What to know

  • There are 12 unique Kitsune puzzle boxes, found only in the Teshio Ridge region and tied to both side activities and main quests.
  • Boxes are collected from Kitsune Altars, Yotei camps, hideouts, and one from a special fallen shinobi; order of opening determines box names.
  • Each box is a sliding-panel or bar puzzle; opening them nets unique rewards from charms to rare crafting items and currency.
  • Puzzles are all accessible post-story, and none are missable; solutions require careful observation and following cipher clues from the Kitsune questline.
  • Rewards include dyes, charms, gear, lore fragments, or unique cosmetics — claim immediately after solving.

In Ghost of Yotei, the Kitsune questline's fox statue puzzles challenge you to think like a trickster, blending stealth, observation, and cunning to pierce the Nine Tails Hideout. These boxes carry more than just a message- it unlocks rewards and mysteries to the enigmatic nine tails realm.

Overview of all Nine-Tails Puzzle Boxes

# Region Location / Landmark
1 Sakura Woods Under a wooden shelter near the “r” in “Sakura”
2 Sentinel Forest Between Sentinel Forest and Sakura Woods, at a small Kitsune Altar
3 Shipwreck Shoal On the eastern coastal cliffs beneath a rocky arch
4 Sarobetsu Forest Northeast corner above the “su” in “Sarobetsu”
5 Teshio Coast Cliffside altar overlooking the sea
6 Crossroads Trading Post (Yotei Six Camp) Central altar inside the cleared camp
7 Snow Drift Springs Hideout Accessed through Snow Drift Springs Shrine
8 Snow’s Blight Hideout Beneath Snow’s Blight Shrine
9 Nakajima Ice Cave Hideout Northwest of the frozen lake
10 Deserted Village (Yotei Six Camp) Near the old dojo in upper-central Yotei
11 Soya Port (Yotei Six Camp) Rear altar behind the shipyard
12 Cape Inari Hideout Northernmost tip of the map beyond the rope bridge

Location of all Puzzles in the Nine-Tails Story Arc

Below are given detailed locations for all the puzzles. Please note that you can find the puzzle boxes in front of the altar of reflection in the specific locations.

#1 - Snow Drift Spring hideout

Accessed via Snow Drift Springs Shrine (in Crimson Forest), light correct fox lanterns, clear hideout, climb rope to reach altar & box.

#2 - Crossroads Trading Post

In front of the Altar of Reflection—the box appears after clearing the camp.

#3 - Snow's Blight Hideout

Enter via Snow’s Blight Shrine, solve braziers / fox statue puzzle, crawl through wall, clear enemy camp, then reach altar for box.

#4 - Nakajima Ice Cave

Turn two fox statues at entrance (left and right) to unlock crawlspace, go through, clear camp, then enter the altar to find the box.

#5 - Deserted Village

After clearing the village, box is in front of the Altar of Reflection inside the camp.

#6 - Soya Port

In the harbor stronghold—after liberating the port, the altar behind the shipyard holds the box.

#7 - Camp Inari Hideout

At northern Cape Inari, light two fox lanterns marked with “trident” icons to open hideout path, climb rope, clear camp, then altar has the box.

#8 - Sentinel Forest Kitsune Altar

From the Kitsune Altar between Sentinel Forest and Sakura Woods, slightly southeast of Sentinel Forest Camp

#9 - Body in Sakura Woods

Box is held by a dead enemy under a wooden structure (not tied to altar or camp).

#10 - Shipwreck Shoal Kitsune Altar

On the eastern shoreline cliffs of Shipwreck Shoal, drop west from the road and look under the rocky wall for the altar with box in front.

#11 - Sarobetsu Forest Kitsune Altar

At a Kitsune Altar directly above the “su” in “Sarobetsu” on the map.

#12 - Teshio Coast Kitsune Altar

At a Kitsune Altar along the Teshio coastal cliffs; box is in plain sight on altar.

All Nine-Tails Puzzle Box Solutions

Interesting Box
  • On the front, slide the black stripe left.
  • Slide the front panel down once.
  • On the top, slide the black panel down to reveal the lid.
    Box opens.
Peculiar Box
  • On the front face, slide both vertical black bars down.
  • Move to the top and slide the panel down to unlock it.
    Box opens.
Fascinating Box
  • Slide the horizontal black bar right.
  • Pull the front panel down once.
  • Slide the bar left again.
  • Pull the front panel down a second time.
    Box opens.
Curious Box
  • On each of the four faces, slide the vertical black bar down.
  • Once all sides are unlocked, lift the top.
    Box opens.
Intricate Box
  • Slide the top-left part of the top bar outward.
  • Slide the bottom-right part of the bottom bar outward.
  • Push both vertical bars down.
    Box opens.
Manageable Box
  • Move the front panel down one click.
  • Slide the horizontal bar left.
  • Move the front panel down again.
  • Slide the bar partway right, then down once more.
  • Finally, slide the bar fully right and push the panel down.
    Box opens.
Perplexing Box
  • Work around the sides and slide all movable black pieces.
  • Once the obstruction clears, lift the top panel.
    Box opens.
Devious Box
  • On top, move the outer black bars outward.
  • Push both vertical bars down.
  • On the bottom, move the outer bars outward again.
  • Lower the verticals one more time.
    Box opens.
Challenging Box
  • Front: slide horizontal bar left.
  • Right side: move black bar left, then push the vertical down.
  • Front: lower the bottom half of the vertical bar.
  • Right side: return the left bar to center.
  • Front: slide the horizontal right.
  • Left side: move right horizontal right, lower middle vertical.
    Box opens.
Surprising Box
  • Move the front black bar right.
  • Pull the front panel down one click.
  • Move the bar right again.
  • Push the front up, move bar further right, then push the panel all the way down.
    Box opens.
Elaborate Box
  • On top, slide the left horizontal bar outward.
  • Lower the left vertical slightly.
  • Return the top bar to normal.
  • Move the bottom-left bar outward.
  • Lower the left vertical further, then return bottom bar.
  • Slide the top-left bar outward again.
  • Lower the left vertical one more step, then drop the right vertical fully down.
    Box opens.
Epic Box
  • On the back, slide both halves of the vertical bar up/down once.
  • Move the back horizontal bar left.
  • On the left side, slide the horizontal bar left.
  • Front: move the left section left, then push the vertical down.
  • Reset left, move front vertical down one click.
  • Left: return horizontal bar.
  • Back: slide horizontal bar right.
  • Right side: move horizontal right.
  • Front: slide right section right, lower vertical.
    Box opens.

Quick Tips for Puzzle Boxes

Rotate the box often

Some panels only move after unlocking others on a different side.

Start with loose bars first

If a piece won’t slide, it’s locked by another.

Alternate directions

Switch between horizontal and vertical moves instead of repeating the same axis.

Watch and listen for clicks

Distinct sounds confirm correct moves or partial slides.

Reset anytime

Exiting the puzzle keeps your progress safe if you need to rethink.

Take your time

The game pauses during puzzles, so there’s no pressure.

Each puzzle box deepens the legend of the Kitsune and rewards careful observation over brute force. As you open them one by one, you’ll gather Kitsune Fragments — sacred relics tied to the Nine-Tails myth. Collecting all twelve puzzle boxes completes the lore and unlocks the coveted Nine-Tails Mask, a symbol of wisdom, patience, and your bond with the fox spirits of Yotei.