If you’ve been spending any time in feudal Japan lately—specifically the Ubisoft version—you’ve probably heard whispers about the Suika Lands AC Shadows easter egg. It sounds like a joke. A "watermelon warrior" in a game about deadly shinobi and historical samurai? Honestly, it’s one of the most bizarre yet charming parts of the entire Assassin's Creed Shadows experience.
It's not just a random field.
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Located in the northern reaches of the Izumi Settsu region, tucked away in the Yawata Plains, the Suika Lands serve as the backdrop for one of the game's most memorable side quests. You won't find it by following the main story markers for Naoe or Yasuke. Instead, you have to go looking for a "yokai." Or at least, what the terrified locals think is a yokai.
What Really Happens in the Suika Lands?
Basically, you get a tip from a monk named Mamushi. He’s a demon hunter who has heard rumors of a "Suika no Bakemono"—literally a watermelon monster—terrorizing the fields. People have reported seeing plant-like creatures tearing each other apart. Naturally, as an Assassin, you go to investigate, expecting a supernatural fight or maybe a sneaky Templar experiment.
What you actually find is way more hilarious.
When you arrive at the Suika Lands during the Summer or Fall (the season mechanic is key here), you aren't met by a ghost. You find two guys. Two very intense farmers. One is dressed in bright yellow, the other in green. Both are wearing actual hollowed-out melons on their heads.
They’ve been "at war" for generations.
The whole conflict is a petty feud between the Suika (Watermelon) and Makuwauri (Muskmelon) clans. They aren't monsters; they’re just two guys who really, really care about fruit. They’ve been sparring so aggressively that the villagers—who clearly don't get out much—thought they were seeing shapeshifting demons.
Why Suika Lands AC Shadows is a Must-Visit
You might think this is just a throwaway gag, but it’s actually a brilliant piece of world-building that references real Japanese folklore. The concept of the "Suika no Bakemono" appeared in the Buson Yokai Emaki, a famous scroll from the Edo period. Ubisoft essentially took a real historical "myth" and gave it a grounded, funny explanation.
Here is the breakdown of why you should care:
- The Seasonal Catch: You can only find these guys in Summer or Fall. If you show up in Winter, the fields are empty. This is one of the better uses of the game's dynamic season system.
- The Combat Choice: You’re forced to choose a side. Do you prefer Suika or Makuwauri? Whoever you pick, you have to duel the other one. Don’t worry; they aren't hard to beat. They’re just farmers with katanas and fruit for hats.
- The Rewards: Completing the quest gets you 2,000 XP and 2 Mastery Points. More importantly, it grants you a specific Engraving: Damage After Ability.
- The Secret Cat: This is the part most people miss. After you finish the questline associated with the Suika Lands, you can find a secret cat nearby. It’s a white cat named Bakeneko (the ghost cat). If you pet it, you can eventually unlock it for your hideout.
How to Find the Location
The Suika Lands aren't labeled clearly on the map until you’re right on top of them. Look for the far north edge of Izumi Settsu. It's southwest of Ogura Pond. If you see a bunch of dudes arguing about melons, you’re in the right place.
It’s worth noting that even though the game generally sticks to a "grounded" tone, this quest pushes the limits. It flirts with the supernatural just enough to make you wonder, only to pull the rug out with a punchline. Some fans were actually annoyed, wanting a "real" yokai fight, but most players appreciated the break from the heavy political drama of the Oda Nobunaga storyline.
Actionable Tips for the Suika Lands Quest
If you’re planning to head there now, keep these things in mind to save yourself a headache:
- Check the Season: Seriously. Don’t waste your time fast-traveling there if it’s currently Winter in your game world. The quest simply won't trigger. Use the meditation feature or progress the story to shift the time of year.
- Level Up First: While the farmers aren't bosses, the "The Yokai" quest chain is suggested for level 25. If you’re level 10 and stumble in there, those melon-headed warriors will actually mess you up.
- Don't Stress the Choice: Whether you choose the green guy or the yellow guy, the outcome is the same. You spare them both anyway. There is no "wrong" choice that ruins your save or changes the ending.
- Look for the Tower: The Bakeneko cat often hangs out near a small tower on the edge of the field after the quest is "turned in" to Mamushi. Don't leave the area without looking for it.
The Suika Lands AC Shadows experience is exactly what makes open-world games fun. It’s a weird, specific slice of life that rewards players for exploring the corners of the map rather than just rushing the main objectives. Plus, let's be honest: seeing Yasuke, a massive legendary samurai, get involved in a fruit dispute is objectively funny.
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To get the most out of your run, make sure your gear is optimized for "Damage After Ability" before you equip that new engraving. You can stack this with Naoe's multi-kill skills for some pretty broken stealth builds. Head to northern Izumi Settsu during the next in-game Summer and see the melon madness for yourself.