New Game + Endings #2 and #3 – Action: Story / Hard: Puzzle Difficulty
On this playthrough, set the difficulty to hard for puzzles. There is a Trophy for beating the game on hard for action, but the action difficulties stack. So, our third play through will be on Lost in the Fog difficulty. Beating that one will unlock both the hard and Lost in the Fog action Trophies. So, that means you can set the action difficulty to Story for NG+.
We’ll be knocking out endings 2, 3 and 5 here. We’ll be setting up endings 2 and 3 together until we reach a certain point in the story. At that point, you can make a separate manual save, do an ending, reload that save and then do the other ending. That will require a bit of a partial playthrough though. You can do either ending in whichever order you want. For the sake of continuity, this guide will be going 2 first and then 3.
You still want to continue upgrading Hinako as well as buying Omamori from Hokora shrines. Omamoris collected in playthrough #1 can be either healing items or offerings during this playthrough. Those won’t be listed here as they are the same locations as the first playthrough. You can refer back to that portion of the guide if needed.
One last major thing to note here, do not use any Red Pills during this playthrough. If you have them in your inventory, discard them. Don’t even pick them up. That way, you won’t use one accidentally. Picking them up inside of Shu’s Workshop will also fail the Winners Don’t Do Drugs Trophy. So, just avoid them altogether.
You also have the choice of saving one last Upgrade Ema for your 4th ending playthrough. If you need to fully upgrade Hinako, make a save, purchase the final upgrade to pop the Trophy and then reload the save to get the ema back. You can buy a fifth Omamori slot during the 4th ending playthrough by following this guide. If you don’t want to save the last Ema, you’ll get one during the ending #4 playthrough, but it won’t be until later in the game. So, if you want to have the fifth Omamori slot for most of the playthrough, save 1 Ema.
Ebisugaoki
Research Journal Photo
Continue down the path until you come to the first Hokora shrine. Just past that shrine will be a house on the left side of the path. The front door will be open. Go inside to find this on the table in the living room.
Balcony Key
This is found on the second floor of the same house as the previous journal photo. Go up stairs and enter the room with the unlocked door. This is in an open box in the corner by some toys on the floor.
Treasure Hunting Game Key
After grabbing the Balcony Key, go onto the balcony in the same room and go over to the other door and unlock it with the key. This can be found inside on your immediate right on a small two drawer dresser.
Inventory Upgrade – Packing Tips
This is found in the same room as the previous key. It is in a box on the desk.
Faded Bride Doll
Go downstairs in the same house and head into the kitchen. This is found in a small chest in the side room inside of the kitchen. It is on a piece of storage furniture in the corner of the small room inside of the kitchen.
Jizo Statue #1
From the house with all of the previous collectibles, continue down the path. Go toward the house at the first left. There will be a Jizo Statue outside of the house. Interact with it to give it the Faded Bride Doll.
Red Pills will be introduced after the chase scene. Do not use them. Don’t use them at all during this playthrough. Otherwise, you’ll be locked out of a Trophy as well as both endings 2 and 3. Discard the ones you have and do not pick any up.
Ending #5 Radio Broadcast
Progress through the area until you reach the point where you need to climb up a ledge in order to progress. Before climbing up that ledge, go to the area directly across from it. You should start to hear a radio. Go through the opening across from the ledge and crouch under some debris. Follow this path until you come to a radio. Interact with the radio to hear a broadcast about a UFO.
Inari-sama Box / Upgrade Ema #12 / Document – Diary of Revenge
Progress through the area until you come to the Hokora shrine. From the shrine, go down two sets of stairs. At the bottom of the second set of stairs, look to your immediate right to see the box on the ground. Open the box to collect both collectibles.
Shrine Path
Altar Puzzle (Hard)
Shrine Path Puzzle (Hard)
Gather the three Ema needed to solve the puzzle. The locations of the correct pieces area random for everyone, but where the pieces are housed will be the same. One Ema can be found on the south of the area, and the 2 other ones can be found on the west side of the area. you are looking for the following pieces:
- Decayed Tree
- Lightning
- Kudzu
Upgrade Ema #13
Go to the bottom right island during the shrine puzzle to find this Upgrade Ema on a rock.
Inari-sama Box / Omamori – Shrew Mole
From the previous collectible, go to the southeastern most island to find this box behind the tree.
Ebisugaoki (2)
Research Journal Photo #2
This is found on the northern road just before the Hokora shrine in the fields. It is on the left in front of a house.
Inari-sama Box / Diary of Revenge #2 / Upgrade Ema #14
This is found shortly after the previous collectible on the same road. It is on the left just after the Hokora shrine in a cutout next to a shed.
Rusted Flask
Before going to the objective, you’re going to want to go all the way north to a shrine. This can be found in front of some stones that are to the right of the wooden fence blocking off the shrine.
Jizo Statue #2
Make your way back down the road and then go left to head for the objective. Shortly after turning left, there will be an entrance on the left. Go into the small area and head to the back to find this statue. Interact with it to place the Rusted Flask.
Field Puzzle (Hard)
Corridors
Fervent Collector 
Inari-sama Door / Inventory Upgrade – Embroidered Drawstring Bag
Head over to the bottom left corner of the map to find this door. Open it and go inside to find the upgrade in the back of the room on a shelf to the left of the table in the middle. If you’ve followed this guide and collected all of the inventory upgrades, this will be the last one needed for the Trophy.
Ebisugaoki (3)
Now, we’re going to be taking care of ending #5. The UFO ending. The UFO ending does not count as a “real” ending, but it still needs to be done. So, go ahead and make a save before triggering the final movie poster for ending 5. This is so we can reload and continue on with ending #2 afterwards.
Movie Poster 1 – The Great Space Invasion (Ending #5)
Make your way to the fields to the south and go to the house on the east side of the fields. Go over to the right side of the house and move the wood pile out of the way. Go through the opening and interact with the poster on the side of the house.
Movie Poster 2 – The Great Space Invasion (Ending #5)
Make your way through the alleyways until you come to the Hokora shrine on the east side. This poster is on the wall to the left of the Hokora shrine. Interact with it.
Movie Poster 3 – The Great Space Invasion (Ending #5)
From the 2nd movie poster, you’re going to have to backtrack to middle of the area on the west side. Where the general store is with the big enemy. Go back through the path where you met up with your friends a few minutes ago. Look to your right to see this poster up on the wall above a bike. Interact with it.
Ending #5
Exit the alleyway and go right toward the general store. There will be a note on a table next to a UFO on the left side. Interact with it and it will trigger the ending.
Afterwards, reload your save from before the UFO ending and continue on with working toward endings 2 and 3.
Research Journal Photo #3
This will be found on a red barrel in the right corner of the alleys as you make your way through. This will be shortly after meeting up with your friends as you exit the alley section and start to head toward the school.
Upgrade Ema #15
From the next Hokora shrine, go up the next stairway halfway. Go left toward the house and follow that path on the porch that leads behind the house. Follow the path to the end to find this on a small table by the house next door.
Broken Japanese Geta Sandal
After you meet up with Hinako’s friends, you’ll be outside of the school. Before heading through the gate, go left and follow the path to the end to find the sandals.
Jizo Statue #3
After picking up the sandals, go back down the path the way you came. Head all the way back down to where the house was for the previous Upgrade Ema. From the front of that house, go up the stairs to the right. At the top of the stairs, go left and head straight back past the red barrel to find this statue.
Ebisugaoki Middle School
Inari-sama Box / Omamori – Rabbit / Diary of Revenge #3
This is found in a classroom on the west side of the outdoor area. Go over to the west and then climb through a window. Once inside, go to the right to find this box with the other collectibles.
Stair Puzzle (Hard)
The key to the second floor is found outside on the west side in a patch of purple flowers.
Secret Box Puzzle (Hard)
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
Lockers
- Aoi Takeshi – 401
- Tsuchiya Taiko – 377
- Suga Yosie – 505
- Asakura Ayumi
- Hard – 865
Worship Hall
Inari-sama Door / Upgrade Ema #16 / Omamori – Swallow
On the west side of the area in the room with the green/white and red/blue levers, go south to find an opening in the wall you can squeeze through. Squeeze through and go to the end of the hallway to find this door.
Sakuko’s Diary #4
This is found inside of the same room as the Hokora shrine on the eastern side of the area. The note is in the corner on top of a shelf.
Sakuko’s Diary #5
This is found on the bench inside of the locker room. It is next to a stool.
Sakuko’s Diary #6
This is found inside of the same room as the second Hokora shrine of the eastern area.
Light Puzzle (Hard)
Turn the statues facing away from each other on each side.
Ebisugaoki (4)
Inari-sama Box / Diary of Revenge #4 / Upgrade Ema #17
This will be on the side of a gazebo that is just before the first Hokora shrine.
Omamori Sage / Omamori – Goat
After dropping down from the ledge where all of the enemies were laying on the ground, you’ll be at Hokora shrine with a house on the right. Go into the open door to find this right in front of you on a table as soon as you enter.
If you’ve been following along with this guide, this will be the last hidden Omamori.
Research Journal Photo #4
After you’re chased by the fog monster, you’ll be near a Hokora shrine. Go up the stairs next to the Hokora shrine. At the top of the stairs, head slightly left to find this on a stone altar behind a white fence.
Cracked Hibachi Brazier
When you reach Shu’s house, go over to the right side of it. This is found on the ground on the right side of the shed next to Shu’s house. While you’re inside the shed for story purposes, do not pick up any red capsules.
Winners Don’t Do Drugs 
As long as you haven’t used any Red Capsules, and you didn’t pick any up inside of the shack next to Shu’s house, you will earn this Trophy after you pick up the story item from the desk in the shack. Completing this Trophy is also a prerequisite for unlocking endings 2 and 3.
Jizo Shrine #4
Backtrack to the last Hokora shrine. There will be a little cutout in the path about half way to the shrine on your left. Go into that to find this shrine. Interact with it.
Main Hall
Inari-sama Door
Go to the door in the southeast corner of the first floor. Open it and go through. Open the door to your left and then go up two flights of stairs. At the top, go around the hole in the floor in the big open room and use the L2 ability on the wall to open it. Go through that and then the Inari-sama Door will be at the end of the hallway. Open it and enter.
Treasured Belonging / Hotei-sama Sitting Cross Legged (Ending #2 Requirement)
After going through the previous Inari-sama Door, go up to the building to find this on a desk inside. Picking it up will pop the Trophy.
Upgrade Ema #18
This is found inside of the same room as the previous ending item. It is on a shelf against the wall.
Crimson Water Puzzle (Endings 2 and 4 Requirement)
In the same area as the previous 2 collectibles, you will need to ring three bells in a certain order. You likely heard a noise every few seconds while in this room. Wait until you hear that noise before ringing the next bell each time. The correct order is listed below.
- Volcano – This is found in the same room as the previous two collectibles.
- Water – This is found on the island to the north.
- Tree – This is found hanging from tree over the narrow stone walkway that leads to the bridge that leads to #2. You will pass it going from #1 to #2.
Ebisugaoki (5)
Research Journal Photo #5
As you head down the path, there will be a house on your right after the Hokora shrine. Go toward that house to find this on a table.
Clinical Trial #2 / Jizo Shrine #5
After fighting the enemy that spawns other enemies, continue on the path and you’ll come to a section where there will be houses on both sides of you. Go to the first one on the left. Run along the left side of the house to find this note up some stairs on a small plank of wood. The 5th Jizo Shrine is right next to it as well. Remember that location as we will be coming back to it in a few minutes.
Dad’s Old Kitchen Knife / Jizo Statue #5
Continue on the path and you will go down stairs and encounter enemies. At the bottom the stairs, go right along the house to the end to find this knife sticking out of the tree. pick it up.
Now, return to the Jizo Statue we found a few minutes ago and interact with it.
The Malevolent Blade Never Rusts / Sacred Sword
From here, you will need to back track all the way to the Thousand Year Cedar tree to the southwest. Approach the tree and you’ll automatically receive the sword. This is needed for the rest of the endings.
*NOTE* Before continuing on, go to the nearest Hokora shrine and make a separate manual save that you can reload later on. We are going to complete ending #2. In order to do that, we are about to make a decision that will lock out ending #3. If you make a save now, you can complete ending #2 and then reload that save to continue from this point to finish ending #3. It is a big time saver.
Be Free of Your Hatred / Purified Sacred Sword
From the Sacred Sword location, head back to the small neighborhood we were just in. Once you go down the stairs where you turned right for the knife earlier, go left this time. Take the next left as well. Go up the stairs and head over to the right and interact with the crimson water. You can only do this as long as you did the Crimson Water Puzzle earlier.
Inari-sama Box / Diary of Revenge #5 / Upgrade Ema #19
After passing through the park, follow the path and there will be a house on your right with an open gate to the front yard. This is just before the Hokora shrine. Go into the yard to find this box on the left.
Shimizu Residence
Fate of the Apostate Inari-sama Box / Diary of Revenge #6 / Upgrade Ema #20
This is found in the room in the middle of the area toward the west side. You can enter it from the picture room, or you can enter it from the room with the round table.
Shimizu Residence II
Pick up the picture of Hinako just the same as Playthrough #1.
Scales Puzzle for Ending #2
- Right Side – Headless Doll, Half Mask Doll
- Left Side – All remaining dolls
Shimizu Residence III
Pick up the Propane Tube and Block of Wax just the same as Playthrough #1.
Shimizu Residence I
Ominous Photo Puzzle for Ending #2
Hang up the portrait of Hinako. Then, rotate Hinako and her parent’s portraits the correct way. Turn the portraits of her friends upside down.
Get the Fletching Key just like in Playthrough #1. Return to the room with birds on the door in Shimizu Residence III to get the final crest. Return to Shimizu Residence I
My Room Puzzle for Ending #2
Treasure Hall
Inari-sama’s Secrets / Inari-sama Door / Upgrade Ema #21
Progress through the Treasure Hall door puzzle. The fox statues that show you the way to the correct door are the same on Hard as they are on Story. Once you enter the room to find the third and final crest, look to your immediate right to see the Inari-sama door. Open the door and go inside to find the final Upgrade Ema in the back right side of the room. This will be the final Inari-sama insignia if you have been following along with the guide.
Mural Puzzle
Puppetmaster
Before going into this boss fight, you’re going to want to equip the Boar and Suzuran Omamori. You’re going to need your stamina in order to earn this Trophy.
After the boss takes a certain amount damage, it will teleport further away. When it does this, get ready to dodge. The boss will shoot golden arrows at you. You cannot take any damage from those arrows in order to earn this Trophy. Dodge the arrows as they come in. With the Suzuran Omamori, perfect dodges will have a bigger window. Performing a perfect dodge will fully restore your stamina as well. This is important because you’re going to have to perform several dodges in order to avoid all of the arrows. The boss has three different attacks with the arrows, but they are random as to which ones it’ll use.
During the arrow section, make sure to keep running toward the boss. You need to get close to him to stop the arrow attacks. If an arrow hits you, quit out and reload your save to try again.
Fox’s Wedding – Ending #2
After the boss fight, a few scenes will play and then this ending will be completed. Now, it’ll be time to wrap up ending #3.
Ending #3 – Continuing From a Save Point in Ending #2
Reload the separate save we made after obtaining the Sacred Sword. From there, we need to continue on to the end of the game without purifying the Sacred Sword.
All you have to do here is not purify the sword. The puzzle solutions for this ending will be listed below.
If you want, you can save 1 Upgrade Ema for your eventual ending #4 playthrough if you have collected them all up to this point. You can use it to unlock a 5th Omamori slot. If you need it to finish upgrading all your stats, make a save, upgrade to pop the Trophy, and then reload your save to get it back. You will get an Upgrade Ema during playthrough #4, but it won’t be until later on in the game. It is more helpful to have that 5th Omamori slot earlier in that playthrough, but the choice is yours.
You should also try to finish unlocking the Omamori from the Hokora shrines. There is one that will make the playthrough for ending #4 easier. It’s the Serpent Omamori.
Shimizu Residence
Scales Puzzle
Ominous Photo Puzzle
Turn the photos of Hinako, Shu and Sakuko the correct way. Turn the photo of Hinako’s parents and Rinko upside down.
My Room Puzzle
Treasure Hall
Fox Tamer
The final boss fight will start against Shiromuku. After damaging it a few times, you’ll have to fight a new boss, Shichibi.
During the fight with Shichibi, it will teleport away after taking a certain amount of damage. When it does this, enemies will spawn. In order to earn this Trophy, you need to kill all of these enemies each time they spawn. The boss will do this three times during the fight, so you’re going to have to kill three waves of enemies. Make sure to kill all of the enemies during a wave before attacking the boss again.
The Fox Wets Its Tail – Ending #3
Ending #3 will now be complete. All that should be left is ending #4. Make a save after all of the credits.