What to know
- Located in Sagano region during Heian period at Matsuo-taisha Shrine area.
- Requires defeating Onryoki boss on nearby bridge to obtain Tarnished Iron Key.
- Key opens the locked shrine building containing the chest.
- Chest holds valuable sword for blacksmith quest like Blade of Memories.
In Nioh 3‘s Heian period, the snowy Sagano region will challenge your pathfinding while looking for locked chests. The Sagano Locked Shrine Chest sits in a building at Matsuo-taisha Shrine, visible on your mini-map with loot sensors but inaccessible until you progress.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | Sagano (Heian Period) |
| Exact Location | Matsuo-taisha Shrine bridge area |
| Requirement | Defeat Onryoki boss for Tarnished Iron Key |
| Chest Reward | Sword (e.g., Odenta Mitsuyo for blacksmith) |
| Related Mission | Black Feather Sanctuary or side quests |
Key locations in Sagano shrine area
Navigate Matsuo-taisha Shrine’s monastic cave and main hall, but the locked shrine stands near a bridge in the shrine vicinity.
Nearby spots include a hot spring after Nurikabe, ice-blocked caves with Enduring Arts text, and enemy bases south of the shrine—head to the bridge first for the Onryoki encounter.
How to defeat Onryoki on the bridge
Onryoki appears as a formidable boss on the bridge leading toward the shrine building. Fight it directly after reaching this spot in Sagano exploration.
Step 1: Approach the bridge
Travel through Sagano paths from early shrines like Matsuo-taisha Shrine Monastic Cave, clearing crows and yokai until you spot the bridge.
Step 2: Engage Onryoki
Trigger the boss by stepping onto the bridge; it wields massive weapons in a confined space, so dodge rolls keep you safe.
Step 3: Exploit weaknesses
Target its arms and back during openings; use fire damage if available, as it drops Bear’s Bane Fire art alongside the key.
Step 4: Finish the fight
Burst ki with heavy attacks after grapples; upon defeat, collect Tarnished Iron Key and other loot like Bear’s Bane Fire.
How to open the locked shrine with the key
Return to the locked shrine building near Matsuo-taisha after the boss.
Step 1: Locate the shrine building
From the bridge, head to the locked doors at Matsuo-taisha Shrine; mini-map shows the chest inside.
Step 2: Use Tarnished Iron Key
Interact with the doors using the key from Onryoki; it unlocks permanently.
Step 3: Enter and open chest
Step inside the now-open building, approach the chest, and loot it for the sword.
Step 4: Collect extras
Grab nearby items like Ninja’s Locks from a small chest in the first room.
| Reward | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tarnished Iron Key | Key Item | Drops from Onryoki; one-time use |
| Sword (Odenta Mitsuyo) | Weapon | Chest reward; for blacksmith quest |
| Bear’s Bane Fire | Art | Onryoki drop; axe skill unlock |
| Ninja’s Locks | Collectible | Small chest inside shrine building |
Equip the sword at a blacksmith for quests, and use arts or locks at shrines for points. This clears the mini-map icon and advances exploration to level 4 in Sagano.
You now access the Sagano Locked Shrine Chest effortlessly, boosting your build with key items and progressing blacksmith stories seamlessly.
