You're running through the dense forests of Azuchi-Momoyama Japan, the wind whistling past Naoe’s ears, and suddenly the ground swells. It’s not just a hill. It’s a Kofun. Specifically, the Shimosato Kofun AC Shadows features is a massive, keyhole-shaped burial mound that feels eerily quiet compared to the warring states chaos happening just a few miles away.
Most players are going to sprint toward these locations looking for a gear chest or a historical collectible. Honestly? That’s a mistake. If you just treat the Shimosato Kofun as a checkbox on a map, you’re missing out on how Ubisoft is actually blending the supernatural "First Civilization" Isu lore with real-world Japanese archaeology. These mounds aren't just dirt piles. They are time capsules.
What Is the Shimosato Kofun Anyway?
Let’s get the history straight before we talk about the game mechanics. The real-life Shimosato Kofun is located in the Kii Peninsula, specifically in Nachikatsuura. It’s a "zenpo-koen-fun." That’s a fancy way of saying it looks like a keyhole from the sky. These were built for the elite—the movers and shakers of the Kofun period.
In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the Shimosato Kofun serves as a bridge between the ancient past and the 16th-century setting of Yasuke and Naoe. By the time our protagonists are swinging katanas and throwing kunai, these mounds were already over a thousand years old. They were ancient ruins even to the people living in the 1500s. Ubisoft uses this to create a sense of "layered" history. You aren't just exploring Sengoku Japan; you’re exploring the Japan that the Sengoku people feared or revered.
The atmosphere here is heavy. While the rest of the map is vibrant with cherry blossoms and burning villages, the Kofun sites are damp, mossy, and silent. It’s a tonal shift that works. It reminds me a bit of the tombs in AC Origins, but with a distinct Shinto-Buddhist flavor that makes the hair on your neck stand up.
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Navigation and the Naoe Advantage
If you’re playing as Yasuke, good luck. The guy is a powerhouse, but he’s about as subtle as a falling wardrobe. The Shimosato Kofun is designed with verticality and tight squeezes that clearly favor Naoe’s shinobi toolkit.
There’s a specific section in the Shimosato interior where you have to navigate flooded chambers. The water reflects the dim light of your torch, and you’ll notice the walls are lined with haniwa—those terracotta clay figures. In the game, these aren't just props. They often mark the "safe" path through environmental puzzles. If you see a cluster of haniwa, look up. There’s usually a beam or a crevice Naoe can use to bypass a floor trap.
One thing the devs got right is the lighting. Or lack of it. You’ll rely heavily on the hidden blade’s utility and small light sources. It’s claustrophobic. It’s dark. It feels like a tomb should.
Loot and Lore: Is It Worth the Trip?
You'll find more than just rusty swords here. The Shimosato Kofun AC Shadows location acts as a hub for "Memory Fragments." These are the narrative breadcrumbs that explain how the Isu (the Precursors) influenced early Japanese mythology.
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Specifically, look for the following:
- Terracotta Fragments: These provide context on the "Three Sacred Treasures" of Japan and how they might relate to Pieces of Eden.
- Engraved Mirrors: Bronze mirrors were a big deal in Kofun burials. In-game, they often trigger a brief "glitch" in the Animus, showing you a glimpse of the site as it looked in its prime.
- High-Tier Crafting Materials: If you’re trying to upgrade Naoe’s kusarigama or Yasuke’s heavy armor, the chests at the heart of the Shimosato mound are essential.
Why People Get These Kofun Sites Wrong
There’s a common misconception in the AC community that these are just "copy-paste" dungeons. They aren't. If you look at the stonework in Shimosato versus a Kofun you might find in the northern provinces, the masonry is different. Ubisoft worked with historians to ensure the regional differences in burial customs were represented.
Also, don't expect a boss fight at the end of every mound. Sometimes, the "boss" is the puzzle itself. The Shimosato Kofun features a weight-based puzzle involving rising water levels that can be incredibly frustrating if you're just trying to "brute force" it with Yasuke. Switch to Naoe. Her ability to grapple to higher points makes the timing-based sections much more manageable.
How to Effectively Clear Shimosato Kofun
Don't just rush in.
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First, use your crow/scout to identify the multiple entrances. There is almost always a "thief’s entrance" hidden near the base of the mound, often obscured by heavy overgrowth or a small cave-in. Entering through the main ceremonial path is usually a trap-filled nightmare.
Second, pay attention to the sound. The game uses 3D audio to give you clues. If you hear a slight whistling of wind, there’s an opening nearby. If you hear the creak of old timber, don't stand still. The structural integrity of these ancient mounds is... questionable at best.
Finally, keep an eye out for the "Kodama" collectibles. While they seem like fluff, finding all the spirits in the Shimosato region unlocks a specific gear dye that blends perfectly with the shadows of the tomb, making your stealth runs significantly easier.
Practical Steps for Your Next Playthrough
To get the most out of the Shimosato Kofun without getting stuck or missing the best loot, follow this workflow:
- Switch to Naoe before entering. Her agility is non-negotiable for the platforming sections inside the burial chamber.
- Upgrade your torch duration. You'll spend a lot of time in pitch-black corridors where the environmental hazards are hard to spot.
- Scan the walls for "Isu Script." Even if you can't read it yet, interacting with these points increases your synchronization and reveals hidden gear locations on the local map.
- Look for the "False Wall." Behind the main sarcophagus in Shimosato, there is a thin crack in the masonry. Use a smoke bomb or an explosive arrow to reveal a hidden room containing a unique Ronin-style breastplate.
- Document the Haniwa. There are three specific figures that look different from the rest. Interacting with them in the correct order (Small, Medium, Large) opens the floor grate to the lowest level of the tomb.
Taking the time to actually explore the Shimosato Kofun makes the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows feel much larger than just a political war story. It’s a reminder that Yasuke and Naoe are walking on the bones of a civilization that was old before their ancestors even drew their first breath. Don't skip it. The loot is good, but the atmosphere is better.