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After the player acquires a Magnifying Glass, they will be able to find and inspect Secret Notes, which are hidden bits of information scribed down by mostly mysterious sources and will reveal new and interesting bits of data to gamers who find them in the surprisingly complex world of Stardew Valley.

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There are 25 Secret Notes in Stardew Valley, all of which tell the player the favorite items of villagers, contain small illustrations, give them a neat little puzzle to do, and some even start mysterious quests. There are a number of ways to force Secret Notes to spawn, though most of them are luck-based.

Updated on September 14, 2021, by Reyadh Rahaman: Quite a few of the quests in Stardew Valley are obscure and don't often give a clear indication of what needs to be done in order to complete them. Thankfully, none of the quests available through Secret Notes have a time limit or expiration date, so gamers can rest easy knowing that they aren't crunched for time.

However, even with all of the time that one can ask for in the quaint Pelican Town, it will still take some digging, exploring, and guesswork to unravel the mysteries behind the most cryptic of the Secret Notes.

How To Find Secret Notes

  • Chopping trees (each axe hit) - 0.5%
  • Clearing weeds - 0.9%
  • Picking up stones - 0.75%
  • Slaying monsters - 3.3%
  • Gathering resource clumps (large stump, large log, meteorite, or boulder) - 5%
  • Fishing - 8% (replaces trash)
  • Artifact spot - 11% (after artifact checks and winter forage checks)
  • Harvesting giant crops - 100%

All Secret Notes & What Is In Each Of Them

player's menu full of secret notes.

Secret Note #1

This note contains a page from Abigail's diary.

"Things I love: the smell of carved pumpkin, keeping an amethyst under my pillow, chocolate cake, the thrill of spicy eel, and the comfort of Mom's blackberry cobbler (I like to eat!)".

Secret Note #2

This one is Sam's holiday shopping list and it mentions many favorites.

"Sebastian: Frozen Tear, Sashimi

Penny: Emerald, Poppy

Vincent: Grape, Cranberry Candy

Mom: Crispy Bass, Pancakes

Dad: Risotto, Roasted Hazelnuts

Me: Cactus, Maple Bar, Pizza"

Secret Note #3

The handwriting on this page indicates that Leah wrote this note.

"My idea of a perfect dinner would be salad, goat cheese, truffle, and wine. For dessert, I'd need a poppyseed muffin. Yum! If someone gave me one of those things, I'd melt."

Secret Note #4

Scribed on this page is a list of what Maru still needs.

"Parts still needed for my greatest invention yet!

*Gold Bar

*Iridium Bar

*Battery Pack

*Diamond

*Strawberries"

Secret Note #5

Here's a note from Penny, revealing the favorites of more people.

"I want to get everyone something they love!

Mom: Parsnip, Glazed Yams, NO BEER!

Jas: Fairy Rose, Plum Pudding

Vincent: Pink Cake, Grape

Mr. Mullner: Leek, Fried Mushroom

Granny Mullner: Beet, Tulip"

Secret Note #6

This note is actually a list of what many people prefer to order at Stardrop Saloon, though who wrote this is unknown.

"Stardrop Saloon Special Orders

Mayor Lewis: Autumn's Bounty

(Double order of high-fiber bread on the side)

Marnie: Pumpkin Pie

(extra whipped cream!)

Demetrius: Bean Hotpot

(Make it spicy)

Caroline: Fish Taco

(she wants triple the sauce! Better throw in a few extra napkins...)"

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Secret Note #7

Another mysteriously written secret that tells of the favorites of some bachelors in town.

"It's a page from someone's diary...

...There are only a few 'older' bachelors in town, and none of them are perfect! Harvey is really anxious and weak, but I know he would make a loyal and devoted husband. He likes coffee and pickles.

Elliott is a bit foppish and melodramatic, but he does have a nice chin. He likes crab cakes and pomegranates.

Shane is messy and anti-social. But I think his gruff exterior is a defense mechanism, insulating his softness from the world. He likes Beer, Pizza, and Pepper Poppers."

Secret Note #8

Here's a note from Haley and Emily's parents regarding their favorite gifts.

"To Haley and Emily

Hope you two are doing well! We've sent you your favorite gifts: Pink Cake and Sunflowers for Haley, Gemstones, and Wool for Emily!

-Love Mom and Dad"

Secret Note #9

This note gives insight into what makes Alex like the things they do.

"Alex's Strength Training Diet:

*Complete Breakfast

*Salmon Dinner

(I've learned to love this food... I can feel the protein!!)"

Secret Note #10

Secret Note #10 is a bit of an anomaly in that it can only be acquired after the quest "Qi's Challenge" is completed. It also begins the "Cryptic Note" quest that can be fulfilled after reaching level 100 of the Skull Cavern.

"Someone is

waiting for you

on level 100

in

the

skull cavern..."

Secret Note #11

This note contains no text, hints, tips, or quests; just a nice little photo.

image of happy people by some farm animals.

Secret Note #12

As opposed to revealing favorites, this note gives the player some hints on where to find specific items.

"I've found some good things by looking in the garbage cans, on lucky days.

Sometimes you'll find the 'dish of the day' behind the saloon... usually fresh!

For dessert, I'll check the Mullners' can for cookies.

For treasures, check the cans by the blacksmith and museum."

Secret Note #13

The first of the riddle Secret Notes, this one is relatively simple to solve and will grant the player a Junimo Plush.

"12 o'clock noon SHARP. Last day of the season. Check the bush above the playground."

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Secret Note #14

In the next riddle Secret Note, players can use the hint in this one to obtain a Stone Junimo statue, though players will need a pickaxe or hoe to collect it.

"I hid something behind the community center."

Secret Note #15

Far more cryptic, this note guides the player toward locating a Pearl as well as how to obtain it from some shells. During the Night Market, be sure to check out the boat on the far right to watch the Mermaid Show, after which players can try their hand at the shell game; follow this note's guide to getting the Pearl.

"Mermaid Show: 1-5-4-2-3"

Secret Note #16

This image, the second of its kind among the Secret Notes, clearly depicts the location of a buried Treasure Chest.

location of some treasure near a railroad.

Secret Note #17

Another treasure map, this one leads to an area north of JojaMart and toward a Strange Doll (green) buried under the sand.

buried strange green doll by a river.

Secret Note #18

More buried goods, a Strange Doll (yellow), can be found with this map if one follows it to the Calico Desert.

stardew valley treasure in calico desert.

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Secret Note #19

This one is a bit trickier to understand, however, will result in a lot of money if this puzzle is solved. Starting from the house on 1 Willow Lane, begin one's trek from directly in front of the building. Then, follow the directions (starting from the leftmost green arrow in the note and moving right, as if reading in English). Follow each direction until one hits an object or wall and then proceed to follow the next direction until the same thing occurs. At the end of this trial, players will find a secret Solid Gold Lewis statue.

Picking up and then placing the statue anywhere in Pelican Town will result in it disappearing the next day (replaced by a Rotten Plant) and will result in the player receiving an unsigned letter with some passive-aggressive text and 750 G.

puzzle that leads to a gold statue.

Secret Note #20

In the same manner as the previous Secret Note, this one will lead the player on a bit of a trek in order to find some rare goods. Start from the center of the town square and follow the green arrows and way-blocking obstacles until one reaches a truck parked near to JojaMart, where the player can speak to the driver and trade them a Rabbit's Foot for a Special Charm that permanently increased one's daily luck.

puzzle that starts in the center of town square.

Secret Note #21

Secret Note #21 reveals a lewd little secret held between Lewis and Marnie, though discovering it won't lead to anything except a laugh at the expense of some NPCs. Northwest, on the bridge out of Pelican Town that is heading toward The Beach, players can see a couple of bushes. At exactly 12:40 am, players can interact with the larger of the two bushes to startle Lewis and Marnie out from behind it.

note that leads to finding people behind a bush at night.

Secret Note #22

Here's a hint at finding out how to start a quest called "The Mysterious Qi", though finding this Secret Note is not required to start the quest. To begin this little adventure, players will need to bring a Battery Pack and place it in a box on a wall at the center of the Tunnel.

"Greetings, (player's name)...

Have you found my 'secret' in the dark tunnel?

I look forward to meeting you!"

Secret Note #23

Arguably one of the oddest ones in the game, Secret Note #23 one starts the quest "Strange Note" and guides the player to the Secret Woods, indicating that one will need to bring some Maple Syrup. If the player does this between 6 am and 7 am, they will meet a bear who will teach them some secrets about berries, which will allow one to sell Blackberries and Salmonberries for triple the normal price.

"If yoo can reed dis... come to seecrit wuds. Pleez bring may-pal serrup."

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Secret Note #24

While this note does not lead to treasure or a quest, it reveals a novel mechanic that players can use to change the color of Juminos by inserting a forged mineral, a gem, or a geode mineral into their little huts.

"It's a page from M. Jasper's book:

...the creatures, known by some as "Forest Spirits" or "Junimos", are said to appear in abandoned buildings after they've "gone to seed".

As a general rule...when humans leave, and nature begins to reclaim her territory, the Junimos will undoubtedly appear.

Folk wisdom holds that the Junimos display some kind of resonant affinity with gemstones that are placed inside their little huts...

Of course, all these claims come from dubious, unverified sources...As far as I know, even the mere existence of these creatures has never been proven!"

Secret Note #25

The last Secret Note also does not lead to a quest or treasure, but instead leads to greater friendship. If one fishes in the water outside of the Spa during spring, summer, or fall, they will find an Ornate Necklace. While this necklace is in one's inventory, the player can speak to Caroline to gain 50 Friendship points or to Abigail to gain 100 Friendship points.

"I 'borrowed' a necklace from Mom, but lost it somewhere near the bathhouse. She’s going to freak out if she notices it’s missing."

Stardew Valley Skull Cavern

A Winter Mystery Quest Overview

To begin this quest, players will need to enter the Bus Stop via one's Farm during Winter. One must arrive at the Bus Stop between 4 am and 6 am for a special cutscene to play, which initiates the quest in earnest. Players will meet the Shadow Guy briefly before they disappear, forcing gamers to track them down if they want to learn more.

To complete this quest, players will need to head to the playground in Pelican Town and search a bush on the right side of it, which will lead to another cutscene playing where the Shadow Guy will appear and give the player the Magnifying Glass item.

A Winter Myster Quest Text

"You encountered a suspicious-looking figure by the bus stop. When it saw you, it fled toward town. Could there be a clue to its whereabouts?"

Strange Note Quest Overview

This quest will begin after players read Secret Note #23, which is the one where players must enter the Secret Woods between 6 am and 7 pm with some Maple Syrup in their inventory. This will initiate a cutscene where one will trade a literal bear Maple Syrup for the Bear's Knowledge, which grants much greater sales value for some berries.

Fun fact: if players have a telephone on their Farm and complete this quest, it's possible that the same bear may call one in the future, though no future quests are possible through them.

Strange Note Quest Text

"You found a note, barely legible, asking you to bring 'may-pal serrup' to the 'seecrit wuds'."

Cryptic Note Quest Overview

Following the reading of Secret Note #10, players will be tasked with making their way down to level 100 of the Skull Cavern. When accomplished, one will be met by Mr. Qi, who will reward the player with Iridium Snake Milk, which is an item that permanently boosts one's max Health by 25 points.

Cryptic Note Quest Text

"You found a note that reads, "Someone is waiting for you on level 100 in the Skull Cavern"

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