You’re probably wandering around the Depths, wondering why your sensor is pinging or why there’s a random structure that looks like a mini-Coliseum but doesn't have a Lynel waiting to gut you. Most people call it the Whole Picture Shrine, though in-game, you’ll know it as the Missions under Central Hyrule. It’s one of those weird, architectural quirks in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that confuses the hell out of completionists. It’s not a "shrine" in the sense of Rauru’s green-swirled light puzzles. It’s a narrative and mechanical checkpoint. Honestly, if you haven't found the specific Schema Stones related to this spot, you’re playing the game on hard mode for no reason.
The game doesn't hold your hand. It just leaves you there.
What is the Whole Picture Shrine exactly?
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. When players talk about the Whole Picture Shrine, they are usually referring to the Great Abandoned Central Mine. It’s located directly beneath the Great Plateau. This is where the game finally stops being a sandbox for a second and says, "Hey, remember that Autobuild ability? Here is where it actually becomes useful."
The name "Whole Picture" comes from the quest logic. You’re literally trying to put the pieces together—both of the Zonai history and the literal stone statues you’re following. If you’ve been following the statues from the Norgos Point or the surface chasms, they all point here. It’s the nexus.
It’s easy to miss if you’re just aimlessly flying on a hoverbike. You have to look for the massive, tiered structure that looks like a ruined refinery. Because, well, that's exactly what it was. The Zonai weren't just floating in the clouds; they were strip-mining the Depths for every ounce of Zonaite they could find to power their civilization.
👉 See also: Why 4 in a row online 2 player Games Still Hook Us After 50 Years
The Master Kohga Problem
You can’t talk about this location without talking about the Yiga Clan. This is where you trigger the multi-part quest "Master Kohga of the Yiga Clan." It’s basically a slapstick comedy routine hidden inside a high-stakes adventure. Kohga is obsessed with the "Magnificent One" (Ganondorf, obviously), and he’s down here trying to reactivate the ancient processing plants.
When you arrive, you’ll see two researchers. Except they aren't researchers. If you’ve played Breath of the Wild, you know the drill. Talk to them, and the trap springs.
The fight itself is a bit of a joke, but it’s meant to be. Kohga rolls around in a motorized vehicle that looks like a toddler’s fever dream. The real value isn't the boss fight; it's the Schema Stone you get afterward. This gives you the Fanplane template. If you’ve been struggling to glue wings and fans together manually, this is the moment your life gets easier.
Why the Depths Architecture Matters
Look at the walls. Seriously. The Whole Picture Shrine area is covered in iconography that explains the relationship between the surface and the subterranean world.
✨ Don't miss: Lust Academy Season 1: Why This Visual Novel Actually Works
- The layout of the mine mimics the Temple of Time above it.
- The Bargainer Statue located here is one of the largest in the game.
- The presence of the Forge Construct allows you to trade Large Zonaite for Large Crystallized Charges.
If you’re trying to max out your battery—which you should be doing if you want to build anything cool—this is your primary hub. You aren't just here for a quest. You're here because this is the most efficient gas station in Hyrule.
The Mystery of the Statues
One thing that trips people up is the "pathway." The game tells you to follow the statues. But there are different types of statues pointing to different mines. The ones leading to the Great Abandoned Central Mine (the Whole Picture hub) are the humanoid ones with the long robes.
If you start following the ones that look like Zora or Gorons, you’ll end up at the Abandoned Lanayru Mine or the Abandoned Eldin Mine instead. It’s a subtle bit of world-building that most people ignore. Each race had their own "branch" of the mining operation. The Central Mine was the corporate headquarters.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't rush in with zero arrows. The Yiga love to keep their distance once the initial ambush fails. Also, make sure you have at least ten Brightbloom seeds. The ambient light at the Central Mine is better than the rest of the Depths, but the approach is pitch black.
🔗 Read more: OG John Wick Skin: Why Everyone Still Calls The Reaper by the Wrong Name
Also, check under the floorboards. There’s a chest hidden in the lower struts of the refinery that contains a Large Crystallized Charge. That’s 20 regular charges in one go. Most players beat Kohga, take the Schema Stone, and warp out. You're leaving resources on the table if you do that.
Connecting the Dots: The Camera Work
To truly "get" the whole picture here, you need to have finished the early-game quest with Josha and Robbie back at Lookout Landing. If you haven't unlocked the Camera and the Mystery in the Depths quest, the Central Mine will feel empty. The game locks the boss trigger behind that progression.
You’ll find a lot of "old maps" in the sky islands that mark locations in the Depths. A lot of those X’s lead back to the periphery of this mine. It’s the anchor for the entire map's bottom half.
Actionable Steps for Completion
If you’re standing in the mine right now or planning to head there, do this:
- Follow the statues from the Great Plateau North Chasm. This is the intended "cinematic" route and ensures you don't get lost in the dark.
- Stock up on Poes. The Bargainer Statue here is the easiest one to access early on. Use those Poes to buy the Dark Armor set or the Depths set (for Gloom resistance).
- Activate the nearby Lightroot. The Koradat Lightroot is the one you need. It illuminates the entire refinery complex so you can actually see the Yiga traps.
- Talk to the Forge Construct every blood moon. The inventory for Large Crystallized Charges resets. If you want that 16th battery cell, this is a mandatory stop.
- Look for the Blueprint. Behind the main Forge, there’s a small alcove with a diary entry. It doesn't give you a quest marker, but it adds lore context about why the Zonai left so abruptly.
The Whole Picture Shrine isn't a single point on a map. It’s a realization. Once you understand that the Depths are a literal mirror of the surface, the "whole picture" finally clicks. Every mountain is a canyon. Every shrine is a Lightroot. Every city is a mine.
Stop looking for a green shrine icon. Start looking at the geography. The Great Abandoned Central Mine is where the story of the Zonai's downfall is written in the dirt. Go get your Autobuild, kick Kohga into a pit, and start upgrading your battery. That is the only way to effectively explore the rest of what the Depths have to hide.