Complete Kofun Guide: All Locations, Puzzles & Legendary Chests in AC Shadows

Greetings, fellow assassins! 🥷 So you've been busy sneaking through feudal Japan in Assassin's Creed Shadows, but have you stopped to explore the mysterious keyhole-shaped icons on your map? That’s right—these are the ancient kofun tombs, and if you haven’t delved into them yet, you’re missing out on some of the juiciest loot the game has to offer. In this guide, we’ll show you where to find all 10 kofun, how to crack their maze-like puzzles, and what treasures await at the end. Let’s get started! 🧭

What Are Kofun? 🔍

Kofun are ancient burial mounds from Japan’s Kofun period (yes, that’s a real historical thing!). In the game, they’re sprawling underground mazes filled with deadly traps, brain-twisting puzzles, and—more importantly—loot that will make your shinobi heart sing. Each one contains at least one Legendary chest and a handful of Rare ones, packed with high‑level weapons, armor, materials, and sometimes even unique engravings that can completely change your build. If you’ve been wondering how to gear up fast without spending hours grinding, this is your answer. But here’s the catch: these tombs aren’t just walk‑ins. You’ll need to light braziers in the correct order, push colossal blocks onto pressure plates, shoot hanging pots through tiny cracks, and occasionally even drown yourself (respawn, don’t worry) just to reach a hidden switch. Sound like fun? Oh, it definitely is. 😈

How to Spot a Kofun on the Map 🗺️

Open your world map and look for bright orange hexagons shaped like an old‑fashioned keyhole. That’s the universal marker for a kofun. Once you spot one, tag it and make your way there. But keep your guard up—the entrances are often hidden in bamboo thickets, behind waterfalls, or at the bottom of a pond. And no, the glowing icon doesn’t mean you can just walk in. Many require a bit of environmental storytelling to even reach the door. Use Eagle Vision liberally, keep an eye out for destructible walls, and if you see a suspiciously placed pot or torch, there’s a 99% chance it’s part of the puzzle.

All 10 Kofun Locations – Region Breakdown

While the exact GPS coordinates would spoil the thrill of discovery, the map above shows the precise locations of every single kofun. Here’s how they’re distributed across the provinces (because knowing which region to comb makes your life easier):

Wait, that’s only 10? Yep, the table adds up perfectly. (Yes, we counted twice.) If you’re still missing one, check the edges of the map—one kofun is practically on the border of Kawachi and Yamato, easy to overlook.

Puzzle Types & Pro Tips 🧩

Every kofun is unique, but the puzzles generally fall into a few categories. Knowing these will save you from banging your head against ancient stone walls:

1. Pressure Plate Sequences – You’ll often find several plates that must be weighted down simultaneously. Use nearby jars, the bodies of defeated enemies (grim, but effective), or even your companion’s stand‑in ability. Pro tip: you can throw shuriken at fragile pots above to drop sandbags onto plates. 💡

2. Torch & Flame Puzzles – Lighting braziers in a specific order opens passages. Sometimes you need to carry a flame from one room to another, dodging traps. If the flame goes out, start over. Don’t forget your arrow fire shots!

3. Breakable Walls & Gadget Gaps – Some doors can only be destroyed by kunai explosives or by rolling a boulder down a ramp. Others require you to slide through a tiny crack (Naoe is perfect for this) or use the grappling hook to swing across a broken bridge.

4. Mirror & Light Beams – Yes, Assassin’s Creed loves these. You’ll have to rotate reflective surfaces to point a beam at a door lock. It’s fiddly but satisfying when you hear that click.

5. Water & Buoyancy – A few kofun are partially flooded. You might need to break a wooden barrier from underwater or raise the water level by turning wheels. Hold your breath, literally.

A Legendary Example: The Megalithic Vault

Take the kofun known as the Megalithic Vault, for instance. This beast requires you to push a massive stone block onto a pressure plate, then quickly grapple across a chasm before the door shuts. Inside, you’ll find a series of hanging flaming urns—shoot them with arrows to light the torches below. Miss one? Back to the start. Once you finally reach the inner chamber, the legendary chest sits on a pedestal bathed in golden light, often containing a weapon or armor piece with a unique perk.

Are Some Kofun Locked Behind Progress? 🔒

Short answer: yes. A couple of kofun are tied to main story missions or require specific tools (like the explosive kunai or the heavy‑lift ability) that you unlock later. If you find an entrance blocked by a magical barrier or a boulder you can’t move, don’t sweat it—just mark it on your map and return when your character is stronger. Also, the Awaji kofun is inaccessible until you’ve completed the “Tides of War” questline in that region. Patience, young shinobi.

Rewards – Is It Worth the Headache? 💎

Absolutely. Each legendary chest guarantees at least one Epic or Legendary item scaled to your current level, making kofun runs an excellent way to keep your gear up to date without spending a fortune at merchants. You’ll also net rare crafting materials like Meteorite Ore, which is essential for end‑game upgrades. And let’s not forget the satisfaction of solving that final puzzle after twenty minutes of trial and error. Plus, clearing all 10 kofun unlocks a hidden achievement/trophy and a special decoration for your hideout—a tiny stone lantern that’s surprisingly cute. 🏮

Final Words

So, sharpen your katana, grab a torch, and set out to raid these ancient vaults. Whether you’re roleplaying as a true tomb raider or just want that sweet loot, the kofun of AC Shadows are a must‑do. Did that moving statue trick stump you too? Took us an embarrassing amount of time to figure out you had to spin it 180 degrees. 😅 Share your favorite puzzle moments in the comments, and if you found a kofun not on our list… well, double‑check your map, because there are only ten. Happy looting, and may your legendary chests always drop that one piece you’ve been grinding for! 🎒✨

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