Soma the Condemned is a special bounty in Yotei Grasslands that doesn’t come from the board. It’s a short, atmospheric hunt that ends in a one-on-one duel and a memorable coda. Here’s how to unlock it, reach Soma’s hideout at Lake Jozan, open the sealed gate, and finish the encounter for the full reward.

Unlock the Soma the Condemned bounty (Yotei Grasslands)

Speak to Kojiro, the bounty broker, at Yotei Shadow Inn (the Old Inn) after you’ve cleared the region’s earlier bounties. He sits next to the bounty board and will offer Soma as a direct assignment—there’s no poster to pick up.

Once the dialogue ends, the bounty is added to your map and tracking.

Find Soma’s hideout at Lake Jozan

Ride to Lake Jozan at the northwestern edge of Yotei Grasslands. On the lake’s west side, look for stone stairs leading up to a cavern entrance at the edge of the map. You’ll hear flute music behind a large, locked wooden gate.

Expect a small group of enemies camped outside the cave. You can clear them quietly or take them head‑on—either way, the cave gate remains locked until you perform the next step.

Open the locked gate with the shamisen

Stand before the gate and bring up the shamisen (swipe left on the controller’s touchpad). Select and play the “Song of Soma.” The tune is available here specifically for this moment. When the piece ends, the wooden gate unlocks and swings open.

Head inside.

The path is linear but includes a few traversal beats:

  • Follow the tunnel until you hit a dead end, then look for a low opening on the right. Crawl through.
  • Use the grappling hook to pull down a bamboo screen/door deeper inside the cavern.

Pulling the bamboo barrier triggers a cutscene that transitions straight into the duel.

Defeat Soma and honor his last request

You’ll face Soma in a duel arena inside the cave. Play patiently, watch for heavy strikes, and capitalize on openings. When Soma falls, he asks for one final song.

Interact to play the shamisen alongside him. The scene completes the bounty and grants his gear.

Rewards and payout

Reward Details
Bounty Master Armor Unlocked after the duel and final song
Bounty Master Headband Unlocked alongside the armor
1,500 coins Return to Kojiro at Yotei Shadow Inn to collect

Step-by-step at a glance

Step What to do
1 Clear earlier Yotei Grasslands bounties and talk to Kojiro at Yotei Shadow Inn to receive the Soma assignment directly.
2 Travel to Lake Jozan (northwest). Find the stairs up to the cavern at the west edge; deal with the camp outside.
3 At the locked gate, swipe left on the touchpad to use the shamisen and play “Song of Soma” to open it.
4 Follow the tunnel, crawl through the low gap, and use the grappling hook to pull down the bamboo screen.
5 Fight Soma in the duel, then accept his request to play a final song.
6 Collect the Bounty Master armor set and report back to Kojiro for the coin payout.

That’s the full route: a brokered lead from Kojiro, a musical key at Lake Jozan’s gate, a short crawl and grapple, and a duel that ends with a quiet performance and a strong armor set. If you’re sweeping the Grasslands, save this bounty for last and cash out on your way through the inn.