Ghost of Yotei Shamisen Song Locations Guide

The shamisen is introduced early in the game and can be played at any time by swiping left on the DualSense controller’s touchpad. While Atsu starts with a personal song, you can discover several others throughout the world. Each new song, when played, sets the Guiding Wind to track a specific type of collectible or activity.

To learn a new song, you’ll often need to complete a small mini-game where you slide your finger across the touchpad to find and hold the correct note. These moments are usually found at locations marked by square kites with a bird design flying high in the air.

Shamisen Song Locations and Effects

Here are the songs you can learn to master your exploration of Yōtei, and where to find them.

Atsu’s Song

• Effect: None. This is Atsu’s personal melody and has no gameplay effect.
• How to Unlock: This is the default song you start the game with. It is taught to you during the mechanics tutorial at Atsu’s Home.

Song of Spirit

• Effect: The Guiding Wind directs you to the nearest Bamboo Strike.
• How to Unlock: You must complete the “Master of the Shamisen” side quest.
• Location: Head to Master Hejiro’s Garden in the Yotei River area of the Yotei Grasslands. There, you’ll find a “Familiar Location” on a cliff overlooking some pools. Interacting with it will trigger a flashback where you help Atsu’s mother in the garden. This culminates in a sequence where you help Master Hejiro compose the song at night, unlocking it for your use.

Bamboo Strikes are crucial for increasing your maximum Spirit, which is used for powerful combat techniques. Unlocking this song early will make finding these challenges much easier.

Song of Well-Being

• Effect: The Guiding Wind directs you to the nearest Hot Spring.
• How to Unlock: Found at a Shamisen Practice spot marked by an orange kite.
• Location: Travel to the Ishikari Plain region. This practice spot is located on the western coast, specifically on a cliffside overlooking the ocean in the Stone Jaw Coast area. Once you arrive, sit down and complete the shamisen mini-game to learn the tune.

Hot Springs are vital as they grant a permanent increase to your maximum health. While their steam columns are often visible from a distance, this song ensures you’ll never miss one.

Song of the Wolf

• Effect: The Guiding Wind directs you to the nearest Wolf Den.
• How to Unlock: Complete any four Wolf Den activities throughout the world.
• Location: This song is unlocked automatically after you clear your fourth Wolf Den. Atsu will sit down and compose the song for her wolf companion.

Wolf Dens are important for upgrading your wolf companion’s abilities. This song is the most reliable way to track down the remaining dens once you have started on this collectible path.

Song of Shrines

• Effect: The Guiding Wind directs you to the nearest Shrine or Fox Den.
• How to Unlock: Encounter a specific traveler at a campsite.
• Location: This is one of the more elusive songs. It is learned from a random world encounter with a lone settler. This traveler can appear at campsites near roads, often in the Yotei Grasslands or Tokachi Range. When you find him, sit at his campfire, and he will help Atsu compose the song.

Both Shrines and Fox Dens (which lead to Inari Shrines) are the primary sources for Charms. These accessories provide powerful passive bonuses, so finding them is a high priority.

Song of Revenge

• Effect: The Guiding Wind directs you to the nearest Yotei Six Camp.
• How to Unlock: Complete the “Those Who Leave” Tale quest.
• Location: Find the Musician’s Camp in the Shizunai Woods, located in the southeastern area of the Tokachi Range. Give a donation to the musician by the lake and play a tune to begin the quest. You’ll help him compose the song, which will complete the Tale and unlock the melody for you.

Yotei Six Camps are enemy-occupied locations that contain valuable Altars of Reflection, which are used to unlock new skills. This song is invaluable for players looking to fully upgrade Atsu’s combat abilities.

Song of the Ainu

• Effect: The Guiding Wind directs you to the nearest Ainu Item.
• How to Unlock: Complete the two-part Tale questline involving the Ainu Musician.
• Location: This is a multi-step process.
• 1. First, find the Ainu Musician at Yubari Lake in the Tokachi Range. Talk to him to start “The Soul of an Instrument” Tale.
  2. After completing it, he will ask you to find him again. He moves to the Nayoro Wilds region. You will find him on a cliff overlooking the “Iwor Woods” settlement.
  3. Speak to him there to begin the follow-up quest, “A Melody of Thoughts,” where you will help him compose the Song of the Ainu.

Ainu Items are used to upgrade a special set of robes that make it easier to find other collectibles, making this song a must-have for any completionist.

Song of Soma (Bonus)

• Effect: Unlocks the door to the cave of a specific bounty target.
• How to Unlock: Tied to a specific bounty hunt.
• Location: First, you must complete all available bounties at the Old Inn. This will unlock the final bounty for “Soma the Condemned.” When you arrive at Soma’s cave, you will need to play this special tune to open the entrance and confront him.

While this song has a single, specific use, it is required to complete the bounty storyline and unlock the unique Bounty Master Armor.

By seeking out these melodies, you transform Atsu’s shamisen from a simple memento into an indispensable tool of exploration. Each song opens up new possibilities, guiding you toward the power and knowledge needed to reclaim your homeland.