I have a confession: I used to treat Yamazaki Castle like a loud problem. Run in, stab first, ask questions later. That worked... until every guard in Yamashiro knew my name. In 2026, Assassin's Creed Shadows still rewards patience, and Yamazaki Castle is one of the best tests of that patience. It sits in southern Yamashiro, south of Shoryuji and southeast of Eagle's Nest. The closest fast travel points are Shoryuji Tenshu to the north and Oyamazaki Kakurega to the northeast. I always bring Naoe. Yasuke is a wrecking ball, but a wrecking ball cannot hide. Naoe can. Trust me, the difference is everything.
The castle breathes through its courtyards, and every breath is a patrol route. If you listen, the walls tell you where to go. Here is how I clear all five Samurai Daisho without raising a single alarm.
Why Naoe Makes Yamazaki Castle Almost Fair
Yamazaki Castle is home to five Samurai Daisho. Each one guards treasure, and each one can end your run if you get sloppy. With Yasuke, you can slash your way through, but the layout becomes meaningless and the castle alerts nearly guarantee you will become wanted. With Naoe, the castle becomes a puzzle. You climb, you wait, you strike. No sweat.
Where Yamazaki Castle Is
You will find Yamazaki Castle in southern Yamashiro.
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South of Shoryuji
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Southeast of Eagle's Nest
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Closest fast travel: Shoryuji Tenshu to the north
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Alternate fast travel: Oyamazaki Kakurega to the northeast
How To Assassinate The First Samurai Daisho
Enter the castle from the northeastern side. There is an open yard with a large tower you can scale. I move slightly south and west into an elevated courtyard using scaffolding. The shadows lean in here, which is exactly what I want.
Hide in the hay bale and take out the nearby guards. Then turn your attention to the first Samurai Daisho. Get his attention with a Shinobi Bell or by briefly stepping into view, then lure him to the bushes or hay bale. Finish him off. With the first Daisho down, I make my way further west using the perimeter walls to the north.
How To Assassinate The Second Samurai Daisho
Move past the farmland and into the northwestern courtyard. The second Samurai Daisho waits here, probably feeling important. I enter the house and quietly assassinate the sleeping enemy, then the workers in my path. After that, I finish the second Samurai Daisho with a Shoji Door Assassination and retreat to the rooftops.
I wait. One breath. Two. Then the world goes quiet again.
How To Assassinate The Third Samurai Daisho
Move further west into the west central courtyard. Several guards roam around, and the third Samurai Daisho patrols below. He walks the courtyard for a while, so I watch his movements until he heads toward the southwestern corner of the castle.
When the Daisho goes up some stairs and stands next to another lone guard, that is my cue. I drop down and double assassinate them, clearing the third Samurai Daisho in one clean motion.
How To Assassinate The Fourth Samurai Daisho
Make your way to the far southern section of the castle toward the small garden with a pond and a bridge. The fourth Samurai Daisho is there. I climb to the tree directly above them and wait for them to bump into each other. That little collision is my opening. I assassinate the Daisho, then take care of the worker who just watched it happen before they can report what they saw.
How To Assassinate The Fifth Samurai Daisho
With the fourth Daisho down, I jump from the tree to the perimeter walls and make my way around to the far eastern side. I am heading to the eastern courtyard of the castle, on the opposite side from where the Viewpoint is.
The fifth and final Samurai Daisho roams this area. I wait for them to go up the stairs and approach the two guards overlooking the area. The Daisho stops near the guards, then retraces his steps. While he pauses next to the guards, I prepare myself on the edge of the wall near the top of the stairs.
When the Daisho returns along his path, I assassinate him. Then I creep up and double assassinate the two distracted guards so there are no witnesses. Here is the deal: if you rush this one, you lose the whole castle. If you wait, he practically offers you his neck.
What Rewards Do You Get From Yamazaki Castle?
With all five Samurai Daisho found and defeated, I turn my attention to the extra loot across the castle.
Side Loot
Yamazaki Castle has several chests and resources to smuggle, including a key that opens locked doors.
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Key: In the northern area, there is a courtyard slightly southwest with a guard lying down in a house. Take care of the guard, then claim the key on the table next to him and the chest against the wall.
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First Door: In the northern elevated courtyard where I killed the first Daisho and claimed the key, there is a small locked shed with a chest, a resource bundle, and a pile of resources to smuggle.
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Second Door: In the western central courtyard near where I killed the second Samurai Daisho, there is a door guarded by two enemies.
Additional loot:
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In the northeastern area where you enter the castle, there is a small area with a guard to the west. Take out the guard and claim the chest.
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In the northwestern courtyard, there is a chest inside a house next to a sleeping enemy, adjacent to the second Samurai Daisho.
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On the southwestern side of the central courtyard where I killed the third Daisho, there is a house with three guards and a chest.
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In the central area of Yamazaki Castle on the eastern side where I killed the final Daisho, there is a chest on the platform near where I killed the two guards overlooking the area.
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In the western central courtyard inside the large Tenshu, there is a small chest to loot in the same room where I killed the two guards near the open windows.
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In the same Tenshu, there is another chest on the floor above, and two more chests in the same room as the Legendary Chest.
Legendary Chest
With all five Daisho down, I return to the Tenshu in the central area of the castle, along the west side near the top floor. Inside, I receive:
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| Experience | 3,000 exp |
| Engraving | An Engraving |
| Gear | Yurei-Walker Hood Legendary Headgear for Naoe |
Synchronization Viewpoint
In the western courtyard toward the center where I found the third Samurai Daisho, there is a large Tenshu. I make my way to the top and claim the synchronization viewpoint and the fast travel spot.
Final Thoughts
Yamazaki Castle is not just a loot stop. It is a stealth exam. In 2026, the best gear in Assassin's Creed Shadows still comes from these castles, forts, and fortresses, and Yamazaki is one of the cleanest tests of everything Naoe can do. Move like a rumor. Strike like a rumor. Leave nothing but empty chests and confused guards. That is how I clear Yamazaki Castle, and that is how I keep coming back with better gear and a quieter conscience.