Mysteries of Kyoto are 8 unique puzzles requiring you to solve visual clues carved onto ancient steles to unlock critical pathways. Tracking via 'Curious Cases' menu as Observations. Available after completing 'What Lurks in the Shadows'. Trophy: Demystified.
1. Overview
Mysteries of Kyoto are optional side activities in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Each Mystery presents a visual clue carved onto ancient steles scattered across two main map regions: Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Eastern Kyoto. Solving them grants access to locked pathways, chests with rare items, and contributes to the Demystified trophy.
Mysteries aren't unlocked until you complete the mission "What Lurks in the Shadows". They are tracked via the in-game "Curious Cases" menu as Observations. You can still free-roam and find all collectibles up until the Point of No Return before "The Clash At Rendaino". Make a manual save at that point to clean up everything.
Each Mystery presents a visual puzzle on a stone stele. Interact with the stele to read the clue, then manipulate the environment (rotate cameras, light lanterns, rearrange objects, defeat nearby enemies, etc.) to match the depicted scene. Solving the puzzle typically opens a hidden path to a treasure chest or reveals a shortcut.
2. How to Solve Mysteries
- Find the stele — marked by a butterfly icon on the in-game map.
- Read the visual clue — each stele has a carved image describing what needs to be done.
- Use Oni Vision / Oni Agility / Oni Power as prompted to reveal hidden elements.
- Complete the puzzle — match the depicted scene, defeat specific enemies, or align symbols.
- Claim the reward — usually a chest containing rare materials, skill points, or Hozuki Pouch upgrades.
3. All 8 Mysteries
Kiyomizu-dera Temple (3 Mysteries)
| # | Mystery Name | Availability | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Light of Vengeance | Available when Mysteries of Kyoto are unlocked | Rare chest reward |
| 2 | A Wife's Prayer | Available after Bloodbath on the Bridge | Rare chest reward |
| 3 | Something in the Water | Available after "A Tempest at the Temple" | Rare chest reward |
Eastern Kyoto (5 Mysteries)
| # | Mystery Name | Availability | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | The Blessed Man | Available when Mysteries of Kyoto are unlocked | Rare chest reward |
| 5 | The Night Parade | Available after completing "The Demon on the Mount" | Rare chest reward |
| 6 | The Faceless | Available after "Okuni's Kabuki Dance" | Rare chest reward |
| 7 | The Three Worms [Worm-ly Ways] | Available after "Okuni's Kabuki Dance" | Rare chest reward |
| 8 | Hanging Monkeys [Some Unfinished Monkey Business] | Available after completing "The Demon on the Mount" | Rare chest reward |
4. Strategy & Tips
- Butterfly icons on the map indicate Mystery stele locations. Plan a route through Eastern Kyoto and Kiyomizu-dera to clear multiple Mysteries per loop.
- Save manually before the Point of No Return (before "The Clash At Rendaino"). You can still free-roam at that point to clean up anything you missed.
- Oni Vision is required for several Mysteries to reveal hidden carvings, mechanisms, and chests.
- Some Mysteries require specific story progression — check the availability column above before attempting.
- Visual clues are literal — the carved image on the stele mirrors what you need to do in the environment. Read carefully.
- Rewards are tiered — most Mysteries give chests containing rare crafting materials, skill points, or Hozuki Pouch upgrade tokens.
All Mysteries are tracked via the in-game "Curious Cases" menu as Observations. Once you solve a Mystery, the entry updates immediately. The Demystified trophy unlocks when all 8 are complete.
5. Mystery Checklist
Track your Mysteries of Kyoto progress below. Selections are stored locally in your browser and persist between visits.