Where are the Kodama in Nioh 3? Everyone's favorite lil green homies are back once again, scattering themselves across a yokai-riddled Japan. Such a world is incredibly dangerous for these pint-sized spirits, necessitating a mighty samurai (or ninja) to come and guide them home.
In Nioh 3, finding Kodama rewards you with Kodama Merits, which can be exchanged for powerful blessings. Reaching Kodama collection breakpoints also increases the number of elixirs you can carry. If you're looking to make the Nioh 3 bosses a bit easier, you'll want to take the time to help them out. Of course, there are only so many hours in the day, and Team Ninja's RPG is an absolute chonker. Fortunately, we're here to help. Below, you'll find all the Nioh 3 Kodama locations we've found so far, with further updates to come as we continue our journey to become shogun.
Nioh 3 Kodama locations
Here are the Nioh 3 Kodama locations we've found so far, sorted by region:
Tenryu River
Kodama #1
The first Kodama you'll likely encounter in Nioh 3 awaits you politely in a nice little house in a small village to the south of the Prospect Hill shrine. However, there's a catch: the door's locked. As we all know, doors are merely a suggestion, especially when there's a gaping hole in the roof of the abode. Simply head behind the house, up the ledge, over the bridge leading onto the roof, and down the opening.
Kodama #2
Looping around to the north-west of the Prospect Hill shrine, you'll eventually happen upon a large hill where you'll find the next Kodama. You can't miss them, seeing as they're sitting by a broken shrine beneath a decrepit torii gate.
Kodama #3
Continuing up the path from the second Kodama, you'll stumble upon an enemy base. Clear out the riffraff and you'll be able to rescue the third lil guy before opening up a large chest for juicy rewards.
Kodama #4
The final Kodama in the Tenryu River region requires you to head all the way west. Once you reach the Hamamatsu Gate shrine, venture north where you'll find a locked gate. Scurry up the watchtower next to the gate, and you'll discover a Kodama playing watchspirit.
Tokaido
Kodama #1
Tokaido's first Kodama requires some more legwork before you can guide them home. Venture east from the Ikeda Ferry shrine to the ferryport itself, clearing out the enemy base in the process. To kill two birds with one stone, pick up the 'Insatiable Hunger' side quest first. Once the area is clear, head behind one of the houses, and you'll see the Kodama guarding the big loot chest.
Kodama #2
The next Kodama is found directly south of the Forest of Souls shrine. Head up onto the upper path, towards the centre of the circular path. Here you'll find a rock-filled pond and a Kodama that definitely forgot its water wings. Hop across the rocks and scoop up the Kodama, lifeguard-style.
Kodama #3
The last Kodama Tokaido is sitting pretty on a stump beneath a huge tree. Head south-east from the Tokaido shrine, either dispatch or sneak past the patrolling yokai, and you're good to go.
Hamamatsu
Kodama #1
If you enter Hamamatsu from the east, you'll quickly bump into a Kodama inside an open dwelling. We'd advise you to wipe your feet as you enter (it's the polite thing to do, after all), but it doesn't look like anyone's going to be turning it into a mojo dojo casa house anytime soon…
Kodama #2
As you head down Hamamatsu's main street, divert around the back of a string of houses. Here, you'll spot a Kodama on top of the roof, which can be reached by hopping up the nearby hay bales.
Kodama #3
The scenic route is typically the more rewarding path in Nioh 3, and it's certainly worth doing a full tour of Hamamatsu; there's a Kodama in it for you. Head to the south of town, and you'll come across a well. Give it a big ol' whack and the next Kodama will zip up to the top, ready to return to their friends.
Kodama #4
Hamamatsu's fourth and final Kodama can be retrieved after you've defeated Jakotsu-baba and liberated Hamamatsu Castle. Follow the path east from the base of the castle, and you'll see the Kodama hanging out on some hay bales. Jump up and over to them, brush them off, and send them home.
Lake Sanaru
Kodama #1
To grab the first Kodama hiding in Lake Sanaru, simply head up the craggy path from the Lake Sanaru (North) shrine until you reach the end. The Kodama is behind a loaded cart.
Kodama #2
The next two Kodama on the list are found very close together in the southern part of the area. For numero uno, head towards the large ship, but don't hop across the boats that take you round to the back of it. Instead, detour off to the left, and you'll find the Kodama doing its best Steamboat Willy impression.
Kodama #3
For the next Kodama, skirt around to the back of the large ship using the smaller boats. Clamber up and clear out the personnel aboard to conquer the enemy base. Once done, head inside the small cabin on top, where you'll find the Kodama, as well as a large chest.
Kodama #4
The last Kodama in the area requires some light platforming to reach. Before you go hunting for it, we'd recommend tagging the nearby Scampuss, as it leads you pretty much the whole way to the Kodama. Once you've sufficiently petted the tiny ball of fluff, hop over onto the farthest islet where the Kodama will be waiting.
Maisaka
Kodama #1
The Kodama you first encounter in Maisaka can be found on the road directly between the Water Mill and Maisaka Junction shrines. As you make your way down it, dip into the small hut that the Kodama is currently calling home and relocate it.
Kodama #2
From The Haunting Caves - Chamber of Enlightenment shrine, head south-east through the crawl space, turning right immediately and scampering up the rocks. The Kodama is at the top.
Kodama #3
After defeating the white floating ronin spirit to the northwest of The Haunting Caves - Chamber of Enlightenment shrine, head to the left of the open area and scale the wall of mini rock pools. At the top, jump onto the large rock pool to the left, and over to the platform on the other side. Then, follow the path, using the Spirit Vein to run across. Now, immediately bear right and double back on yourself along the path following the outer wall, leading you to the Kodama.
Kodama #4
Once you've fought your way to The Haunting Caves - Rimstone Pool Shrine, head directly east. The Kodama is found near a corpse, but you'll likely have to fight off a large crab-like Bakegani to get to it.
Mikatagahara
Mikatagahara is a bit of a weird one. Though you can enter the region early in the first chapter, you won't be able to explore it fully until you're nearing its conclusion. There are seven Kodama in total to find here, but for now we've only included the one we've rescued so far.
Kodama #1
The first Mikatagahara Kodama can be found on the roof of a shelter, accessible via a rock path. If you can't find your way up, simply trace the path along until you find a spot to climb.
Lake Hamana
Kodama #1
The only Kodama you'll find in Lake Hamana is currently doing hard time, presumably for some sort of unspeakable crime. Anyway, you're going to have to bust them out of the slammer, which requires the Cell Keys. As soon as you enter the region, you'll trigger the Myth quest 'Disaster at Lake Hamana.' Simply progress through the mission, and you'll eventually find the key on a body in the area above the cells.
Hamamatsu Hill
Kodama #1
Hamamatsu Hill only has a few Kodama to snap up, but you'll have to do the legwork to retrieve a couple of them. The first of the trio requires the least effort, simply requiring you to clear out the enemy base, before heading to the loot chest they're standing next to.
Kodama #2
The second Kodama is accessed by jumping down from the Mountain Temple. Unfortunately, the door to get into it is locked. To get the key, clear both 'Fated Land,' as well as the subsequent 'Ii's Memento' missions.
Kodama #3
The final Kodama in Hamamatsu Hill is keeping quiet behind Blood-Spurting Ogin, a mini-boss who'll keep you on your toes. Dispatch them and head back up onto their stage to scoop up the Kodama.
Iinoya
Kodama #1
If you've come into Iinoya via the western route stemming from the mercenary outpost, you'll be on track to find the area's first Kodama. Head north from the Iinoya Pass shrine, then hop up onto the ledge to the right of the path, as if you're heading to the large, walled off house shown on the map. At the southernmost point of this outcropping, you'll hear the familiar bubbling sound of a Kodama. Yet, it's nowhere to be seen. Well, this lil homie's hiding behind some boxes, so smash them out of the way and send them home.
Kodama #2
The next Kodama we came across in Iinoya didn't pop up until we were nearing the Ryotan Temple, as part of the 'Fated Land' quest. Heading west from the Omomiji Junction shrine, you'll come across a large rock formation. Clamber up it and you'll find the Kodama proudly perched on top.
Kodama #3
Shortly after you pass the Ryotan Temple - Living Quarters shrine, you'll happen upon a huge stack of books. But now isn't the time for reading, as there's a studious Kodama hiding behind them to be rescued.
Kodama #4
As you head back outside, you'll hear the familiar sound of a Kodama. Looking up, you'll see them precariously perched on the roof. You won't be able to access them from the immediate area. Instead, upon reaching the temple's western tower, you'll be able to scale it, before heading out onto the roof. Zip round to the right and you'll be able to reunite this parkour specialist with their friends.
Kodama #5
Now at the half-way point in our Iinoya Kodama hunt, it's time to wade through the reeds. Near the northern courtyards Crucible Wraith, you'll be able to sneak below the walkway boards where you'll discover yet another Kodama.
Kodama #6
Echoing the previous Kodama, the next lil green on our list is once again taking refuge beneath a temple corridor. This time, you'll need to head north from the bell tower, passing the well as you make your way round the temple, keeping an eye out for the broken support planks. It's a pretty gnarly area for enemies, but as soon as you join the Kodama under the boards, everything will drop aggro.
Kodama #7
The last Ryotan Temple Kodama can be found directly west of the bell tower, up on the rocks. You can either jump across from the tower itself, or follow the rocky path around to the south where you'll find a place to jump up. Grab the Kodama and skeedadle.
Kodama #8
Now we're out of the Ryotan Temple, it's time to explore the other route that brings you into Iinoya from Hamamatsu Hill. You'll come across the next Kodama pretty much as soon as you head out north from the Temple Ruins - Cemetary shrine. Take a sharp right as you leave, and you'll spot them among the bamboo.
Kodama #9
One of the main POIs in this area is the towering, overgrown pagoda. Rather than climbing directly up it, head around the outside until you come across the trunk of the huge tree coiled around it. Run up it, hop onto the roof, and grab the next Kodama.
Kodama #10
Iinoya has been an absolute treat for Kodama collectors, and now it's time to bring this section of the hunt to an end. You'll find the final Kodama pretty much in the center of the region, chilling up against a fence post.
Futamata Road
Kodama #1
Futamata Road is a considerably more chill time than Iinoya when it comes to scooping up Kodama. There are only three here, and they're all easy to obtain. Take Kodama #1, for example, all you have to do is head to the location, nip around the back of a house, and boom.
Kodama #2
Next, fast travel to the Silver Grass Meadow shrine. From here head to the left, and scour the nearby rocks to find the Kodama.
Kodama #3
Lastly, while in the swamp area, climb up onto the nearby rocks and strut across a branch to reach the Kodama. Smooth sailing all the way through.
Futamata
Kodama #1
Seven Kodama have found their way into Futamata. The good news is that this region is pretty linear, making it hard to miss them. Of course, you're here for specifics, so let's cut the yap and get to it.
Kodama one is nice and easy: See house. Climb house. Rescue tiny green on the balcony.
Kodama #2
This time, we're not climbing a house. Instead, we're going where no samurai/ninja has gone before… around the house. The Kodama is tucked away in the corner.
Kodama #3
Moving on up in the region, the third Kodama is stashed behind a couple of breakable boxes, placed betwixt two houses.
Kodama #4
As you reach the stables, you'll find that one of the door doesn't have a stable grip on reality. Surprise! It's illusory. Give it a whack, and grab the Kodama behind it.
Kodama #5
Next up, we're heading to the large shrine next to the smaller, more useful Futumata Castle -Koguchi Junction shrine. Skirt around the back after dealing with the mini-boss here to find the Kodama.
Kodama #6
This sneaky little Kodama can be found in a shelter. You'll have to approach it from the western side of the barricade, destroying the crate that's blocking the way in.
Kodama #7
For the final Kodama, we're heading up onto the rooftop of the same shelter you found the previous one in. There's a slope with a nearby kappa that you can sidle up, taking you straight to them.
And those are all the Nioh 3 Kodama locations we've found so far. If you really want to amp up your boss-slaying potential, we've got the best Nioh 3 builds that'll help you cut through them like butter.