All kofun locations and rewards in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

TL;DR

  • Kofuns are character-specific dungeons containing powerful late-game gear accessible at any level
  • There are 10 Kofuns scattered across different provinces requiring main story progression to access
  • Each Kofun features unique environmental puzzles tailored to Naoe’s parkour or Yasuke’s strength
  • Completing Kofuns provides legendary weapons and armor that significantly boost early-game power
  • Proper preparation with torches and character switching is essential for efficient Kofun completion

Prepare to enhance your screen brightness significantly when exploring these ancient Japanese tombs. Kofuns present some of the most visually challenging environments in the game due to their intentionally dim lighting design.

Kofuns represent specialized dungeon experiences within Assassin’s Creed Shadows that conceal numerous hidden treasures — specifically referring to legendary gear sets and unique weapons that can transform your gameplay experience.

These compact dungeons typically feature complex, maze-like layouts with minimal illumination, creating atmospheric but challenging navigation scenarios. However, players who successfully overcome their obstacles gain access to exceptionally powerful equipment rewards. Each Kofun encounter is specifically engineered for completion by one of the two main protagonists. You’ll need to utilize Naoe’s advanced parkour abilities for vertical challenges or Yasuke’s brute strength for environmental manipulation puzzles. Crucially, there aren’t level requirements for kofuns, making them valuable opportunities to acquire end-game tier equipment much earlier than typical progression would allow.

This comprehensive Assassin’s Creed Shadows navigation guide will pinpoint all kofun locations throughout feudal Japan and detail all Kofun rewards you receive by completing them, including specific stat bonuses and set effects.

Players will discover a total of 10 kofuns in Assassin’s Creed Shadows distributed across the game world. Nearly every province contains at least one Kofun location, though accessing all of them necessitates substantial progression through main story missions before venturing into higher-level territory zones.

Below is the complete catalog of all kofuns in Assassin’s Creed Shadows with their corresponding provincial locations:

  • Old Kofun (Izumi Settsu Province)
  • Makino Kurumazuka Kofun (Izumi Settsu Province)
  • Ancient Tomb of Nanjo (Yamashiro Region)
  • Megalithic Vault (Yamato Territory)

Navigation Tip: The Izumi Settsu province contains two Kofuns in relatively close proximity, making it an efficient starting point for players beginning their Kofun exploration journey. Always ensure you have adequate healing items and appropriate character-specific tools before attempting these challenges.

The reward structure within Kofuns provides some of the most powerful equipment available in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Unlike typical loot systems that scale with player level, Kofuns contain predetermined legendary items with fixed stat distributions, making them consistently valuable regardless of when you complete them.

Character-Specific Rewards: Certain Kofuns yield equipment specifically optimized for either Naoe or Yasuke’s combat styles. Naoe-focused Kofuns typically contain stealth-enhancing armor sets and silent weapons, while Yasuke-oriented tombs offer heavy armor and high-damage weapons that complement his strength-based approach to combat.

Early Game Power Spike: By strategically completing Kofuns during the early to mid-game, players can acquire equipment that would normally require reaching level 40+ through conventional gameplay. This creates interesting power progression opportunities and allows for more flexible build experimentation throughout your journey.

For comprehensive weapon statistics and optimal loadout configurations, consult our detailed Weapons Unlock guide that covers damage calculations, upgrade paths, and synergy effects.

Successfully navigating Kofuns requires more than just basic gameplay skills. These ancient tombs present unique challenges that demand strategic preparation and adaptive problem-solving approaches.

Combat Preparation: Before entering any Kofun, ensure both your characters are equipped with appropriate tools. Naoe benefits from smoke bombs and throwing knives for crowd control, while Yasuke should carry healing items and damage-boosting consumables. The confined spaces within Kofuns often force close-quarters combat scenarios where preparation determines success.

Puzzle Solutions: Each Kofun features environmental puzzles tailored to specific character abilities. Naoe’s sections typically involve precision platforming and aerial navigation, requiring careful timing and spatial awareness. Yasuke’s challenges focus on physics-based obstacles where strength and positioning create new pathways. Learning to quickly switch between characters is essential for efficient puzzle resolution.

Time Optimization: Most Kofuns can be completed in 15-25 minutes once you understand their layout and mechanics. First-time explorers should allocate 30-45 minutes per Kofun to account for trial-and-error learning. For broader gameplay strategies and character development advice, explore our Class Guide that details ability synergies and progression optimization.

For a complete overview of game mechanics and advanced tactics, reference our comprehensive Complete Guide covering all aspects of Assassin’s Creed Shadows gameplay systems.

Ancient burial mounds known as kofun represent some of the most rewarding exploration opportunities throughout feudal Japan in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. These underground complexes challenge players with unique environmental puzzles and combat encounters while offering exclusive legendary weapons that significantly enhance your arsenal. Understanding the specific requirements and strategies for each location ensures you maximize your efficiency while minimizing frustration during these challenging expeditions.

Each kofun features distinct environmental challenges, character-specific requirements, and valuable loot that can transform your gameplay experience. Proper preparation before entering these ancient tombs includes selecting appropriate gear, understanding the required protagonist abilities, and planning your approach based on the specific obstacles you’ll encounter within each unique layout.

Positioned along the banks of a major river dividing the Wakasa territory, the Veiled Tumulus kofun awaits discovery in the east of Obama district. This location becomes accessible after clearing the surrounding area of hostile forces, presenting a multi-stage infiltration challenge that tests your stealth capabilities and environmental awareness.

Success here demands you control Naoe, whose agile movement and stealth specialization prove essential for navigating the bandit-occupied interior. The initial combat sequence requires careful positioning and utilization of environmental hazards – specifically explosive barrels that can be detonated using shurikens to eliminate multiple enemies simultaneously. This tactical approach conserves resources while efficiently neutralizing threats.

Upon reaching the innermost chamber after ascending through the structure, you’ll discover a legendary chest containing the Death’s Bloom teppo firearm. This weapon offers exceptional ranged capabilities with unique ammunition properties that make it particularly effective against armored opponents and group formations.

Perched atop the highest elevation point northwest of the Chasuriyama region within Tamba province, this kofun integrates directly into companion character progression. Completion becomes mandatory during Yagoro’s personal questline, making it impossible to miss if you’re pursuing comprehensive ally recruitment throughout your Assassin’s Creed Shadows campaign.

Like the Veiled Tumulus, this expedition requires Naoe as your active character to access the interior chambers. While the architectural layout presents fewer navigation puzzles compared to other kofun, the real value lies in the environmental storytelling discovered through scattered documents and letters. These narrative elements provide crucial background about the League’s history and reveal details about the mysterious woman responsible for rescuing Yagoro from his past circumstances.

The ultimate reward for conquering this location is the Scarlet Fate legendary tanto blade. This premium short sword combines exceptional speed with deadly precision strikes, making it ideal for close-quarters combat situations where rapid successive attacks prove more valuable than raw power alone.

Located in the remote Kii territory among the final regions explored in your Assassin’s Creed Shadows journey, Shimasato Kofun requires traveling southeast of Kumano Sanzan to locate its concealed entrance. This late-game challenge presents the most complex environmental puzzles, demanding thorough preparation and understanding of advanced game mechanics.

Unlike the previous two kofun, this location mandates Yasuke as your operative due to the physical demands of the interior obstacles. The unique challenge here involves extensive underwater navigation sections where you must carefully manage your breath capacity while exploring submerged passageways. Despite the aquatic emphasis, traditional strength-based puzzles remain present, requiring you to move heavy objects to progress through certain areas.

Victorious explorers receive the Riddle of Steel legendary naginata as their prize. This polearm weapon offers exceptional reach and sweeping attack patterns that excel against multiple adversaries, while its special properties provide defensive bonuses that complement Yasuke’s combat-focused playstyle perfectly.

Mastering kofun exploration requires understanding several advanced techniques that streamline your progress through these challenging locations. Always verify your active character before entering any kofun, as attempting access with the wrong protagonist wastes valuable time and resources. For Naoe-required locations, prioritize stealth gear and tools that enhance your silent movement and assassination capabilities.

When preparing for Yasuke-specific kofun like Shimasato, invest in equipment that boosts your oxygen capacity and swimming speed to navigate underwater sections more efficiently. Additionally, carrying health restoration items becomes crucial since Yasuke’s combat-oriented approach often involves taking damage during puzzle sequences that require brute force solutions.

A common mistake involves underestimating the resource requirements for these expeditions. Always stock adequate ammunition, tools, and healing items before embarking, as retreating midway to resupply significantly extends your completion time. For maximum efficiency, complete Chasuriyama Kofun during Yagoro’s quest rather than returning later, as this integrates progression naturally without requiring backtracking.

Action Checklist

  • Acquire torch equipment and brightness adjustment for dark environments
  • Complete main story missions to unlock higher-level province access
  • Gather healing items and character-specific tools before Kofun entry
  • Solve character-specific environmental puzzles using Naoe or Yasuke’s abilities
  • Collect legendary gear rewards and integrate into your build strategy
  • Verify character requirement before entering each kofun (Naoe/Yasuke)
  • Gather appropriate gear: stealth equipment for Naoe, oxygen/health items for Yasuke
  • Complete Chasuriyama Kofun during Yagoro’s questline for efficiency
  • Master underwater navigation techniques for Shimasato Kofun
  • Utilize environmental hazards like explosive barrels in Veiled Tumulus

No reproduction without permission:Game Guides » All kofun locations and rewards in Assassin’s Creed Shadows