How to enter Makino Kurumazuka Kofun in Assassin's Creed Shadows

Assassin's Creed Shadows Makino Kurumazuka Kofun - Yasuke holding a large red explosive jar.
(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Exploring the rolling hills and harsh mountains of Izumi Settsu, you're likely to have stumbled upon Assassin's Creed Shadows' Makino Kurumazuka Kofun. If you've completed the other kofun in the region, then you'll know that legendary gear and knowledge await you. But you can't seem to get inside thanks to the pile of rocks blocking the entrance at the bottom of the stairs.

Well, don't spend a good ten minutes trying to figure out how to get inside only to find out that you couldn't like I did. Below I'll go over how you can enter this kofun so you don't waste your time too. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, you can find Makino Kurumazuka Kofun in the Yawata Plains of Izumi Settsu, east of Tatatsuki.

How to enter Makino Kurumazuka Kofun in Assassin's Creed Shadows

You need to have unlocked Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows before you can enter the Makino Kurumazuka kofun. Why? Because only this hulking samurai is capable of carrying the explosive jars required to blow open the rock wall blocking your path.

At the top of the short staircase leading down into the kofun, you'll find a few explosive barrels lying around. Now, if you're playing as Naoe like I was when I discovered this kofun, then you can't interact with these jars. In previous games, you could just pick them up and throw them wherever you wanted. This time around only Yasuke can perform this supposedly Herculean feat.

Pick up one of the explosive jars and carry it down the stairs. Then, use any attack to blow up the jar and break the rocks. Obviously, this is best done with one of Yasuke's ranged weapons, and you'll find arrows and teppo shots on the surface too. You can also use Naoe's kunai or even just whack the jars with your sword, shaking off the inevitable damage.

After you've blown your way in, you're free to explore and complete the kofun just like any other, earning the valuable knowledge points you'll need to get higher-level skills.

Best AC Shadows weaponsBest AC Shadows armourAC Shadows knowledge rankAC Shadows scoutsAC Shadows rationsAC Shadows hideoutAC Shadows Shadow ProjectsAC Shadows butterfly locationsAC Shadows Heiji locationAC Shadows Thrown to the DogsAC Shadows change seasons

Best AC Shadows weapons: Superior firepower
Best AC Shadows armour: The best threads
AC Shadows knowledge rank: Get knowledge
AC Shadows scouts: Get more trusty recons
AC Shadows rations: Get more healing items
AC Shadows hideout: Best buildings to get first
AC Shadows Shadow Projects: Free loot
AC Shadows butterfly locations: Collect 'em all
AC Shadows Heiji location: Way of the Blacksmith
AC Shadows Thrown to the Dogs: Pre-order quest
AC Shadows change seasons: Weather warning

Guides Writer

Rory has made the fatal error of playing way too many live service games at once, and somehow still finding time for everything in between. Sure, he’s an expert at Destiny 2, Call of Duty, and more, but at what cost? He’s even sunk 1,000 hours into The Elder Scrolls Online over the years. At least he put all those hours spent grinding challenges to good use over the years as a freelancer and guides editor. In his spare time, he’s also an avid video creator, often breaking down the environmental design of his favourite games. If you can’t track him down, he’s probably lost in a cave with a bunch of dwarves shouting “rock and stone” to no end.

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