How to Find Sumi-e Paintings in Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Wildlife Maps)
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a set of wildlife-painting side activities called Sumi-e Paintings, where you sneak up on animals and recreate them as wall art. Unlike many collectibles, these encounters usually aren’t pinned directly on your map. Instead, you’ll rely on the compass icon near the top of the screen and on character reactions as you move through the world. In this collectibles guide, here are the locations for every Sumi-e Painting we list—plus the specific conditions you’ll need so the animals actually show up.
Checklists
With the exception of the tutorial Sumi-e that takes place during the prologue quest An Unpayable Debt, all Sumi-e Paintings can be found across Japan in multiple spots. Many of them also require particular times of day and/or seasonal conditions before they appear.
If you’re specifically hunting the five Legendary Sumi-e, there’s a dedicated section for those: Legendary Sumi-e Painting Locations.
AC Shadows Sumi-e Painting Locations
All Sumi-e Paintings in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Shika Deer and Fawn
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Osaka
- Time Found: Daytime, Spring
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Doe Sumi-e
This Sumi-e Painting was found in the Osaka sub-region of Izumi Settsu. To reach it, go to Tennoji Temple, which sits southeast of Osaka Castle.
From the temple, take the road heading northeast until you reach an intersection. The Deer and Fawn will be in the grassy area there.
Fighting Bucks
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Katano
- Time Found: Sunset, Autumn
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Deer Sumi-e
The Fighting Bucks Sumi-e Painting was located in Katano (the central area of Izumi Settsu) and only appeared during Autumn. Use the path along the southeastern bank of the main river, then head to a position directly north of Katano Castle.
As you get close, the painting spot will be just south of the path near the forest edge. Move in carefully and get close enough for your character to paint the scene.
Grooming Macaques
- Location: Yamashiro – Hills of Meeting
- Time Found: Daytime, Summer
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Grey Heron Sumi-e
This Sumi-e was found in the Hills of Meeting, a Yamashiro sub-region east of Kyoto. Southeast of the Kiyomizudera Pagoda Viewpoint, there’s a narrow river that flows south to a large lake.
Almost directly southeast of the viewpoint, look for a grassy patch on the west side of the river, up on a small hill. That’s where you’ll spot the macaques your character will need to paint.
Macaques Bathing in a Hot Spring
- Location: Yamashiro – Genbu Highlands – Kurama Onsen
- Time Found: Daytime, Winter
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Macaque Group Sumi-e
- Pet – Infant Macaque
This Sumi-e is in the Genbu Highlands, the northern-most sub-region of Yamashiro province. Go to the Kurama Onsen hot springs, which are on the western side of the road leading north into Wakasa, and directly east of the Kuramadera Pagoda Viewpoint.
During Winter, visit in the daytime and approach the hot springs with care. You can enter from either the south or the north, though the northern approach is easier thanks to a gnarled tree you can use to cross the river from the road.
A Mated Pair of Mandarin Ducks
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Senri Hills
- Time Found: Daytime, Spring / Summer
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Mandarin Duck Family Sumi-e
This Sumi-e was found along the main river that runs through Izumi Settsu, specifically at a smaller branch near the river mouth in the Senri Hills sub-region. The spot is directly east of Muko Post Town, which is on the north side of Amagasaki Castle.
Approach with extreme caution: the ducks may run off even when you’re still relatively far away. A good approach is to move prone through the reeds until you’re close enough to paint.
Mother and Ducklings
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Senri Hills
- Time Found: Daytime, Summer
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Mandarin Duck Family Sumi-e – Wall Decoration
- Mother and Ducklings Sumi-e – Wall Decoration
The Mother and Ducklings Sumi-e Painting was found in Senri Hills, a sub-region north of the river mouth in Izumi Settsu.
Look for it on a river branch east of Amagasaki Castle. As with all Sumi-e encounters, you’ll need to crouch and move slowly at a careful pace to avoid disturbing the animals.
An Egg-Stealing Tanuki
Story Quest Painting
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Kawachi Heights – Makinoodera Temple
- Reward: Wall Decoration – Mikan Sumi-e
This is the very first Sumi-e Painting and is mandatory during the early story quest An Unpayable Debt. In this part, you’ll follow Junjiro to a tanuki located inside the temple.
Crouch, then approach slowly while observing so that Naoe can complete the painting.
Open World Painting
- Location: Omi – Mouth of Seta
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Tanuki Pair Sumi-e
- Pet – Tanuki
You’ll get a second chance to paint tanuki in the open world. Our example was at the Mouth of Seta, a sub-region in the southern portion of Omi province. Specifically, it’s northeast of Seta Village Kakurega and west of Shigaraki Hamlet.
To find the spot, start at Seta Village Kakurega, then take the road northeast toward a swamp area. As you travel, watch your left side for the Sumi-e marker—don’t wait too long after leaving the village. Approach the tanuki carefully and paint it.
Tanuki Pups at Play
- Location: Omi – The Shimmering Fields
- Time Found: Daytime, Autumn
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Pet – Tanuki Pup
- Wall Decoration – Tanuki Pups Playing
The Tanuki Pups at Play Sumi-e Painting is found in The Shimmering Fields, the southeastern sub-region of the Omi province. This encounter appears only in Autumn, and only during daytime.
Our location was north of Koga Kakurega, east of Shin Crossing, and south of the Canal Toll Houses. The area includes a small farm near the river. Check the forest edge just west of the farmhouse to find the Sumi-e.
Wrestling Red Fox Kits
- Location: Omi – Sakamoto
- Time Found: Daytime, Spring
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Pet – Red Fox Cub
- Wall Decoration – Red Fox Pair Sumi-e
This Sumi-e Painting spot was located just outside Sakamoto, the city featuring a castle in the southwestern part of Omi province, on the shores of Lake Biwa.
On the western side of Sakamoto, farmland stretches with three rivers cutting through it. Head for the middle river (where there’s an Ornament Vendor at the end) and travel west. As you leave the farmland and reach the first major bend in the river, you’ll see fox cubs playing along the river’s northeastern edge.
Cormorant and Fish
- Location: Yamashiro – Eagle’s Nest
- Time Found: Daytime, Summer
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Cormorant Sumi-e
Cormorant and Fish was found in Eagle’s Nest, a Yamashiro sub-region southwest of Kyoto. Your best route is to head toward the large river that separates Kyoto and Eagle’s Nest.
Just northeast of the Ancient Tomb of Nanjo Kofun, and near an Animus Keys pickup, you’ll find the spot on the river’s northeastern bank. That’s where your character should paint the cormorant while it’s fishing.
Graceful Grey Heron
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Osaka
- Time Found: Daytime, Spring
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Grey Heron Sumi-e
The Graceful Grey Heron is a Sumi-e that’s commonly tied to river areas. The specific one we found was during the day in Spring, within the Osaka region of Izumi Settsu. Start from Osaka Castle and follow the road north until you reach an intersection along the river.
At this spot, you’ll spot the grey heron near the waterline. Approach carefully, then paint it once you’re close enough.
Grey Heron on the Hunt
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Katano
- Time Found: Daytime, Spring
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Grey Heron Sumi-e
This Sumi-e Painting can be found in the Katano sub-region of Izumi Settsu. Look for a lake located north-northwest of Katano Castle—the same castle Naoe infiltrated during the prologue.
The lake sits very close to the river that cuts through Izumi Settsu. At the lake’s northern end, you’ll find the grey heron your character will want to paint.
Boxing Hares
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Osaka – Tennoji Temple
- Time Found: Daytime, Summer
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Japanese Hare Sumi-e
- Pet – Hare
Boxing Hares are found outside Tennoji Temple. This temple is guarded by monks and is located in Osaka, a sub-region of Izumi Settsu’s western coast. Tennoji Temple is southeast of Osaka Castle and east-northeast of Sumiyoshi Shrine.
Once you arrive, head to the southeastern corner of the opposite outer wall. From there, you’ll see a grassy stretch that leads southeast toward a river. Move carefully in that direction, and keep an eye on your left for the Boxing Hares at the forest edge.
Migrating Geese
- Location: Wakasa – Shattered Coast
- Time Found: Daytime, Autumn
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Migrating Geese Sumi-e
Migrating Geese stands out as one of the most distinctive Sumi-e experiences—different even compared to other Legendary entries. We found it at the Shattered Coast, the western sub-region of Wakasa. The location is at the end of a road southwest of Maizuru’s Lair, southeast of Koromodako Cave, and just to the east of a large pirate ship.
What sets this Sumi-e apart is how it triggers. To start it, enter the clearing at the top of the hill. That action summons a flock of migrating geese into the northern sky. You’ll have a limited window to look in the correct direction and then hold the left trigger / right mouse button to lock on and paint the Sumi-e.
Red-Crested Ibis
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Osaka
- Time Found: Daytime, Spring
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Red-Crested Ibis Flock Sumi-e
The Red-Crested Ibis flock is one of the more frequently encountered Sumi-e across Japan, but the one we captured is in Osaka, within the western portion of Izumi Settsu. The encounter sits at a river split: Osaka lies to the north, Sakai to the south, and Sumiyoshi Shrine to the east.
Even in daylight, approach from the east. The ibis will detect you and fly away if you come in from other angles, so you’ll need to sneak up without being seen.
Ibis and Clam
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Osaka
- Time Found: Daytime, Spring
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Red-Crested Ibis Sumi-e
Ibis and Clam is another Osaka painting opportunity in Izumi Settsu. You can find it southwest of Katano Castle—the same location Naoe infiltrated during the prologue.
Follow the path away from Katano Castle toward the southeast. The Sumi-e opportunity appears as the route starts running alongside the river. The ibis will be on the river shore.
Koi Fish Swimming
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Nakayama Peak – Nishinomiya Shrine
- Time Found: Daytime, Spring
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Koi Fish Sumi-e
One Koi Fish Swimming Sumi-e location is at Nishinomiya Shrine. The shrine is in Nakayama Peak, a sub-region in the western corner of Izumi Settsu. It’s on the northwestern side of Nishinomiya Shine Town, and west of Amagasaki Castle.
When it’s daytime, head to the shrine and cross the red bridge onto the island inside the shrine’s lake. Then turn right. Crouch on the mossy rock, and Observe the water. The koi fish are present, but they’re almost impossible to see clearly through the water.
Playing Piglets
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Osaka
- Time Found: Daytime, Spring
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Playing Piglets Sumi-e
- Pet – Boar Piglet
Playing Piglets is a Sumi-e Painting located in Osaka, a sub-region in the middle of Izumi Settsu. It’s east-southwest of the town of Katano, northeast of Osaka Castle, and just south of a Port Trader.
From the Port Trader, go a little south. Your character should react to the painting spot in a narrow forest strip on your right.
Battling Boars
- Location: Izumi Settsu – Osaka
- Time Found: Daytime, Autumn
- Rewards:
- 500 XP
- Wall Decoration – Boar Pair Sumi-e
Battling Boars is a Sumi-e spot found in Osaka, the central sub-region of Izumi Settsu. The location is in the farms on the northeastern side of the city, close to Osaka Castle.
During Autumn, check along the eastern edge of the farms at the forest boundary to find the boars at their activity spot.
For more help in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, explore other collectibles sections:
- Legendary Chest Locations
- Jizo Statue Locations
- Music Locations
- Shrine Locations
- Legendary Sumi-e Painting Locations
- Temple Lost Pages
- Origami Butterfly Locations
Up Next: Shika Deer and Fawn
Top Guide Sections
- Things to Do First in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Everything Added to Assassin’s Creed Shadows Since Launch
- Walkthrough
- Main Story Choices and Consequences
