To be a good samurai, you must have speed, focus, and a good command of your sword. That's where the Bamboo Strikes come in. Ghost of Tsushima is a samurai game following the story of Jin Sakai during the 1274 Mongolian invasion. With Tsushima Island falling victim to the Mongolian army led by Khotun Khan, Jin Sakai realizes he's too weak to handle them on his own at least with his current strength levels. Thus begins his journey across Tsushima Island to learn different fighting techniques and his rise to be the strongest samurai.
Considering the Ghost of Tsuhshima map is massive, this guide will escort you to all sixteen Bamboo Strikes across the three different regions.
5 How The Bamboo Strikes Work
Bamboo Strike side quests are time- and memory-based mini-games players can do during or after the main story. It requires quickly pressing a sequence of buttons in the order shown to you at the start of the mini-game. But stay sharp because the order disappears once you press the first one. Bamboo Strikes come in three rounds with three bamboos to cut in the first round, five for the second round, and seven for the third.
These can be tricky so for anyone struggling with the timing, toggling on the "Simplified Controls" under "Accessibility" in the settings eliminate that time aspect of the quest.
4 Izuhara
In Ghost of Tsushima, Izuhara is the first location available to players. The largest and the southernmost region of the Tsushima Island, Izuhara is filled with villages settled in the vast forest. But do be careful because the many mountains in the area can be just as much an enemy as the army of Mongolian bandits since Ghost of Tsushima's fall damage is equally deadly.
As the largest region in the island, most of the Bamboo Strikes can also be found here:
- Azamo: East of Azamo Bay Camp, you'll find it near the shrine at the uppermost point of the area by a big tree.
- Tsutsu: From the Rustling Bend name marker, you'll find it near encampment alongside the river.
- Komatsu: Southwest of Komatsu Forge, you'll find it surrounded by yellow and blue Sashimono banners outside the home of a saddle trader.
- Ariake: North of Kii's Pond, you'll find it at the southern bank of the river. It stands between a building and the field in Pampas near a campfire.
- Komoda: East of Wolf Club Falls, you'll find it just after gate by the tall guard tower.
- Kashine: Southeast of Komoda Town, the Bamboo Strike stands on the peak of a hill left from the Wonderer's Pass. It is also next to the White Dye Merchant.
- Hiyoshi: West of the forest, you'll find it next to Hiyoshi Springs Settlement along a winding road.
3 Toyotama
In contrast to Izuhara, Toyotama doesn't seem to be as densely populated as villages are a little more sparse. Also not as high in elevation, it lends itself to more low farmlands and water. Jin Sakai does go here at the end of Act I when the war starts to really escalate so there are even more Mongolian enemies for players to encounter. Though, Mongolian invasion aside, it seems to be a peaceful place to stay since that's where Jin chooses to live at the end of the game.
Here's where to find the Toyotama Bamboo Strikes:
- Akashima: West of old Togo Rice Fields, the Bamboo Strikes sits next to the Akashima Lighthouse.
- Umugi: West of Lady Sanjo's Bridge, you'll find it on the coast next to the Umugi Cave.
- Yarikawa: East of Yarikawa Stronghold, you'll find it on the coast by the Gift Altar.
- Kushi: East of Beneki's Falls, you'll find it behind a building along the coast.
- Kubara: Near the center of the Toyotama map, you'll find it north of Lord Shimura's Camp, up on a hill.
- Otsuna: North of Omi Village but West of Omi Lake, you'll find it in the courtyard of a large building within the shrine gates.
2 Kamiagata
The last area in Ghost of Tsushima is Kamiagata. Located in the most northern part of Tsushima Island, ice and snow coats the ground all throughout this region, giving players a cold empty feeling as they reach the end of the game. Although Mongol hordes still linger in this area, players will find fewer of them here due to the region's frosty terrain. Kamiagata is also like the combination of the first two areas mentioned since the land varies between mountain ranges and a flatter expanse of land.
As the smallest region, Kamiagata also has the fewest Bamboo Strikes found here:
- Sago: Following Southern road out of Sago Mill, west of Kin Sanctuary, there's a winding road. Turn left at the fork and follow the trail left of some rocks will
- Kin: Western edge of the island north of Kin Sanctuary. View of burning forest pictured.take you to a watchtower.
- Endless Forest: Directly east of Kin Sanctuary, outside the Kin Lighthouse.
1 Rewards
Probably the most satisfying reward for all completionists, finishing all Bamboo Strikes give players the "Body, Mind, and Spirit" trophy. But note that players must still complete all the Hot Springs, Haikus, and Inari Shrine side missions to get this silver trophy.
The primary and most useful reward from collecting all 16 Bamboo Strikes is the increase in max resolve by four. Representing Jin Sakai's strength, resolve is used for healing (or pushing past the pain according to lore) and using special abilities. Killing enemies and parries refill the resolve so make sure to perfect those to be the best samurai. The last reward is the Sacred Mountain Messenger Mask. Although it doesn't give players any special abilities or skill increases and is only cosmetic, it is a mark of a "true warrior and servant on the mountain kami". Even if it does make you look like a Japanese Macaque monkey.