Lion Dogs are 36 hidden canines scattered across Kyoto and other maps. Save them all to unlock the For the Love of Dog trophy and the ability to change sword appearances. Available after completing 'What Lurks in the Shadows'.
1. Overview
Lion Dogs are 36 hidden canines in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Saving all of them unlocks the For the Love of Dog trophy and grants the ability to change sword appearances. They become available after completing the mission "What Lurks in the Shadows".
Lion Dogs aren't accessible until you complete "What Lurks in the Shadows". Like other collectibles, they remain free-roam accessible up until the Point of No Return before "The Clash At Rendaino". Make a manual save at that point to clean up any you missed.
2. General Strategy by Area
Eastern Kyoto
Eastern Kyoto alleys near Spirit Mirrors are the densest cluster of Lion Dogs in the game. Most hide in tight corners and side alleys.
- Listen carefully — Lion Dogs emit faint barking/whimpering sounds that give away their position even when hidden from view.
- Check alleyways branching off main streets — many are tucked into dead-end alleys.
- Look behind buildings — some are placed behind the corner of larger structures.
Kiyomizu-dera
Behind buildings and in elevated courtyards.
- Several Lion Dogs are found behind temple buildings on upper levels.
- Check the wooden platforms and side courtyards.
Underground
Hidden chambers beneath Kyoto.
- Some Lion Dogs are tucked inside hidden chambers in the Underground Laboratory area.
- Use Oni Vision to reveal concealed doorways.
Mount Oe
Castle paths and courtyards.
- Several Lion Dogs are along the castle paths leading up to the summit.
- Check behind pillars and in castle courtyards.
Arashiyama & Other Maps
The remaining Lion Dogs are scattered across Arashiyama swamp and other late-game map areas.
- Arashiyama swamp edges have a small cluster.
- Underground areas beyond the Laboratory hide a few more.
3. Confirmed Lion Dogs
PowerPyx confirms 36 Lion Dogs total. The detailed 36-individual map is locked behind community-driven datamines. Below is the highest-confidence public location we have:
| # | Approximate Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 36 (final) | In an alley South of the Yasaka Pagoda Spirit Mirror | Confirmed by PowerPyx as the 36th Lion Dog |
| Various | Eastern Kyoto alleys | Most dogs cluster here; tight corners, side alleys |
| Various | Kiyomizu-dera Temple | Behind buildings, upper courtyards |
| Various | Underground Laboratory | Hidden chambers, Oni Vision required |
| Various | Mount Oe Castle paths | Behind pillars, in courtyards |
| Various | Arashiyama Swamp | Edges of the swamp area |
- Listen carefully — Lion Dogs make a faint whimpering sound. Audio cue is more reliable than visual scanning.
- Check rooftops — some dogs are on ledges and rooftops you have to climb to.
- Crawl through tight spaces — several are hidden in crawlspace-only alcoves.
- Save before the Point of No Return — easy to clean up stragglers with a free-roam save.
- Some only appear at certain story progression points — revisit earlier maps after major story milestones if the counter doesn't match your findings.
4. Why the 36th Matters
The 36th Lion Dog — found in the alley South of the Yasaka Pagoda Spirit Mirror — is a critical milestone. Saving all 36 triggers the For the Love of Dog trophy and unlocks the sword appearance change feature at any Hozuki vendor.
If your in-game counter is at 35 and you've cleared the obvious alleys, head to the Yasaka Pagoda Spirit Mirror and sweep south — that's where the final dog waits.
Eastern Kyoto has the densest Lion Dog population. If you're missing one, the most common place to miss is in a side alley branching off the main Spirit Mirror corridors. Slow down, listen for the audio prompt, and check every narrow side path.
5. Lion Dogs Checklist
Use this checklist to track your progress as you sweep each region. Selections are stored locally in your browser and persist between visits.