Find All Memoirs in Like a Dragon Ishin Complete Locations Guide

Scattered across Kyoto, the Memoirs in Like a Dragon: Ishin! hide traces of Ryoma’s past and secrets waiting to be read. This guide pinpoints every location so you can complete your collection without missing a single page.

The first and last Memoirs are given automatically to you by Satow, a character you might recognize from the Yakuza series, but you’ll need to hunt down the other 24. This guide explains the locations for each Memoir in Like a Dragon: Ishin! as well as what to keep in mind about their odd spawn spots.

How Memoirs work in Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Memoirs in Like a Dragon: Ishin! serve as collectible items that reveal historical insights, character backstories, and cultural details of the Bakumatsu era. Each Memoir piece recounts the experiences of Ernest Satow, offering players written records that deepen their understanding of Japan’s transition during the 19th century. Collecting them all not only enriches the narrative but also rewards players with lore and completion bonuses through exploration across various regions and mini-events.

Once you’ve reached chapter five in Like a Dragon: Ishin!’s main story, you’ll gain access to “The Captain and the Curious” substory in Fushimi. It’s a straightforward ordeal, but its star, Satow, will ask for a favor: Finding Memoirs for him scattered around. well, literally everywhere.

Memoirs appear as glowing items on the floor, similar to Prize Tickets. I’ve been reloading old saves in different instances and I can say that Memoirs have fixed spots, and don’t just appear randomly. Of course, though, there is a chance that this may vary on your end. But at the very least, you’ll know where to look for them from the get-go and take it from there.

Also, keep in mind that I had already completed the main story, as well as all available substories while obtaining most of these. Judging that some are related to the main narrative beats, as well as substory themes, it’s likely that you’ll have to do the same.

As a tip: Both “Diplomacy in Darkness” and “A Lasting Thirst for Peace” became available after obtaining a certain percentage of Memoirs, not all of them (for details, head over to our substories guide). Whenever you’re in doubt, make sure to actually stop by Satow in Umai Udon and discuss the Memoirs you have with him so far, as this could trigger the substories.

In short, I recommend stopping to interact with any glowing items you come across during your travels following the main story, especially when you’re around streets you don’t normally go to. This will make it easier in the long run.

Where to Find all of Satow’s Memoirs in Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Satow’s Memoirs appear as glowing items scattered across Kyo’s districts in Like a Dragon: Ishin!, including Fushimi, Rakunai, Rakugai, Gion, Mukurogai, and Mibu, with the first and last ones given automatically during substories 70 and 72. They spawn after starting “The Captain and the Curious” in chapter five near Umai Udon in Fushimi, and some require specific chapters, night time, or substory completions like “Who’s Entertaining Who?” outside Shikokuya. Check spots such as Teramachi streets in Rakunai, docks in Mukurogai, roads near Teradaya Inn, or paths by Shinsengumi Barracks to collect all 26 for the related quests.

Once more, remember that if any of the Memoirs aren’t appearing for you, it’s because you either need to advance through the main story, complete any available substories that you have, or meet a specific condition, such as a particular time of day.

You can find all Memoirs in Like a Dragon: Ishin! below:

“The Rise of the Tokugawa Bakufu”: Given automatically after finishing “The Captain and the Curious.”
Letter from a Tavernkeeper in Uraga: Near the Fushimi port where the “Black Ships” substory took place.
Musings of an Official in Uraga: Found on Mukurogai’s first floor, near the riverside on the eastern side, close to the cannon NPC.
Treatise in Defense of Li Naosuke: Found on the road that leads to Kiyomizu Temple, accessed by heading all the way east on the main map by using the bridges. The spot was next to the now-locked gate.
Diary of a Housewife: In Mibu, northeast of the palanquin NPC, close to the riverbank.
Final Statement on the Sonno Joui: Inside Mukurogai, close to the NPC guarding the northern gate that lets you in and out after you give him booze.
An Assassin’s Plot: In the riverside of Mukurogai’s first floor, close to the altar and the man sitting on the ground.
Excerpt from a History Textbook: In North Umekojicho, Rakugai, on the opposite end of the Shady Bar.
Reflections of a Satsuma Samurai: In front of the Mysterious Merchant spot.
“Regarding the Incident on the 18th”: In Karasuma Street, to the left of the palanquin NPC, next to the gate.
Diatribe of a Raid Survivor: In Kuramachi, Fushimi, right in the top center street, in the middle of the altars on each side and next to the houses with staircases.
Gossip from a Seafaring Warrior: After finishing chapter 13, head over to the second floor of Teradaya and head to the upper corridor (when looking at the map) to see the glowing item at the corner.
Observations of a Hatamoto: In front of the Gambling Den in Rakugai.
Abandoned Journal of a Shinsengumi Trooper: In Mibu, close to the entrance to the barracks.
Thoughts on the Wolves: Outside of Teradaya in Fushimi, as you head west towards the shopping district. If you don’t see it, try visiting during the night.
Observations of a Mimawarigumi Trooper: To the left of Sushi Zanmai in Rakunai.
“Divine Punishment Rendered Once More!”: On the Shijo Bridge in Rakunai.
An Account from Tosa: In the northeastern corner of Kawaramachi, northeast of Nichibuza.
Musings of a Man Who Crossed the Sea: Next to Shikokuya, the inn in Rakugai.
“The Extraordinary Voyage of Nakahama Manjiro”: In Teramachi, Rakunai, east of South Teramachi Street, in that L-shaped street.
“Regarding a Certain Merchant”: Close to Unyuan in Rakugai.
Journal from an Edo Rowhouse (Morning): In the Another Life house’s front yard, close to the chicken house. If it doesn’t appear, make sure to have the chicken coop upgrade, and at least a few pets.
Journal from an Edo Rowhouse (Noon): To the left of Umai Udon.
Journal from an Edo Rowhouse (Night): In Gion, following the main street after the Palanquin ride and before the plaza.
Notes from a Spy: Can be found in Gion, next to the Kasuga ryotel, close to the corner.
A Letter from the Right Honorable Sir E. Satow: Given by Satow himself after finishing the last substory.

How to complete substory 70 The Captain and the Curious

Substory 70, “The Captain and the Curious,” is a short Chapter 5 substory that mainly consists of dialogue and a single fight.

Prerequisites and where to start

Be in Chapter 5 or later.
Go to Fushimi – Ichibangai, to the small restaurant just north of Umai Udon (the udon minigame place).
You’ll see a foreigner (Satow) and some NPCs gathered there; walk up to trigger the event.

Step-by-step walkthrough

Talk to Satow inside the restaurant and agree to drink with him when prompted.
Several dialogue scenes play as Satow buys drinks and chats with Ryoma; keep selecting dialogue to progress (there are no “wrong” choices).
Satow decides to continue drinking in Rakugai, so you automatically walk there with him.
On the way, an angry samurai named Kawakami Gensai confronts Satow for being a foreigner, which leads to a 1-on-1 fight against Kawakami.
Defeat Kawakami. He uses basic sword attacks and has a visible boss-style health bar, but he’s considered a mini-boss and shouldn’t be difficult if you’re at normal Chapter 5 strength; feel free to use any combat style and Trooper Cards if you’ve unlocked them.
After the battle, more dialogue plays where Satow promises not to cause international incidents, and he asks you to help him understand Japan through written accounts.
The substory then ends automatically once all dialogue finishes.

Rewards and what it unlocks

Clear reward: “Writings of an Amateur Historian” Memoir and 300 Virtue.
This substory also unlocks Memoirs around Kyo: sparkly spots on the ground that represent diaries, journals, and letters you can collect for Satow.

If something isn’t triggering, double-check that you’re in Chapter 5 or later and that you’re at the correct little storefront just north of Umai Udon in Fushimi.

What are all the memoir locations from this substory

Substory 70 (“The Captain and the Curious”) is what unlocks the Memoir system; from then on, you’re collecting a fixed set of 26 Memoirs scattered around Kyo for Satow. Below is the full list by area, with short location descriptions so you can sweep each district.

Fushimi + Another Life

The Rise of the Tokugawa Bakufu – Given automatically during Substory 70 when Satow introduces the Memoirs feature.
Letter from a Tavernkeeper in Uraga – South Fushimi Ichibangai, at the end of the eastern dock (near where Substory 42’s ship is). Some guides note you may need Substory 42 done.
Diatribe of a Raid Survivor – Kuramachi street in Fushimi, on the road leading toward the shrine.
Thoughts on the Wolves – Night only; on the street immediately outside Teradaya’s entrance (Shimachi).
Journey/Journal from an Edo Rowhouse: Noon – Just south/left of Umai Udon, on the road or stairs where you first met Satow.
Journal from an Edo Rowhouse: Morning – At your Another Life house, near the cherry blossom tree; requires having unlocked the house and progressed its content.
Gossip from a Seafaring Warrior – Inside Teradaya, upstairs; at the end of the hallway to the left on the second floor (Chapter-locked to later in the game, usually Chapter 12+).

Rakunai

An Account from Tosa – In Rakunai, northeast of Nichibuza (the dance theater), in the corner of the road; appears after completing the “Talkin’ Tosa” substory.
The Extraordinary Voyage of Nakahama Manjiro – In the Teramachi-Rakunai area, in front of the schoolhouse after finishing Substory 11 (“Global Fraud”).
Divine Punishment Rendered Once More – On Shijo Bridge, the big bridge between central Kyo and Gion.
Regarding the Incident on the 18th – On Karasuma Street, in the middle of the horizontal section left of the Satsuma compound gates.

Rakugai

Reflections of a Satsuma Samurai – In front of the shack where the Mysterious Merchant stands (after Substory 27 is done).
Excerpt from a History Textbook – On the street north of the Shady Bar, roughly mid-road on North Umekojicho.
Musings of a Man Who Crossed the Sea – In front of the Shikokuya inn in the Teramachi area of Rakugai, unlocked from around Chapter 8 onward.
Regarding a Certain Merchant – On East Umekojicho, directly outside the training grounds/dojo entrance (also described as near Unyuan/William Bradley’s hideout in some guides).
Observations of a Hatamoto – Outside the Gambling Den in Sannocho-Rakugai; appears late-game (after Chapter 13 / in the Finale).

Mukurogai

Musings of an Official in Uraga – At the end of the dock next to Professor Shinbei on the eastern pier area.
An Assassin’s Plot – On the north shoreline/eastern riverbank of Mukurogai, near a crowd by the wall and close to a local shrine.
Final Statement on the Sonno Joui – Near the northwest gate that leads to Rakugai; appears after maxing friendship with the Trash Dealer there.

Gion

Journal from an Edo Rowhouse: Night – On the northernmost street of Gion, along the same road as the palanquin bearers and brothel; appears after Substory 7 in some guides.
Notes from a Spy – In Gion, along the road between the three inns and the large restaurant, roughly in the middle of that block.

Mibu + “Other”

Diary of a Housewife – On the horizontal road south of the Shinsengumi Barracks in Mibu, along the north edge of the path.
Abandoned Journal of a Shinsengumi Trooper – Just outside the Shinsengumi HQ gates in Mibu, on the ground to the right when facing the entrance.
Treatise in Defense of Ii Naosuke – At the end of the forest path reached from the south bridge leading east out of Rakugai, just before the large gate.

Automatically obtained letters from Satow

Writings of an Amateur Historian – Reward for clearing Substory 70 itself.
A Letter from the Right Honorable Sir E. Satow – Given automatically after finishing Substory 72 (the final Memoir-related substory), not found on the ground.

If you tell me which district you’re in (Rakunai, Fushimi, Rakugai, etc.), I can narrow this down to just the few Memoirs in that area so you can sweep it in one quick loop.