When you make it to Kyoto for the first time inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll run into a mission that requires you to collect some pieces of art. While on paper this sounds easy, in reality, you may have to scour the wide landscape of Japan for hours to find them.

On top of that, the game doesn’t point you in any direction other than telling you each painting is found in a castle. If you’re struggling to find these paintings or can’t locate the castles you need to look into, this guide will walk you through the whole process.

Yasuke approaching a painting on a wall. There a two sets of doors behind him. One set is open, the other is closed.

How To Start The Art Collector Quest

As mentioned, the mission giver isin Kyoto. However, you’ll need to find his exact location to trigger the quest first.

If this quest isn’t unlocked for you when you enter Kyoto for the first time, make your way to thewestern side of town on the western face of Nijo Palace. It should also be directlynorth of Kano Painting School.

The Art Collector mission highlighted on the map of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

You can still find all the paintings without starting the quest. So if you’re in a castle like the one inOsaka, try searching the entire property for a painting before leaving.

Upon entering the location, navigate to thelargest housenear the painting school. He’ll be located inside a building beside the painting school.

Naoe looking at Kano who is standing in front of a painting.

If you’re in the right place, you should be greeted byKano Eitoku. He’ll instruct you to finda total of ten paintingsscattered throughout Japan.

Plus, as mentioned,they’ll be in certain castles. In turn, this might make your search a little more complicated.

Naoe in a large room looking at a painting.

However, if you read on, you can pinpoint every painting’s location easily.

All Paintings And Where To Find Them

The good thing about them being in castles is that you don’t have to go out of your way to find them. With that being said, make sure you areleveled up appropriately and have the right gear.

Mainly because, if you’re starting this quest in Act 1 of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, many of the castlesmay be a few levels above yours. It would be a better idea to get the paintings as you level up.

The map showing Nijo Palace with the waypoint showing the location of the painting.

Consider using Naoe over Yasuke. She can sneak around and get out of harm’s way better. Plus, because of her speed and agility, you’re able to quickly find each painting without getting hurt.

Nijo Palace Painting

The first painting will benear Kano’s Painting School at Nijo Palace. When you enter the palace, make your way to thenorthern section.

It’ll be located in a housenortheast of the palace’s viewpoint. You can find the paintingon the wall of the main room. Make sure you take care of the guard first before taking the painting.

The map open with painting in Shoryuji Castle highlighted.

Shoryuji Castle Painting

South of Kyotoand in the province ofYamashiro, you can head toShoryuji Castle. It’s locatedeast of Ogura Pond.

The painting will be on thefar eastern side of the castle near the south entrance. Just like the one in Nijo Palace,you may find it in a house.

The map of Assassin’s Creed Shadows open to Takatsuki Castle with the painting selected.

It can be entered from any side. Once you make itto the middle section, take out the guard and nab the painting. This painting should bebeside samurai armor.

Takatsuki Castle Painting

By goingeast of the Muggy Lands and south of Yamazaki Castle, there will beTakatsuki Castle.

Aside from dealing with a handful of guards, this painting is relatively easy to get. It will be located in a house on theeastern side of the castle grounds.

The painting location selected in Osaka Castle.

To help get your bearings right, looksouth of the viewpoint. The house where the painting is located will bein a compound of other homes. By getting close to its location,the icon showing you where it is should pop up.

Unlike most paintings, which are in a large room, this Kano Painting can be foundin a smaller room. However,deal with the guardwho’s directly in front of the door. The painting should be on theleft with a chest in front of him.

The map showing the player’s location with a way point set on the painting’s location in Koriyama Castle.

Osaka Castle Painting

Heading furthersouth to Osaka in Izumi Settsu, make your way to a building that’s directlysouthwest of the castle’s viewpoint.

Once you’re in this location, navigate to the house that’sthe farthest awayfrom the castle. If you seetwo guards standing near the entranceof a house, that’s where you’ll need to be.

Oda Keep highlighted with a cricle showing where the painting is in Azuchi Castle.

The painting will bein front of you as you open the doornext to a hiding spot.

Koriyama Castle Painting

This castle is in thenorthwest part ofYamato, which is one of thesouthern provinces above Kii. The fourth painting is somewhat easy to find as it’s in thesame area as the viewpoint.

Make your way to thenorthern area of the castleand enter it. The painting should be on thethird floor from the base of the castle. There will be awindow beside it with a staircase in front.

Azuchi Castle Painting

Ineastern Omi and east of the Military Harbor in Azuchi, you can find a painting. Much like the painting in Koriyama, this one can also be found in the main castle.

First, head to themost northernpart of the castle grounds. You should bein a castle with a viewpoint at the top.

If you’re coming from the top or the bottom, the marker showing the painting will lead you to alarge room in the middle partof the castle. It should beon the wallof this room.

Nagahama Castle Painting

If you venture north ofAzuchi to Nagahama, you’ll find another painting here. It will be locatedright on the water. This painting might be tricky to spot on the map since it appears right under the viewpoint.

All you need to do is head to thebase of the castleandhead lefttill you reach another large room on the first floor of the castle. You’ll have to deal with afew guardsfirst before you’re able to reach the painting. Once they’re out of the way, you can freely obtain the painting.

Nochiseyama Castle

This castle is in thenorthern part of the map, just south of Obama in Wakasa. If you’re still having trouble finding it, look directlysouth of Tadaji Temple, which is near Obama.

The painting is in thesame building as the viewpoint, akin to the other two you’ve found.

A good idea would be tocome in from the top of the castle since it’s two floors belowthe viewpoint. Otherwise, if you ascend, you’ll have to deal with the high number of enemies in the lower levels of the castle.

Fukuchiyama Castle

To find this painting, gonear the middle of the castle grounds, where there’s a cluster of homes. It’ll beright in front of the castle and its viewpoint. By coming from the direction of the viewpoint, you’ll end up on thesouthern sideof a house.

The painting will be on theright side of the door you entered from.

Himeji Castle

For the final painting (if you’re going by this order), head to thewestern part of the map to Harima. Himeji Castle is in thewesternmost sectionof the province.

To find this painting, start by going to theeastern side of the castle and south of the viewpoint. If you’re at ground level and near the viewpoint, gosouth till you reach the eastern entranceof the castle’s grounds.

Afterward,walk across, and you’ll be in the house with the tenth painting. The doors should already be open with a single guard sitting down. Dispatch him and thenlook to the upper left corner of the room. The painting will be on the wall.

Finally, the painting should be in the back left corner of that same room.

Now that you have the last painting, you may head back toKano in Kyoto. Upon completing the quest, you’ll earndecorations for your Hideout plus a healthy dose of XP.