Nioh 3 Secret Areas - Hidden Locations You Missed!

In the expansive world of Nioh 3, players are continually faced with breathtaking environments and challenging enemies. Yet, there are hidden areas that many players overlook, often containing valuable resources, powerful gear, and sometimes, the secret to unlocking additional lore. These secret areas are not immediately obvious and often require exploration, curiosity, and a bit of patience to uncover. Here’s a guide to some of the secret areas in Nioh 3 that you may have missed, and how to access them.

Why Finding Secret Areas in Nioh 3 Is Important

Exploring Nioh 3’s secret areas is not just about finding hidden rewards—it’s about enhancing your overall experience. These areas may house powerful weapons, rare items, or even shortcut paths that could save time in your journey. Plus, finding them adds an extra layer of depth to the game’s already complex world. Players who skip these secret zones are missing out on opportunities that could make their journey far easier or more rewarding.

Not all secret areas are equally easy to find. Many of them are hidden behind specific triggers, puzzles, or by simply exploring the world more thoroughly. From high mountain peaks to the deepest dungeons, you need to be vigilant in your search.

The Most Rewarding Secret Areas in Nioh 3

Here are some of the best-hidden locations in Nioh 3 that you shouldn’t miss:

1. The Forgotten Shrine

The Forgotten Shrine is a hidden temple that can be accessed through a series of platforms located behind a waterfall in the Ise Province. According to community reports, this area is home to rare items and offers a boss fight that unlocks special armor once defeated.

• How to find it: Look for a waterfall near the western edge of Ise Province, and navigate to a set of platforms behind it.
• What’s hidden inside: The Forgotten Shrine rewards players with rare weapons and a challenging boss that grants valuable gear for later stages in the game.

2. The Hidden Yokai Cave

This secret cave is located in Mino Province and can be accessed by finding a hidden path behind a large rock formation near the outskirts of the area. The cave houses dangerous Yokai, but it also contains an Amrita Crystal—a precious item that boosts your level quickly.

• How to find it: Search near the edge of Mino’s cliffside for a narrow, seemingly closed-off path that leads into the cave.
• What’s hidden inside: Besides the Amrita Crystal, there are hidden treasures and one of the hardest Yokai fights that will test your skills.

3. The Lost Fortress

In the Kaga Region, there’s an area known as the Lost Fortress, often missed due to the hidden nature of the entrance. To find it, you must explore an ancient ruin and look carefully for a crack in the wall leading underground.

• How to find it: Follow the ruins toward the back of the area, and inspect the hidden crack in the stone wall. This will lead you down into a dark, forgotten area.
• What’s hidden inside: The fortress contains high-level enemies and valuable weapons such as The Phoenix Blade—a weapon that can only be obtained by defeating a unique boss in this area.

4. The Shadow Temple

The Shadow Temple in Nioh 3 is hidden in the Tosa Prefecture area. Players often miss this secret area, as it requires finding a specific lever hidden in plain sight under an overhanging ledge. Once activated, the lever opens a secret door that leads you into a dungeon full of traps and ancient guardians.

• How to find it: Locate the lever under the ledge to the left of the main temple’s front entrance. Pull the lever, and the secret door will reveal itself.
• What’s hidden inside: Players can find powerful Amrita-enhancing items here, including a rare Guardian Spirit that boosts elemental damage.

Tips for Finding Secret Areas

Exploration in Nioh 3 can be tricky, but these tips can help you find hidden spots more efficiently:

• Listen to the environment: Sometimes, secret areas are hidden behind sounds—such as distant echoes or unusual hums—that hint at their location.
• Interact with your surroundings: Push statues, pull levers, or use the environment to your advantage. Many secret areas require you to manipulate the world in order to reveal them.
• Pay attention to odd landmarks: Look for landmarks that seem out of place, such as unusually shaped rocks, glowing patches on the floor, or walls that look slightly different from others.
• Community Tips: According to player feedback, some areas are best accessed by completing specific side quests or engaging with NPCs in the game’s world.

Why These Secret Areas Matter

The secret areas in Nioh 3 are more than just Easter eggs. They represent the intricate level design and the vastness of the game’s world. By finding and exploring these hidden zones, players gain powerful advantages that make their adventure even more thrilling. The game is known for its difficulty, but secret areas provide vital support to those who are willing to explore beyond the beaten path.

Moreover, finding these secret areas not only rewards players with powerful loot but also deepens the lore of the game world. Some of these areas provide glimpses into the past of the Sengoku period, offering players new insights into the rich history that Nioh 3 draws inspiration from.

Conclusion

There are plenty of hidden spots in Nioh 3 that can elevate your gameplay experience. These secret areas are not just about finding hidden treasures; they challenge your skills and offer rewards that can make the difference in your quest. While exploring, always keep your eyes peeled for clues, whether it's a hidden passage, a lever to pull, or a seemingly ordinary area that could be hiding a game-changing surprise.

If you haven’t yet found all of these secret areas, it’s time to start exploring. The rewards are waiting, and they’ll make your Nioh 3 experience all the more satisfying.