Assassin's Creed Shadows Butterfly Locations: What Most People Get Wrong

You’re probably running around Osaka right now, looking at every single cherry blossom tree and wondering why that "10/10" counter isn't budging. Honestly, it’s frustrating. Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn't just hand you these collectibles. They aren't glowing icons on your mini-map, and your bird won't just highlight them from the stratosphere.

Basically, if you’re looking for the Assassin's Creed Shadows butterfly locations, you’re playing a game of high-stakes hide-and-seek. These aren't real insects, either. They are origami—delicately folded paper butterflies pinned to tree trunks. What starts as a simple "children's game" offered by a woman called the Gamemaker quickly turns into a dark investigation involving a kidnapping ring.

📖 Related: Sonic All Stars Racing: Why It’s Still The Best Kart Racer You Aren't Playing

Where to Actually Start the Hunt

Before you go parkouring over every roof in the Izumi Settsu region, you have to talk to the right person. You’ll find the Gamemaker in the village of Katano. She’s usually hanging out near the Ornament Vendor, just west of Katano Castle.

She'll give you "The Butterfly Collector" quest.

Once you accept, she basically says, "Go find ten of these in Osaka." That’s it. No map markers. No waypoints. You’re on your own. Kinda rude, right? But here is the thing: all ten butterflies are located in Western Osaka. If you’re searching the eastern forests or the mountains, you’re wasting your time.

The Western Osaka Locations (Every Single One)

I've spent way too much time staring at bark to find these. To make your life easier, I’ve broken them down by their specific colors and where they are tucked away.

1. The Purple Origami Butterfly: Head to the very northern tip of the main island in Osaka. There’s a path that runs right along the river, southwest of the Nishinomaru Garden. Look for a tree standing near a stone lantern. It's pinned right there.
2. The Green Origami Butterfly: This one is slightly annoying because it’s in someone’s backyard. Go to eastern Osaka, near the wide bridge that connects the city to the castle. You’ll need to hop a fence or climb a roof to see it on a tree in a private garden.
3. Richo’s White Butterfly: This is the first of the "special" ones. It’s not just a collectible; it’s a letter. You’ll find it next to the middle bridge on the east side of the main island.
4. The Yellow Origami Butterfly: Cross that same middle bridge going west. There’s a garden with some unmarked buildings nearby. The butterfly is on a large tree right in the middle of the greenery.
5. Mucho’s White Butterfly: This one is near the river that separates Osaka from the Kojo Ruins (to the northwest). It’s basically sitting between the two northern bridges.
6. The Red Origami Butterfly: This is probably the easiest one to find. Go to the Temple of Osaka. On the north side of the temple grounds, right off the main path, there’s a tree with the red paper pinned to it.
7. Shucho’s White Butterfly: Head to the road next to the river in east Osaka, just south of your Kakurega (hideout). It’s tucked behind some bushes near the corner of the road.
8. The Blue Origami Butterfly: Go back to the Temple of Osaka. Directly across the street to the west, there’s a small shrine with a Torii Gate. The butterfly is on a tree right behind that shrine.
9. The Orange Origami Butterfly: Stay near the temple, but head south toward the water's edge. It's on a tree overlooking the river, surrounded by a few small houses.
10. The Pink Origami Butterfly: Way down in the southwest corner of the map. It’s in the Fisherman’s District, specifically on a tree near the stables just before you hit the bridge leading toward Sakai.

Why the White Butterflies Matter

You might notice that three of these (Richo, Mucho, and Shucho) aren't just colored paper. They contain notes. This is where the quest gets real. These notes are correspondence between members of a kidnapping group.

📖 Related: The Most Scariest Game on Roblox: Why the Answer Isn't What You Think

Once you grab all ten, the quest doesn't just end. You now have the evidence needed to track down the actual "Butterfly Collectors"—the kidnappers themselves.

• Mucho is usually found near the Kojo Ruins.
• Richo is hiding out in a bamboo grove north of Noda Village.
• Shucho is part of the "One That Got Away" sub-quest.

Killing these three is the only way to draw out the ringleader, Kacho. You’ll eventually find her in a heavily guarded house in the Nishinomaru Garden. You can’t really stealth this part; once you get close, a cutscene triggers and it’s time to fight.

Is the Reward Actually Worth It?

If you’re doing this for the loot, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. You get 5,000 XP and about 225 Mon, which is decent for the early to mid-game. The real prize, however, is the Butterfly of Benevolence.

This is a Rare Amulet/Trinket.

Now, there’s some debate on Reddit and in the community about what the "Origami Skill" and "Inner Child Protection" perks actually do. Some players swear it reduces your hitbox or powers up paper-based gadgets like shurikens. Others think it’s just "flavor text"—a memento of the children you saved. Honestly? It's a great piece of kit for Yasuke especially, mainly because it represents his role as a protector in this story.

Pro Tips for the Hunt

• Use Observe (R2/Right Trigger): Even though they don't show up on the map, using your "Eagle Vision" equivalent will highlight them with a small blue pulse if you’re close enough.
• Look for Trees, Not Walls: A lot of people waste time checking the sides of houses. These origami are always on trees.
• Order Doesn't Matter: You can grab the pink one first or the purple one last. The game doesn't care. But I highly recommend getting all ten before you start hunting the targets, otherwise the quest markers for the kidnappers might not trigger correctly.

After you've dealt with Kacho, you have to head back to the Gamemaker in Katano. You’ll have a choice to spare her or kill her. Most players suggest sparing her—especially if you're playing as Yasuke—as it fits the "redemption" theme of his arc.

To finish this questline and claim your rewards, ensure you have cleared all the "Paper Trail" and "Chrysalis" investigation steps in your menu. If the final confrontation with Kacho isn't appearing, check your inventory to make sure you actually read the letters found in the white butterflies. Reading them is often the "hidden" trigger that moves the quest forward. Once Kacho is defeated and you've spoken to the Gamemaker one last time, the Butterfly of Benevolence will be yours.