Nioh 3: NPC Locations & Interactive Tracking Guide

Unlocking the full narrative depth of Nioh 3 requires seeking out NPCs to uncover the secrets of the shifting eras. Unlike the linear mission hubs of the past, NPCs in this installment are dynamic residents of the open-field regions.

From the high-stakes battlefields of the Warring States to the eerie whispers of Antiquity, these characters serve as the vital sparks for Myths, the gatekeepers of Sub-Missions, and the primary source of the game's most specialized equipment.

Whether you are looking for a legendary master to sharpen your skills or a merchant with a rare Craft Guide, finding every character is a prerequisite for achieving total regional completion.

In Nioh 3, interactions with NPCs go far beyond simple dialogue. They are the core of your world progression:

Myth Starters: Most environmental puzzles and Myths can only be triggered by speaking to specific individuals. These NPCs provide the necessary lore, riddles, or Mission Items—like the Toji Temple Picture Scroll—needed to resolve local disturbances.
Master Training Sessions: Legendary figures like Hattori Hanzo and Fuma Kotaro are no longer restricted to a dojo menu. You must track them down in the world to initiate high-level Training Sessions, which are the only way to unlock elite nodes in your Samurai and Ninja skill trees.
Sub-Mission Catalysts: Many hidden side missions only appear once you have rescued or assisted an NPC in the open world. Completing these tasks often rewards you with rare Guardian Spirits and unique Smithing Texts.

Finding every minor and major NPC is essential for the completionist looking to earn every trophy. Some characters only appear at certain Exploration Levels or after the purification of nearby Lesser Crucibles.

To prevent you from missing a single piece of the story or a vital training opportunity, the Map Master team has pinned every NPC location on our Interactive Nioh 3 World Maps.

Our maps distinguish between permanent quest givers and roaming merchants, providing you with clear instructions on how to trigger their missions. Use the regional links below to find Hanzo, resolve every Myth, and claim your rewards.

Name	Map Location	Details
Kajiwara KagetokiHeian - 1190 CEKajiwara Kagetoki	Heian - 1190 CE	Found on top of the stairs. He will introduce himself when you get to this area.
Honda TadakatsuWarring States - 1572 CEHonda Tadakatsu	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found in the canyon by Mikatagahara - Hoda Slope Bodhisattva Statue. Feel free to speak to him.
Great ScampussEternal RiftGreat Scampuss	Eternal Rift	Spawns in the Eternal Rift after finding and catching the Scampusses in the world's regions. You will be informed when it arrives via a notification. Approach the large black Scampuss and give it the Scampuss Furballs you have received after catching the Scampusses in the world. Continue to bring her the Furballs to earn various rewards.
KusanagiEternal RiftKusanagi	Eternal Rift	Found near the Spirit Tree. During the story, he'll usually spawn at this location, and you'll have to interact with him to proceed.
Sakai TadatsuguWarring States - 1572 CESakai Tadatsugu	Warring States - 1572 CE	Spawns by the red tent where you fight Kosaka Masanobu. Feel free to speak to him to receive a gift.
Hattori HanzoWarring States - 1572 CEHattori Hanzo	Warring States - 1572 CE	Spawns on the cliff overlooking Futamata Castle. Make sure to speak to him when you are ready to attack the impressive castle.
Minamoto no YoshitsuneHeian - 1190 CEMinamoto no Yoshitsune	Heian - 1190 CE	Minamoto no Yoshitsune will accompany you after you meet him in the Mount Kurama Temple; however, he will not move from this spot. Feel free to talk to him, though.
Takasugi ShinsakuBakumatsu - 1864 CETakasugi Shinsaku	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	After you defeat him in Shimabara, Takasugi Shinsaku relocates to the Gambling Den in Shichijo.
Kusumoto IneBakumatsu - 1864 CEKusumoto Ine	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	Kusumoto Ine can be found by the Gion Spirit Vein you can activate to reach Kiyomizu. Speak to her to receive a Herbal Remedy.
Takasugi ShinsakuBakumatsu - 1864 CETakasugi Shinsaku	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	Takasugi Shinsaku will wait for you at the entrance to the Imperial Palace Crucible.
HimikoBakumatsu - 1864 CEHimiko	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	Himiko will wait for you at the entrance to the Imperial Palace Crucible.
Honda TadakatsuWarring States - 1572 CEHonda Tadakatsu	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found by the path leading up the hill. Speak to him when you start The Hamamatsu Incident mission.
Tokugawa IeyasuWarring States - 1572 CETokugawa Ieyasu	Warring States - 1572 CE	Tokugawa Ieyasu is an NPC you'll meet in his tent while playing The Hamamatsu Incident.
Ii NaotoraWarring States - 1572 CEIi Naotora	Warring States - 1572 CE	Ii Naotora is an NPC you'll meet while playing The Hamamatsu Incident. Speak to her, outside the Hamamatsu Crucible.
Hattori HanzoEternal RiftHattori Hanzo	Eternal Rift	Found by the house. Speak to him to unlock The Way of the Ninja: Novice, The Way of the Ninja: Adept, and The Way of the Ninja: Veteran.
Yagyu MunenoriEternal RiftYagyu Munenori	Eternal Rift	Found outside the shrine building in the Eternal Rift. Speak to him to unlock The Way of the Warrior: Novice, The Way of the Warrior: Adept.
Saito FukuEternal RiftSaito Fuku	Eternal Rift	Found on the upper level of the building in the Eternal Rift. Speak to her to unlock The Way of the Onmyo: Novice, The Way of the Onmyo: Adept, and The Way of the Onmyo: Veteran.
Honda TadakatsuWarring States - 1572 CEHonda Tadakatsu	Warring States - 1572 CE	Honda Tadakatsu relocates to Hamamatsu Castle after you return from the Eternal Rift for the first time. Speak to him to start the Abundant Evil Myth.
Ii NaotoraWarring States - 1572 CEIi Naotora	Warring States - 1572 CE	Ii Naotora relocates to Hamamatsu Castle after you defeat Jakotsu-baba. Speak to her to obtain the Guiding Mirror, and after you return from the Eternal Rift, speak to her again to start the Fated Land Myth.
Hattori HanzoWarring States - 1572 CEHattori Hanzo	Warring States - 1572 CE	Hattori Hanzo relocates to Hamamatsu Castle after you return from the Eternal Rift for the first time. Speak to him if you wish.
Tokugawa IeyasuWarring States - 1572 CETokugawa Ieyasu	Warring States - 1572 CE	Tokugawa Ieyasu relocates to Hamamatsu Castle after you return from the Eternal Rift for the first time. Speak to him to complete The Hamamatsu Incident.
Honda TadakatsuWarring States - 1572 CEHonda Tadakatsu	Warring States - 1572 CE	Honda Tadakatsu will wait for you by the road outside Maisaka Post in western Maisaka after starting the Abundant Evil Myth. He will join and fight alongside your hero to clear Maisaka Post.
Horie Castle PrincessWarring States - 1572 CEHorie Castle Princess	Warring States - 1572 CE	The Horie Castle Princess is a ghost that spawns under the large tree at the end of Horie's Fleeting Petals Sub Mission. Speak to her after you defeat the Magatsu Warrior to complete the associated mission.
Mysterious Ninja (Fuma Kotaro)Warring States - 1572 CEMysterious Ninja (Fuma Kotaro)	Warring States - 1572 CE	Spawns in the clearing during the Those Who Live in the Shadows Myth. After you help him deal with the Yokai, make sure you speak to him to progress the Myth.
TakechiyoEternal RiftTakechiyo	Eternal Rift	Spawns inside the Shrine building in the Eternal Rift.
Matsunaga HisashideEternal RiftMatsunaga Hisashide	Eternal Rift	Matsunaga Hisashide spawns in the Hidden Teahouse once you reach Heian. Make sure you visit him to start The Value of Perfection Myth. Matsunaga Hisashide also allows you to enter Clan Battles and earn Glory Points, which you can trade for: Items Masterpieces Transformations Gestures
Minamoto no YoshitsuneHeian - 1190 CEMinamoto no Yoshitsune	Heian - 1190 CE	Minamoto no Yoshitsune spawns in the courtyard of the Mount Kurama Temple after you defeat the Great Tengu. Speak to him to progress The Age of Clans Begins.
Tomoe GozenHeian - 1190 CETomoe Gozen	Heian - 1190 CE	Tomoe Gozen is an NPC you will meet while playing the Follow the Soldier's Shadow Myth. Make sure you speak to her to complete the associated Myth.
Tatsumoro the Dung LoverEternal RiftTatsumoro the Dung Lover	Eternal Rift	Tatsumoro the Dung Lover relocates to the cave under the blacksmith building after completing the Putrid Paradise Myth in Heian. Make sure you visit him often and give him the Dung Balls and Noble Dung Balls you collect during your adventure.
TakechiyoEternal RiftTakechiyo	Eternal Rift	Relocates inside the cave after you defeat the Demon of Pride in the Warring States.
HimikoAntiquity - 247 CEHimiko	Antiquity - 247 CE	After defeating Kusanagi, you'll have the chance to find Himiko by the gate. Speak to her to progress the Ill Omen mission. Himikowill join you on your way to the Spirit Tree.
TakechiyoEternal RiftTakechiyo	Eternal Rift	Relocates inside the cave after you defeat the Demon of Envy in Heian.
Thomas GloverBakumatsu - 1864 CEThomas Glover	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	Found at the edge of the cliff in Shichijo. Feel free to introduce yourself, and he'll ask you to deal with the yokai ahead. After defeating Kasha, he will join you in the Armory at the end of the Beast of the Underworld Sub Mission.
Thomas GloverBakumatsu - 1864 CEThomas Glover	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	After defeating Kasha at the end of the Beast of the Underworld Sub Mission, Thomas Glover can be found in front of the Gambling Den. If you speak to him, he will mention William from the previous Nioh games.
Takasugi ShinsakuBakumatsu - 1864 CETakasugi Shinsaku	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	Takasugi Shinsaku will wait for you on the upper ledge in western Shijo. Speak to him before entering the Sanjo Crucible.
HimikoBakumatsu - 1864 CEHimiko	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	After defeating Nuribotoke at the end of the Those Left Behind Main Mission, Himiko can be found inside the Gambling Den.
Kusumoto IneBakumatsu - 1864 CEKusumoto Ine	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	After defeating Onmoraki, Kusumoto Ine relocates to the large front gate on the northern side of Kiyomizu. Speak to her to complete the Kiyomizu Defiled Sub Mission.
Kusumoto IneBakumatsu - 1864 CEKusumoto Ine	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	After completing Kiyomizu Defiled, Kusumoto Ine relocates to the shack west of the Gambling Den in Shichijo. Make sure you speak to her to start the Doctor's Pride Myth.
Todo HeisukeBakumatsu - 1864 CETodo Heisuke	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	After completing Kiyomizu Defiled, you'll find Todo Heisuke speaking to Kusumoto Ine in front of the shack west of the Gambling Den in Shichijo.
Tokugawa IeyasuWarring States - 1572 CETokugawa Ieyasu	Warring States - 1572 CE	Tokugawa Ieyasu spawns by the river during the Old Medicine, New Problems Myth, which you can start in Bakumatsu. Make sure you speak to him to progress the Myth.

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