You've finally done it. You collected the main moons, defeated the boss, and watched the credits roll on Super Mario Odyssey. You think the Tostarena desert is behind you. But then you look at the map, see those empty slots in the power moon list, and realize there is a massive gap. Specifically, you're looking for Sand Kingdom Moon 76, and honestly, it’s one of the most frustratingly specific moons to track down if you don't know exactly where the game is hiding its post-game content.
Most people assume they can just stumble upon every moon by ground-pounding glowing spots or jumping into random cacti. That works for the first fifty. It doesn't work for the endgame.
To find Sand Kingdom Moon 76, which is officially titled "On the Eastern Pillar," you have to understand how Nintendo structured the "Moon Shard" system and the "Moon Pipe" unlocks. This isn't just a moon sitting on a pedestal waiting for you to grab it. It requires a specific capture, a bit of platforming finesse, and the realization that the Sand Kingdom is much larger than the village and the ruins suggest.
The Reality of Sand Kingdom Moon 76
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. You cannot get this moon during your first visit to Tostarena. Period. If you're running around the desert before beating Bowser and wondering why the eastern pillars look empty, that's why.
You need to break the Moon Rock.
Every kingdom in Odyssey has one of these giant, grey, glowing cubes. Once you finish the main story, you return to the Sand Kingdom, find the Moon Rock (it’s near the wedding hall area), and smash it open. This "shatters" the rock and scatters a whole new set of moons across the map. These are numbered 70 and above. That’s where Sand Kingdom Moon 76 comes into play. It’s part of the "bonus" tier of content designed for players who actually want to see everything the game has to offer.
How to Actually Reach the Eastern Pillar
So, you’ve broken the rock. Now what?
You need to head toward the ruins. Specifically, you're looking for the area near the Round Tower. If you look out toward the eastern edge of the map—basically into the vast, rolling dunes that used to be "out of bounds"—you’ll see a series of stone pillars standing lonely in the sand.
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One of them has a moon hovering right on top.
Here is the catch: Mario can't jump that high, and there's no platforming path leading directly to it. This is where the game tests whether you’ve mastered the Capture mechanic. You need a Lakitu.
Finding the Lakitu in the Sand Kingdom is usually easy—he’s hanging out over the poison pond or near certain oasis spots. Once you capture him, you have full flight control, sort of. You’re hovering. You need to pilot Lakitu all the way out to those eastern pillars. It’s a bit of a trek, and if you’re used to the fast-paced movement of the Cappy-roll-jump combo, the slow float of the Lakitu cloud might feel like it's taking an eternity.
Once you’re over the correct pillar, you just hop out of the capture. Mario drops down, hits the stone, and Sand Kingdom Moon 76 is yours. It sounds simple when I type it out like that, but in the heat of a 100% completion run, it’s easy to overlook because it’s tucked so far away from the "action" centers of the map.
Why the Sand Kingdom is Different
Tostarena is unique compared to the Metro Kingdom or the Wooded Kingdom. It’s flat. It’s wide. The developers used that horizontal space to hide things in plain sight. Most players spend their time looking down for cracks in the ground or inside buildings. Moon 76 forces you to look out.
It’s about the horizon.
Common Mistakes When Hunting Post-Game Moons
I’ve seen people spend hours trying to use the Jaxi to launch themselves off dunes to reach high pillars. Don't do that. It’s a waste of time. The Jaxi is great for speed, but his verticality is non-existent.
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Another mistake? Forgetting the map coordinates. If you open your map, you’re looking at the far eastern edge. If you feel like you’re drifting too far into the "death" zone where the sandstorm used to be, you’re probably heading in the right direction. The post-game moons are intentionally placed in "negative space"—areas you previously had no reason to visit.
The Mastery of the Lakitu Capture
Let’s talk about Lakitu for a second because he’s the key to Sand Kingdom Moon 76.
Most players only use him for the fishing mini-game to get those specific moons. But Lakitu is actually one of the most broken captures in the game for exploration. He ignores poison, he ignores sand traps, and he has a consistent altitude. When you're going for Moon 76, use the Lakitu to scout the surrounding pillars too. There’s often regional coins or hidden blocks tucked away in that same eastern sector that you wouldn't find on foot.
The Technical Grind to 100%
Super Mario Odyssey has 880 unique moon missions (though you can buy more to reach 999). The Sand Kingdom holds a massive chunk of these. When you’re dealing with moons in the 70s and 80s, you’re entering the "completionist" phase.
This isn't just about fun anymore; it’s about the checklist.
You’ve got to be methodical. If you’re missing 76, chances are you’re missing 75 and 77 too. Usually, those are clustered. 75 involves the "low-altitude" bird chasing, and 77 is often related to the hidden desert spots revealed by the Moon Rock.
Is Moon 76 Required for Anything?
Technically, no. You don't need it to "beat" the game. You don't even need it to unlock the Dark Side or the Darker Side of the Moon. You can reach those requirements by just buying moons in the shop if you really wanted to.
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But there’s a specific pride in getting Sand Kingdom Moon 76 the "real" way. It’s about the exploration. It’s about seeing that "Power Moon Collected!" screen and knowing you didn't leave a single stone unturned in Tostarena.
Plus, if you want the gold Mario statue or the final rewards from Toadette in the Mushroom Kingdom, you need these specific numbered moons. Toadette tracks your progress based on how many moons you actually found, not just how many you have in your counter.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you’re sitting at your Switch right now frustrated, follow this exact sequence:
- Fast travel to the Tostarena Northwest Reaches or the Round Tower. It’s the best starting point.
- Locate the Lakitu. He is usually found near the poison lake area. Throw Cappy and take control.
- Fly East. Don't get distracted by the ruins. Go past them. Look for the tall, isolated pillars standing in the deep sand.
- Check the Pillar Tops. One will have the unmistakable glow of a Power Moon.
- Dismount Carefully. Press ZL to hop out of the Lakitu. If you miss the pillar, you’ll fall into the sand and have to fly back up. It’s annoying, but not deadly.
Once you grab it, check your list. If 76 is filled, look at the surrounding numbers. The Sand Kingdom is notorious for having moons that are "sequenced"—finding one often gives you the perspective needed to spot the next.
The desert is big, but it’s not infinite. You’ve got this. Just keep your eyes on the horizon and quit trying to jump your way up pillars that were clearly meant for a cloud-riding turtle.
Go get that moon. Then go talk to Toadette and claim your reward.