Finding the Ruins of Odani in Assassin's Creed Shadows: What Players Actually Need to Know

You’re probably wandering around the Omi Province in Assassin's Creed Shadows right now, looking for a specific pile of rocks that actually matters. It’s the Ruins of Odani. Honestly, the game doesn't always make it easy to find exactly where you're supposed to be, especially when the verticality of the landscape starts getting in the way of your waypoint. This isn't just some random landmark for a photo mode shot. It’s a site tied deeply to the history of the Azai clan, and if you’re playing as Naoe or Yasuke, you’ll find that the "ruins" are a bit more than just crumbling walls—they're a tactical playground.

Ubisoft went all in on the Sengoku period geography. Odani Castle was historically one of the most impenetrable mountain fortresses in Japan. In the game, the Ruins of Odani reflect that brutal history of the Siege of Odani Castle (1573), where Oda Nobunaga basically tore the place down to end the Azai bloodline. If you've been following the lore, you know Yasuke has a complicated relationship with Nobunaga’s legacy, which makes standing in these ruins feel a bit heavier than your average loot run.

Why the Ruins of Odani in AC Shadows are a Pain to Find

Navigation in AC Shadows depends heavily on which protagonist you’re using. If you're Yasuke, you're likely sticking to the paths, which is your first mistake when looking for the ruins. The ruins are tucked away in the mountainous region of the Omi Province, north of Lake Biwa. It’s a climb.

Getting there is half the battle. You’ll find that the map markers in this game can be a bit finicky if you haven't synchronized the nearby viewpoints. The ruins are characterized by overgrown stone foundations and charred timber remnants that look significantly different from the polished architecture of Osaka or the bustling streets of Kyoto. It’s quiet. Eerily quiet. Most players end up stumbling onto them while tracking down specific gear sets or completing the regional side activities that dot the Omi landscape.

Don't expect a pristine castle. This is a post-siege graveyard. The level design emphasizes the "mountain" part of mountain-castle (yamashiro). You’ll see steep drops and narrow ridges that make stealth gameplay as Naoe feel essential. If you try to just gallop in on a horse, you're going to get stuck in the brush or spotted by the roaming bandits who have claimed the high ground.

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The Tactical Layout of the Ruins

The developers at Ubisoft Quebec clearly studied the layout of the real-world Odani Castle site in Shiga Prefecture. In-game, the ruins are split into several elevations. You’ve got the lower bailey, which is mostly open ground with some scattered cover, and then the higher elevations where the inner sanctum used to be.

For Naoe players, the ruins are a dream. There are plenty of grapple points—those little iron rings and wooden beams that let you bypass the guards entirely. The shadows here are long, especially if you arrive at dusk or during a storm. The dynamic weather system in Shadows can turn the ruins into a muddy, slippery mess, affecting how quickly you can scale the walls.

Yasuke's approach is... different. There isn't much room for a fair fight on those narrow ledges. If you’re playing as the samurai, you’re basically forcing a bottleneck. Use the ruined gates to your advantage. There’s a specific spot near the western edge of the ruins where the foundation has collapsed, creating a natural ramp. It’s the easiest way to get a heavy hitter into the heart of the camp without being a sitting duck on a climbing wall.

Loot and Secrets Hidden in the Rubble

You aren't just here for the history lesson. You want the gear. The Ruins of Odani house a few specific chests that contain upgrade materials for your katanas and kusarigama. More importantly, there’s a collectible scroll hidden in the "Main Keep" area—or what’s left of it.

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1. Check the well. There’s a dry well near the northern perimeter. In true Assassin's Creed fashion, there’s usually something at the bottom, or it leads to a small cave system used for escaping the siege years prior.
2. The lookout tower. There’s one partially standing timber structure. If you can get to the top without being shot down by an archer, the view of Lake Biwa is actually one of the best in the game.
3. Hidden caches. Look for the "Azai" mon (clan crest) carved into stone lanterns. Sometimes these indicate a hidden stash of coins or a letter detailing the final moments of the castle’s defenders.

The Historical Connection: Azai Nagamasa and Nobunaga

To understand why the Ruins of Odani in AC Shadows matter, you have to know about Azai Nagamasa. He was Nobunaga’s brother-in-law. Then he betrayed him. It’s a classic Sengoku story of honor versus ambition. When Nobunaga finally laid siege to Odani, it wasn't just a battle; it was a demolition.

In the game, you’ll find environmental storytelling that hints at this. Charred wood isn't just a texture choice—it’s a reference to the fire that consumed the castle while Nagamasa’s wife, Oichi (Nobunaga’s sister), was being evacuated. If you're playing as Yasuke, the dialogue sometimes reflects his perspective on these past victories. He sees the "unification" of Japan, but at the cost of places like this. It adds a layer of grit to the exploration that wasn't as present in previous titles like Valhalla.

Navigating the Verticality Without Dying

Let’s talk about the falling damage. It’s real. The ruins are built on a series of ridges. If you’re using Naoe’s shinobigatana to parkour across the gaps, be careful with the camera angles. The game sometimes struggles to lock onto the correct ledge when you’re deep in the ruins.

• Use the Eagle Vision (or the "Shinobi Sense" equivalent) to highlight the structural weaknesses in the stone.
• Some walls are destructible. If you see a pile of loose rocks with a slight glow, Yasuke can bash through them with a kanabo to reveal shortcuts.
• Watch the weather. Rain makes the stone surfaces slick. You’ll find your grip strength (the stamina bar for climbing) depletes slightly faster when it’s pouring, which is a neat, if frustrating, touch of realism.

Common Mistakes When Exploring Omi Province

Most people try to reach the ruins from the south. Don’t do that. The southern approach is a sheer cliff face that’s mostly unclimbable unless you’ve unlocked specific high-level traversal skills. Instead, loop around to the northeast. There’s a winding path that leads past a small shrine. This path takes you directly into the lower bailey of the ruins.

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Another mistake? Ignoring the tall grass. The ruins are overgrown for a reason. Ubisoft designed this area for the "stalking" gameplay loop. Even as Yasuke, you can use the dense shrubbery around the stone foundations to thin out the guard numbers before you start swinging.

Honestly, the ruins aren't just a waypoint. They are a snapshot of a specific moment in Japanese history that the game handles with a surprising amount of respect. You can feel the weight of the "Old Japan" being crushed by the "New Japan" that Nobunaga represents.

What to do after clearing the Ruins of Odani

Once you’ve cleared the enemies and grabbed the loot, don't just fast travel away. There’s a legendary animal hunt that occasionally triggers in the woods just beneath the ruins. It’s a massive boar—fitting for the rugged terrain of Omi. Taking it down gives you unique crafting components that you’ll need for mid-to-late-game armor sets.

Also, check your map for the "Tales of the Shinobi" quest markers. Sometimes a secondary NPC will spawn near the ruins’ entrance after you’ve completed the main regional objective. They usually have a bit of flavor text about the Azai ghosts, which, while probably just superstition in the game world, adds to the atmosphere.

Practical Steps for Your Next Session

If you’re planning to head to the Ruins of Odani right now, here is the most efficient way to handle it:

1. Synchronize the Mt. Ibuki Viewpoint first. This will clear the fog of war over the eastern half of Omi and make the ruin’s silhouette visible on your map.
2. Switch to Naoe for the initial entry. Her ability to move through the rafters of the ruined gates is much safer than Yasuke’s "walk through the front door" approach.
3. Equip Fire Resistance. Many of the bandits in this specific area use fire arrows (a nod to the castle’s fate), and the dry wood in the ruins can catch fire quickly, turning your cover into a death trap.
4. Search the North-East Corner. This is where the highest-quality loot chest is hidden, tucked behind a partially collapsed stone wall that requires a bit of parkour to reach.
5. Listen to the ambient dialogue. The guards often talk about the "treasures of the Azai," which can sometimes trigger map markers for other hidden spots in the province.

The ruins are a highlight of the Omi region. They offer a break from the dense forests and provide a more structured, vertical challenge that tests everything you've learned about the game’s movement system. Just watch your step on the descent—the fast travel point isn't exactly right next to the treasure.