Look, we've all been there. You're staring at the Sheikah Sensor, it’s beeping like crazy, and you are literally standing on top of the map marker but there is absolutely nothing there. Just grass. Maybe a goat. It's frustrating. Finding every single one of the 120 shrine locations Breath of the Wild hides across its massive version of Hyrule isn't just a completionist's errand; it’s the only way to get that classic green Tunic of the Wild.
Most people give up around shrine 112. Honestly, I don't blame them.
The game is designed to distract you. You'll be heading toward a glowing orange pedestal in the distance, and suddenly a Dragon flies overhead, or a Korok puzzle catches your eye, and you've completely forgotten where you were going. That’s the beauty of it, but it’s also the curse when you’re trying to max out your stamina or finally get that 30th heart container.
Why Some Shrines Simply Refuse to Appear on Your Map
You can't just walk up to every shrine. Some of them are buried under literal tons of rock, while others require you to be a meteorologist, a chef, or a bird-man.
Take the Rona Kachta Shrine. It’s tucked away in the Forgotten Temple at the end of Tanagar Canyon. You have to parry or dodge your way past about a dozen Decayed Guardians just to reach it. It’s one of the most atmospheric shrine locations Breath of the Wild offers, but if you aren't looking at the very northern tip of that canyon, you'll never even know the temple exists. It’s basically hidden in plain sight within the earth's crust.
Then there are the "Shrine Quests." These are the real killers for your map completion percentage.
You might pass a pedestal a dozen times, but if it’s "The Blood Moon’s Destiny," that shrine isn't popping up unless you’re standing there, naked, on a pedestal, during a specific lunar event. It’s weird. It’s very Nintendo. But it means your sensor won't help you. The sensor only picks up shrines that have already materialized. If it’s still underground waiting for a puzzle to be solved, your Sheikah Slate is going to stay silent.
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The Great Plateau and the "Easy" Starts
We all remember the first four. Oman Au, Ja Baij, Keh Namut, and Owa Daim. They teach you the basics—Magnesis, Bombs, Cryonis, and Stasis. They’re easy to find because the game literally forces you to look at them through a telescope. But even here, the game starts playing with verticality. If you aren't climbing the highest peaks of Mount Hylia, you’re going to miss the cold-resistance lessons necessary for the rest of the game.
The Regions Where Players Get Most Lost
Hebra is a nightmare. I’m just going to say it.
The Hebra Mountains are packed with shrine locations Breath of the Wild players miss because of the constant "white-out" snowstorms. Your visibility drops to near zero, and the verticality is insane. You think the shrine is at the top of the mountain? Nope. It’s actually inside a cave halfway down the cliffside, blocked by a giant snowball you have to roll into a door like a Macao bowling ball.
- To Quomo Shrine: This one is inside the Hebra North Summit. You have to find a set of heavy stone doors and use a rolling snowball to smash them open.
- Goma Asaagh: Tucked behind a meltable ice block at the foot of Hebra Peak. If you don't have fire arrows or a Flameblade, you’re just standing there staring at a wall of ice.
Then you have the Gerudo Desert.
The sandstorms there actually disable your map. Imagine trying to find a specific set of coordinates when your GPS is flickering and showing static. The Tho Kayu Shrine is a classic example. It’s guarded by a Molduga in the far west. Most people stay on the main paths to Gerudo Town and never venture into the deep dunes where these shrines hide. It’s hot, your internal clock is ticking against your heat-resistance food, and the dunes all look identical.
Hidden in the Shadows of Hyrule Castle
Most players assume Hyrule Castle is just for the final boss. Big mistake.
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There’s actually a shrine hidden in the docks. The Saas Ko'sah Shrine requires you to light a giant brazier, and it’s arguably one of the most useful fast-travel points in the game because it gives you a backdoor into the library and the rest of the castle’s loot. If you’re skipping the castle because you’re "not ready for Ganon," you’re missing out on one of the coolest shrine locations Breath of the Wild tucked away in its endgame area.
The "Blessing" Shrines Aren't Actually Free
We love seeing "Rauru’s Blessing" (wait, wrong game, that's Tears—I mean "Monk’s Blessing"). In Breath of the Wild, when you walk in and the chest is right there, it feels like a gift. But the "puzzle" was getting there.
The Ketoh Wawai Shrine in the Thyphlo Ruins is a perfect example. You have to navigate a forest of total darkness with nothing but a torch. You can hear monsters in the shadows, but you can’t see them. The shrine itself is the reward for not losing your mind in the pitch black.
Similarly, the Eventide Island shrine (Korgu Chideh) strips you of all your gear. No armor, no Master Sword, no 5-page inventory of cooked durians. You have to survive on your wits. It’s widely considered the best "shrine" experience because it forces you to play the game the way you did in the first hour.
Don't Forget the Dueling Peaks Triple Threat
Everyone finds the two shrines on top of the Dueling Peaks—Shee Vaneer and Shee Venath. But did you know they are linked? The pattern of the orbs in one is the solution for the other. It’s a brilliant bit of environmental storytelling that many players solve by just looking up a guide, which honestly ruins the "Aha!" moment.
But there’s a third one nearby, Ree Dahee, sitting right by the river underneath the peaks. It’s easy to miss if you’re too busy climbing the summits to see what’s right at your feet.
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Tips for the Final Stretch
If you are stuck at 119 shrines and your hair is falling out, check the following spots. These are the "Top 3" most missed shrine locations Breath of the Wild veterans always point to:
- Shoqa Tatone: This is the "Guardian Slideshow" quest down on the Faron coast. You have to talk to an NPC named Loone who is obsessing over an ancient orb. It’s tucked away in a tiny cove called Puffer Beach.
- Joloo Nah: This one is in the Gerudo Highlands, hidden behind a "Test of Will" against some Gorons. You have to stand on a hot plate. If you don't have the Flamebreaker armor or a lot of food, you’re toast. Literally.
- Maag No'rah: This is a hidden cave shrine in the Ridgeland region. You have to climb a specific cliffside near Lindor’s Brow and find a destructible rock wall that looks like every other rock wall.
Practical Steps for Your Map
Check your map and count the shrines in each region. The game doesn't give you a regional breakdown, which is annoying, but you can usually tell where the "gaps" are. If you see a massive area of brown or green with no blue icons, chances are there's a shrine there.
Look for birds. Seriously. In Breath of the Wild, circling birds often indicate something of interest—sometimes it's a shrine, sometimes it's a stable, or maybe just a group of enemies. But in the snowy regions or the desert, they are a godsend for spotting landmarks from the air.
Also, talk to the NPCs at stables. They aren't just there for flavor text. They often give you the "Shrine Quests" that trigger the pedestals. Kass, the accordion-playing bird, is your best friend. Follow the music. If you hear that accordion, drop everything and find him. He’s the key to at least eight different shrines.
Once you hit 120, head to the "Hidden Spring" behind the Temple of Time. That’s where your reward waits. No spoilers, but it’s the only way to truly look like the Hero of Legend.
Next Steps for Completionists:
- Cross-reference your map with the Hero's Path mode (if you have the DLC). Look for any large patches of land where you haven't walked; those are the prime spots for hidden cave entrances.
- Set your Sheikah Sensor+ specifically to "Shrine" and spend an hour paragliding from the highest towers in each region to catch any missed signals.
- Visit every stable and look for any "!" quest markers over NPC heads, as many shrines are locked behind these specific world interactions.