Assassin's Creed Shadows: Castle Locations & Interactive Tracking Guide
Castles in Assassin's Creed Shadows are the fortified Oda strongholds spread across feudal Japan's nine regions and Awaji Island — each one a self-contained infiltration challenge with a consistent completion formula: defeat every Samurai Daisho inside the walls, then loot the Legendary Chest in the Tenshu.
Every Castle clears to 3,000 XP, Mastery Points, and a unique Legendary equipment reward — and because the Viewpoint is always on top of the same Tenshu as the Legendary Chest, clearing a Castle simultaneously syncs both.
All confirmed Castle locations across Japan and Awaji Island are marked on Map Master's Assassin's Creed Shadows interactive maps.
The Completion Formula: Every Castle Works the Same Way
Every Castle in the game follows an identical structure:
Samurai Daisho — the named elite guards who must all be killed before the Castle registers as complete. The number varies per Castle (1 at Kashiwara Fort and Kashiwabara Fortress, up to 5 at Amagasaki, Himeji, and the Awaji Island Castles).
Mastery Points earned scale directly with the Daisho count — more Daisho means more Mastery Points toward the skill tree. Use Eagle Vision before engaging to tag every Daisho through walls and plan the kill order to avoid triggering a full alert.
The Tenshu Legendary Chest — always located in the keep tower at the centre of the Castle, with the Viewpoint synchronisation point directly above it. Syncing the Viewpoint first reveals the surrounding map and tags all Samurai Daisho positions simultaneously — making the Viewpoint the recommended first stop inside every Castle perimeter.
Reward formula: 3,000 XP + Mastery Points + one unique Legendary weapon, armor, or helmet per Castle. Azuchi Castle on the shores of Lake Biwa is the exception at 3,300 XP — the only Castle with elevated experience.
Infiltration Tips That Apply to Every Castle
Sabotage the bell first. Every Castle has an alarm bell — usually near the main gate or on the inner walls. Sabotaging it before engaging the Samurai Daisho prevents guards from calling reinforcements when combat starts.
Naoe's Ascension Boost (Shinobi skill tree) dramatically speeds up wall scaling and is the recommended early unlock for Castle infiltration as Naoe. Most Castle walls can be scaled from multiple points, but Ascension Boost turns every exterior wall into a quick climbing surface.
Kano Paintings inside castle buildings. Several Castles contain a Kano Painting in a building near the Tenshu — collectibles used to decorate the Hideout. Osaka Castle, Takatsuki Castle, and several others house one inside. Checking castle buildings during a Samurai Daisho sweep is the most time-efficient way to collect them.
Story-Gated Castles: Complete These Quests First
Several Castles will not fully populate with Samurai Daisho until specific story missions are completed:
- Azuchi Castle — the Samurai Daisho do not spawn until after the "Lady of Whispers" quest is completed. Approaching Azuchi before this quest will find the Castle occupied but without its required targets. Return after the quest.
- Osaka Castle — requires assassinating the target Wakasa before the Castle unlocks for completion. The assassination is part of the main questline in Izumi Settsu.
- Amagasaki Castle — visited during the "Heads Will Roll" quest; best completed during this mission.
- Azuchi, Kanki Castle, Hiraiyama Fort, Nijo Palace — all have associated story quests that provide the most organic approach path.
Awaji Island Castles: Traps and Treasure Hunts
The three Castles on Awaji Island — Yura, Iwaya, and Sumoto — follow the same completion formula but have unique hazards:
Yura Castle — a tripwire bomb runs across the open gap in the outer wall. Back up toward the cliff edge before detonating it with a shuriken. The blast won't alert nearby enemies at sufficient distance.
Sumoto Castle — a poison tripwire is strung across a key window route. Climb to the rooftop to bypass it rather than attempting to enter through the window. Sumoto is also linked to the Awaji Island story questline "Not Alone in This World" and the Tomeji's Prize Legendary Treasure Hunt.
All three Awaji Castles are connected to Legendary Treasure Hunts exclusive to the DLC.
| Name | Map Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Yura CastleAwaji IslandYura Castle | Awaji Island | Completion Requirements:
Other Activities: Locate the Castle:To reach this castle, start at the Yura Kakurega. As soon as you step outside, head left (north) and go through the open doorway to the wall ahead. Hop through the hole in the wall to the other side. Cross the fallen tree log and climb the rock face. You'll now see the castle's outer perimeter, but do not approach too closely yet; there is a tripwire trap running across the open gap in the wall. Infiltration:Once you reach the trapped gap, cast your Eagle Vision to scout ahead. Luckily, there shouldn't be any enemies close enough to hear the explosion, but you still need to keep your distance. Back up as far as you can toward the cliff edge and toss a shuriken to detonate the trap. With the explosives cleared, hop over the broken wall, and you're officially inside! Rewards:
|
| Miyazu CastleJapanMiyazu Castle | Japan | |
| Fukuchiyama CastleJapanFukuchiyama Castle | Japan | |
| Takeda CastleJapanTakeda Castle | Japan | Activities:
Location Submitted By: beeswitchery |
| Sumoto CastleAwaji IslandSumoto Castle | Awaji Island | Completion Requirements:
Other Activities: Related Quests: Targets:Locate the Castle:To find this castle, head south down the main road, passing the Samurai Residence on your left. As you leave town, continue following the road as it curves up the hill. You will soon spot the castle sitting high atop the rocky slopes. Infiltration:We chose to infiltrate from the western side of the castle, which is very close to where you will end up if you follow our previous directions. Before reaching the top of the hill along the road, look to your right for a distinct upward path next to a crooked tree (if you reach the covered shelters, you have gone too far!). Note: This is also the secret location you'll need to discover as Yasuke in the early quest of the Claws of Awaji DLC, "Not Alone in This World". Follow this path upward until you hit the outer wall of the castle. You'll see a dark opening in the rocks to your right, but this route is blocked by an obstacle that only Yasuke can move. If playing Yasuke, follow our instructions in the marker for this quest. If you are playing Naoe, turn left to find a climbing ladder. Go up the ladder, then grapple to the small tree branch just above. Climb the rock wall, and once you reach the top, you'll be right next to the castle's stone walls. Head to your right, following the wall until you spot a haystack. Grapple up to the wooden rafter just below the open window. Don't climb in the window, though! There's a poison trap tripwire that not only will hurt you but also will alert nearby guards. Climb safely to the rooftop, and you are officially in! Rewards:
|
| Iwaya CastleAwaji IslandIwaya Castle | Awaji Island | Completion Requirements:
Related Quests: Target: Location:This castle can be found in Northern Awaji, between Iwaya Castle Harbor and the Eshima Coast. Our Infiltration Strategy: To clear the castle, we chose to infiltrate from the southernmost point by scaling the rocks near the moat to reach and climb the wooden guard tower. Rewards:
|
| Kanegasaki CastleJapanKanegasaki Castle | Japan | |
| Tsuruga CastleJapanTsuruga Castle | Japan | |
| Nochiseyama CastleJapanNochiseyama Castle | Japan | |
| Kameyama CastleJapanKameyama Castle | Japan | |
| Saika CastleJapanSaika Castle | Japan | Castle Activities :
Caste Completion Rewards:
Location Submitted By: beeswitchery |
| Omizo CastleJapanOmizo Castle | Japan | |
| Sakamoto CastleJapanSakamoto Castle | Japan | Activities:
Location Submitted By: beeswitchery |
| Koriyama CastleJapanKoriyama Castle | Japan | Activities:
Location Submitted By: beeswitchery |
| Uda Matsuyama CastleJapanUda Matsuyama Castle | Japan | Activities:
Location Submitted By: beeswitchery |
| Katano CastleJapanKatano Castle | Japan | Found in the center of Izumi Settsu province, Katano Castle is discovered and unlocked while playing The Onryo Samurai quest. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Osaka CastleJapanOsaka Castle | Japan | Found on the western side of Izumi Settsu province, Osaka Castle unlocks after you assassinate Wakasa. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Takatsuki CastleJapanTakatsuki Castle | Japan | Takatsuki Castle is found on the northern side of Izumi Settsu province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Amagasaki CastleJapanAmagasaki Castle | Japan | Amagasaki Castle is found on the western side of Izumi Settsu province. You'll get to visit it while playing the Heads Will Roll quest. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Yamazaki CastleJapanYamazaki Castle | Japan | Yamazaki Castle is found on the southern side of Yamashiro province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Shoryuji CastleJapanShoryuji Castle | Japan | Shoryuji Castle is found on the southern side of Yamashiro province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Inariyama GarrisonJapanInariyama Garrison | Japan | Inariyama Garrison is found on the southern side of Mount Kasagata in Harima province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Hiraiyama FortJapanHiraiyama Fort | Japan | Found on the eastern side of Harima province, Hiraiyama Fort is discovered and unlocked while playing the Astray quest. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Miki CastleJapanMiki Castle | Japan | Found on the southeastern side of Harima province, Miki Castle is the largest in the province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Miyanoue FortJapanMiyanoue Fort | Japan | Miyanoue Fort is found on the southern side of Harima Province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Takagi Otsuka FortJapanTakagi Otsuka Fort | Japan | Takagi Otsuka Fort is found in the southern area of the Kanki Burned Fields. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Kanki CastleJapanKanki Castle | Japan | Kanki Castle is found in the center of Harima Province, and it is best approached while playing the Brothers in Arms quest. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Himeji CastleJapanHimeji Castle | Japan | Himeji Castle is found on the southern side of Harima Province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Nijo PalaceJapanNijo Palace | Japan | Nijo Palace is found in the center of Kyoto, in Yamashiro Province. It is best approached while playing The Godless Harvest quest Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Hanazono CastleJapanHanazono Castle | Japan | Hanazono Castle is found atop a hill in Genbu Highlands in the Yamashiro Province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Kashiwara FortJapanKashiwara Fort | Japan | Found south of Kashiwara Village, Kashiwara Fort is the smallest in the province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Hijiyama FortJapanHijiyama Fort | Japan | Located on the western side of Iga Province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Mibuno CastleJapanMibuno Castle | Japan | Mibuno Castle, which is found on the northeastern side of Iga province, is visited during the story. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Kunimiyama FortJapanKunimiyama Fort | Japan | Kunimiyama Fort is located on the eastern side of Iga Province. As Naoe, you'll discover it during the game's missions. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Nagahama CastleJapanNagahama Castle | Japan | Nagahama Castle is found on the northeastern shore of Lake Biwa in Omi province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Kashiwabara FortressJapanKashiwabara Fortress | Japan | Kashiwabara Fortress is found on the eastern side of Omi province. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
| Azuchi CastleJapanAzuchi Castle | Japan | Found on the eastern side of Omi province, Azuchi Castle is the most important establishment on the shores of Lake Biwa. The castle is best approached after the Lady of Whispers quest; otherwise, the Samurai Daisho will not spawn. Completion Requirements:
Rewards:
|
© MapMaster.io 2024. All rights reserved.