If you’ve been wandering around the Harima region in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you might’ve noticed a tiny blip on your map called Takagi Otsuka Fort. Honestly? It doesn’t look like much from the outside. Compared to the massive, sprawling fortresses like Himeji or Osaka Castle, this place is basically a backyard shack with too many guards. But if you just ride past it on your way to a bigger story mission, you're actually missing out on one of the best stealth challenges and one of the most unique "dungeons" in the game.
The fort is sitting right in the middle of the Kanki Burned Fields. It's a rough area. Everything is charred, the vibe is depressing, and the local garrison is definitely not in the mood for guests. But the secret sauce here isn't just the walls and the towers; it's what’s buried underneath them.
Takagi Otsuka Fort: The Infiltration Game
Most people try to just kick the front door down as Yasuke. I get it. He’s a tank. He breaks things. But if you want to actually clear the Takagi Otsuka Fort without pulling the entire sub-region onto your head, you've gotta be a bit smarter. The fort is built right on top of an ancient Takagi Kofun—which is basically a giant burial mound. Because of that layout, the elevation is all over the place.
I usually tell people to approach from the east side. There’s this one watchtower that’s basically a neon sign saying "climb me." Once you're up there, you can shimmy around the wooden platforms and get a perfect bird's-eye view of the Samurai Daisho. He’s the big bad of the fort. In this specific location, there is only one Daisho to worry about, which makes it feel easier than it actually is. He likes to hang out near the Stockpile vault. One well-timed aerial assassination and half your work is done.
But don't get cocky. The guards here are tightly packed. You’ll find a pair of them standing right next to a red explosive jar near the central mound. If you're playing as Naoe, a single fire arrow or a kunai throw to that jar clears the path instantly. It’s loud, yeah, but it’s effective.
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What’s Actually Inside the Legendary Chest?
You aren't just here for the 1,000 XP. You’re here for the loot. The Legendary Chest at Takagi Otsuka Fort is sitting right on top of that central burial mound. Inside, you’ll find the Artist’s Tear, which is a Legendary Tanto specifically for Naoe.
This blade is kinda broken if you play aggressively. It has a unique engraving that grants Massive Damage on Consecutive Hits. Basically, the more you stab, the harder you hit. For a character like Naoe who attacks like a blender, this turns her into a boss-shredding machine. You also get a Mastery Point for taking down the Daisho, which, let's be real, we all need for those late-game skill trees.
The Secret Entrance to Takagi Kofun
This is where the fort gets interesting. While Naoe is the queen of the fort’s surface, the Takagi Kofun underneath is strictly Yasuke territory. You’ll see the entrance blocked by a bunch of stone rubble right in the heart of the fort.
You literally cannot get in without Yasuke’s strength. You have to grab one of the exploding barrels from the wooden scaffolding nearby, carry it down to the blockage, and blow the whole thing sky-high. Once you’re inside, the game shifts. It’s less about open-world stealth and more about environmental puzzles.
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- The Bridge Puzzle: Inside the Kofun, there’s a room with moving wooden crates. You have to shuffle them around to create a bridge so you can carry an explosive barrel across a gap.
- The Death’s Bloom Reward: If you make it to the end of this damp, dark hole, you get the Death's Bloom Teppo. It’s a legendary matchlock rifle that makes Yasuke’s ranged game feel significantly more powerful.
- Navigation: Keep an eye out for small holes in the walls. You’ll have to prone and crawl through a few tight spots to find the optional treasure chests.
The transition between the sunny (well, smoky) burned fields and the claustrophobic stone corridors of the Kofun is one of the coolest environmental shifts in Harima. It feels like two different games stitched together.
Why This Spot Matters for Your Map Completion
If you’re a completionist, Takagi Otsuka Fort is a mandatory stop for the "Visit all cities/locations" trophy. But more than that, it’s a strategic hub. It’s located southwest of the Mount Haba Viewpoint and east of the Riverside Kakurega. If you clear it early, you have a safe(ish) zone in the middle of a very hostile part of the map.
One thing the game doesn't explicitly tell you: if you’re struggling with the combat here, check your engravings. Since the fort rewards the Artist’s Tear, it’s clearly designed to test your ability to chain attacks. If you find yourself getting parried constantly, try using smoke bombs to reset the encounter. The AI in the fort is particularly sensitive to line-of-sight breaks because of all the vertical scaffolding.
Practical Steps for Clearing the Area
Don't just run in. Seriously.
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First, hit the Mount Haba Viewpoint to the northeast so you have a fast travel point if things go sideways. Approach the fort at night if you can; the lighting in the Kanki Burned Fields makes Naoe almost invisible against the charred ground.
Focus on the Samurai Daisho first. If he calls for reinforcements, the fort becomes a nightmare because of how small it is—there’s nowhere to hide once the bells start ringing. After the Daisho is down, switch to Yasuke to handle the Kofun entrance. You’ll need his ability to move the heavy crates and his higher health pool for the cramped fights inside the tomb.
Once you’ve grabbed the Artist’s Tear and the Death’s Bloom, you’re basically set for the rest of the Harima region. These two weapons provide a massive power spike that makes the subsequent "real" castles feel a lot more manageable.
The Takagi Otsuka Fort might be small, but it’s the perfect example of why you should check every corner of the map. It’s efficient, rewarding, and gives you a taste of the subterranean secrets Ubisoft hid under the surface of feudal Japan. Keep your eyes on the ground—sometimes the best loot is buried under a pile of rocks.
To get the most out of your run, ensure you have at least two empty slots in your gear inventory before entering the Kofun, as the optional chests inside often drop high-level materials and secondary trinkets that you won't want to leave behind. Focus on upgrading your Teppo skills before entering the tomb, as the tight quarters make Yasuke's projectile damage a lifesaver when cornered.