Your Guide to Owl Mountain in Ghost of Yotei

What to know

• Owl Mountain sits in the north of Teshio Ridge and is the starting location for the Way of the Kusarigama sensei tale.
• You must have progressed the main tale (start The Kitsune) to access Teshio Ridge reliably.
• The sensei tale sequence teaches the Kusarigama and walks you through a series of combat and traversal tasks: enemy encounters, cutting bamboo, destroying vases, breaking targets, and a final test.
• Completing this tale gives you the Kusarigama weapon and counts toward related trophies/quests (Path of the Kusarigama / Kusarigama’s Shame).

Owl Mountain sits deep in the northern area of Teshio Ridge, accessible after reaching the Red Crane Inn. This location provides a vital fast travel point. The mountain region introduces a freezing mechanic: prolonged exposure reduces maximum health and visibility, so route efficiency and use of available shelters are crucial.

Quick reference table for Owl Mountain

How to reach Owl Mountain and complete the Way of the Kusarigama

Unlock access to Teshio Ridge by progressing the main tale until The Kitsune opens the region. If you try to go north before this, the sensei tale may not trigger.

Step 1

Fast travel or ride to the Teshio Ridge waypoints and head toward the north sector where Owl Mountain is marked. If you’re exploring, use map markers and look for high ridgelines — Owl Mountain rises above the surrounding valleys.

Step 2

Approach the Owl Mountain approach path (follow natural switchbacks, bridges and rope or climb points).

Look for a bridge or narrow path where Master Enomoto will appear — crossing certain thresholds triggers the sensei tale opening scene. Move slowly if you want to keep stealth options available.

Step 3

Accompany Master Enomoto through the area and clear the initial enemy group (often called “Nine Tails” combat encounter). You can use stealth to take down isolated foes, but open combat is equally valid — be ready to dodge and use guard-breaks on shielded enemies.

Step 4

After the first fight you’ll get a cutscene at an owl statue — interact with it to collect the Kusarigama. From this point the quest becomes a short tutorial teaching Kusarigama mechanics, so expect chaining/area control scenarios.

Step 5

Follow Master Enomoto to the bamboo patch and use the Kusarigama to cut through thin bamboo (short-range slashes). Cutting the bamboo opens a hidden path — scan the edges of the environment for thin bamboo clumps or vine-lifted gates.

Step 6

You’ll find bear statues holding vases behind the bamboo. Use charged heavy attacks with the Kusarigama (hold the heavy attack button) to smash vases — a single charged hit reliably destroys them and can reveal ropes or paths behind. If an enemy shield appears, break it first with a charged heavy attack.

Step 7

Climb the newly revealed rope or passage, move through the squeeze point, and clear the next group of enemies. Expect some platforming — timed jumps, short climbs, and ledge grabs. Use your grapples/rope slots and conserve stamina where possible.

Step 8

Here you will encounter more nine tails. Fight and defeat them using your newly equipped abilities. This acts as a tutorial with shielded enemies. Heavy attacks break shields; follow up with quick strikes.

Step 9

Enter the dojo/testing area by climbing cliffs. After the cutscene, follow Master to get to the dojo sequence.

Step 10

Break the straw training targets. This usually requires two phases: standard strikes first, then a second test where you must use the Kusarigama’s special “whirlwind” or charged sweep to destroy targets in succession. Focus on rhythm: charged attack to break the target, then follow-up light attacks if needed.

Step 11

A short cutscene and the cold pool final test follow — enter the pool, perform the final set of charged attacks and defensive counters as prompted.

Step 12

Face the concluding duel/tutorial fight with Enomoto (or clear the scripted final challenge). Complete the final objective to finish the Way of the Kusarigama.

Step 13

After completion interact where directed to formally add the Kusarigama to your weapon roster and receive quest/trophy credit. The game will often unlock follow-up sensei tales (Path of the Kusarigama, Kusarigama’s Shame) that continue training and grant further Kusarigama upgrades.

Owl Mountain quest progression rewards

Kusarigama weapon unlocked

Adds a new chain-weapon melee style to your arsenal.

Sensei tale completion trophy

Way of the Kusarigama counts toward 100% completion.

Combat mastery

Training teaches you shield-breaking and chain attacks.

Exploration benefits

Owl Mountain becomes a permanent fast-travel and vantage landmark.

Combat tips for the Way of the Kusarigama quest

• Break shields and vases with charged heavy attacks — they’re the most consistent tool for destructible/objective items.
• Use stealth openings where possible — Kusarigama excels at crowd control once you chain hits.
• Conserve stamina when climbing or traversing ropes — some ascent segments require consecutive jumps and stamina drains.
• If an objective looks missable (vases, bamboo, targets), backtrack the immediate area fully — most quest triggers are near the path Enomoto leads you along.

What to expect after Owl Mountain

Completing Owl Mountain marks the end of the Way of the Kusarigama sensei tale, but it also sets you up for what comes next in Ghost of Yōtei. With the Kusarigama now fully unlocked, you’ll have a powerful new weapon style that excels at crowd control, shield-breaking, and versatile combos.

The quest also opens the door to follow-up sensei tales like Path of the Kusarigama and Kusarigama’s Shame, each offering more mastery challenges and narrative progression.

From here on, your journey expands deeper into Teshio Ridge, with the Kusarigama becoming an essential tool for both exploration and combat.