Encounters of the Wild stitches together a short chain of fox statue puzzles that opens a hidden route beneath the Sarufutsu Lighthouse. You’ll start on the cliffs at Shipwreck Shoal in Teshio Ridge, unlock the side tale in a sealed building, then clear the lighthouse’s twin statue locks to reach a quiet hideout leading to the Sanctuary Grove. Here’s the full path and the exact statue orientations you need.

Start Encounters of the Wild (Shipwreck Shoal)

Head to Shipwreck Shoal on the northeastern edge of Teshio Ridge. You’ll see an inaccessible building across a gap and, near you, two wooden kitsune statues that rotate. This opening puzzle creates a crossing and then unlocks the door.

  • At the first pair of statues (your side): turn the left statue to face right, and the right statue to face left. A rope line appears across the gap.
  • Cross over to the opposite ledge. At the second pair there: turn the left statue to face left, and the right statue to face right. The building door opens.
  • Go inside, collect the items, and pray at the Altar of Reflection to gain a skill point.
  • Read the scroll on the left side of the room. This points you to the Sarufutsu Lighthouse and starts Encounters of the Wild.

Sarufutsu Lighthouse puzzle solution

Leave the building and look left along the coast; the lighthouse is visible nearby. Ride over and enter. Inside, you’ll find a locked door ahead and two mirrored statue puzzles on the left and right walls. Solving each side gives you a fox idol to place on the door’s pedestals.

  • Face the left wall. Rotate its two statues so they face each other (left statue faces right; right statue faces left). Pick up the now-available idol and place it on the left pedestal by the door.
  • Face the right wall and repeat: make those statues face each other (left statue faces right; right statue faces left). Place this idol on the door’s right pedestal.
  • With both idols placed, the door becomes interactable. Open it to access the tunnel toward the Hunting Camp Hideout.

Hunting Camp Hideout and the path to the Sanctuary Grove

On the other side, descend into the hideout. There’s no combat here—this sequence is about freeing and following a fox.

  • Approach the cage and release the fox.
  • Follow it through the cave on a straightforward, linear path. You’ll climb out near the sanctuary area.
  • At the grove, cross the beams and speak to the settler caring for the animals.
  • A deer will then guide you toward the exit route. Climb the nearby scaffolding to reach another Altar of Reflection at the top, pay respects to unlock a technique, and leave through the door behind the altar.

Quick solution reference (statue orientations)

Location Puzzle Left statue Right statue Result
Shipwreck Shoal (near side) Pair 1 Face right Face left Rope line appears
Shipwreck Shoal (far side) Pair 2 Face left Face right Building door unlocks
Sarufutsu Lighthouse Left wall Face right Face left Take idol, place on left pedestal
Sarufutsu Lighthouse Right wall Face right Face left Take idol, place on right pedestal

What you get for finishing

This side tale delivers two Altars of Reflection—one in the sealed building at Shipwreck Shoal and another above the Sanctuary Grove—letting you pick up new techniques and a skill point without a fight. If you’re pushing early progression in Teshio Ridge, it’s a quick, puzzle-led detour that pays off immediately.