Ghost of Tsushima features a beautifully crafted open world where exploration is rewarded with discovery, lore, and gameplay benefits. One of the most intriguing collectible types in the game are the Shinto shrines. These sacred locations are scattered across the island of Tsushima and provide players with powerful charms and small yet meaningful rewards. Many players wonder just how many Shinto shrines there are in Ghost of Tsushima, where they can be found, what makes them important, and how they tie into exploration and completion of the game. In this topic, we’ll explore everything you need to know.
Shinto Shrines in Ghost of Tsushima The Total Count
In the original version of Ghost of Tsushima, there are **16 Shinto shrines** that players can find across the main island of Tsushima. These locations are hidden in scenic but often hardtoreach places, such as mountain peaks or cliff edges. Finding and honoring all 16 shrines unlocks the Favor of the Kami trophy and grants Link one major charm per shrine. These charms provide gameplay advantages that can make combat and exploration easier.
With the release of the **Iki Island expansion**, an additional Shinto shrine was added on Iki Island, bringing the **total number of Shinto shrines in the complete Ghost of Tsushima experience to 17**. This extra shrine on Iki Island follows the same design principles – hidden, challenging to reach, and rewarding exploration.
What Shinto Shrines Are in Ghost of Tsushima?
Shinto shrines are traditional Japanese places of worship that appear in Ghost of Tsushima as locations tied to the Way of the Kami. In the game, they are marked by torii gates at their base and often lead the player up treacherous terrain. Each shrine rewards a Major Charm and a piece of wax wood, a resource used to upgrade charms. These charms can enhance combat prowess, utility, stealth, and defense.
Here’s how the Shinto shrines are generally distributed
- **Izuhara Region** – This is the first major area players explore and includes seven Shinto shrines.
- **Toyotama Region** – The second major region has six Shinto shrines, each requiring exploration of rivers, cliffs, and forests.
- **Kamiagata Region** – The final large region on Tsushima island contains three Shinto shrines hidden among snowy peaks and high cliffs.
- **Iki Island (DLC)** – The expansion region adds one extra Shinto shrine.
Examples of Shinto Shrines Found in the Game
While there are many shrines, some of the notable ones include
- Arrow Peak Shrine – Found in Izuhara and rewarded early in the adventure.
- Golden Summit Shrine – Another Izuhara shrine with scenic views.
- Scarlet Rock Shrine – Located in Toyotama and hidden among vibrant terrain.
- Frost Cliff Shrine – High in the snowy peaks of Kamiagata.
- Nakajima Shrine – The additional shrine found in the Iki Island expansion.
Why Shinto Shrines Matter in Gameplay
Shinto shrines are more than just beautiful landmarks; they have meaningful gameplay impacts. Each shrine grants a **Major Charm** that offers specific bonuses. These might improve combat abilities, increase stealth effectiveness, enhance defense, or grant other tactical benefits useful in confrontations with Mongol forces or difficult enemies.
In addition to the charms, each shrine rewards **wax wood**, a collectible resource required to upgrade charms, making these locations doubly valuable for players striving to improve Jin Sakai’s power.
Challenges and Exploration
Most Shinto shrines involve vertical exploration and climbing challenges. Players often start at a torii gate and must navigate a combination of narrow ledges, cliff faces, branches, or small platforming sections to reach the shrine at the top. Some shrines also require the **Grappling Hook** tool, earned later through a specific quest, to finalize the climb.
The need to climb, jump, and occasionally use tools adds an element of puzzlelike challenge to shrine exploration, making the journey part of the reward and appealing to players who enjoy environmental traversal.
Shinto Shrines and Completion Goals
For players aiming to fully complete Ghost of Tsushima, finding all Shinto shrines is an essential part of the collectible checklist. The **Favor of the Kami** trophy is awarded when all standard Tsushima Island shrines (the original 16) are honored, and then the **DLC shrine on Iki Island** can further add to completion for players who own the expansion.
This makes Shinto shrines both a rewarding exploration goal and a target for achievement hunters. Whether you’re a casual player focused on the story or someone working toward 100% completion, the shrines provide both narrative flavor and gameplay depth.
Tracking and Finding Shinto Shrines
Ghost of Tsushima includes map markers and discovery mechanics that help players locate shrines. The **Guiding Wind** function can lead players toward collectibles like shrines once the appropriate technique is unlocked, making it easier to find difficulttospot locations.
Exploration often involves looking for torii gates, following narrow paths, and hiking up rugged terrain. Shrines are designed to look like hidden mountain top sanctuaries, enhancing the sense of discovery as players climb higher and unlock rewards upon honoring the shrine.
A Rewarding Journey Across Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima’s Shinto shrines are a key part of the game’s exploration and reward system. There are **16 Shinto shrines** on the main island of Tsushima and **one additional shrine** in the Iki Island expansion, totaling **17** across the full experience.
These shrines reward players with powerful charms and wax wood, encourage vertical exploration, and contribute to the sense of spiritual and cultural depth in the world. Whether you’re tackling the game’s main story or seeking all collectibles for completion, finding every Shinto shrine adds meaning and satisfaction to your journey through the world of Ghost of Tsushima.