Nioh 3: Master Locations & Interactive Tracking Guide
In Nioh 3, proving your martial skill requires tracking down all Master locations scattered across the shifting eras of Japan. These 13 legendary combatants—ranging from expert gunslingers like Sugitani Zenjubo to the elusive ninja leader Fuma Kotaro—act as the ultimate mini-bosses of the open world.
Engaging them in single combat is not just a test of your reflexes; it is the only way to earn the prestigious "A God Among Men" Trophy and unlock the game's most specialized combat arts.
Unlike standard enemies, Masters are unique NPCs who will only challenge you to a duel when approached directly. Defeating them is essential for any player looking to maximize their character's potential and master every combat style.
Winning a duel against a Master provides a suite of high-tier rewards that cannot be found anywhere else:
- Defeating a Master is often the only way to obtain unique Handbooks or Skill Texts for your specific weapon class. These unlock advanced techniques that can fundamentally change your combo flow and damage output.
- Masters carry signature weapons and armor sets. Successfully besting them in combat grants you high-tier versions of their gear, often with exclusive set bonuses tailored to their specific fighting style.
- Masters are high-value targets for your regional Exploration Level. While they are initially hidden from your map, they are automatically revealed with a white/red "person icon" once you reach Exploration Level 4 by collecting other items like Kodama and Chijiko.
- Every Master you defeat earns you a unique Title, granting you Prestige Points that can be spent at Shrines to permanently increase your base stats, such as Ki recovery speed and Melee damage.
Masters are often found in secluded temples, hidden training grounds, or even behind environmental puzzles—such as the final Master in the Bakumatsu era, who is locked behind a barrier of red crystals. To help you track down all 13 legendary warriors without unnecessary backtracking, we have pinpointed every Master location on our Nioh 3 Interactive Game Maps. Use the links in the table below to find your next challenger and claim your place among the legends.
| Name | Map Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ito IttosaiWarring States - 1572 CEIto Ittosai | Warring States - 1572 CE | Ito Ittosai is the Master you'll need to defeat in Futamata. You will find him in the large temple on the eastern hill past the Futamata tea farm. You must fight Ito Ittosai alone and defeat him to complete the challenge. |
| Shishido KagetoshiBakumatsu - 1864 CEShishido Kagetoshi | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | Shishido Kagetoshi is the Kyoto Imperial Palace Master. You'll find him on the plateau by the western river. |
| Lake Hamana Master - Taigen SessaiWarring States - 1572 CELake Hamana Master - Taigen Sessai | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Lake Hamana Master becomes available on the northern coast of the Lake Hamana region after completing the Disaster at Lake Hamana Myth. You must fight Taigen Sessai alone and defeat him to complete the challenge. |
| Iinoya Master - Fuma KotaroWarring States - 1572 CEIinoya Master - Fuma Kotaro | Warring States - 1572 CE | Fuma Kotaro is the Master you'll need to defeat in Iinoya. He becomes available after completing Those Who Live in the Shadows Myth. You must fight Fuma Kotaro alone and defeat him to complete the challenge. |
| Tomoe GozenHeian - 1190 CETomoe Gozen | Heian - 1190 CE | Tomoe Gozen is the Kamo Village Master. You can challenge her once you complete the Follow the Soldier's Shadow Myth, when she will relocate inside the large temple. |
| Sugitani ZenjuboWarring States - 1572 CESugitani Zenjubo | Warring States - 1572 CE | Sugitani Zenjubo is the Hamamatsu Master you'll need to fight alone to get 100% completion in the Warring States. He is found on the island west of Lake Sanaru (North) Shrine, but to reach the island, you'll have to activate the late-game eastern Spirit Vein. Simply put, Sugitani Zenjubo's island can be reached only after you unlock Bakumatsu. |
| Nasu no YoichiHeian - 1190 CENasu no Yoichi | Heian - 1190 CE | Nasu no Yoichi is the Nishiichi Master you'll need to fight alone to get 100% completion in Heian. He is found on the island southwest of the Suadama Merchant, but to reach the island, you'll have to activate a late-game Spirit Vein. Simply put, Nasu no Yoichi's island can be reached only after you unlock Bakumatsu. |
| ShinranHeian - 1190 CEShinran | Heian - 1190 CE | Shinran is the Awawa no Tsuji Master you'll need to fight alone to get 100% completion in Heian. He is found on the plateau on the southern side of the province, but to reach the island, you'll have to activate a late-game Spirit Vein. Shinran's temple can be reached only after you unlock Bakumatsu. |
| Sawamura YasusukeBakumatsu - 1864 CESawamura Yasusuke | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | Sawamura Yasusuke is the Master in Shijo. You'll find him inside the northern temple. You must fight him alone, but only after you complete the Those Left Behind mission. |
| Takahashi DeishuBakumatsu - 1864 CETakahashi Deishu | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | Takahashi Deishu is the Nijo Castle Master. You'll have to find him alone and defeat him to reach 100% completion. He is found in the central area of Nijo Castle. |
| Ishikawa GoemonBakumatsu - 1864 CEIshikawa Goemon | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | Ishikawa Goemon is the Gion Master. He will wait for you in the northern courtyard after you clear the Gion Lesser Crucible. Make sure you face him alone. |
| Takashima ShuhanBakumatsu - 1864 CETakashima Shuhan | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | Takashima Shuhan is the second Master in the Kyoto Imperial Palace. You'll find him in a small enclosure past the breakable crystals on the northeastern side of the region. |
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