Ghost of Tsushima Shrines Guide: What are they, what do they do?

Ghost of Tsushima, Sony's last big first-party exclusive before the PlayStation 5 launched in 2020.

It is an action-packed game where the player will take on the role of a samurai named Jin Sakai beginning a quest for revenge against Mongol invaders in 13th-century Japan. Players will explore an open-world environment, take quests such as assassination missions, engage with various characters, and infiltrate enemies.

Shrines are a key part of the game, with each offering a bonus to help Jin on his journey. Here's what they are, and what they do.

Read More: Ghost of Tsushima: Release Date, Platforms, Trailers and Everything We Know

Ghost of Tsushima: Shrines Guide

There are three types of Shrines in Ghost of Tsushima: Pillars of Honor, Shinto Shrines, and Inari Shrines.

Pillars of Honor

The Pillars of Honor is a revered shrine erected by the inaugural jito of Tsushima, dedicated to the memory of the fallen samurai who brought peace and stability to the island.

When Jin stumbles upon a Pillar of Honor, he may encounter a fallen samurai lying before it, often surrounded by slain Mongols. If Jin bows to the dead samurai, he respects their sacrifice or wishes them well in the afterlife.

There are kits scattered across the land, and 23 collectibles known as Sword Kits adorn the katana and tanto with unique appearances. These kits are purely cosmetic and devoid of additional benefits or skills.

By acquiring the sword kits found at Pillars of Honor on Iki Island, players can unlock them for use in Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, save for the Hidden Heart kit, which requires completing Platinum Survival with all difficulty modifiers enabled. The kits found in Tsushima must be unlocked through unique challenges in the Legends Mode.

Shinto Shrines

Shinto shrines are important places in Ghost of Tsushima, where Jin can discover charms to help him on his journey. There are 16 Shinto shrines scattered across Tsushima, with an additional one added in the Iki Island expansion, making it 17.

To reach some of these shrines, Jin must use a grapple hook. Some shrines have secret altars nearby, so it's worth watching for special signs.

Once Jin has paid his respects at a shrine by pressing R2, he can usually teleport back to where he started by interacting with a torii gate nearby.

Shinto shrines are the only places Jin can find wax wood, a valuable resource. Completing a shrine will reward him with one piece, and there is often another piece waiting for him at the summit of the shrine, in the form of a small tree that resembles yew wood trees Jin can find elsewhere on his journey.

Shinto Shrines are in Izuhara, Toyotama, Kamiagata, and Iki Island.

Inari Shrines
Inari Shrines are special places dedicated to Inari, the kami of agriculture and abundance, found across the island of Tsushima in Ghost of Tsushima. These shrines are often visited by foxes, believed to be Inari messengers.

To discover an Inari Shrine, Jin must first locate a Fox Den and follow the fox (kitsune) to the hidden shrine. Upon reaching the shrine, Jin can pay his respects by pressing R2, and in return, he will receive a section to help build a Charm slot or enhance the power of Charms in his inventory. Additionally, after honouring a shrine, Jin can pet the fox, which will respond with purrs and cheerful jumps.

Players can fast-travel to any Fox Den they have discovered, even if they haven't honoured the shrine yet. There are a total of 49 Inari Shrines scattered throughout Tsushima. Once all Charm Slots have been unlocked, honouring Inari Shrines will contribute towards the Charm of Silence and Charm of Inari's Might. These two charms can be further upgraded by honouring more shrines, making them exceptionally powerful.

Visiting all Inari Shrines unlocks the Wolf of Tsushima Mask, marking a significant achievement for Jin.