OMG, you guys! I just spent my whole weekend hunting down these paintings in Assassin's Creed Shadows and let me tell you, it was a total rollercoaster! 😅 The Art Collector quest in Kyoto sounds chill on paper—just find ten paintings, right? But girl, the game gives you zero map markers and just says "they're in castles." Like, thanks, I guess? Japan is HUGE in this game. I was legit about to lose my mind until I figured out the system. So, I'm dropping this ultimate guide for 2026 so you don't have to suffer like I did. Let's get this bread and decorate our hideout! 🎨✨
How to Start the Quest: Find Kano Eitoku
First things first, you gotta get the quest! The mission giver is Kano Eitoku, and he's chillin' in Kyoto. If it doesn't pop up automatically when you first roll into town, don't panic. Head to the western side of town, on the western face of Nijo Palace. It's also directly north of the Kano Painting School. Look for the largest house near the school—he'll be inside. Talk to him, and he'll send you on your epic art hunt for ten paintings scattered across Japan's castles. Pro tip: Make sure you're leveled up! Some of these castles are no joke, especially if you're still in Act 1. I tried rushing in under-leveled and got absolutely wrecked. Not a vibe. 🙅♀️
The Ultimate Painting Checklist 🗺️
Okay, here's the tea on all ten locations. I've listed them in an order that makes sense geographically, but feel free to mix it up as you explore. Remember, stealth is your best friend—always scout and take out guards first!
| # | Castle Name | Region/Province | Specific Location Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nijo Palace | Kyoto (duh) | Northern section, NE of palace viewpoint. In a house, on the main room wall. |
| 2 | Shoryuji Castle | Yamashiro (south of Kyoto) | East of Ogura Pond. Far eastern side near south entrance, in a house. Beside samurai armor! |
| 3 | Takatsuki Castle | Settsu (east of Muggy Lands) | Eastern side of castle grounds. South of viewpoint, in a compound of homes. It's in a smaller room! |
| 4 | Osaka Castle | Izumi Settsu (Osaka area) | Building SW of castle viewpoint. Farthest house from castle, two guards at entrance. Right by the door! |
| 5 | Koriyama Castle | Yamato (NW part, above Kii) | Same area as the viewpoint! Northern area, third floor from base. Window & staircase nearby. |
| 6 | Azuchi Castle | Omi (eastern, east of Military Harbor) | Most northern part of castle grounds. Large room in middle part of main castle, on the wall. |
| 7 | Nagahama Castle | North of Azuchi | Right on the water, under the viewpoint. Base of castle, go left to first-floor large room. |
| 8 | Nochiseyama Castle | Wakasa (north, south of Obama) | South of Tadaji Temple. Same building as viewpoint! Come from the top—two floors below. |
| 9 | Fukuchiyama Castle | Tanba (central area) | Near middle of castle grounds, cluster of homes. Right in front of castle/viewpoint. Southern side of house. |
| 10 | Himeji Castle | Harima (westernmost part of map) | Eastern side of castle, south of viewpoint. Ground level, go south to eastern entrance, then walk across. |
My Personal Hunt Highlights & Pro-Tips 🎯
Let me break down a few of the trickier ones with some extra deets, because some of these had me running in circles for hours, no cap.
- Nijo Palace Painting: This one's basically a warm-up since it's near where you start. But still, watch out for the guard in the house. I got spotted once and had to reset. So embarrassing. 😂
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Takatsuki Castle: Okay, this one is low-key sneaky. The painting is in a smaller room, not the big main one. Look for the guard posted right in front of the door. The painting is on the left with a chest in front. Grab it and ghost!
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Osaka Castle: The icon for this painting can be glitchy sometimes. If it doesn't pop up immediately, just head to the house with two guards lounging near the entrance. It's 100% there. The painting is literally right in front of you when you open the door, next to a hiding spot. Perfect for a quick grab-and-dash.
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Nochiseyama Castle: This is in the north, and the enemies here can be tough if you're not prepared. My biggest tip? Come in from the TOP of the castle. The painting is two floors below the viewpoint. If you try to ascend from the bottom, you'll have to fight through way too many guards. Just parkour your way to the viewpoint and work your way down. Trust me, it's a game-changer.
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Himeji Castle (The Finale!): The last painting! Head to the western edge of the map. When you're at ground level near the viewpoint on the eastern side, go south until you hit the eastern entrance of the castle grounds. Walk straight across, and you'll find the house. The door's open, and there's just one guard sitting down. After you handle him, look to the upper left corner of the room. The painting is on the wall in the back left corner. Feels so good to finally get it! 🥳
The Sweet, Sweet Rewards 🏆
Once you've collected all ten masterpieces (feels so accomplished, right?), fast travel back to Kyoto and find Kano Eitoku. Hand them over, and you'll score some awesome decorations for your Hideout—perfect for that aesthetic upgrade—plus a hefty chunk of XP to level up. It's totally worth the grind!
Final Thoughts & 2026 Meta Advice
This quest is a marathon, not a sprint. My advice? Don't try to binge it all in one go. Integrate it into your natural exploration. As you travel for main quests or other activities, check your map to see if you're near one of these castles. Swing by, grab the painting, and move on. It saves so much time and sanity. Also, with the 2026 updates, the stealth mechanics are smoother than ever, so use those hiding spots and silent takedowns!
Happy hunting, assassins! This quest is a true test of your exploration skills, but the rewards and the satisfaction are chef's kiss. Let me know in the comments if this guide saved you hours of searching! ✌️