥500 for adults, ¥200 for junior-high schoolers and younger.
If you’re on a quest for the lost-page rewards, then you’ll be doing a tour of the Kansai area temples. But no matter how many you visit, you’ll know when you’re at the breathtaking Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto. And you’ll have the exact same reaction when you set foot atop it in person.
Kiyomizu-dera is an ancient Japanese temple, with the original building dating back to 778. The large, open veranda looks out onto Kyoto and over the Otowa waterfall. The waterfall splits into three streams, and each represents success — either through longevity, education, or love. If you need a reminder of which you chose, the surrounding trees make Kiyomizu-dera an unmissable photo spot, too.
Once you’ve taken in the view from the veranda, hop down and check behind the temple to find Jishu Shrine. The two stones are a traditional lovers’ test — if you can make your way between them with your eyes closed, you’ll have luck in love. Even if you don’t, with geisha gliding through Gion and traditional shopfronts scattered throughout Higashiyama, you’re bound to fall in love with the city.
3. Takeda Castle Ruins, Hyōgo
69 Wadayamacho Takeda, Asago, Hyōgo, 669-5252From Himeji Station, take the Bantan Line to Takeda Station. From there, a bus will take you closer to the ruins, but you’ll need to walk the last 20 minutes yourself. The whole trip takes about 3 hours.
¥500 for adults, junior-high schoolers, and younger enter for free.
Another day, another castle, and another set of daisho to sneak up on and assassinate. Maybe this time you’ll find a Kanō painting? In-game, Takeda Castle is imposing, with an austere keep glaring down at you as you sneak over the rooftops. But visit the castle in person, and the only thing you’ll feel is awe.
The Takeda Castle Ruins are all that remains of the original Takeda Castle since it was abandoned in 1577 after the battle of Sekigahara. Today, all that you’ll find are the foundations and some of the lowest levels that have been partially restored. But the real beauty of the castle appears during brisk, foggy mornings. As the fog collects and coils around the ruins, visitors look up to see a floating castle straight from a fantasy.
The view alone is worth the trek for any avid photographer or historian, since it involves almost an hour’s hike from Takeda Station. But like many of our favorite experiences in Hyōgo, it’s a day trip well worth the effort.
4. Sakai City, Osaka
Daisencho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0035From Osaka Station, take the Osaka Loop Line to Mikunigaoka Station, which is centrally situated. The trip will take around 30 minutes.
Free
In AC: Shadows, Sakai City is an important quest hub. Even to this day, it is still one of Japan’s most important sea ports — just with no assassins.
In modern Japan, Sakai still has ships calling into port, but has developed into a satellite city for Osaka proper. The most famous attraction in Sakai is the kofun — keyhole-shaped burial mounds from the 6th and 7th centuries. One of the largest clusters in Japan, The Mozu Tombs, are in Sakai, and in 2010, they were made UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This makes Sakai the perfect spot for anyone with a love for Japanese history.
Fortunately for budding historians, Sakai is just a half-hour trip from Osaka central, so there’s loads to do before and after you visit.
5. Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara
160 Kasuganocho, Nara, 630-8212From Nara Station, take a city bus to Nara Park. The shrine is a 4-minute walk within the park, so you’ll be there in around 20 min.
The main area is free to enter, but entry to the museum, botanical gardens, or inner sanctum for worship will be charged.
Need that last bit of XP or a few knowledge points to rank up into a double assassination? Well, you’d better start praying — literally. In AC: Shadows, shrines offer small bonuses to XP and knowledge points if you can find all of the right spots to pray. And where better to commune than Nara’s most popular shrine?
Kasuga Taisha Shrine was established in 768, when Nara was still the capital of Japan. Located deep within Nara Park, its design inspired an entire school of architecture. The torii gate at the entrance is one of the oldest still standing in Japan, and has been the model for countless others around the country. There’s plenty to do, from exploring the museum and botanical gardens to visiting all 12 shrines dotted around the grounds.
If visiting in February or mid-August, stay until evening to see the frontage lit by rows of stone lanterns. But make sure you don’t leave without more of a wander around Nara Park, or without having a rice cracker snatched out of your hand by a bowing deer.
6. Lake Biwa, Shiga
Shiga PrefectureRoutes differ depending on where you’re coming from. From the east, you can take the Tokaido, Biwako, or Kosei lines. From the west, there’s the Keihan Ishiyama Line.
Access to the lake is free, but different activities have their own fees.
Though not a main storyline location in AC: Shadows, if you’re friendly with the Iron Hand Guild, you’ll be poking around Lake Biwa. Hunting for a missing ship takes you to the shores of this enormous lake, making the quest quite frustrating. But one day trip out to the lake, and the beauty of Lake Biwa will have you forgiving any number of scout searches.
Lake Biwa is a popular day-trip destination in Kansai, but doing everything there can take you 3 to 4 days. As Japan’s largest lake, it takes up a third of Shiga Prefecture. When you arrive, be sure to take a few seconds to enjoy the beauty of the lake. It’s moving enough to have been immortalised through a gallery’s worth of art, including the Eight Views of Omi ukiyo-e pictures. A boat cruise across the lake will show you all of the stunning spots, so we’d recommend starting there.
After that, there are still plenty of options to check out. If Himeji and Takeda castles have got you adoring Japanese architecture, there are two more castles on the shores of the lake. Feeling a connection with nature? Stop by one of the four temples and shrines nearby. And don’t miss the gorgeously photogenic Mangetsuji Ukimido. This compact wooden temple is built on a jetty above the water, giving the impression of being part of Lake Biwa itself.
7. Honnō-ji Temple, Kyoto
522 Shimohonnojimaecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8091From Kyoto Station, take the 7 or 205 city bus towards Higashiyama. The trip takes about 20 minutes.
Free
Spoiler ahead!
Of all the temples in AC: Shadows, this one might be the most important.
As we learn the truth about Akechi Mitsuhide, it’s already too late. He betrays his leader, the famous Daimyo Oda Nobunaga, and traps him within Honnō-ji Temple. Outnumbered and facing death, Nobunaga chose to lose on his terms, and the temple was written into history forever.
Nowadays, the temple is located near the heart of Kyoto’s shopping district, just a turn away from Nishiki Market. However, visiting Honnō-ji is a must for any fan of Japanese feudal history. You’ll get a chance to see Nobunaga’s mausoleum, as well as learn more about his time and visits to the temple. There are also unique relics from the period, including a rare portrait of Nobunaga and his official seal on documentation.
Once you’ve had your fill of one of Japanese history’s most infamous moments, there’s plenty more to do nearby. Honnō-ji is the perfect trip for a rainy Kyoto day, as it’s only a few minutes from the closest station, and you can spend the rest of the day browsing the Kyoto markets.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
