Descend into darkness beneath Yamashiro’s Eagle’s Nest, where twisting corridors and ancient secrets await only the stealthiest shinobi. In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo kofun is more than just a maze of shadows-it’s a perilous test of Naoe’s agility and cunning, with a legendary weapon and rare treasures hidden deep within its labyrinthine heart. Will you brave the tomb’s cryptic puzzles and emerge with the coveted Yukimitsu’s Revenge, or become just another lost soul in its silent halls?
In this Assassin’s Creed Shadows guide, we’ll give you a full Ancient Tomb of Nanjo walkthrough, including a step-by-step through the dungeon and noting its rewards.
Ancient Tomb of Nanjo kofun location
The Ancient Tomb of Nanjo Kofun is located in the Yamashiro province of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, specifically in the Eagle’s Nest area. You’ll find it just west of Kyoto’s southernmost part, directly between the Kyoto area and Yamazaki Castle, and across the river from the Toji Temple. To access the tomb, players must control Naoe, as her unique abilities are required to navigate the entrance and interior obstacles. The tomb’s entrance is marked by a set of stairs leading down to a gap in the wall, which only Naoe can slip through, making this kofun a distinctive challenge in the Yamashiro region.
The Ancient Tomb of Nanjo is in Yamashiro, and is just west of the southernmost part of Kyoto, northwest of Shoryuji, and northeast of the Eagle’s Nest synchronization point.
Note that you have to play as Naoe to complete Ancient Tomb of Nanjo, as you’ll need her grappling hook to progress past certain obstacles.
Ancient Tomb of Nanjo walkthrough
The Ancient Tomb of Nanjo is a challenging kofun dungeon located in the Eagle’s Nest area of the Yamashiro region in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This tomb can only be completed by playing as Naoe, since her unique abilities-such as slipping through narrow gaps and using the grappling hook-are essential for navigating its maze-like, dark corridors. Upon entering, you’ll find a chest to the left of the sarcophagus, followed by a series of jumps, slides, and climbs through dimly lit chambers and water-filled rooms. Lighting candles as you progress is recommended to help track your path and illuminate the tomb. The main objective is to reach and open the Legendary Chest, which contains the powerful Yukimitsu’s Revenge Legendary Tanto, as well as a Knowledge Point and a significant XP reward. Be prepared for branching pathways, but rest assured that only the main route leads to the coveted rewards-side paths do not contain additional chests or secrets.
Head down the stairs and squeeze through the gap to enter the kofun. In the first room, you’ll find a small chest to the left of what looks like a coffin. Grab it and then go to the edge of the cliff ahead of you. Jump down into the water.
Climb out and follow the path forward until you reach a large room with more clay horses. You’ll see a ridge ahead of you that you can’t reach and a pool resting under it. This is your escape route, and you won’t be able to access it just yet. Instead, find the doorway to your right that’s hidden in shadow.
Head down the stairs and turn left.
Jump down into the pit below and grab the chest. Slide down the path to the right of the chest.
Take a left and enter the large room.
Head down and use the wooden platform as a jumping off point to reach the stalagmite columns in the water. Jump to the other side of the wall. Use the wall to reach the other side.
Run past the pot and jump into yet another pool of water below. You’ll see another pair of clay horses and a small tunnel that you’ll need to go fully prone to crawl through.
Climb either of the staircases on the other side of the tunnel. Enter the doorway at the top of the stairs and turn right. At the stack of boards ahead of you, take another right before taking an immediate left.
You’ll find yourself in a large cavern. Jump into the water below and climb up on the left wall. On your new platform, climb the column that’s embedded into the wall to reach the other side from where you came in. Head through the doorway and jump down for another chest.
Head straight ahead from the chest, taking the forward path. Slide down to the next area and turn right.
Walk on the board and climb the stalagmite columns, which will carry you up to another elevated area.
Take a right and keep right. Jump the gap using the boards as a bridge before climbing up again. Sidle through the crack in the wall for a treasure chest, and then sidle back through to continue the dungeon.
Use the board to your left (your right now, if you grabbed the chest) as a jumping off point to grapple the ceiling and swing over the chasm to the other side, where more clay horses await. Head through the door and up the path.
Things get a tad less obvious here, depending on your brightness settings. You’ll see a pool of water in front of you, but ignore that. On the left wall you’ll see some handholds. Use them to climb up toward the ceiling.
Climb the stairs when you reach the top and then turn left.
Jump down into another dark pit. Grab the chest here and then take the left path, where what appears to be a clay dog is waiting for you. Turn right at the dog.
Climb up the stairs and the wall, and then go prone to crawl through the hole. You’ll run into even more clay horses when you emerge, as well as a collection of pots.
Turn right at the pots and into a room with another pool. Jump to the stalagmite column nearest to you and then to the one after it. Use your grappling hook from here to swing to the other side of the room.
Head through the doorway and follow the path until it’s time to make another right turn.
Head through the crack in the wall to finally reach the big treasure chest.
Ancient Tomb of Nanjo rewards
Upon completing the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players are rewarded with several valuable items. The main reward is Yukimitsu’s Revenge, a Legendary Tanto specifically for Naoe, which features a unique perk: it inflicts poison on enemies and makes those affected by poison or other status effects more vulnerable to damage. In addition to this powerful weapon, you will also receive a Knowledge Point and 2,200 XP, helping to further Naoe’s progression and unlock new abilities. These rewards make the challenging navigation and puzzles of the tomb well worth the effort for players seeking both powerful gear and character advancement.
When you loot the chest in Ancient Tomb of Nanjo, you’ll get the Yukimitsu’s Revenge legendary tanto for Naoe, which poisons your enemies and makes any enemies who become afflicted by poison vulnerable. You’ll also pick up a knowledge point and 2,200 XP.
What secrets does the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo hide in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Secrets Hidden in the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo
The Ancient Tomb of Nanjo in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a labyrinthine kofun located in the Yamashiro province’s Eagle’s Nest region. Its twisting corridors, dark chambers, and maze-like design conceal several notable secrets and rewards:
Legendary Weapon: Yukimitsu’s Revenge
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At the heart of the tomb lies a legendary chest containing Yukimitsu’s Revenge, a powerful tanto for Naoe. This weapon not only inflicts poison on enemies but also makes poisoned foes more vulnerable, giving players a significant tactical advantage.
Exclusive Progression Rewards
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Completing the tomb grants Naoe a valuable knowledge point and a substantial XP boost (2,200 XP), aiding in character progression and skill development.
Unique Environment and Challenge
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The tomb is shrouded in darkness, requiring players to light candles for navigation and use Naoe’s grappling hook to traverse obstacles. Its design intentionally disorients, featuring looping paths, hidden crawl spaces, and water-filled chambers that test both memory and agility.
Additional Loot
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Along the way, players can find several ordinary chests, including one near a sarcophagus at the entrance, which contains a Bloody Katana of Bravery-a blue rarity weapon for Naoe.
Exclusive to Naoe
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Only Naoe can access and complete the tomb, as her unique abilities are required to overcome its specific traversal challenges.
In summary, the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo rewards perseverance and exploration with a legendary weapon, valuable progression boosts, and a uniquely atmospheric dungeon experience designed to test the skills of even seasoned assassins.
What hidden lore or history is revealed in the Nanjo tomb
Based on available walkthroughs and guides, the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo in Assassin’s Creed Shadows primarily serves as a challenging maze-like dungeon filled with environmental puzzles and traversal obstacles, but there is no direct evidence in the provided sources that the tomb reveals explicit hidden lore or historical backstory within the game itself. The focus is on navigation, collecting chests, and ultimately claiming the legendary weapon Yukimitsu’s Revenge as a reward for Naoe.
While the tomb is modeled after real Japanese kofun-ancient burial mounds that historically contain the remains and treasures of nobility-the guides do not mention any in-game documents, murals, or narrative sequences that detail the tomb’s builder, its historical significance, or any related lore. The experience is atmospheric, with dark corridors and ancient architecture, but the secrets it holds are practical (rewards and gear) rather than narrative or historical revelations.
If you’re seeking hidden lore or story elements, the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo appears to focus on the thrill of exploration and the acquisition of legendary items rather than expanding the game’s historical or mythological background within the tomb itself.
