So, you’re sneaking through the Iga province in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and you stumble upon it. The Assassin’s Creed Shadows Veiled Tumulus. It’s one of those locations that looks simple on the map but turns into a twenty-minute exercise in frustration because you can’t find the entrance or that one specific piece of loot. I’ve spent way too much time staring at Japanese rock formations in this game. Honestly, the level design in Shadows is a massive step up from Valhalla, but it comes with a price: verticality and environmental puzzles that don’t always play nice with the waypoint system.
The Veiled Tumulus isn't just a random pile of rocks. In feudal Japan, a "tumulus" or kofun was an ancient burial mound. Ubisoft Quebec did their homework here. They didn't just throw a cave in the woods; they built a site that feels heavy with history. It’s a transition point. You move from the vibrant, shifting seasons of the open world into a stagnant, damp underground that feels like it belongs to a different era entirely.
What's actually inside the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Veiled Tumulus?
Most players end up here because they're chasing the "100% completion" high. Or maybe you're just low on crafting materials and heard there's a chest. You’ve probably noticed that Naoe and Yasuke handle these spaces differently. If you’re playing as Naoe, the Veiled Tumulus is a playground for her grappling hook and parkour finesse. If you’re Yasuke, well, you’re basically a tank in a china shop.
The loot isn't just generic gold. You’re looking for gear pieces that lean into the shinobi fantasy—specifically items that buff your stealth detection speed or elemental resistance. But the real challenge isn't the enemies. Usually, these tumulus sites are lightly guarded or completely abandoned, save for some local wildlife or a few ronin looking for shelter. The challenge is the "veil" part.
The developers used lighting—or the lack of it—to hide the progression paths. You’ll see a flicker of a candle or a slight draft moving the dust particles, and that’s your cue. If you’re just sprinting through, you’ll miss the breakable walls.
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Breaking down the navigation headache
I’ve seen a lot of talk on Reddit about people getting stuck at the entrance. Typical Ubisoft. The entrance isn't a giant glowing door. Look for the overgrown torii gate that looks like it’s sinking into the earth. That’s your landmark. Once you're inside, the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Veiled Tumulus requires a bit of environmental manipulation.
- Check the water levels. Sometimes you need to drain a section or find a submerged tunnel that isn't immediately obvious.
- The Grappling Hook is king. Naoe can reach rafters that Yasuke simply cannot. If a chest looks impossible to reach, you’re probably playing the wrong character for that specific puzzle.
- Destructible objects. Don’t just look for red barrels. Look for weakened wooden slats hidden behind tapestries or old crates.
It’s kind of cool how the game rewards you for slowing down. In the older games, you’d just hold the "run" button and the character would magnetically attach to the right ledge. Here, you actually have to look. You have to be an assassin.
Why the Veiled Tumulus matters for the lore
Ubisoft’s version of the Sengoku period is thick with atmosphere. The Veiled Tumulus acts as a bridge between the physical world and the more esoteric side of the Assassin’s Creed universe. While it’s not always a direct "First Civilization" or Isu site, these ancient burial grounds often contain whispers of that narrative. It’s about the layers of history. You’re a 16th-century warrior standing in a 4th-century tomb, looking for 21st-century plot points.
The environmental storytelling here is top-tier. You’ll find letters—not the boring "I went to the store" kind, but notes from grave robbers or monks who tried to sanctify the site. It adds flavor. It makes the world feel lived-in. When you find the main sarcophagus in the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Veiled Tumulus, take a second to look at the carvings. They reflect the actual burial customs of the period, specifically the transition from the Kofun period into the more Buddhist-influenced eras.
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Yasuke vs. Naoe: Who should explore?
Honestly? Switch to Naoe.
I love Yasuke’s combat weight, but for the Veiled Tumulus, his bulk is a liability. The tight corridors and vertical shafts are designed for Naoe’s kit. Her ability to stay quiet and move through small gaps makes the exploration feel seamless. Yasuke feels like he's constantly bumping into the hitbox of the ceiling.
There is one exception: if you encounter a heavy stone blockade. Yasuke can smash through certain environmental obstacles that Naoe has to find a way around. If you’re a "brute force" kind of player, bring the big guy. But for the sake of your sanity and the flow of the game, Naoe is the intended experience for these subterranean puzzles.
Common misconceptions about the site
A lot of people think the Veiled Tumulus is part of the main quest line. It’s actually categorized as an "Exploration Point of Interest." You don't have to do it to beat the game. But if you want the best gear upgrades early on, skipping it is a mistake.
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Another mistake? Thinking you need a specific key. Most of the time, the "key" is just a lever on the other side of a wall that you can reach by shooting a well-placed arrow through a gap or finding a crawlspace. Don't go hunting for a physical key in the nearby village; it’s almost certainly inside the tomb with you.
The Assassin’s Creed Shadows Veiled Tumulus also gets confused with the Iga mountain shrines. They look similar because of the rock textures, but the tumulus is always subterranean or partially buried. If you’re looking at a cliffside, you’re in the wrong place. Look down. Look for the depressions in the earth.
Actionable steps for your next session
If you’re planning to tackle this tonight, do these three things first. First, make sure your brightness settings are dialed in. The "Shadows" in the title isn't a joke; this game gets dark, and the tumulus is the worst offender. If your HDR isn't calibrated, you’re going to be squinting at a black screen.
Second, clear out your inventory. There’s a lot of "junk" loot in these sites that actually decomposes into high-end crafting components. You don't want to be "Encumbered" (or the game's equivalent) halfway through a platforming section.
Finally, use your Eagle Vision—or whatever the 2026 version of "Assassin Sense" is called—sparingly. It highlights the goal, but it washes out the environmental clues that tell you how to get there. Rely on the physical world. Look for the scuff marks on the walls that indicate a climbable surface.
- Equip the Grappling Hook as Naoe before entering.
- Carry fire arrows. There are braziers inside that reveal hidden paths when lit.
- Listen to the audio cues. Water dripping or wind whistling often leads to the exit or a hidden room.
The Assassin’s Creed Shadows Veiled Tumulus isn't an insurmountable wall. It’s a gear check and a patience test. Take it slow, keep your eyes on the shadows, and remember that in this game, the shortest distance between two points is rarely a straight line. It's usually through a hole in the floor or a gap in the ceiling that you missed three times already.