You're riding through Iki Island, the wind is howling, and suddenly you stumble upon something that looks... well, a bit out of place. It’s a shrine. But it’s not just any shrine. It’s the Ghost of Tsushima Forbidden Shrine, and if you’re a fan of Horizon Zero Dawn, your heart probably just skipped a beat. This isn't just a random Easter egg tucked away in a corner of the map; it’s a full-on mechanical tribute to Aloy, the machine-hunting protagonist from Guerilla Games.
Honestly, the first time I saw it, I was stumped. The game doesn't give you a waypoint. It doesn't give you a clear objective marker. It just gives you a cryptic poem and expects you to figure out the rest. Most players just run around the base of the statue for ten minutes before giving up and checking a forum. Don't do that. It’s actually one of the coolest little puzzles in the Director's Cut, mostly because it bridges two of the best PlayStation exclusives ever made without breaking the immersion of Jin Sakai’s world.
Finding the Forbidden Shrine is half the battle. You’ll want to head to the northern coast of Iki Island. Specifically, look for the Raider Promontory. It’s tucked away in a spot that feels intentional—isolated, rugged, and overlooking the sea. Once you arrive, you'll see a massive stone structure with a distinct "Horizon" vibe, complete with a scroll sitting at the base that contains the riddle you need to solve.
Solving the Riddle of the Ghost of Tsushima Forbidden Shrine
The scroll at the Forbidden Shrine reads: "The old world is gone, though life takes hold anew. Look to the promise in the lady's blood. A seeker, a champion, who would save the world. To her, we pay our respects."
If you haven't played Horizon, that sounds like nonsense. If you have, you know exactly who it's talking about. But even knowing the reference doesn't tell you what buttons to press. Sucker Punch designed these Wind Shrines to require a specific set of gear and a specific action. To crack the Ghost of Tsushima Forbidden Shrine, you need two things: the Tadayori Armor and a very specific use of Concentration.
First, equip the Tadayori Armor. You get this by completing the "Legend of Tadayori" Mythic Tale back on the main island of Tsushima. It’s the set that focuses heavily on archery, which makes sense given Aloy’s primary weapon is a bow. Once you have the armor on, walk up to the shrine. Now, here is the part where most people get stuck. You need to enter Concentration mode (pushing in the R3 stick while aiming) and shoot the glowing red parts of the shrine.
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Wait. Not just any parts. Look for the three specific points on the shrine that resemble the "weak points" on a machine from Horizon. When you hit them in Concentration mode, you’ll trigger a brief cinematic. Jin will be shrouded in a brief flash of blue light—reminiscent of the Focus pulse from Horizon—and the transformation is complete.
What You Actually Get for Your Trouble
The reward is the Sign of the Hunter. It’s a cosmetic skin for the Tadayori Armor that basically turns Jin into a 13th-century version of Aloy. You get a headband that mimics her Focus and a color scheme of browns, oranges, and teals that perfectly matches her Nora Brave outfit. It looks surprisingly good in the context of the game. It doesn't feel like a "cheap" skin; the textures are high-quality, and the way the colors pop against the tall grass of Iki is something else.
It’s worth noting that this isn't just about the looks. While the skin is cosmetic, the Tadayori Armor itself is arguably the best set in the game for anyone who prefers a ranged build. By the time you’re on Iki Island, you’ve likely upgraded this armor significantly, and rocking the Aloy-themed skin while picking off Mongols from a hundred yards away feels incredibly satisfying.
Why These Shrines Exist in the Director's Cut
Sucker Punch didn't just stop at Horizon. The Forbidden Shrine is part of a set of four "Wind Shrines" added in the Iki Island expansion. Each one represents a different PlayStation icon. You’ve got the Shrine of Ash (God of War), the Blood-Stained Shrine (Bloodborne), and the Shrine in Shadow (Shadow of the Colossus).
Why do this? It's a "collab" in the truest sense. In an era where most crossovers are just paid DLC skins in a storefront, Sucker Punch integrated these into the world-building. These shrines feel like ancient monuments to gods from another dimension. They respect the player's intelligence by not putting a giant "Horizon Zero Dawn" logo on the screen. Instead, they use the poem to bridge the gap.
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The Ghost of Tsushima Forbidden Shrine is arguably the most visual of the four. The stone carvings clearly evoke the Tallnecks and Watchers that roam Aloy's version of Earth. It’s a nice nod to the shared DNA between these studios. Guerilla and Sucker Punch have a history of supporting each other, and seeing that manifest as a playable secret is a treat for long-term fans.
Common Mistakes When Visiting the Forbidden Shrine
I’ve seen a lot of players get frustrated because the puzzle doesn't trigger. Here are the common pitfalls:
- Wrong Armor: You absolutely must be wearing the Tadayori Armor. No other set will work.
- Missing the Visual Cues: You have to use the Focus/Concentration mechanic. If you just shoot the shrine normally, nothing happens. You need to be in that slowed-down time state.
- Location Confusion: Don't confuse this with the other three shrines. Each has its own riddle. If you're seeing references to "great birds" or "colossi," you're at the wrong spot.
The Forbidden Shrine is specifically located at the very north of Iki. If you're looking at the map, it's near the Raider Promontory, north of the Sly Hunter’s Forest. It’s a bit of a climb to get there, but once you see the red machine-like markings on the stone, you’ll know you’ve arrived.
Technical Details and Requirements
To even access this, you need the Director’s Cut of the game. If you’re playing the base PS4 version from 2020 without the Iki Island expansion, you’re out of luck. You need to have progressed far enough in the main story to reach Act 2, which is when the Iki Island questline becomes available.
Most players wait until they've finished the main story to head to Iki. That's a mistake. The difficulty on Iki scales, but the rewards—like the items from the Ghost of Tsushima Forbidden Shrine—are incredibly useful for the late-game content on the mainland. Getting that "Sign of the Hunter" early gives you a unique look for the rest of your journey.
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The Tadayori Armor itself is a reward from the "Legend of Tadayori" Mythic Tale. You’ll find the musician for this quest in the Azamo Prefecture. You have to find the violet flowers, find the hidden grove, and duel Kaede. It’s a bit of a process, but you should have it in your inventory long before you ever set foot on Iki Island.
The Impact of Cross-Game Content
Some purists argue that these shrines break the "Kurosawa" vibe of the game. I disagree. Because they are hidden in remote parts of a DLC island, they feel like optional myths. Jin Sakai is a man who deals in legends and ghosts; the idea of a "Seeker" from a distant land fits right into the folklore-heavy atmosphere of Iki.
Besides, the actual visual design of the Forbidden Shrine is grounded. It’s stone. It’s weathered. It looks like it’s been there for centuries, even if the patterns are futuristic machine designs. It’s a masterclass in how to do a "crossover" without making it feel like a jarring advertisement.
Steps to Complete the Forbidden Shrine Right Now
If you are standing in front of the shrine right now, do this:
- Open your Gear menu and put on the Tadayori Armor.
- Walk to the front of the shrine where the scroll is.
- Draw your bow (L2).
- Press R3 to enter Concentration.
- Look for the glowing red spots on the structure and fire.
- Watch the cutscene and collect your gear.
The rewards will automatically appear in your inventory. You don't need to pick anything up off the ground. Once the "Sign of the Hunter" is unlocked, you can apply it to the Tadayori Armor in the "Outfit" tab of your gear menu.
The Ghost of Tsushima Forbidden Shrine remains one of the most memorable secrets on Iki Island. It’s a brief, rewarding puzzle that pays homage to one of the industry's most beloved characters while giving Jin Sakai some of his best-looking gear. Whether you're a completionist or just want to look like a post-apocalyptic hunter in feudal Japan, it’s a detour worth taking.
Ensure you have your Tadayori Armor upgraded to at least level 3 before heading into the heavy combat areas of Iki Island. The increased reload speed and Concentration time provided by the armor, combined with the Hunter skin, makes Jin a terrifyingly efficient archer. After finishing this shrine, head south to find the Blood-Stained Shrine if you want to unlock the Bloodborne-inspired Yharnam Vestments for the Kensei Armor. Each shrine on Iki follows a similar "armor + action" logic, so keep your eyes peeled for those cryptic scrolls.