Complete Guide to Kuji-kiri Locations in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Searching for every Kuji-kiri location in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? These meditative spots offer Naeo a chance to reflect on her past. By completing each Kuji-kiri, you’ll earn Knowledge Points, which secure higher Knowledge Ranks and unlock complex skills. Below, we present a comprehensive list of all 22 Kuji-kiri locations across the main game regions.

Izumi Settsu Kuji-kiri Locations

Assassin's Creed Shadows Kuji-kiri locations in Izumi Settsu — Image by Moyens I/O

1. Eboshigata Hatchiman Shrine

Eboshigata Hatchiman Shrine Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

From the Makinoodera Temple entrance, head northeast on the main road. Turn left at the shrine marker and ascend the stairs to the Eboshigata Hatchiman Shrine. The Kuji-kiri spot is straightforward, on a rock by a large tree trunk.

2. Tomiko’s Homestead

Tomiko’s Homestead Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This location lies at Tomiko’s Homestead, your initial Hideout. Upon entering the main house, turn right along the stone path under the cherry blossom tree and head towards the flower field leading to a nearby waterfall.

3. Rolling Glen

Rolling Glen Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

Travel southwest from Tomiko’s Homestead toward Osaka. Enter the Katano Foothills and continue following the main road around the mountainside until you reach the Kuji-kiri location.

4. Sacred Bridge

Sacred Bridge Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

Head along the southwestern road from Tomiko’s Homestead, then follow the river east. Look for a shrine structure indicating where to turn for the pathway leading to the Kuji-kiri. It’s also accessible along the eastern road from the Kawachi Lost Pagoda fast travel point.

5. Windy Shores

Windy Shores Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This Kuji-kiri is found on the far western coast of Izumi Settsu, near the Lumber Aisle and west of Amagasaki Castle fast travel point.

Yamashiro Kuji-kiri Locations

1. The Cliffs of Thought

The Cliffs of Thought Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This Kuji-kiri is located far southwest of Yamashiro. Follow the main path southwest of Shoryuji Castle into a wooded area, where you’ll find a red shrine structure guiding your way up to the Kuji-kiri spot.

2. Ginkakuji Garden

Ginkakuji Garden Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This Kuji-kiri can be found within the courtyard outside of Ginkakuji Temple, which is situated east of Kyoto.

3. Kuramadera Temple

Kuramadera Temple Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

You can find this spot directly above Kuramadera Temple in northern Yamashiro, accessible via the main road northwest of the Genbu Highlands.

Omi Kuji-kiri Locations

1. Three-Trunked Tree

Three-Trunked Tree Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

Follow the main river channel connecting Wakasa to Omi in the west. The Kuji-kiri location is on a small stone outcropping above the river, northeast of the Hiei Foothill fast travel point.

2. Himega Falls

Himega Falls Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This Kuji-kiri spot is located to the north, in the Takashima Shores area. Start from the Mount Peak fast travel point and follow the main path southeast downwards towards the lake’s edge.

Iga Kuji-kiri Locations

1. Naoe’s House

Naoe's House Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This first Kuji-kiri in Iga is located on the back porch of Naoe’s house, found southeast of Mibuno Castle.

2. Cliffside Buddha

Cliffside Buddha Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This second Iga location is west of the Nabari Wilds, southwest of the Nabari Lookout fast travel point and Kashiwara Fort.

Harima Kuji-kiri Locations

1. Mount Sen

Mount Sen Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This spot can be found directly south of the Mount Sen fast travel point in northern Harima.

2. Harima’s Peak

Harima's Peak Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This Kuji-kiri spot is located on a cliff face directly across from the Kaya Shrine, in the northwest of Harima. Be prepared to climb!

Wakasa Kuji-kiri Locations

1. Kajii Monzeki Temple

Kajii Monzeki Temple Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This location sits just outside the walls of Kajii Monzeki Temple, overlooking the lake in the southeastern part of Wakasa, near the Omi border.

2. Pond of the Heron

Pond of the Heron Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This Kuji-kiri is found along the Shattered Coast in central west Wakasa. Exit Obama southwest and navigate past the lighthouse, following the shrine markers to reach the spot.

Yamato Kuji-kiri Locations

1. Soni Highlands

Soni Highlands Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This Kuji-kiri is located within the fields between the Uda Matsuyama and Mount Nukai fast travel points in northern Yamato.

2. Nyoirinji Footpath

Nyoirinji Footpath Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

The next spot is found within the entrance of Nyoirinji Temple, situated east of the Nyoirinji Falls fast travel point.

Tamba Kuji-kiri Locations

1. Seirinji Temple

Seirinji Temple Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

This Kuji-kiri can be found in a small courtyard within Seirinji Temple, located south of Kameyama Castle in southeastern Tamba.

2. Sukyoji Temple

Sukyoji Temple Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

To find the Sukyoji Temple Kuji-kiri, head south from Miyazi Bay, where the spot is located outside the main temple, on the stairs.

How to Complete a Kuji-kiri

Naeo at a Kuji-kiri location — Image by Moyens I/O

To engage with a Kuji-kiri and unlock one of Naeo’s memories, follow the button prompts as they illuminate on your screen during the quick-time event. The key to success lies in pressing the prompts in sync with the rhythm and remembering the beat as you progress.

Some Kuji-kiri events will ramp up in difficulty as prompts either speed up or require simultaneous button presses. Watch for the white ring around these prompts; it indicates which buttons need pressing. Once the prompts disappear, you’ll transition into one of Naeo’s memories.

Completing the first four Kuji-kiri will advance the “Naoe’s Journey” questline, allowing you to experience unique memories shaped by Naeo’s past. Any further Kuji-kiri will repeat the minigame, offering Knowledge Points instead. Collect enough Knowledge Points to increase your Knowledge Rank, which unlocks higher skill tiers in the skill trees.

This concludes our definitive guide to all Kuji-kiri locations in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Now you’re set to collect Knowledge Points! For more tips, check out our guides on legendary Katana locations or learn how to adopt a pet in-game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are Kuji-kiri in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Kuji-kiri are special meditative locations that allow Naeo to reflect on her past. They provide players with Knowledge Points and advancement in the game.

How many Kuji-kiri locations are there in the game?

There are a total of 22 Kuji-kiri locations spread across various regions in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

What benefits do you gain from completing Kuji-kiri?

Completing each Kuji-kiri offers Knowledge Points, helps increase Knowledge Ranks, and unlocks more complex skills.

Do all Kuji-kiri locations have the same challenges?

No, while there are common challenges, the difficulty may vary, especially for the first four that contribute to the main questline.

Can I revisit a Kuji-kiri location after completing it?

Yes, you can return to previously completed Kuji-kiri locations to earn additional Knowledge Points.