Sakura Woods location, unlock, and access

Item Details
Region Teshio Ridge (northern Ezo), north of Ishikari Plain
Unlock Completing the main tale “The Kitsune” opens Teshio Ridge
Map visibility “Sakura Woods” appears on the map once discovered
Getting there Ride north from Ishikari Plain or fast travel to a nearby point, then follow snowy trails into the grove
Prep Equip resistance charms and bring healing supplies; Teshio Ridge features blizzards and ambushes

In-game text and menus sometimes render the name as “Sakuru Woods,” but the map label uses “Sakura Woods.” Both refer to the same grove near the center of Teshio Ridge.

What Sakura Woods is for

This small grove concentrates three useful milestones: the Mother Daughter Tree that starts the Crimson Kimono Mythic Tale, one of the Nine Tails puzzle boxes, and a Special Place tied to a trophy. You can clear each in a single visit.

Start the Crimson Kimono Mythic Tale at the Mother Daughter Tree

Head to the western edge of the woods and look for the orange‑leaved Mother Daughter Tree. Storyteller Ugetsu sits below it; speaking to him begins the tale. The quest threads through multiple waypoints in Teshio Ridge and nearby mountains and ends with the Crimson Kimono body armor.

Compact walkthrough of the tale’s major beats:

  • Examine the mother‑and‑child snow sculpture by Ugetsu. Follow the red yuki mushi (glowing insects) to a mountainside campsite and inspect the collapsed tent for a journal clue.
  • Travel northwest past Sentinel Forest into the eastern Hakodake Mountains. At another Mother Daughter Tree, inspect the sculpture. You’ll be ambushed by shinobi hidden in snow; defeat them, then follow the yuki mushi to an abandoned shack and collect the scroll.
  • Move southwest to the upper Teshio River and find the next Mother Daughter Tree. Examine the sculpture to unlock a cave route.
  • In the cave: slip through the right side past rocks; at a broken bridge, turn right and climb ledges; outside, grapple a branch to cross a small chasm, then swing from a second branch to re‑enter the cave and reach an abandoned home.
  • Inside, climb to the attic and take the scroll. Outside, find the incomplete snow sculpture on the frozen river below the house and interact with it.
  • Follow the yuki mushi to a nearby grave. Inspect the rocks to open a box containing the Crimson Kimono. A cutscene closes the tale.

Nine Tails puzzle box in Sakura Woods

Sakura Woods holds one of the 12 Nine Tails puzzle boxes scattered across Teshio Ridge. In this grove, look beneath a small wooden shelter near the “r” in the “Sakura” map label. This box is unusual: it isn’t tied to a Kitsune Altar or a camp.

Solution behavior you can expect:

  • Interact to align fox statues in the correct orientation. When properly set, a rope ladder drops to reveal a hidden cache with the box’s rewards.
  • Solving all 12 Nine Tails puzzle boxes across Teshio Ridge grants the gold “Trickster Fox” trophy.

Special Place for the Speaking with the Land trophy

For trophy progress, there’s a confirmed Special Place northeast of the grove on rock outcrops in the middle of a lake. Look for a small bowing sign by the rocks. Stand at the sign and swipe down on the touchpad to bow; a brief environmental effect (like insects or birds) confirms it counted. You only need ten Special Places overall; they remain available after the story.

Quick checklist for Sakura Woods

Activity Where to stand/look Outcome Trophy tie‑in
Speak to Ugetsu at the Mother Daughter Tree Western edge of the grove under the orange tree Starts the Crimson Kimono Mythic Tale; ends with the Crimson Kimono armor None (story content)
Nine Tails puzzle box Under a wooden shelter near the “r” in “Sakura” on the map Align fox statues to drop a rope ladder and claim the cache Counts toward “Trickster Fox” (all 12 boxes)
Special Place (bow) Rock outcrops in the lake northeast of the grove Perform a bow to trigger an environmental effect Counts toward “Speaking with the Land” (10 total)
Optional: nearby Bamboo Strike North of Kamikawa Trading Post Complete the button‑sequence challenge None (activity)

Route and pacing without backtracking

  • Enter Sakura Woods from the south trail and ride straight to the orange Mother Daughter Tree. Talk to Ugetsu to lock in the tale.
  • Before following the yuki mushi out of the grove, detour northeast to the lake rocks and log the Special Place with a bow.
  • Cut back toward the map label’s “r” and check beneath the wooden shelter for the Nine Tails puzzle box.
  • Continue the Crimson Kimono steps out of the grove into Hakodake Mountains and Teshio River; finish the tale to claim the armor.
Tip: If a bow at the lake rocks doesn’t immediately trigger the environmental effect, bow again at the sign until it does. Trophy progress only ticks after the effect plays.

Sakura Woods is a compact stop in Teshio Ridge that pushes both narrative and completion. Start Crimson Kimono under the orange canopy, grab the fox‑themed puzzle box, and mark a Special Place before you leave for the mountains—three meaningful checks in one quiet grove.