Shrine Vault area overview

Shrine Vault Puzzle — Walkthrough & Wiki

This guide gives you the fastest, spoiler-light way to open the Shrine Vault on every difficulty. You'll get the quick answers, where to find the right ema plaques, and the Lost in the Fog riddle logic (2-4-3) so you understand why it works.

Quick Answers (All Difficulties)

  • Story: Serpent → Turtle → Crane (top to bottom on the dial)
  • Hard: Tree → Kudzu (purple flower) → Lightning
  • Lost in the Fog: Use the yokai riddle to derive 2-4-3, then select the 2nd, 4th, and 3rd symbol on each row at the vault

Find the Correct Ema (Plaques)

The correct images are fixed per difficulty, but their positions on the racks can change between runs. Sweep the three ema racks along the west and south edges of the Shrine Path (opposite the Vault). Flip a candidate to log its image, then return to the Vault.

Story set: Serpent, Turtle, Crane
Story set — Serpent, Turtle, Crane (top to bottom)
Hard set: Tree, Kudzu, Lightning
Hard set — Tree, Kudzu, Lightning (top to bottom)

Lost in the Fog — Riddle Logic (Why it's 2-4-3)

The riddle describes three yokai drawings (like a two-headed cart, a ghostly tree figure, and a long-tongued umbrella). Each drawing hints at missing body parts: heads, arms, or legs. Count the missing attributes to get 2-4-3. At the vault panel, select the 2nd, 4th, and 3rd symbol on each row to unlock the door.

Lost in the Fog dial & riddle
Lost in the Fog: Select symbols using the 2-4-3 pattern on each row

Step-by-Step Route

  1. Enter from the Shrine Path and locate the vault position along with the 3 ema racks on the west and south sides.
  2. Recommended search route: Start north, then southwest, finally south. Flip plaques to record their images in your journal.
  3. After collecting the 3 correct images for your difficulty, return to the vault and set the dials in the order given in "Quick Answers".
  4. Confirm the unlock to proceed to the next story segment.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes

  • Don't memorize rack positions: The images are fixed per difficulty, but their locations can change between runs.
  • Always flip first, then decide: Flipping the plaque records the image in your journal, preventing mistakes.
  • Forgot the Fog logic? Just use the 2-4-3 rule directly at the vault dial.
  • Time-saving route: North → Southwest → South covers everything efficiently.

What This Unlocks

Opening the Shrine Vault advances the Shrine Path segment and gates progression toward later areas and puzzles.

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