What to know

  • Song of Spirit is gained at Master Heijiro’s Garden, northwest Yotei Grasslands.​
  • You must complete the “Master of the Shamisen” side quest to earn it.​
  • The process involves experiencing memories, aiding Atsu’s mother, and composing the song with Master Heijiro.​
  • Once acquired, Song of Spirit directs the Guiding Wind to Bamboo Strikes, helping you maximize Spirit.​

Once you’ve accepted the Master of the Shamisen side quest in the Yotei Grasslands, head to Master Heijiro’s Garden in the northwest. You’ll then be prompted to interact with “golden leaves” that trigger flashback segments.

In these flashbacks, you’ll carry out several tasks to help Yone (Atsu’s mother) restore the garden. Here’s how you can secure the Song of Spirit with detailed steps and handy quest flow tips for Ghost of Yotei.

Master of the Shamisen: Quick overview

Phase Task / Action Required Outcome / Progress
Locate Starting Point Travel to Master Heijirō’s Garden, in the northwest Yōtei Grasslands. Initiates the quest line.
Enter Memory Sequence Hold the touchpad near the stone bench in the garden to trigger a memory sequence. Quest “Master of the Shamisen” officially begins.
Assist Atsu’s Mother Complete three memory tasks: cut bamboo, place the water jar, and plant the sapling near the shrine. Advances the memory and unlocks deeper insight into Heijirō’s past.
Return to Present After the vision fades, find Master Heijirō (appears at night in his garden, playing faint music). Moves to the song creation phase.
Compose Song of Spirit Follow rhythmic prompts to strum the Shamisen alongside Heijirō, matching pitch and tempo. “Song of Spirit” is composed and unlocked.
New Ability Unlocked Activate Song of Spirit via the gesture menu to guide the Guiding Wind toward Bamboo Strikes. Allows faster Spirit upgrades and enhanced open-world progression.

Unlocking the Master of the Shamisen side tale

Begin by traveling to the northwest corner of the Yotei Grasslands, where you’ll find Master Heijiro’s Garden. This serene area, marked by gorgeous traditional landscaping and fluttering golden leaves, is the backdrop for a special tale involving memory and legacy.​

Step-by-step guide to get Song of Spirit

Step 1

Travel to Master Heijiro’s Garden, northwest of Yotei Grasslands, and look for signs of golden leaves and a scenic overlook.​

Step 2

Stand near the garden, then hold the touchpad (or relevant button) when prompted to enter a memory from the past.​

Step 3

Speak to Atsu’s mother in the memory sequence to begin the “Master of the Shamisen” quest.​

Step 4

Help Atsu’s mother with her garden chores during the memory. This typically involves:

Cutting down overgrown bamboo stalks.

Placing a jar in the water by the garden.

Planting a sapling in a marked mound. These actions represent nurturing and caring for tradition.​

Step 5

Once you’ve completed these tasks, return to the present and locate Master Heijiro, who appears after you come out from the memory.​

Step 6

Follow Master Heijiro to a new spot overlooking the beautiful garden. He’ll ask you to help compose a Shamisen song. Move your finger (or stick) horizontally along the touchpad to match on-screen prompts, repeating the process three times to finish the melody.​

Step 7

With the composition complete the Master of the Shamisen and you officially gain the Song of Spirit.

What you can use Song of Spirit for

Song of Spirit’s core effect is guiding players to Bamboo Strike locations that, once completed, permanently increase your maximum Spirit—a vital stat for advanced traversal and combat abilities in Ghost of Yotei.​


For Ghost of Yotei players, unlocking Song of Spirit is a meaningful milestone as it helps you locate all Bamboo Strikes and maximize your abilities. The Master Heijiro’s Garden side tale isn’t just a quest—it’s a memorable moment combining tradition, music, and mastery in the lands of Ezo.​