Silent Hill f: Puzzle Locations & Interactive Tracking Guide

Silent Hill f contains some of the most complex puzzle design in recent survival horror — solutions that change not only based on the difficulty setting selected at game start but also based on which ending is being pursued.


Every solution across all three difficulty levels and all four ending variants is documented on the SHf interactive maps, with every required Key Item cross-linked at its exact map coordinate from each puzzle's guide entry.


What Puzzles Are in Silent Hill f


Sixteen puzzles span all eight areas of the game — locker combination sequences, object placement challenges, crest puzzles, scarecrow identification, and bell-ringing mechanics.


Most are mandatory for story progression and cannot be bypassed. All puzzle solutions are provided for every difficulty and ending combination.


Documents scattered throughout each area provide in-game hints — the guide entries cross-link every document clue to its relevant puzzle.


Two Ways Puzzle Solutions Change


Difficulty-based variation — selecting Story, Hard, or Lost in the Fog at game start changes the solution to every difficulty-affected puzzle. The objective remains the same across all three settings, but the steps required differ. This is the most significant source of variation — puzzles that seem solved in one playthrough behave completely differently in the next.


Ending-based variation — four puzzles in Shimizu Residence and Treasure Hall change their solution based on which ending is being pursued rather than puzzle difficulty. The Ominous Photo, Scales, My Room, and Mural puzzles each have four distinct solutions — one for each of the game's main endings.


The correct solution for any given run depends on whether the Sacred Sword has been purified or not, and whether the run targets Ending 1, 2, 3, or 4. Every ending variant is documented per puzzle.


All Locker Codes in Silent Hill f


The most-searched puzzle solutions in the game — the Ebisugaoka Middle School locker codes:


  • Suga Yosie's Locker — 505 (same across all difficulties) — yields the School Bag inventory upgrade.
  • Tsuchiya Taiko's Locker — 377 (same across all difficulties) — yields the Wolf Omamori.
  • Aoi Takeshi's Locker — 401 (same across all difficulties).
  • Asakura Ayumi's Locker — difficulty-dependent: 534 on Story, 865 on Hard, 399 on Lost in the Fog. This is the only locker whose code changes between runs.


All codes are derived from document clues found in the school — the logic is the same on every difficulty, but the documents providing the clue differ.


Four Puzzles That Change by Ending


Ominous Photo (Shimizu Residence) — portrait arrangement. Four solutions: Ending 1 (first playthrough default), Ending 2 (NG+ with purified Sacred Sword), Ending 3 (NG+ without purifying), Ending 4 (NG++). Not difficulty-dependent.


Scales (Shimizu Residence) — doll placement on a toy scale. Four ending-specific solutions, same logic as above.


My Room (Shimizu Residence) — crest placement on a door using three collected plates. Four ending-specific solutions.


Mural (Treasure Hall) — three crests placed at specific positions on a wall painting. Four ending-specific solutions, each requiring the Fox Mask Crest, White Sparrow Crest, and Black Sparrow Crest in different positions.


Three Puzzle Difficulty Trophies


Three trophies require completing the game with the puzzle difficulty set to a specific level — and they do not stack. Each must be earned in a separate playthrough:


  • Intellectual Pursuits — complete the game on Story puzzle difficulty.
  • Wise Researcher — complete the game on Hard puzzle difficulty.
  • Puzzle Master — complete the game on Lost in the Fog puzzle difficulty.


A fourth puzzle-adjacent trophy — Acupuncture Specialist — requires completing the Rice Field Scarecrow puzzle in Ebisugaoka without a single incorrect scarecrow choice on any difficulty setting. All four are tracked in the Trophy guide.


Critical Warning: The Shrine Vault and Stone Key


The Shrine Vault puzzle in Shrine Path has a critical collection sequence that must be followed. After solving the Ema Walls puzzle and obtaining the Combination Lock Dial, do not collect the Stone Key from the altar immediately.


Picking up the Stone Key spawns Kamagura enemies throughout the Shrine Path, making it impossible to collect remaining consumables and items.


Complete the full Shrine Path sweep first — all items, offerings, and the Cat Omamori — then collect the Stone Key and proceed directly to the northern temple. This warning is embedded in the guide entry for the Shrine Vault.


The Crimson Water Puzzle


The Crimson Water Puzzle in Main Hall (Dark Shrine, Hermitage of Crimson Water Temple) is the only puzzle that is NG+ exclusive and not difficulty-dependent — the same solution applies regardless of puzzle setting.


Ring three specific bells in order — the Volcano Symbol Bell, the Water Symbol Bell, and the Tree Symbol Bell — after hearing the clanking device sound in the water each time.


All three bell rings must follow the sound without skipping. Once completed, the water turns crimson, unlocking the Sacred Sword purification step for Endings 2 and 4. The puzzle carries over to NG++ without needing to be repeated.


All Puzzle Solutions in Silent Hill f


Every puzzle entry in the guide below includes the full solution for all applicable difficulty levels and ending variants, with all required Key Items and component locations cross-linked on the relevant area maps: Ebisugaoka, Shrine Path, Ebisugaoka Middle School, Worship Hall, Shimizu Residence, Treasure Hall, and Main Hall.

Name Details
Aoi Takeshi's LockerEbisugaoka Middle School

Found by the wall near the door. The code to open Aoi Takeshi's locker is 401. It is the same on all difficulty levels, and it is obtained by matching the letters with numbers based on the clues provided by the documents you have found.

Secret BoxEbisugaoka Middle School

The Secret Box puzzle is mandatory for story progression, and only by completing it you can leave Shimizu's classroom. The puzzle revolves around a square box with several panels that you can slide to reveal several symbols.


The clues are provided by the journals, and each puzzle features three phases related to three of the box's faces. Here is how to complete it on all difficulty levels:


Story Difficulty Secret Box Puzzle Solution:

  • Step One: Slide the bottom panel showing a cherry, then rotate the box around and slide the top panel showing a strawberry. Now, press confirm to get an Unopened Envelope.
  • Step Two: On the first side, slide the second and the third panels from the bottom to see a closed and an open journal. Rotate the box again and slide the second panel from the top to see another journal. Press confirm again to get another Unopened Envelope.
  • Step Three: On the first side, do not slide any of the four panels. Rotate the box, and on the second side, slide the second panel on the bottom to reveal a tree branch. Press confirm, and you will get the third Unopened Envelope and the Second Floor Classroom Generic Key.


Hard Difficulty Secret Box Puzzle Solution:

  • Step One: Slide the top right, middle left, and bottom right panels on the first side. Now, rotate the box and slide the top right, bottom left, and bottom right panels before pressing confirm.
  • Step Two: On the first side, slide the top right, middle left, and bottom left panels, then rotate the box and slide only the middle right panel. Press confirm again.
  • Step Three: On the first side, slide only the middle right panel, and on the second side, the top right and bottom right panels.


Lost in the Fog Difficulty Secret Box Puzzle Solution:

  • Step One: Slide the first upper white panel to reveal an orange, and the third, lower left brown panel to reveal an apple. Rotate the box and slide the first upper left brown panel to reveal some cherries, the middle right brown panel to reveal a strawberry, the third lower right brown panel to reveal some grapes, and the lower white panel to receive a pineapple. Make sure you confirm the solution.
  • Step Two: On the first side, slide the panels found on the first lower white row, on the third white row (from bottom to top), on the second left brown row (from bottom to top), and on the fourth upper white row. On the second side, slide only the panel on the first (from bottom to top), left brown row.
  • Step Three: On the first side, slide the panels on the third (from bottom to top), left brown row, second (from bottom to top) white row, and first (from bottom to top) right brown row. Rotate the box again, and on the second side, slide only the panel on the third (from bottom to top), left brown row.
Rice Field ScarecrowsEbisugaoka

The Rice Field Puzzle is mandatory for story progression, and it involves 5 groups of scarecrows. Your objective is to investigate each scarecrow and remove the needle from the correct ones only, based on the clues you receive from the Mysterious Note.


If you pick the correct scarcrow, it will show you the way to the next group, eventually leading you out of the foggy area.


For the Acupuncture Specialist trophy/achievement, you are not allowed to make any mistakes when picking the scarecrows. The solution varies depending on your difficulty setting:


Story Difficulty Scarecrows Puzzle Solution:

  • 1st Group - Remove the needle from the Scarecrow holding a sickle. It is on the left side while standing near the cart.
  • 2nd Group - Remove the needle from the only Scarecrow NOT holding a sickle. It is found in the center of the group.
  • 3rd Group - Remove the needle from the Scarecrow on the right side of the group while near the rice bales. Her head is upside down.
  • 4th Group - Remove the needle from the Scarcrow that is looking sideways. She has short hair and her arms are stretched.
  • 5th Group - Remove the needle from the Scarecow in the back of the group. She is looking down, depicting a crucifixion.


Hard Difficulty Scarecrows Puzzle Solution:

  • 1st Group - Remove the needle from the female Scarecrow holding a sickle. It is laughing and has a mask on the back of its head.
  • 2nd Group - Remove the needle from the Scarecrow in the middle of the group. It has a sickle stuck in its back.
  • 3rd Group - Remove the needle from Scarecrow in the back of the group. All other Scarecrows are facing away from it. It has its head upside down.
  • 4th Group - Remove the needle from the Scarcrow on the right side of the group. Notice that it is quite upset and not holding anything in its hands.
  • 5th Group - Remove the needle from the Scarecrow in the back of the group. It has a sickle in its back, and it depicts a crucifixion.


Lost in the Fog Difficulty Scarecrows Puzzle Solution:

  • 1st Group - Remove the needle from the female Scarecrow with the head turned upside down.
  • 2nd Group - Remove the needle from the Scarecrow depicting a crucifixion. You can also spot a sickle stuck in the ground in front of it.
  • 3rd Group - Remove the needle from Scarecrow that has no sickle, and it is behind the Scarecrow on the ground. Its head is turned upside down.
  • 4th Group - Remove the needle from the Scarecrow in the middle between the two Scarecrows depicting Shu and Rinko looking at each other.
  • 5th Group - Remove the needle from the solitary Scarecrow you can find by following the direction pointed by the four Scarecrows on the ground. Start with the Scarecrow in the middle of the group and follow the direction pointed by its finger to get to the next Scarecrow on the ground, and so forth.


NOTE: While the solutions to this puzzle remain the same on NG+ and NG++, the wording on the nail notes changes according to both your level of difficulty and which ending you have last achieved.


Location Revised By: MessianicMermaid

Suga Yosie's LockerEbisugaoka Middle School

Found by the wall in the back of the Locker Room. The code to open Suga Yosie's locker is 505. It is the same on all difficulty levels, and it is obtained by matching the letters with numbers based on the clues provided by the documents you have found.

Tsuchiya Taiko's LockerEbisugaoka Middle School

Found by the wall on the right side of the Locker Room. The code to open Tsuchiya Taiko's locker is 377. It is the same on all difficulty levels, and it is obtained by matching the letters with numbers based on the clues provided by the documents you have found.

Asakura Ayumi's LockerEbisugaoka Middle School

Found by the wall in the back of the locker room. The code to open AAsakura Ayumi's Locker depends on the difficulty level you are playing. It is obtained by matching the letters with numbers based on the clues provided by the documents you have found.


Story Difficulty Asakura Ayumi's Locker Code:

  • The code is 534.


Hard Difficulty Asakura Ayumi's Locker Code:

  • The code is 865.


Lost in the Fog Asakura Ayumi's Locker Code:

  • The code is 399.
Shrine Path AltarShrine Path

The Shrine Path Altar Puzzle is mandatory for progressing the story, and you'll need to solve it to unlock the Temple Door.


To start the puzzle, interact with the note on the small chair in front of the altar.


The solutions to the Shrine Path Altar Puzzle are different, depending on the difficulty you have picked at the start of the game; however, the logic is the same.


Your objective is to place the objects on the round plates on top of the small wooden pedestals in the correct order.


Story Difficulty Altar Puzzle Solution:

  • Front Row (From left to right): Kimono, Vase, Japanese Fan
  • Back Row (From left to right): Rat, Fish


Hard Difficulty Altar Puzzle Solution:

  • Front Row (From left to right): Japanese Fan, Vase, Rat
  • Back Row (From left to right): Fish, Kimono


Lost in the Fog Difficulty Altar Puzzle Solution:

  • Front Row (From left to right): Japanese Fan, Kimono, Vase
  • Back Row (From left to right): Fish, Rat
Shrine VaultShrine Path

The Shrine Vault Puzzle is mandatory for story progression, as it allows you to obtain the Combination Lock Dial required to open the Shrine Vault Door.


The puzzle revolves around the three Ema Walls in the Shrine Path area, and it is triggered when you find the Celluloid Doll.


After picking up the Celluloid Doll, you can open the journal to find the clues leading to the Ema plates. Each wall features several plates with different drawings on them.


Your objective is to find the plates with the drawings that match the clues in your journal and turn them around to spot the symbols on the back. The symbols are used to open the Shrine Vault Door.


The puzzle varies depending on the difficulty you have picked when you started the game, as follows:


Story Difficulty Shrine Puzzle Solution:

  • Crane - Matches the symbol of a circle cut in half by a horizontal line.
  • Serpent - Matches the symbol of a circle cut in half by a vertical line.
  • Tortoise - Matches the symbol of a snake with an arrow pointing down.


Hard Difficulty Shrine Puzzle Solution:

  • Lightning - Matches the symbol of a circle with two vertical lines inside.
  • Decayed Tree - Matches the symbol of a circle with a cross inside.
  • Kudzu - Matches the symbol of a square with a T inside the bottom half.


Lost in the Fog Difficulty Shrine Puzzle Solution:

  • Yokai of the Carriage - Matches the symbol of a circle with two vertical lines inside.
  • Yokai of the Umbrella - Matches the symbol of a circle with an upside-down Y inside.
  • Yokai of the Kettle - Matches the symbol of a snake with an arrow pointing down.


NOTE: If you use this answer guide to open the shrine door immediately upon arrival, but do not collect the key yet, you can skip the fight with the Kamagura altogether and be free to collect the consumables scattered around.


We recommend enjoying the game as it was meant to be played on the first playthrough and using this method from NG+ forward. If you collect the key, you will miss all of the Shrine Path's items because Kamagura will spawn everywhere. Do not collect it until you are finished with the section.


Location Revised By: MessianicMermaid

StairwellEbisugaoka Middle School

The Stairwell puzzle is mandatory for story progression as it requires you to find the key to open the doors leading to Ebisugaoka Middle School - 2nd Floor.


The key is found in different places depending on the difficulty level you are playing on, with different documents offering hints about its location.


Story Difficulty Stairwell Puzzle Solution:


Hard Difficulty Stairwell Puzzle Solution:


Lost in the Fog Difficulty Stairwell Puzzle Solution:

LightWorship Hall

The Light Puzzle is mandatory for story progression. It revolves around the four Rabbit and Fox Statues, which you can find on the left and right sides of the room.


To solve the puzzle, you need to place them in a specific position. The clue to solving this puzzle is provided by the Sheet of Fine Paper. The solution varies based on your difficulty setting.


Story Difficulty Light Puzzle Solution:


Hard Difficulty Light Puzzle Solution:


Lost in the Fog Difficulty Light Puzzle Solution:

MemoriesWorship Hall

The Memories Puzzle is mandatory for story progression, and it is the easiest so far. To complete it, you have to locate Shu's prized possessions (items) and place them on the empty stand in the central hall.


While the puzzle varies depending on the difficulty level, the only difference is the number of items you must find:


Ominous PhotoShimizu Residence

The Ominous Photo puzzle is mandatory for story progression, but unlike all other puzzles so far, it is not difficulty-dependent. However, it is ending-dependent, meaning that it will be the same for everyone during the first playthrough.


The puzzle revolves around the four portraits in the room.


First Playthrough (Ending 1) Ominous Photo Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used during your first playthrough:



NG+ (Ending 2) Ominous Photo Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used in NG+ if you decide to purify the Sacred Sword.



NG+ (Ending 3) Ominous Photo Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used in NG+ if you decide not to purify the Sacred Sword.



NG++ (Ending 4) Ominous Photo Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used in NG++ while working on completing the fourth ending.


ScalesShimizu Residence

The Scales Photo puzzle is mandatory for story progression, but unlike all other puzzles so far, it is not difficulty-dependent. However, it is ending-dependent, meaning that it will be the same for everyone during the first playthrough.


The puzzle revolves around 5 dolls and a toy scale.


First Playthrough (Ending 1) Scales Puzzle Solution:

  • To solve this puzzle, all you need to do is place the dolls on the scales and match their weight.
  • Place the headless doll on the left scale.
  • Place all other dolls on the right scale.


NG+ (Ending 2) Scales Puzzle Solution:

  • To solve this puzzle, all you need to do is place the dolls on the scales and match their weight. This solution must be used in NG+ if you decide to purify the Sacred Sword.
  • Place the headless doll and the boy doll on the left scale.
  • Place the old doll, the fox doll, and the girl doll on the right scale.


NG+ (Ending 3) Scales Puzzle Solution:

  • To solve this puzzle, all you need to do is place the dolls on the scales and match their weight. This solution must be used in NG+ if you decide not to purify the Sacred Sword.
  • Place the girl doll and the boy doll on the left scale.
  • Place all other dolls on the right scale.


NG++ (Ending 4) Scales Puzzle Solution:

  • To solve this puzzle, all you need to do is place the dolls on the scales and match their weight. This solution must be used in NG++ for the fourth ending.
  • The solution is fairly simple:
  • Place the girl doll on the left scale.
  • Place all other dolls on the right scale.
My RoomShimizu Residence

My Room Puzzle is mandatory for story progression, but unlike all other puzzles so far, it is not difficulty-dependent. However, it is ending-dependent, meaning that it will be the same for everyone during the first playthrough.


The puzzle revolves around the three crests you must find in Shimizu Residence:


First Playthrough (Ending 1) My Room Puzzle Solution:


After you collect all of them, approach the door and place them in the following order:

  • Left Slot - Swords
  • Right Slot - Fox
  • Top Slot - Heavens
  • Bottom Slot - Rotate the Scales crest


NG+ (Ending 2) My Room Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used in NG+ if you decide to purify the Sacred Sword:

  • Left Slot - Scales
  • Right Slot - Bird (Rotate the Swords Crest)
  • Top Slot - Fox
  • Bottom Slot - Empty (Rotate the Heavens Crest)


NG+ (Ending 3) My Room Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used in NG+ if you decide not to purify the Sacred Sword:

  • Left Slot - White Bird (Rotate the Fox Crest)
  • Right Slot - Scales
  • Top Slot - Sword (Rotate the Black Bird Crest)
  • Bottom Slot - Empty (Rotate the Heavens Crest)


NG++ (Ending 4) My Room Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used in NG++ during the fourth ending.

  • Left Slot - White Bird (Rotate the Fox Crest)
  • Right Slot - Black Bird (Rotate the Sword Crest)
  • Top Slot - Empty (Rotate the Scales Crest)
  • Bottom Slot - Heavens Crest
MuralTreasure Hall

The Mural puzzle is mandatory for story progression, but unlike all other puzzles so far, it is not difficulty-dependent. However, it is ending-dependent, meaning that it will be the same for everyone during the first playthrough.


The puzzle revolves around the three crests you find in the Treasure Hall, which must be placed on the Mural wall in a specific order.


First Playthrough (Ending 1) Mural Puzzle Solution:

  • The Fox Mask must be placed in the lower left corner of the mural, where there is a group of 3 foxes.
  • The White Sparrow must be placed in the center of the mural, where you can see a fox between two trees. The fox is holding a lantern. Place the White Sparrow on the lantern.
  • The Black Sparrow must be placed on the back of the fox wearing a brown kimono with two ropes forming a cross.


NG+ (Ending 2) Mural Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used in NG+ if you decide to purify the Sacred Sword.

  • The Fox Mask Crest must be placed in the lower left corner of the mural, where there is a group of 3 foxes.
  • The White Sparrow Crest must be placed in the middle of the mural, inside the lantern of the fox with the round hat, sitting on the ground.
  • The Black Sparrow Crest must be placed inside the lantern under the covered palanquin, in the lower left corner of the mural.


NG+ (Ending 3) Mural Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used in NG+ if you decide not to purify the Sacred Sword.

  • The Fox Mask Crest must be placed inside the lantern above the palanquin on the left side of the mural.
  • The White Sparrow Crest must be placed in the lower right corner of the mural, inside the lantern of the running fox.
  • The Black Sparrow Crest must be placed inside the lantern to the left of the previous one. It is carried on the back of a fox wearing a green shirt.


NG++ (Ending 4) Mural Puzzle Solution:


The following solution must be used in NG++ during Ending 4.

  • The Fox Mask Crest must be placed inside the lantern above the palanquin on the left side of the mural.
  • The Black Sparrow Crest must be placed inside the slot in the palanquin on the left side of the mural.
  • The White Sparrow Crest must be placed inside the lantern hanging under the palanquin on the left side of the mural.
Crimson WaterMain Hall

The Crimson Water Puzzle is not mandatory for story progression, but for unlocking Endings 2 and 4. The puzzle revolves around the hanging bells you can spot in the trees around the Hermitage of Crimson Water Temple.


The Crimson Water Puzzle is available only in New Game Plus, and the solution is the same on all puzzle difficulty levels. All you need to do is pay close attention to the symbols on the lanterns above the hanging bells and ring the bells in the correct order.


Make sure you ring only the bells with the following symbols:


An important aspect you have to be aware of is that you must ring the bells after you hear the clanking sound on the device in the water.


Last but not least, you will have to do it when you hear the sound three consecutive times, meaning that you are not allowed to skip a clanking sound. If done correctly, the water around the temple turns crimson.


Note: After solving the Crimson Water puzzle in NG+, you don't have to complete it again in NG++, but you still need to purify the Sacred Sword.

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