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Learn how to complete A Melody of Thoughts in Ghost of Yotei, unlock the Song of the Ainu, and explore cultural redemption.
A Melody of Thoughts is one of those quests in Ghost of Yotei that hits differently. It’s less about fighting and more about understanding the Ainu way of finding peace through music. You will come across this side tale in Nayoro Wilds, starting at the Cukpet Hills Campsite. But before you go there, make sure you have already completed The Soul of an Instrument in the Tokachi Range. That earlier quest is the key to unlocking this one.
In The Soul of an Instrument, you will help an Ainu musician at Yubari Lake build his tonkori by finding a smooth stone from a mountain pool. After this, you receive the Ninkari and Marek Ainu items as rewards. That quest sets the foundation for A Melody of Thoughts, as the tonkori, an Ainu five-stringed instrument, plays a major part here. The Ainu believe every tonkori has a soul within it, symbolized by a small pebble or bead inside its body.
When you arrive at Cukpet Hills, you will find the same musician again; his name is Nitang Kashba. He’s now struggling with composer’s block. Nitang tells you about his past, how his jealousy drove him to steal another student’s tonkori, leading his teacher, Aapo, to destroy his own instrument in anger.
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Steps To Finish A Melody of Thoughts in Ghost of Yotei
Once you meet Nitang, he will explain that he’s stuck trying to compose something meaningful. Atsu suggests they play together, recalling her mother’s advice: “You never have to hide from your shamisen.” From here, you will take part in a musical collaboration using both instruments: Atsu’s shamisen and Nitang’s tonkori.
Follow the rhythm prompts carefully as you play along. This isn’t a test of skill but of connection. The idea is to help Nitang rediscover his musical flow. The Ainu tradition describes it as music that “does not end.” During the performance, the game beautifully shows how music becomes a way to express emotions too heavy for words. Nitang admits that “words come easier when you play,” summing up the healing side of music.
Once the collaboration ends, you will receive the Song of the Ainu, a special shamisen song. It becomes a Guiding Wind tune that leads you to hidden Ainu items across Ezo. Now, you will need to test it. Head to Nayoro Falls and play the Song of the Ainu. The Guiding Wind will point you to your first collectible, the Newsar-kamuy Ainu item, located north of the falls. This marks the beginning of a new exploration feature linked to Ainu culture.
How Does the Song of the Ainu Work?
The Song of the Ainu has a few neat uses:
- Navigation Tool: It lets you track all 30 Ainu items spread throughout Ezo.
- Cultural Connection: It ties Atsu’s story to Ainu wisdom and heritage.
- Exploration Aid: Works hand-in-hand with the Robes of Sitturaynu armor for detecting collectibles.
When you wear the Robes of Sitturaynu, you will see green fireflies glowing near Ainu artifacts. The Wind Gust Camera setting can also help; it shifts your view automatically toward the nearest collectible. And if you have upgraded your robes, the Golden Bird can appear to guide you to items too.
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