Table of Contents
ToggleThe Iki Island expansion for Ghost of Tsushima introduced a condensed but brutal DLC that respects your time while still punishing your patience. Among the raider camps and haunted memories, six shrines stand out as some of the most satisfying platforming challenges in the entire game. They’re shorter than Tsushima’s main island shrines, but they hit harder, each one designed to test your mastery of Jin’s movement kit in increasingly creative ways.
If you’ve been hunting down every collectible on Iki, you already know these shrines aren’t optional. Each one rewards a Charm Minor that can tilt builds in your favor, and completionists need all six for the island’s 100% mark. More importantly, they’re genuinely fun. Sucker Punch clearly learned what worked from the base game’s shrines and distilled it into tighter, more focused challenges. This guide breaks down every shrine location, the exact route through each platforming gauntlet, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that’ll send you tumbling back to the start.
Key Takeaways
- Ghost of Tsushima Iki Island features six platforming shrines that are shorter but more technically challenging than the base game’s offerings, each rewarding a Charm Minor upon completion.
- All six Iki Island shrines require precise execution of Jin’s parkour toolkit including wall runs, hanging traversals, and grapple chains, with minimal room for error on tight ledges and narrow beams.
- The Shrine of Strife and Shrine of Valor stand out as the most difficult challenges, testing advanced platforming skills and serving as the ultimate test of mastery over Jin’s movement mechanics.
- Completing all six shrines is mandatory for 100% Iki Island completion and platinum trophy status, making them essential rather than optional content despite their brevity.
- Using the guiding wind to set waypoints and lowering camera sensitivity can significantly improve shrine navigation and platforming success rates when tackling these challenging sequences.
What Are Iki Island Shrines and Why Should You Find Them?
Iki Island shrines follow the same basic formula as their Tsushima counterparts: find a torii gate, follow a path of precise jumps and climbs, ring the bell at the top. But the Iki versions strip away some of the contemplative pacing in favor of tighter, more technical sequences. You’re spending less time admiring vistas and more time nailing ledge-to-ledge timing.
These aren’t combat challenges. You won’t draw your katana once inside a shrine. Instead, they demand clean execution of Jin’s parkour toolkit, wall runs, hanging traversals, narrow beam walks, and those always-stressful leaps of faith onto grapple points. Miss a jump, and you’re resetting from the last checkpoint or starting over entirely.
Rewards for Completing Shrine Challenges
Each shrine on Iki Island drops a Charm Minor upon completion. These aren’t throwaway trinket charms, several are legitimately useful depending on your build. The six charms you’ll earn cover a range of effects, from defensive buffs to resolve generation tweaks. While none are meta-defining like Charm of Fortune or Mizu-no-Kami, they’re solid fillers for charm loadout slots you haven’t optimized yet.
Beyond the tangible rewards, shrines contribute to your overall completion percentage for Iki Island. If you’re chasing that platinum trophy or just want the satisfaction of clearing every question mark off the map, all six shrines are mandatory. The Iki Island expansion doesn’t waste your time with filler content, so every shrine feels worth the detour.
How Shrines Differ from Tsushima’s Main Island
Iki’s shrines are noticeably shorter than the sprawling platforming sequences found on the main island. Where Tsushima’s shrines could take five to ten minutes of careful climbing, Iki’s versions typically clock in around three to five minutes once you know the route. The trade-off? They’re less forgiving. Margins for error shrink, and a few shrines introduce environmental hazards or tricky camera angles that weren’t as prevalent in the base game.
Another key difference: there are only six shrines total on Iki, compared to the nineteen scattered across Tsushima. This tighter count means each one feels more distinct. Sucker Punch clearly prioritized quality over quantity here, and it shows in the design. Every shrine has at least one memorable sequence, a dizzying wall run, a series of barely visible handholds, or a grapple chain that feels pulled straight from an Uncharted set piece.
Shrine of Ash: Location and Completion Guide
Where to Find the Shrine of Ash
The Shrine of Ash sits in the southwestern portion of Iki Island, near the coast below the Raider’s Cove region. If you’re coming from the main settlement of Fune’s Refuge, head southwest and follow the coastline. The shrine’s torii gate is tucked into a rocky alcove, easy to miss if you’re galloping past at full speed. Look for the telltale red gate and a cluster of stone lanterns marking the entrance.
The guiding wind works perfectly here, set a waypoint once you’ve discovered the shrine’s map icon, and it’ll lead you straight to the entrance. If you haven’t revealed this part of the map yet, explore the southwestern coastal cliffs until the shrine icon pops up. It’s one of the more accessible shrines on Iki, so you can tackle it early in your playthrough without worrying about gear requirements.
Navigating the Platforming Challenge
The Shrine of Ash opens with a straightforward climb up a series of wooden platforms and stone outcroppings. The first real test comes about thirty seconds in: a wall run that transitions into a jump to a hanging ledge. Time the jump too early or too late, and you’ll clip the wall instead of grabbing the ledge. Wait until Jin’s feet are nearly at the end of the wall run surface before tapping X.
After the wall run, you’ll traverse a narrow beam over a drop. Take it slow, there’s no timer, and rushing here is how you fall. The beam leads to a grapple point that swings you onto another ledge. From there, it’s a short climb to a second wall run, this one longer and requiring a mid-run jump to another wall surface. Keep your momentum steady and don’t overcorrect your analog stick.
The final stretch involves a series of hanging traversals across wooden beams and a last grapple to the bell platform. The Shrine of Ash is one of the easier shrines on Iki, making it a great warm-up if you’re rusty on the platforming mechanics. Ring the bell, claim your charm, and move on to the next challenge.
Shrine of Tatsu: Location and Completion Guide
Where to Find the Shrine of Tatsu
The Shrine of Tatsu is located in the central highlands of Iki Island, northeast of the Raider’s Cove and east of Fune’s Refuge. The shrine perches on a cliff overlooking a forested valley, and the torii gate is visible from a distance if you’re approaching from the west. Use the guiding wind to navigate the winding mountain paths, trying to cut straight through the terrain will just get you stuck on impassable rocks.
This shrine is slightly more remote than the Shrine of Ash, but it’s still accessible early in your Iki playthrough. According to detailed shrine walkthroughs, the Shrine of Tatsu is often one of the first players discover when exploring the central region. There are no prerequisite quests or story gates blocking access.
Solving the Shrine of Tatsu Puzzle
Unlike the Shrine of Ash, Tatsu introduces a light puzzle element before the platforming begins. After passing through the torii gate, you’ll encounter a stone platform with several braziers. Light them in the correct sequence using your flaming arrows. The solution is hinted at by the number of candles near each brazier, light them in ascending order from left to right. Once all braziers are lit, a hidden path reveals itself.
The platforming section starts with a series of narrow ledges that require precise jumps. There’s little room for error, overshoot a jump, and you’re falling back to the checkpoint. The ledges lead to a wall climb that transitions into a hanging traverse under a stone archway. This part is tricky because the camera angle shifts mid-traverse, making it harder to judge your next handhold.
After the archway, you’ll hit a grapple sequence that chains three grapple points together. Nail the rhythm, grapple, swing, release, grapple again. The timing window is tighter than it looks, and hesitating mid-swing will drop you. The final obstacle is a wall run that curves around a rock formation, ending in a leap to the bell platform. The Shrine of Tatsu is a solid step up in difficulty from the Shrine of Ash, and it introduces mechanics you’ll see again in later shrines.
Shrine of Kinship: Location and Completion Guide
Where to Find the Shrine of Kinship
The Shrine of Kinship is tucked into the northern mountains of Iki Island, northwest of the Yahata Forest region. The shrine sits at the base of a cliff face, partially obscured by thick foliage. If you’re using the fast travel system to hop between map points, the closest landmark is the Safehold to the south. From there, ride north along the mountain trail until you spot the red torii gate.
This shrine is one of the more hidden locations on Iki, your guiding wind will point you in the right direction, but the entrance is easy to miss if you’re not actively looking for it. Watch for a cluster of stone markers and offerings near the cliff base. The shrine’s name refers to the theme of brotherhood and loyalty, which ties into the broader narrative beats of the Iki expansion.
Completing the Kinship Platforming Path
The Shrine of Kinship wastes no time ramping up the challenge. The opening sequence is a vertical climb up a sheer cliff face with handholds spaced just far enough apart to make you second-guess your jumps. Commit to each leap, hesitation will kill your momentum and send you back down.
Midway through the climb, you’ll encounter a wall run that transitions into a hanging ledge, which then requires an immediate jump to another wall run surface. This double wall run is one of the trickier sequences in any Iki shrine. The key is maintaining your momentum through both transitions without overcorrecting your angle. If Jin’s animation stutters or he loses contact with the wall, you’ve already failed the sequence.
After the double wall run, the path opens up into a series of grapple points that swing you across a wide chasm. Each grapple point is positioned just at the edge of Jin’s maximum swing arc, so you need to release at the apex of each swing. The final grapple deposits you onto a narrow beam that leads to the bell platform. The Shrine of Kinship is where the difficulty curve starts to spike, and it’s a good test of whether you’ve mastered the timing on Jin’s moveset. Players accustomed to Tsushima’s core gameplay mechanics will still find this shrine challenging but fair.
Shrine of the Mountain Breeze: Location and Completion Guide
Where to Find the Shrine of the Mountain Breeze
The Shrine of the Mountain Breeze occupies the highest point in the eastern highlands of Iki Island, overlooking the Bay of Goats region. The shrine is perched on a windswept peak, and the torii gate is visible from several vantage points if you’re approaching from lower elevations. Ride east from Fune’s Refuge, following the mountain switchbacks until you reach the summit area.
This shrine is one of the most scenic on Iki, the view from the entrance alone makes the climb worth it. The name “Mountain Breeze” is literal: wind effects are prominent here, with cloth banners and grass swaying constantly. It’s a nice atmospheric touch, though it doesn’t affect the platforming mechanics.
Mastering the Mountain Breeze Challenge
The Shrine of the Mountain Breeze opens with a long wall run that curves around a rock pillar. This initial wall run is longer than any you’ve encountered in previous Iki shrines, and the curve adds a layer of difficulty. Keep your analog stick angled gently into the curve, too much input and Jin will lose contact with the wall.
After the wall run, you’ll drop onto a series of narrow beams suspended over a massive drop. These beams are thinner than usual, and the camera angle is deliberately unflattering, making it harder to judge your balance. Walk, don’t run. Each beam leads to the next via small jumps, and overshooting even one will send you plummeting.
The final section is a grapple chain that swings you across the chasm in a wide arc. As noted in various shrine guides, this grapple sequence is one of the longest in the game, requiring four consecutive grapple-and-swing inputs without a break. Mess up the rhythm, and you’re starting the entire shrine over. The bell platform sits at the end of the grapple chain, and ringing it feels earned. The Shrine of the Mountain Breeze is a significant difficulty spike, and it’s where less patient players tend to bounce off shrine content entirely.
Shrine of Valor: Location and Completion Guide
Where to Find the Shrine of Valor
The Shrine of Valor is located in the southeastern corner of Iki Island, near the cliffs overlooking the sea. The shrine sits below a prominent rocky outcrop, and the torii gate is partially hidden by a grove of wind-twisted trees. If you’re coming from the south, follow the coastal path until you see the red gate marker on your map. The guiding wind will take you directly to the entrance, but expect a short uphill climb to reach it.
This shrine’s placement near the edge of the map makes it one of the last shrines many players discover naturally. There’s no story trigger required to access it, but the southeastern region of Iki tends to be explored later in the DLC progression. Fans who prefer unlocking unique armor sets often circle back to this shrine after completing most of the main story beats.
Conquering the Valor Platforming Sequence
The Shrine of Valor earns its name with a brutal opening sequence: a near-vertical climb with minimal handholds and zero room for error. The handholds are spaced far apart, requiring maximum-distance jumps between each one. If you’re not holding the analog stick at the correct angle before you jump, Jin won’t grab the next ledge.
Midway through the climb, you’ll hit a wall run that transitions into a backwards leap to a grapple point. This is one of the few shrines that requires a backwards jump, Jin needs to be facing away from the grapple point when he leaves the wall. It’s counterintuitive, and the game doesn’t telegraph it well. If you keep falling here, try orienting the camera so you can see the grapple point behind Jin, then execute the wall run and jump.
The final stretch involves a series of hanging traversals across wooden beams that are crumbling in real-time. The beams don’t actually collapse, but the visual effect makes them feel unstable, which messes with your timing. Stay calm, move at a steady pace, and don’t rush. The bell platform is at the end of a final grapple swing that requires near-perfect timing. The Shrine of Valor is one of the hardest on Iki, and it’s a fitting test for a shrine named after courage under pressure.
Shrine of Strife: Location and Completion Guide
Where to Find the Shrine of Strife
The Shrine of Strife sits in the western wilderness of Iki Island, north of the Raider’s Cove and west of the central highlands. The shrine is nestled in a forested ravine, and the torii gate is almost completely hidden by overhanging branches. Use your guiding wind to navigate the dense woods, trying to find this shrine without a map marker is an exercise in frustration.
This is the final shrine most players complete on Iki, not because it’s the hardest (that’s debatable), but because its location is so out of the way. If you’re sweeping the map for remaining collectibles, the Shrine of Strife will likely be one of the last icons left. Players who enjoy composing haikus at scenic locations often stumble across this shrine while exploring the western forests.
Navigating the Strife Challenge Path
The Shrine of Strife lives up to its name with a gauntlet of the most challenging platforming sequences on Iki Island, stitched together into one relentless climb. The opening is a wall run that curves 180 degrees around a rock formation, the longest single wall run in any shrine. Maintaining contact with the wall through the full curve requires subtle analog stick adjustments and a bit of faith that the game’s magnetism will keep Jin glued to the surface.
After the wall run, you’ll drop onto a series of narrow ledges that require frame-perfect jumps. These ledges are shorter than any previous shrine obstacles, giving you almost no margin for error. Overshoot by even a few pixels, and Jin will slide off the far side. According to comprehensive platforming guides, this section has the highest failure rate of any shrine segment in the entire game.
The final sequence is a multi-stage grapple chain combined with mid-air directional changes. You’ll grapple to a point, swing, release, adjust your camera mid-flight, then grapple to another point positioned at a 90-degree angle from the first. It’s disorienting, and the camera doesn’t always cooperate. The bell platform appears after the final grapple, and reaching it feels like a legitimate accomplishment. The Shrine of Strife is the ultimate test of your shrine platforming skills, and completing it proves you’ve mastered Jin’s movement toolkit.
Essential Tips for Finding and Completing All Shrines
Using the Guiding Wind and Map Markers Effectively
The guiding wind is your best friend when hunting down Iki’s shrines. Once a shrine appears on your map, either through natural exploration or by synchronizing at a location reveal point, you can set it as a waypoint and let the wind guide you. The wind doesn’t always take the most efficient path, especially in mountainous terrain, but it’ll get you there eventually.
Map markers become visible when you’re within a certain radius of each shrine, so thorough exploration is key. If you’re missing one or two shrines and can’t find them manually, consider climbing to high vantage points and scanning the horizon for torii gates. The red gates stand out against Iki’s natural color palette, especially at dawn or dusk when the lighting is more dramatic.
Don’t sleep on the Traveler’s Attire if you’re in pure exploration mode. The attire highlights undiscovered locations on your compass and map, making it significantly easier to track down those last few shrines. Swap back to your preferred combat armor once you’ve found the shrine entrance.
Best Charms and Gear for Shrine Platforming
Shrines don’t involve combat, so your charm loadout and armor choice won’t affect success rates. That said, there’s one quality-of-life trick worth mentioning: if you’re struggling with a particularly difficult shrine, equip the Traveler’s Attire purely for the aesthetic. Some players swear it helps with platforming focus, though that’s likely placebo.
What does matter is controller sensitivity and camera settings. If you’re consistently overshooting jumps or losing wall run contact, try lowering your camera sensitivity in the options menu. Slower camera movement gives you more precise control during tight platforming sequences. Conversely, if you’re struggling with the fast grapple chains, a slightly higher sensitivity can help you reorient mid-flight.
There’s no “best” gear for shrines because gear doesn’t apply. What you need is patience, clean execution, and a willingness to retry sections until the muscle memory locks in.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Shrine Challenges
The most common mistake is rushing. Shrines don’t have timers, and there’s zero benefit to speeding through sequences. Every failed jump costs you more time than just taking it slow in the first place. Walk narrow beams, wait for Jin’s animations to fully complete before inputting the next command, and give yourself a half-second buffer before each grapple input.
Another frequent error: fighting the camera. The camera in Ghost of Tsushima is generally excellent, but shrine sequences sometimes force awkward angles. Don’t try to manually adjust the camera mid-jump or mid-wall run, let the game handle it. Your job is to input the movement commands: the camera will (usually) frame the action appropriately.
Finally, don’t ignore audio cues. Jin’s footsteps, breathing, and the sound of his hands gripping ledges all provide feedback on whether you’re executing sequences correctly. If you hear a stumble or a grunt of exertion, that’s the game telling you something went wrong. Pay attention to those audio signals, especially during sections where the camera obscures your view.
Conclusion
Iki Island’s six shrines represent some of the tightest platforming design in Ghost of Tsushima. They’re short enough to respect your time but challenging enough to feel rewarding when you nail a tough sequence. Each shrine builds on the mechanics introduced in the base game while introducing new wrinkles, longer wall runs, tighter grapple chains, more punishing ledge jumps.
If you’re a completionist, all six shrines are mandatory for 100% island completion. If you’re just here for the rewards, the charm minors are decent but not build-defining. And if you’re in it purely for the challenge, the Shrine of Strife and Shrine of Valor will give you everything you’re looking for. Either way, tracking down and conquering all six shrines is one of the most satisfying side activities the Iki expansion offers.

