This walkthrough is a Study In Progress Guide that will be updated daily as you progress through the game. Like a Dragon Ishin has a total of 72 substories divided between 6 regions.
Like a Dragon Ishin Substories Walkthrough
Welcome to our Like a Dragon Ishin Substories Walkthrough guide. Like a Dragon Ishin has a total of 72 substories divided between 6 regions.
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Chapter 2 | Fushimi
37) Death of the Author
Location: Inside Teradaya Inn (2nd floor)
Pass the men in the hall just outside of your room and go around the corner, following the hall to the very end. A cutscene will trigger and you will meet the author. He’ll need your help 3 times, so you will have to exit and re-enter the inn after answering each of his questions.
- Answer 1: A cat might be funny
- Answer 2: Botch-chan!
- Answer 3: Heart
Reward: Broken Compass, Fine Silk Fabric, European Fabric, 300 Virtue
41) All in the Hips
Location: At Umai Udon shop in Fushimi Ichibangai
Interact with the owner and order something off the menu to establish a bond. Come back one more time (you can do this immediately) to initiate the substory.
Reward: 10% cut of earnings, 250 Virtue, unlocks udon shop mini game
43) It’s a Long Story
Location: Next to Hanako shop in South Yashikimachi
Approach the two women talking to trigger a cutscene. When there’s only one lady left, interact with her and choose to hear her out. Answer her questions in the following order.
- Answer 1: Bamboo shoots
- Answer 2: Outside a tea shop
- Answer 3: Sakiko
Reward: Gold Seal, 300 Virtue
*After completing, find a building you can enter, go inside, then exit and return to Sakiko’s location (she’ll always be in the same spot). Doing this will make her next substory available.
44) It’s a Long Story: The Final Chapter
Location: Next to Hanako shop in South Yashikimachi
Return to where Sakiko is located and speak to her again to start her next substory. Answer her questions in the following order:
- Answer 1: Red, white and green
- Answer 2: Amazake
- Answer 3: Sumire
Reward: Tear of the Dragon, 350 Virtue
*After completing, find a building you can enter, go inside, then exit and return to Sakiko’s location (she’ll always be in the same spot). Doing this will make her last substory available.
45) It’s a Long Story: Epilogue
Location: Next to Hanako shop in South Yashikimachi
Approach Sakiko and talk to her one last time. Answer her questions in the following order:
- Answer 1: A scarecrow
- Answer 2: Pickled daikon
- Answer 3: A tuna
Reward: Golden Medicine Case
47) Ee Ja Nai Ka
Location: Right outside of Ebisu Pawn Fushimi
Approach the crowd to trigger a cutscene. You’ll end up having to fight off a couple of thugs.
Reward: Exquisite Cogwheel, 300 Virtue
50) The Desperate Fisherman
Location: Southern end of Shinmachi, between the two fishing spots
Approach the lone fisherman standing under the tree to trigger a short cutscene, then talk to him after. Give him any fish you don’t need, he only needs 1 to complete the substory. Doing so will establish a bond with him.
Reward: 150 Virtue
51) The Junk Boy
Location: Central Kuramachi, inside an unmarked building north of the Teradaya Inn
Approach the entrance to the building to initiate a cutscene with the boy. He’ll ask for you to give him any random item, so choose something that you don’t want (I gave him a worm). Doing so will establish a bond with him and complete the substory.
Reward: 150 Virtue
52) The Wood Cutter
Location: South Yashikimachi, south of Hanako shop
Approach the elderly man on the ground. He’ll need you to cut 20 wood for him. After that, you will establish a bond with him.
Reward: 2,000 Mon, 150 Virtue, unlocks wood cutting mini game
Chapter 3 | Fushimi
39) A Clean Streak
Location: Outside of Harima bathhouse in Yashikimachi
Approach the bathhouse and choose to go inside. Enjoy the events that follow.
Reward: Crystal, 300 Virtue
40) A Man and His Sack
Location: North of the jizo statue in Yashikimachi
Approach the men standing in line to trigger a short cutscene, then head to the back of the line and choose to wait. The vendor will sell out for the day, so you’ll have to come back later. Enter a building to start the line again, (I just ran back to Teradaya Inn, since it’s not too far) return to the vendor and get back in line a second time. As luck would have it, you’ll have to return again, but it’ll be the last time, so get back in line to finally complete this substory.
Reward: 300 Virtue
46) Scented Water
Location: Just south of Komaki Dojo, near the backside of the building
Speak to the woman waiting on the dock next to Komaki Dojo. She wants to buy some perfume in Mukurogai, but she’s debating if it’ll be worth the potential risks. You’ll offer to go there instead, so she’ll give you 3 ryo to cover the cost. Head to Mukurogai – you’ll find the merchant in the southeast corner of the 2nd floor. *Fair warning: If you have anymore business in Mukurugai, do that first before talking to the merchant.
*You can initiate this substory at the start of chapter 3, however you may have to progress the main story a bit for the ferryman to appear at the same dock.
Reward: 300 Virtue
53) The Frequently Lost Courier
Location: Next to the jizo statue south of Komaki Dojo
Speak to the lost courier to give him directions. After he runs off, you’ll eventually find him in the same spot again. Give him directions a second time. Return to his location after a while and he’ll give you a package to deliver, which will establish a bond and complete the substory.
*You don’t need to deliver the parcel to complete the substory, but completing deliveries will increase the bond gauge.
Reward: 150 Virtue
Chapter 3 | Rakugai – Like a Dragon Ishin Substories Walkthrough
18) The Reclusive Son
Location: East Umekojicho
Look at the mother and son in the middle of an argument. Approach the mother and she’ll ask you to speak to her son. Agree to her request and she’ll take you in the house, where you’ll have to choose from a few dialog options. I don’t think specific answers matter too much, just avoid the aggressive ones. These are the responses I chose:
- Answer 1: What are your passions in life?
- Answer 2: Make a personal connection
- Answer 3: Appeal to his conscience
Reward: Iron Gauntlets, Rainbow Shard, 350 Virtue
*If you went the aggressive route, you’ll get a single silver scrap instead.
21) Sonna Joui
Location: In an alley in the south end of North Umekojicho
Listen to the two men speaking about a group that is targeting foreigners. When Creek walks away on his own, follow him to Sannocho (near the entrance to Mukurogai) where he’ll be approached by the extremists. After dealing with them, make your way to Mukurogai, where you’ll find Creek again on the east end of the second floor (near the stairs) and partake in one last fight.
*You may have to progress the main story to gain access to Mukurogai (via ferry will be available first, so you’ll have to find the ferryman in Fushimi).
Reward: 350 Virtue
22) Ee Ja Not Ka
Location: At the jizo statue in Sannocho
*If you’re having trouble getting this substory to trigger, I had to run towards East Umekojicho from Sannocho. Maybe because there are quite a few substories in this area?
Approach the dancing crowd and fight off some more ruffians.
Reward: Vermilion Fabric, 300 Virtue
25) The Sword Nut
Location: East of the jizo statue in Sannocho
Approach the sword enthusiast to trigger a cutscene. Afterwards, you will establish a bond and this substory will be complete.
Reward: 150 Virtue
Chapter 3 | Rakunai
1) Nichibuza’s Newest Fan
Location:In front of Nichibuza dance school
Head towards the school entrance and a cutscene will automatically trigger. Follow the short series of events to complete.
Reward: 250 Virtue, unlocks buyo dancing minigame
2) Deceitful Deity
Location: Karasuma Street, just north of Watami izakaya
A man will run up to you and ask if you’ve seen a particular con artist that dresses as the god, Ebisu. Speak to the elderly woman on West Shijo Street, standing in front of Kamatora, to gather more info. After speaking with her, head to the west end of Teramachi (in the corner of the alley) to catch the conman with another elderly victim. Fight him off to complete this substory.
Reward: 300 Virtue
3) Who’s Entertaining Who?
Location: Watami on West Shijo Street
To start this substory, you’ll have to speak to Shikokuya Okami at the central end of Teramachi, where it meets the northern end of Sannocho. She’ll ask you to entertain a guest, agree to her request, then meet them at the izakaya, Watami. You’ll end up having to sing and dance for him, then he’ll ask some general art questions after each of the minigames.
- Answer 1: It was bold and virile
- Answer 2: It’s bold, yet elegant
Reward: Ancient Amulet, 350 Virtue
4) I’ll Miss You, Miho
Location: Northern side of Kawaramachi, by the dance school
A boy will run into you by the dance school. After a brief cutscene, approach the kids to continue the scene, then speak to the girl. Go after the boy to deliver a message (there will now be a substory icon at the temple on your map, at the northwest end of Karasuma Street). When you find the boy, he won’t understand the message, so you’ll have to clear up the meaning behind it.
- Answer 1: Thank you for your friendship
- Answer 2: You’re important to her
Head back to where you met them and see how everything turns out. If you’re having trouble catching the palanquin, they’re heading toward Shijo Bridge, so try cutting them off on the main road).
Reward: Rainbow Fabric, 300 Virtue
5)Talkin’ Tosa
Location: Northeast corner of Kawaramachi
Speak to the man standing in the corner of the alleyway. He’ll need help translating multiple letters, so you’ll have to leave and come back a couple times.
- Answer 1-1: It’s been a while
- Answer 1-2: I
- Answer 1-3: She means “you”
- Answer 2-1: She means “is that every day?”
- Answer 2-2: Her heart aches
- Answer 2-3: Meet soon
- Answer 3-1: Stumble and fall
- Answer 3-2: Cowardly men
- Answer 3-3: Tell her how you feel
Reward: Fine Silk Fabric, Platinum Chunk, Phoenix Feather, 350 Virtue
6) The Mochi Mystery
Location: West end of Shinmeicho
Approach the group of men, only to find out that someone stole this man’s snack. You’ll have to interview them individually to determine who the two culprits are.
Answer: Higashihara and Minamino
Reward: Godslayer’s Talisman, 300 Virtue
7) Ee Ja Nai for Justice
Location: West end of Shinmeicho
Approach the dancing crowd once again, where you’ll end up fighting some guards this time.
Reward: Tranquil Towel, 350 Virtue
11) Global Fraud
Location: West end of Teramachi
Approach the elderly man standing outside of a school. He’ll explain that he’s a teacher, but can’t read a globe. He’ll ask for your help teaching his students geography (accepting his request will take you straight to class). The students will take turns asking you questions and you’ll respond in this order:
- Answer 1: Japan
- Answer 2: The Great Qing
- Answer 3: Country 4
Reward: European Fabric, 300 Virtue
15) The Injured Grandma
Location: Teramachi, by the river east of the Gambling Den
Approach the elderly woman on the ground. Choose to take her home and you’ll establish a bond.
Reward: 150 Virtue
Chapter 3 | Mukurogai
29) The Bad Side of Town
Location: Western side of Mukurogai, by the arms dealer
A cutscene will automatically trigger once you get close to the arms dealer. Fight off the thugs to complete.
Reward: 250 Virtue
30) Brawler for Hire
Location: Top middle part of the first floor
You’ll meet a guy selling his brawler services, when an unexpected guest arrives. Fight the brawler to complete.
*You’ll have to finish the substory, Ee Ja Nai for Justice, for this to become available
Reward: 300 Virtue
34) The Servile Beggar
Location: Around the corner from the northern gate
Speak to the man on the ground and offer him some food. Any food item will do, so pick whatever you want. Afterwards, you’ll establish a bond and this substory will be complete.
Reward: 150 Virtue
Chapter 3 | Gion – Like a Dragon Ishin Substories Walkthrough
57) Soft and Supple
Location: A little north of the brothel, Yamabuki
Walking towards the north end of Gion, down the alley, you’ll get waved down by a barker. Agree to take a look and you’ll leave with him. Answer his question however you like, it won’t change the outcome. Next, choose the first option (not to give him money) – now you’ll have to get yourself out of this awkward situation.
Reward: 3 Ryo, 300 Virtue