Delve into the shadowy depths of Assassin’s Creed Shadows with our comprehensive guide to all 10 Kofun locations-ancient, maze-like tombs scattered across Feudal Japan that hold legendary chests brimming with rare gear and powerful rewards. Whether you wield Naoe’s agility or Yasuke’s strength, mastering these complex puzzles is key to unlocking some of the game’s most coveted treasures and leveling up your characters quickly. Ready your wits and weapons to uncover every secret these dark dungeons conceal and gear up for the ultimate challenge against Oda Nobunaga.
These short dungeons tend to be poorly lit byzantine mazes, but powerful items await those capable of completing their challenges. Each kofun is designed to be completed by a specific character. You may have to parkour as Naoe or push heavy things as Yasuke to make your way through a kofun. Since there aren’t level requirements for kofuns, completing them is a shortcut to some of high-powered armor and weapons usually reserved for the late-game.
In this Assassin’s Creed Shadows guide, we’ll show you where to find all kofun locations and list all Kofun rewards you receive by completing them.
All kofun locations in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Kofuns in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are hidden tombs scattered across the game’s provinces, each serving as a challenging dungeon filled with puzzles and legendary rewards. There are 10 kofuns in total, located in regions such as Izumi Settsu, Yamashiro, Omi, Harima, Wakasa, Tamba, Yamato, and Kii. Players must use the unique abilities of the two main characters, Naoe and Yasuke, to navigate these dark, maze-like dungeons-Naoe excels at parkour and accessing tight spaces, while Yasuke can move heavy objects to solve puzzles. Completing each kofun grants powerful legendary gear, including weapons, armor, and trinkets, which scale with player level and offer significant advantages. Since kofuns have no level restrictions, they can be tackled early or late in the game, but some require progressing in the story to unlock the necessary character abilities. Brightness adjustment is recommended due to the kofuns’ extreme darkness. Overall, exploring all kofuns provides valuable equipment and knowledge points, enhancing the Assassin’s Creed Shadows experience.
There are a total of 10 kofuns in Asssassin’s Creed Shadows. With at least one in most provinces in the game, finding all of them requires that you have progressed the main story missions to some extent before tackling the higher-level areas.
Here’s a list of all kofuns in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the provinces you’ll find them in:
- Old Kofun (Izumi Settsu)
- Makino Kurumazuka Kofun (Izumi Settsu)
- Ancient Tomb of Nanjo (Yamashiro)
- Megalithic Vault (Yamato)
- Ishibutai Kofun (Yamato)
- Azuchi Hyotanyama Kofun (Omi)
- Tagaki Kofun (Harima)
- Veiled Tumulus (Wakasa)
- Chasuriyama Kofun (Tamba)
- Shimosato Kofun (Kii)
In case you want to try your luck and go by yourself even when under the recommend level for a province, try your best to avoid conflicts. Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t prevent you from entering the areas. Just be sure to have unlocked Yasuke before, because you will have to play him in order to complete some of these.
Old Kofun (Izumi Settsu)
The Old Kofun, located in the Izumi Coast area of Izumi Settsu east of Sakai, is one of the earliest and most accessible kofun in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This tomb requires players to control Naoe to navigate its narrow passages and use the grapple hook to cross gaps. The entrance may seem blocked at first, but the true entry is on the left side of the hill. Inside, players must solve puzzles and traverse flooded corridors, lighting candles to illuminate the dark maze. Completing the Old Kofun rewards the legendary trinket Amaterasu’s Blessing, which increases damage by 10% for each unused ability slot, along with experience points and a knowledge point.
Located in Izumi Settsu, the first province you explore in the game, Old Kofun is probably the first kofun you will find if you’re thoroughly exploring the map. You can find it in the Izumi Coast region, east of Sakai.
Once you get the exact location, you will find an opening on the ground with stairs taking you to the dungeon blocked. Don’t overthink. The real entrance to Old Kofun is located on the left side of the hill.
You’ll need to play as Naoe to complete Old Kofun. If you aren’t in a hurry to tackle this one, don’t worry. Naoe’s quest eventually takes you to this kofun.
For completing it, you’ll receive the Amaterasu’s Blessing legendary trinket.
Makino Kurumazuka Kofun (Izumi Settsu)
Makino Kurumazuka Kofun is a challenging tomb located in the Yawata Plains of Izumi Settsu in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. To access it, players must switch to the character Yasuke, who can carry explosive barrels needed to clear the rock wall blocking the entrance. The Kofun features a maze-like, dimly lit network of tunnels filled with puzzles that require careful navigation and lighting candles to track progress. Successfully completing this Kofun rewards players with the legendary bow “Blush of the Earth,” making it a valuable and engaging dungeon to conquer.
You’ll find Makino Kurumazuka Kofun on the north side of Izumi Settsu. Look for it around the Yawata Plains area.
You’ll need to play as Yasuke to complete Makino Kurumazuka Kofun. There are some puzzles involving carrying heavy pots of gunpowder and then blowing them up, making it a more complex dungeon than some other kofuns. See our full Makino Kurumazuka Kofun walkthrough for more details.
Finding the final prize in this kofun is totally worth it, though. You gain the Blush of the Earth legendary bow for Yasuke.
Ancient Tomb of Nanjo (Yamashiro)
The Ancient Tomb of Nanjo is a notable kofun located in the Eagle’s Nest area of the Yamashiro province in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This dark and intricate tomb can only be explored using the character Naoe, whose grappling hook is essential for navigating its obstacles. Inside, players must carefully light candles to illuminate the maze-like interior and avoid getting lost. Successfully completing the tomb rewards players with a Knowledge Point, 2,000 XP, and the legendary weapon “Yukimitsu’s Revenge,” a tanto with the special effect of making weakened enemies vulnerable. The tomb’s challenging layout and valuable rewards make it a key location for players seeking powerful gear and experience in the game.
Once you get to the Yamashiro region, you may want to look for the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo kofun for Naoe. It is located in an area called Eagle’s Nest, southwest of Kyoto, right near where you’ll arriev in the region
You’ll need to play as Naoe to complete the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo; it tests her climbing skills and features a labyrinthian layout. See our Ancient Tomb of Nanjo walkthrough for more details.
Once you get to the final room in the dungeon, you can claim the Yukimitsu’s Revenge legendary tanto, which is a fantastic upgrade to Naoe’s arsenal.
Megalithic Vault (Yamato)
The Megalithic Vault Kofun is located in the Koriyama area of the Yamato region in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, just east of Takatsuki Castle. To enter and complete this Kofun, players must use Yasuke, as he is the only character capable of moving the heavy wooden blocks blocking the entrance and using his ranged weapon to destroy a red jar that clears debris inside. The tomb is notably dark and maze-like, requiring players to light candles along the way to navigate effectively. Successfully completing the Megalithic Vault rewards players with the Elegant Samurai Outfit (legendary armor), 1,000 XP, and a Knowledge Point, which is essential for upgrading character abilities.
In the northwest region of Yamato, you’ll find the Megalithic Vault. The entrance is located west of Todaiji.
You’ll need to play as Yasuke to complete Megalithic Vault, and as with many other kofuns designed for Yasuke, you’ll need to clear your path by pushing large objects. Don’t forget that Yasuke can open doors by rushing toward them. It will be an important skill to traverse this dungeon.
In the Megalithic Vault, to compensate for Yasuke’s inability to parkour, you must improvise in order to reach higher places or cross chasms spanned by broken bridges.
The prize for completing this kofun is the beautiful legendary armor Elegant Samurai Outfit legendary armor.
Ishibutai Kofun (Yamato)
The Ishibutai Kofun in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is located in the Yamato region, southeast of the Asuka Rocks Basin and south of the Takatori Castle ruins. This kofun can only be accessed by playing as Naoe, who is small enough to fit through the narrow entrance. The tomb features challenging parkour sections and requires the use of Naoe’s grappling hook to navigate its dark, maze-like corridors. Completing the Ishibutai Kofun rewards players with the legendary trinket Masakado’s Vengeance, which increases damage by 1% for every unspent mastery point, along with a Knowledge Point and experience. The trinket is highly valuable for maximizing damage output through skill upgrades.
While you’re still in Yamato, you should look for the Ishibutai Kofun, where you find a unique piece of equipment for Naoe. Ishibutai Kofun is South of Takatori, a region more to the south of Yamato.
You’ll need to play as Naoe to complete Ishibutai Kofun, as a big part of this dungeon involves reaching the next area by using your grappling hook. You need to time your swings correctly to jump at the right moment and boost yourself to the next platform.
After swinging all the way to the highest part of the dungeon, you find the chest with the Masakado’s Vengeance legendary trinket.
Azuchi Hyotanyama Kofun (Omi)
The Azuchi Hyotanyama Kofun is located in the Suzuka Foothills of the Omi region, near the southeastern border and east of the town of Azuchi. This ancient tomb requires players to control Yasuke to navigate its puzzles and enemies, including pushing blocks and using explosives to clear paths. The Kofun features a dark, maze-like interior where lighting candles helps track progress. Completing it rewards players with 1000 XP, 1 Knowledge Point, and the legendary bow “Heartspiller,” which enhances bow shots with automatic stance shots, making it a valuable addition to Yasuke’s arsenal.
There’s only one kofun in Omi: the Azuchi Hyotanyama Kofun. You can find it on the southeast quadrant of the province, west of Azuchi.
You’ll need to play as Yasuke to complete Azuchi Hyotanyama Kofun and will find all kinds of challenges in this kofun. There are enemies to be killed, walls to be exploded, and platforms to be aligned in order to allow Yasuke to reach the new segments of the dungeon.
As a reward for completing the Azuchi Hyotanyama Kofun, you’ll receive the Heartspiller legendary bow.
Tagaki Kofun (Harima)
Takagi Kofun, located in the Harima region within the Takagi Otsuka Fort in the Kanki Burned Fields, is a challenging tomb in Assassin’s Creed Shadows that can only be completed using Yasuke. The entrance is heavily guarded, requiring players to defeat enemies and use explosive barrels to break through barriers. Inside, Yasuke must navigate combat encounters and solve environmental puzzles involving explosive jars and platforming to reach the legendary chest containing the powerful “Death’s Bloom” teppo, along with 1,000 XP and a knowledge point. This Kofun stands out for its mix of combat and puzzle-solving, set in a hostile fortress environment.
Inside the Takagi Otsuka Fort in Harima, you find the entrance to the Tagaki Kofun being guarded by a group of soldiers. The fort can be found east of Kanki Burned Fields, but if you have already explored the area, you can also reach the place from Kakogawa Estuary.
You need to complete Tagaki Kofun while playing as Yasuke. Although you can simply ignore the soldiers in the fort, there are some of them inside the dungeon that you will need to face. Inside, you also need to position explosives and shoot them to open the path for Yasuke.
After defeating a last group of enemies, you can finally claim the Death’s Bloom legendary teppo.
Veiled Tumulus (Wakasa)
The Veiled Tumulus Kofun in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is located in the Mount Uchinakao region of Wakasa, southwest of the Sanjoga Take Overlook Viewpoint. This Kofun is unique in that it can only be accessed and completed by the character Naoe, who is small enough to slip through the narrow entrance crack at the base of the mound. Inside, players must navigate a dark, maze-like tomb filled with enemies and puzzles, using Naoe’s grappling hook and stealth skills. Key strategies include lighting candles to illuminate the path and carefully eliminating hostile outlaws. Successfully completing the Veiled Tumulus rewards players with 2,000 XP, a Knowledge Point, and the Legendary Kusarigama weapon called Stone Heart, which inflicts poison buildup on finishing combo strikes.
Closer to a massive river which cuts the whole region of Wakasa, you can find the Veiled Tumulus kofun. More specifically, it is in an area east of Obama.
You’ll need to play as Naoe to complete Veiled Tumulus. You’ll find the place already invaded by some bandits, so you must use act furtively to take them all out. You can also explode some barrels by throwing shurikens at them. It’s just out of character.
When you climb to the final room, you can loot the legendary chest that holds the Stone Heart kusarigama.
Chasuriyama Kofun (Tamba)
The Chasuriyama Kofun is located in the northwestern part of the Tamba region, specifically in the sub-region of Chasuriyama, near the far northwestern border of Tamba and west of Fukuchiyama. This large mound tomb is hard to miss due to its size and is situated opposite several acres of farmland. To complete this Kofun, players must use Naoe, as her grappling hook and ability to fit through narrow gaps are essential for navigating the dark, maze-like tunnels inside. The tomb involves parkour, swimming, and careful exploration, with the goal of reaching the Legendary Chest that contains the Scarlet Fate, a powerful Legendary Tanto, along with 1,000 XP and a Knowledge Point. Lighting candles inside helps illuminate the dark passages and track progress. The Kofun is recommended for players around level 35 but can be completed at any level by avoiding enemies and focusing on puzzle-solving rather than combat.
At the highest hill northwestof the Chasuriyama region in Tamba, you can find the Chasuriyama Kofun. If you’re planning on unlocking all allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you won’t miss this one, since you must complete it during Yagoro’s quest.
You need to play as Naoe to complete Chasuriyama Kofun. And while the layout of this dungeon is less complicated than others, there is a lot to be found in it. In some rooms, you find letters and more information about the past of the League, and the woman who saved Yagoro.
Reaching the kofun’s final room and opening the chest rewards you with the Scarlet Fate legendary tanto.
Shimosato Kofun (Kii)
The Shimosato Kofun in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is located in the Kii region, specifically in the Kumano Sanzan sub-region south of the Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. This tomb can only be accessed and completed by playing as Yasuke. The Kofun features challenging puzzles involving underwater passages, movable wooden blocks, and explosive barrels to clear obstructed paths. Successfully completing the Shimosato Kofun rewards players with 2000 XP, a Knowledge Point, the legendary naginata “Riddle of Steel,” and the “Impactful Sprint Attack” engraving, enhancing Yasuke’s combat abilities. Players should prepare by adjusting brightness settings due to the tomb’s darkness and ensure they have ranged weapons for certain obstacles.
Shimasato Kofun is located in Kii, one of the last areas you’ll visit in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Head southeast of Kumano Sanzan to find its entrance.
You’ll need to play as Yasuke to complete Shimosato Kofun. Different from the other Yasuke-centred kofuns, this one requires our favorite samurai to use his lungs, hold his breath, and dive into unknown waters to find the path to the final treasure. It doesn’t mean you won’t have to push and carry things around though.
If you complete Shimasato Kofun, you get the Riddle of Steel legendary naginata.
What secrets do the kofun hide that make them worth exploring
The kofun in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are ancient, hidden tombs that conceal powerful legendary gear and rare treasures, making them highly rewarding to explore. These compact dungeons challenge players with intricate puzzles, stealth sections, and combat scenarios tailored to the unique abilities of the protagonists Naoe and Yasuke. Beyond valuable weapons like bows, naginatas, and kusarigamas, kofuns also offer lore-rich scrolls and items that deepen the game’s historical narrative and enhance character progression without level restrictions. Their maze-like, dimly lit interiors require players to solve environmental puzzles, use explosives, and navigate tricky terrain, rewarding skillful exploration with some of the game’s most coveted rewards.
What legendary gear and treasures are hidden inside the kofuns
The kofuns in Assassin’s Creed Shadows hide a variety of legendary gear and treasures that significantly enhance gameplay and character abilities. Key rewards include:
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Scarlet Fate Legendary Tanto from Chasuriyama Kofun (Tamba), a prized weapon for Naoe.
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Riddle of Steel Legendary Naginata from Shimosato Kofun (Kii), requiring Yasuke’s skills and underwater exploration to access.
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Death’s Bloom Legendary Teppo from Takagi Kofun (Harima), a powerful firearm for Yasuke.
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Stone Heart Legendary Kusarigama from Veiled Tumulus Kofun (Wakasa), ideal for Naoe’s agile combat style.
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Masakado’s Vengeance Legendary Trinket from Ishibutai Kofun (Yamato), offering unique perks for Naoe.
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Elegant Samurai Outfit, a legendary armor set piece from Megalithic Vault Kofun (Yamato).
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Additional legendary weapons like the Turquoise Zephyr Long Katana and Rage of Red Mist Kanabo, each with special perks such as pushback on parry or adrenaline boosts after armor breaks.
These treasures are hidden behind complex puzzles and combat challenges inside the kofuns, rewarding players with high-level gear usually found later in the game, without level restrictions. This makes exploring kofuns a strategic way to power up early and customize playstyles for both protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke.