Ghost of Tsushimais a stunning game, complete withthe most beautiful viewsall across the island of Tsushima.
It’s a widely agreed fact, withSucker Punch’s iconic title winningBest Art Direction in the 2020 Game Awards. It makes players excited about the art direction that the newly announced sequel,Ghost of Yōtei, is going to have.
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As players return to Tsushima andIki Island, they will return to gorgeous landscapes and unforgettable beauty.
Some of these locations contain hidden treasures and secrets, NPCs that can help with upgrades or give quests, and other collectibles that would be essential toPlatinumthe game.
One thing is consistent across all locations, though (including intheir concept art): they’re absolutely beautiful.
10Tadayori’s Rest
Izuhara Region, Ariake Prefecture
Players first run intoTadayori’s RestinThe Legend of Tadayoriquestline, while they’re following secret maps in search ofTadayori’s Legendary Armour Set. It’s located in theAriakePrefecture in theIzuharaRegion.
At his resting place, players have to duelKaede, the last living descendant of Tadayori himself. She guards this location, striking down anyone who dares to trespass, and this includesJin Sakai.
She doesn’t believe him when he says that he’s asamuraiand not a scavenger, and after dueling her, she makes Jin promise to only wear the armor to protect innocents, which he agrees to.
The path to Tadayori’s Rest is adorned with violets along lush mountains, and it’s even more beautiful once discovered.
The violets are vivid and striking, especially in contrast with the rich greenery of the mountainside. It’s tranquil and unbothered, which only adds to the location’s overall beauty.
It’s a hidden gem in the game, and it’s unfortunately seen only briefly — thankfully, though, Kaede doesn’t mind if players come back to admire the sights.
9Spirit Grove Cemetery
Toyotama Region, Akashima Prefecture
Often, the terms “beautiful” and “cemetery” tend not to be lumped together in the same sentence, but it definitely is the case inGhost of Tsushima.
The Spirit Grove Cemeteryis located in theAkashimaPrefecture within theToyotamaRegion, and it’s soothing in ways a cemetery has no right to be.
TheFox Denlocated within the cemetery is particularly beautiful, surrounded by white lilies and mossy rocks.
The cemetery itself is also home toSinging Crickets, and collecting them allows Jin to change the weather with his flute.
This location is beautiful in the same way melancholy can bring peace. It’s a quiet and gorgeous place to honor the dead, one where anyone would want to be buried after passing away.
8Bamboo Forest
Toyotama Region, Kushi Prefecture
The TsushimaBamboo Forest, strikingly similar to Kyoto’s infamousArashiyama Bamboo Grove, is an underrated gem in Ghost of Tsushima. It is located in theToyotamaRegion, specifically in theKushiprefecture.
Home to aHot Spring(called an “Onsen” in Japanese) that can increase Jin’s maximum health, the bamboo forest is as beautiful as it is mysterious.
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It can be easy to get turned around and slightly lost in the Bamboo Forest, but thankfully, it’s not too serious if it happens. Not just because of how simple it is to get reoriented, but because the surrounding sights are stunning to look at.
The Bamboo Forest is a staple inJapanese iconography, so it’s incredible to see how it was adapted in the game. It captures the same magic of walking through a place like Arashiyama and is just as beautiful.
7Hiyoshi Springs
Izuhara Region, Hiyoshi Prefecture
Hiyoshi Springsis an outdoor onsen and innnear theHidden Springs Forestin theHiyoshiPrefecture of theIzuharaRegion.
Players will likely find it on their way to theIncident at Hiyoshi Passor forThe Curse of Uchitsunequestlines.
The onsen has a hot spring that Jin can use, as you might expect. Plus, it’s also home to aBower, aTrapper, and aMerchant, all of which would help Jin defeat theMongolsone way or another.
This public onsen is gorgeous, and it really shows the beautiful water physics that the game incorporates. Onsens are excellent places to relax and enjoy the scenery, which Hiyoshi Springs captures wonderfully.
6Omi Monastery
Toyotama Region, Kubara Prefecture
Quietly tucked away in theKubaraPrefecture of theToyotamaRegion is a gorgeous monk monastery calledOmi Monastery. Located nearOmi Village, various commoners are found hiding here from the Mongol Invasion. A few of which Jin sent there, knowing it to be a safe haven.
It’s worth going crazy over inPhoto Mode, with a massive and stunning Buddha statue towering over vivid red trees, a multi-story temple sheltering refugees, and late-autumn nature surrounding it.
Omi Monastery is well hidden and absolutely beautiful, with some players only able to find it after following the iconicGolden Bird. All who encounter the area agree on one thing, though: it’s stunning to be there.
5Spring Falls Shrine
Izuhara Region, Komoda Prefecture
In a shrine honoringMizu-no-Kami, the water spirit,Spring Falls Shrine,is surrounded by — well, water.
Located in theKomodaPrefecture of theIzuharaRegion, players must ascend several heights to get to the shrine. But there’s no need to use a grappling hook, so that’s a plus.
When they make it, they’re greeted by water and mossy stones so stunning that they take their breath away.
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The number of waterfalls are nearly endless, and the rush of water isn’t loud or violent — instead, it’s calming. It’s practically meditative, so it’s no wonder that this is an area that players frequently return to.
Completing the shrine also rewards players with aCharm, which makes it easier for players to performParriesandPerfect Parries. It’s a great reward for an already stunning location.
4Senjo Gorge
Iki Island
TheSenjo Gorgeis integral to the plot of theIki Island DLC. Without spoiling, Jin Sakai hasa tense history with Iki Island, which sets a similarly tense tone upon arrival.
Not all is awful, however, as Iki Island offers some of the most scenic and beautiful locations in the game— almost all of them are based in or around Senjo Gorge.
Of course, there’s an onsen that can increase health in the gorge itself, on top of the mountains and overlooking the waterfall.
There is also, however, a small shack located at the base, where the most crucial elements of the story take place — including in the DLC’s ending, completing a classicFeudal Japanesetale.
The wisteria is seen throughout most of Iki Island, and it’s beautiful every time it’s visible. Most of these flowers, however, are in the gorge, which makes it the most beautiful spot in all of Iki Island.
3First General’s Field
Perhaps one of the most iconic locations in the entire game, theFirst General’s Fieldis shown in the game’s opening credits, as Jin gallops across the field on his horse, running his hand through the swaying pampas grass.
While thegame’s endingdoesn’t take place there, it leaves enough of an impression for players that its location is unmistakable.
They wouldn’t have to know that it’s in theKomodaPrefecture of theIzuharaRegion, they wouldn’t have to know that it leads to theGolden TempleandGinkgo Forest— they just know that this is where the story truly begins, and it’s perhaps one of the most important locations in the game for that fact alone.
Its beauty comes from its infamy and from its simplicity, a stunning area all around. It leaves players hoping to see the pampas grass again in the sequel.
2Field of the Equinox Flower
Toyotama Region, Umugi Prefecture
In a breathtaking display of light and color, theField of the Equinox Flower(located in theUmugiPrefecture in theToyotamaRegion) is one of the most beautiful locations in the entire game.
The field is boundless, filled with countless red spider lilies, and marked with an iconicTorii gate. The sheer amount of red is almost overwhelming, but it’s striking instead.
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In Japanese culture, the equinox flower (calledHiganbanain Japanese) symbolizes death—the same way cherry blossoms symbolize life in the springtime.
With their arrival during the autumn equinox and their poisonous bulbs, it’s easy to relate these parallels to Jin’s story.
In a sense, it’s almost a commentary on Jin’s life as a samurai. As he embraced being The Ghost (which is more like aninja), the samurai thatLord Shimurahad once known is long gone, making the field one of the most beautiful pieces of symbolism in video game history.
1Golden Temple
The most beautiful location in the entire game, without a shadow of a doubt, is theGolden Temple. Located within theGinkgo Forest(in theIzuharaRegion in theAriakePrefecture), this temple is one of the most gorgeous and iconic spots in the whole game.
The temple itself is home to several different quests and NPCs, aBower, anArmourer, aSword Smith, and even has aGift Altarthat provides additional supplies.
In a dazzling and breathtaking display of gold, the Golden Temple is surprisingly not overwhelming in its design. It’s not blindingly bright, but it’s not dull in color. Instead, everything is vibrant and full of life.
It’s the most stunning area in the entire game, and its beauty leads to one question: what will the most beautiful location inGhost of Yoteilook like next?
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