Hey, fellow gamers! Welcome to Haikyuu Legends, your ultimate hub for the latest tips, tricks, and guides on all your favorite games. Today, we’re diving deep into Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft’s stunning take on feudal Japan that dropped us into the boots of two incredible protagonists: Naoe, the stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, the badass samurai. If you’re here, you’re probably on a mission to track down every Kuji-kiri location in the game—don’t worry, I’ve got your back! This article is your go-to Kuji-kiri guide, packed with everything you need to master this meditative mechanic and uncover Naoe’s hidden story. Oh, and heads-up: this article was updated on March 27, 2025, so you’re getting the freshest info straight from the ninja’s scroll.⭕
In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll be sneaking, fighting, and exploring a gorgeously chaotic Japan torn apart by warring clans. One of the coolest features tied to Naoe is Kuji-kiri—a meditative practice that’s more than just a chill break from slicing up enemies. It’s your ticket to unlocking side quests, earning XP, and peeling back layers of Naoe’s past. Ready to find all the Kuji-kiri locations? Grab your gear, and let’s get started. If you haven’t picked up the game yet, you can snag it on Steam—trust me, it’s worth every second!🌸
⛩️What is Kuji-kiri?🥷
So, what’s the deal with Kuji-kiri? It’s a special meditation mechanic exclusive to Naoe, and you’ll find these Kuji-kiri locations scattered across the game’s sprawling map. Picture this: you’re running through feudal Japan, dodging samurai and scaling rooftops, when you stumble upon a serene spot—a cliff overlooking a valley, a quiet shrine, or a pond framed by cherry blossoms. That’s where Kuji-kiri comes in. It’s a rhythmic quick-time event that lets Naoe center herself, and it’s your chance to score some sweet rewards while soaking in the vibes.
These Kuji-kiri locations aren’t just pretty pitstops—they tie directly into Naoe’s story. Completing them unlocks side quests and backstory beats that make you feel like you’re really stepping into her sandals. Whether you’re a completionist or just here for the lore, hunting down every Kuji-kiri spot is a must.
🌄How to Perform Kuji-kiri
Alright, let’s break down the how-to. When you roll up to one of the Kuji-kiri locations, you’ll see an interaction prompt—hit it, and you’re in. The game throws a sequence of button inputs at you, synced to a chill rhythm that picks up speed as you go. At first, it’s a breeze, with the prompts lighting up your screen. But here’s the kicker: as you progress, those prompts fade away, and you’ve got to nail the pattern from memory. Mess up? No sweat—the game’s forgiving enough to bring the cues back so you can recover.
Think of it like a mini rhythm game meets ninja zen mode. It’s all about timing and focus, which fits Naoe’s whole vibe perfectly. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be breezing through every Kuji-kiri location like a pro.
⛰️Kuji-kiri Locations
Now, the main event: where to find all 22 Kuji-kiri locations in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. These spots are spread across nine provinces, and I’ve mapped them out by region to make your ninja life easier. Let’s dive into this Kuji-kiri guide and pinpoint every meditation spot—grab your map, and let’s go!
Izumi Settsu🧘
The starting province has five Kuji-kiri locations, perfect for kicking off your journey.
- Tomiko’s Homestead
- Where: East of the main building in the Hideout, overlooking a pond.
- How to Find: Look for a tiny island in the pond, framed by waterfalls and a cherry tree. It’s super close to your starting base—hard to miss!
- Sacred Bridge
- Where: Southeast of Tomiko’s Homestead, near Kawachi Heights Pagoda Viewpoint.
- How to Find: Climb the hill southeast of the Hideout. The spot’s right on the path’s edge with a killer valley view.
- Eboshigata Hachiman Shrine
- Where: Northwest of Makinoodera Lookout Viewpoint, under the shrine’s archway.
- How to Find: Head to the shrine and check the ledge—it’s got an epic view of the Osaka sub-region.
- Rolling Glen
- Where: Northeast of Tennoji Temple, by a big orange arch.
- How to Find: Follow the road from the temple; the arch is your landmark. You’ll get a sweet temple vista from here.
- West of The Lumber Aisle
- Where: Over a wooden bridge west of Amagasaki Kakurega.
- How to Find: Trek west from The Lumber Aisle, cross the bridge, and look under a huge tree by the ocean.
Yamashiro⭕
North of Izumi Settsu, Yamashiro’s got three Kuji-kiri locations near handy sync points.
- Cliffs of Thought
- Where: West of Shoryuji Castle in Eagle’s Nest.
- How to Find: Take the road from the castle to a high peak—great view included!
- Ginkakuji Garden
- Where: Inside Ginkakuji Temple, Hills of Meeting.
- How to Find: Central Yamashiro, just stroll into the temple grounds for some peace.
- Kuramadera Temple
- Where: Northern section of the temple in Genbu Highlands.
- How to Find: Head north in the temple—it’s a chill spot in the highlands.
Harima🌸
West side of the map, Harima’s got two remote Kuji-kiri locations.
- Mount Kasagata
- Where: East of Inariyama Watchtower Viewpoint.
- How to Find: From the viewpoint, go west to a Torii Gate on a hill, grapple up, and follow the trail.
- Mount Sen
- Where: On a cliff-edge platform overlooking a Buddha carving.
- How to Find: Edge of the cliff, staring down at that massive Buddha—epic vibes!
Tamba🕉️
Two Kuji-kiri locations here, one sneaking into a city.
- Kameyama
- Where: Southeast Kameyama city, temple backyard.
- How to Find: Stealth your way into the temple yard—watch those guards!
- Miyazu Bay
- Where: West of the river in Sukyoji Temple.
- How to Find: South along the river, then into the temple for this spot.
Wakasa🧘♀️
Northwest Wakasa has two Kuji-kiri locations with coastal charm.
- Kajii Monzeki Temple
- Where: Southern edge of Onyu Pass.
- How to Find: Check the temple grounds for this quiet nook.
- Pond of the Heron
- Where: Overlooking Obama’s coast.
- How to Find: Coastal view guaranteed—perfect for a breather.
Omi⚔️
Big province, two Kuji-kiri locations, one with a twist.
- Himega Falls
- Where: Top of the lake in Takashima Shores.
- How to Find: Hug the coastline to spot this near the falls.
- Omi Trail
- Where: North of Mount Hiei.
- How to Find: Watch out—a level 40 miniboss might gatekeep this one!
Iga🥷
Naoe’s home turf has two Kuji-kiri locations, one story-linked.
- Mibuno Vale
- Where: Tied to your second Kuji-kiri completion.
- How to Find: Auto-triggered with a flashback quest—nice touch!
- Nabari Wilds
- Where: Western Nabari Wilds.
- How to Find: Explore the wilds for this hidden gem.
Yamato🦅
Bottom-right of Izumi Settsu, two Kuji-kiri locations.
- Uda Matsuyama
- Where: Eastern Uda Matsuyama.
- How to Find: Hilly area—keep climbing!
- Yoshino
- Where: Northern Yoshino.
- How to Find: Tree-lined spot for some ninja zen.
Kii👁️
The biggest province, two Kuji-kiri locations.
- Kumano Sanzan
- Where: Southeast, near a waterfall by Maruyama Shrine.
- How to Find: South from the shrine along the river—waterfall bonus!
- Sazae Oni Shores
- Where: Southern coast, east of Gobo.
- How to Find: Torii Gate on the land’s edge marks this coastal spot.
⚔️Benefits of Completing Kuji-kiri
Why bother hunting down all these Kuji-kiri locations? Besides the chill factor, you’re in for some solid rewards. The first four Kuji-kiri completions unlock unique side quests that dive into Naoe’s past—think flashback missions that hit you right in the feels. Plus, every meditation nets you 500 XP and a Knowledge Point to juice up Naoe’s skills. And for the trophy hunters out there, nailing all 22 Kuji-kiri locations bags you the “Zen Master” achievement. Worth it? Hell yeah.
🕉️Tips and Tricks for Finding and Completing Kuji-kiri
Here’s the Haikyuu Legends pro-tip rundown to ace those Kuji-kiri locations:
- 🗺️ Map It Out: Found a spot? It’s marked on your map—use it to track your progress.
- 🌸 Scenic Clues: Look for peaceful vibes—hilltops, shrines, water. That’s where Kuji-kiri hides.
- 🎶 Rhythm Master: Prompts fade, so lock in that sequence early and feel the beat.
- 😌 Stay Cool: Struggling? Step back, relax, and try again—zen is the goal.
- ⚔️ Gear Up: Some spots (looking at you, Omi) throw curveballs like minibosses—be ready!
So there you have it, shinobi squad! Get out there, explore every corner of feudal Japan, and hit up all the Kuji-kiri locations to unlock Naoe’s full story. Stuck or need more tips? Haikyuu Legends has your back—keep us bookmarked for all your Assassin’s Creed Shadows adventures!🎮
