Look, if you’re roaming around Sotenbori in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, you’ve probably heard the rumors. Kiryu—sorry, Joryu—is busy enough dealing with the Watase Family and trying to keep his identity under wraps, but then the game throws a curveball at you. Or rather, a golden ball. Seven of them, actually. It’s a classic Ryu Ga Looku Studio trope: the legendary quest for a set of mystical orbs that grants a wish. It’s a blatant Shenron reference, but finding all the Like a Dragon Gaiden golden balls is surprisingly tricky if you aren't looking in the right nooks and crannies.
Most players stumble upon the first one by accident. You’re just walking, minding your own business, and you see something shiny. But then the trail goes cold. This isn't just a mindless collectible hunt; it’s tied to the "Gotta Catch 'em All" request from a specific NPC. Honestly, the rewards are worth it, but the frustration of being stuck at 6/7 is real.
Where the Hell Are They?
The distribution of these items is weird. Some are handed to you on a silver platter, while others require you to basically harass the environment or spend a decent chunk of points in the shop.
The easiest one to snag is at the Yotsudera Kaikan building. If you head to the south side of the map, specifically the Shofukucho area, you’ll find this slightly run-down spot. There’s a guy standing around who’s basically obsessed with the balls. Talk to him. He kicks off the whole hunt. Right near him, you’ll see one just sitting there, mocking you. Grab it.
Then things get a bit more expensive. You’ll need to head over to the Castle. This is the massive, neon-drenched gambling hub that serves as the game’s secondary playground. You can’t just find these on the floor here; you have to earn them. One is tucked away in the Coliseum shop. You’ll need 70,000 Platinum Points. That sounds like a lot, and it kind of is, but if you’ve been grinding the Hell Team Rumble or the higher-tier individual bouts, you’ll have that in no time.
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There's another one at the Castle's gambling hall. This one will set you back about 2,500 chips. It’s cheap compared to the Coliseum one, but it requires you to actually engage with the mini-games. If you’re bad at Poker or Koi-koi, this might take a minute, but most veterans of the series usually have a "cheat item" or two saved up for this exact reason.
The Hidden Sotenbori Spots
Sotenbori is dense. It’s a small map compared to Yokohama in Infinite Wealth, but it’s packed vertically. This is where people usually get stuck searching for the remaining Like a Dragon Gaiden golden balls.
Have you checked the Bishamonten Ichigo shop? It’s a small boutique on the west side of Sotenbori Street. You’ll find a ball for sale there for a mere 777 yen. It’s a joke price, a nod to the lucky sevens. Buy it and move on.
The real pain in the neck is the one at the Don Quijote. Now, don't go looking on the shelves. It’s actually outside. If you stand near the entrance and look up at the massive Ferris wheel (the Ebisu Tower), you might see something glinting. You need to use your Spider gadget—that nifty wire Kiryu gets—to snag it. It’s a bit finicky with the aiming, but it’s there.
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There is also a ball hidden in the Sotenbori River. You need to walk along the footpath on the north side of the river. Look toward the water near the pleasure boats. There’s a ball just sitting on a boat’s awning or a ledge. Again, your Spider gadget is your best friend here. If you aren't using the gadget, you aren't getting the platinum trophy. Simple as that.
Lastly, check the Kiss Shot Billiards bar. It’s not a reward for winning a game, surprisingly. It’s just... there. Talk to the clerk or look around the prize exchange.
What Happens When You Get All Seven?
Once you have the full set, you head back to the guy at Yotsudera Kaikan. He’s ecstatic. You get a choice. This is where the game gets "meta."
- You can ask for Money. (1 million yen).
- You can ask for Items.
- You can ask for Sexy stuff.
Most people go for the money because upgrading Kiryu’s abilities in Gaiden is incredibly expensive. We’re talking millions upon millions of yen for the top-tier "Dragon" style upgrades. However, if you’re already a billionaire from the Coliseum, the items might be more tempting. The "sexy" option is a classic Yakuza prank—it gives you a funny scene and a somewhat useless item, but hey, it’s about the journey, right?
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Why the Hunt Matters for the "Man Who Erased His Name"
This quest isn't just filler. It highlights the shift in Kiryu’s life. He’s a ghost. He’s "Joryu." Finding these ridiculous items for a random citizen is his way of staying connected to the world he was forced to leave behind. It’s the contrast between the high-stakes political conspiracy of the Omi Alliance and the absurdity of chasing golden spheres.
Plus, it’s a direct callback to the older games where long-running side quests often rewarded players with the best gear in the game. In Gaiden, because the game is shorter than a mainline entry, these side activities feel more essential. They pad out the runtime in a way that feels rewarding rather than tedious.
Practical Steps for the Completionist
If you’re currently stuck on 5 or 6 balls, stop running in circles.
- Check your inventory. You might have bought one and forgotten.
- Go to the Castle. If you haven't touched the Coliseum shop, that’s almost certainly where your missing ball is hiding. It's the most "missable" because it requires a specific currency.
- Look Up. The Spider gadget is the key to two of the balls. If you're only looking at eye level, you're going to miss the ones on the Don Quijote building and the river structures.
- The "Kiss Shot" Check. Many players forget the billiards hall because it’s tucked away in an alley. Make sure you’ve physically entered the building and checked the exchange menu.
Once you’ve handed them in, the quest completes, and you’re one step closer to that 100% completion mark. It’s a small task in a world of yakuza wars, but in the world of Sotenbori, it’s one of the most satisfying "Aha!" moments you’ll get.
Don't overthink the "wish" part. Just take the million yen and dump it into your attack power stats. You’re going to need it for the secret boss fight later anyway.