What Traveler’s Maps do in Ghost of Yōtei

Traveler’s Maps point you to Altars of Reflection — locations used to progress Atsu’s combat and stealth toolkit. Deluxe and Collector’s Edition owners get early access to a small set of these maps, but the system exists in the base game for everyone.

Get Traveler’s Maps (Deluxe early unlock, or in‑game from the cartographer)

  • Early unlock: The Digital Deluxe and Collector’s editions include a pack of Traveler’s Maps you can use right away.
  • In‑game access: You can buy Traveler’s Maps from Isaburo, the cartographer at the Old Inn. Finishing the Old Inn intro questline brings core vendors online there, including the cartographer.
  • Cost and alternatives: Standard maps are sold for coin (50 each) and can occasionally be found via traveling NPCs.
Tip: If you’re low on money, you can purchase a map, note or screenshot its solution, then reload a prior save. You keep the knowledge without the spend.

Use Traveler’s Maps to reveal Altars of Reflection

These maps aren’t automatic markers. Each one is a stylized clue that must be placed on your world map to pinpoint a location.

  • Open the world map and select the relevant Traveler’s Map.
  • Align the drawing with the region by matching rivers, ranges, shores, or named landmarks.
  • Confirm placement to drop a destination. The target will be an Altar of Reflection.
Note: Placing a map while the area is still fogged can be tricky. Look for distinctive shapes — river forks, mountain silhouettes, and coastline bends — to line things up even before you’ve cleared the fog.

Deluxe Edition Traveler’s Map placements

The early set bundled with the Deluxe edition leads to three specific Altars. Each one grants a skill point when found.

Traveler’s Map Where to place it What you’ll find Reward
Cave Altar Fork in the Sarubetsu River, just north of Windy Meadow Altar of Reflection at the marked cave site 1 skill point
Overlook Altar Southern edge of the northern mountain range, above Serpent’s Pass Altar of Reflection on the overlook 1 skill point
Waterfall Altar Shirahige Falls near the southern coast, east of Lake Kuttara Altar of Reflection by the falls 1 skill point

Unlock skills at an Altar of Reflection

  • Travel to the marked altar and approach the shrine.
  • Swipe down on the DualSense touchpad to pay respects.
  • Claim the skill point or progression tied to that altar, then spend points to unlock techniques.

You can visit altars in any order you discover them — with or without a Traveler’s Map.

Find Altars of Reflection without Traveler’s Maps

You don’t need a map to hunt altars if you prefer a clean UI or organic exploration:

  • Use the spyglass (Up on the d‑pad) from high ground to scan the horizon. Points of interest you focus on are added to your map so you can route to them later.
  • Follow environmental cues — smoke plumes, unusual trees, and carved pillars often signal nearby activities, including altars.

This approach lets you keep your map uncluttered while still building a list of places worth visiting.

Practical workflow for fast early upgrades

  • Clear the Old Inn to unlock vendors and the cartographer.
  • Buy or use any Traveler’s Maps you have, place them, and fast‑travel near the target.
  • Pray at the altar to bank a skill point; invest in core parry/dodge or weapon techniques as needed.
  • Mix in spyglass scouting between altar runs to seed your map with new destinations.

If you want a fully blind run, you can ignore early unlocks entirely and rely on the spyglass and exploration. If you want a head start, the three Deluxe maps are straightforward to place and convert directly into early skill points.