Reconstructing the past is a central pillar of the journey across the ruined landscape of Hyrule. The "Captured Memories" main quest, initiated by Impa in Kakariko Village after the Sheikah Slate is repaired, is more than just a lore dump. It is the requirement for unlocking the true ending of the game. Finding every memory location in Breath of the Wild involves interpreting twelve faded photographs left behind by Princess Zelda, leading to specific spots marked by a glowing golden aura.

This task can be daunting given the sheer scale of the world. While the Sheikah Slate provides visual clues, the lack of map markers means players must rely on environmental landmarks, mountain silhouettes, and the help of a specific NPC named Pikango. This guide details exactly where to find each of the twelve photo memories and the final thirteenth memory revealed at the end of the quest.

The Role of Pikango the Painter

Before diving into specific coordinates, understanding the internal hint system is vital. Pikango is a traveling artist found at various stables and towns throughout Hyrule. He is the most reliable source of information for finding memory locations. If a photo was taken near a specific stable, Pikango will likely be there, offering a description of the surrounding area. He usually stands near a cooking pot or inside the stable during the day. Talking to him is not mandatory to trigger the memory, but it provides the necessary context to narrow down the search area from a massive province to a specific hill or ruin.

Memory Location 1: Sacred Ground Ruins

The first photo in the album depicts a stone dais surrounded by pillars with Hyrule Castle looming in the background. This is the Sacred Ground Ruins, located in Central Hyrule.

To reach this spot, the most efficient route is to glide north from the Central Tower. The ruins are situated directly south of the Hyrule Castle moat. Caution is required here because the area is heavily patrolled by Guardian Stalkers. If the Master Sword is not yet in possession or if shield parrying skills are not honed, a stealthy approach through the surrounding forest is recommended. The memory trigger is located exactly in the center of the circular stone platform.

Memory Location 2: Lake Kolomo

This photograph shows a lakeside view with a distant mountain range. The memory is located on the western shore of Lake Kolomo, which sits just north of the Great Plateau.

From the Oman Au Shrine on the Great Plateau, one can glide north toward the strangely shaped lake. The specific spot is on a small elevated ridge overlooking the water, framed by trees. This is one of the easier memories to collect early in the game, as there are few high-level enemies in the immediate vicinity, making it a safe starting point for the quest.

Memory Location 3: Ancient Columns

The third image features a stone shrine and large columns overlooking a canyon. This is the Ancient Columns site in the Tabantha region.

Located on a high cliff south of the Tabantha Bridge Stable, this location requires a bit of climbing. After crossing the Tabantha Great Bridge (where the dragon Naydra occasionally flies), head south and scale the cliffs. The memory spot is right in front of the Tena Ko'sah Shrine. Finding this memory is highly convenient as it also provides a fast travel point for future exploration of the Tabantha Frontier.

Memory Location 4: Kara Kara Bazaar

This memory is found in the Gerudo Desert at the Kara Kara Bazaar oasis. The photo shows the oasis with a distinct desert shop in the background.

Since the Gerudo Desert requires heat resistance during the day and cold resistance at night, preparation with appropriate gear or elixirs is necessary. The bazaar is located halfway between the Gerudo Canyon Stable and Gerudo Town. The memory trigger is on the northeastern side of the pond, near the trees. This is often triggered naturally as part of the quest to infiltrate Gerudo Town.

Memory Location 5: Eldin Canyon

One of the more difficult photos to place, this image shows a panoramic view of Hyrule Castle from a high, rocky vantage point. It is located on a mountain ridge in Eldin Canyon.

To find this, warp to the Eldin Tower and head west, or climb the cliffs behind the Woodland Stable. The exact spot is a circle of stones on a high plateau that overlooks the Great Hyrule Forest and the Woodland Tower. Because of the verticality of the Eldin region, having a high stamina wheel or several stamina-restoring meals is highly recommended for this trek.

Memory Location 6: Irch Plain

This photo shows two trees and a small pond with Hyrule Castle visible in the distance across a grassy field. This is the Irch Plain, located northwest of Hyrule Castle in the Ridgeland region.

To reach it, warp to the Monya Toma Shrine or the Ridgeland Tower and travel northeast. The area is relatively flat, but watch out for roaming Guardians closer to the castle moat. The memory is located near a single, large tree next to a small body of water. The perspective here gives a clear view of the castle's western side.

Memory Location 7: West Necluda

The seventh photo depicts a pair of small stone statues under a large tree, with the Dueling Peaks visible in the distance. This location is on the border between the Great Plateau and West Necluda.

Specifically, it is located on a hill on the eastern side of the Hylia River, north of Lake Hylia. A good landmark is Scout’s Hill. Travel to the Bosh Kala Shrine and head southeast across the river. Look for the large tree on a raised mound; the memory trigger is situated between the two small statues. This location offers a quiet, peaceful view of the landscape, contrasting with the more dangerous areas.

Memory Location 8: Hyrule Castle (Princess Zelda's Study)

This is widely considered the most dangerous and difficult memory to obtain. The photo shows a walkway between a stone spire and the main castle structure. This is the walkway leading to Princess Zelda's Study.

There are two primary ways to approach this. The first is a direct climb or glide from the Ridgeland side, which involves dodging Flying Guardians. The second, and often safer, method is to use the Zora Armor to swim up the waterfalls on the northeastern side of the castle. Once at the top, navigate toward the western tall spire. The memory is on the bridge connecting the spire to the main castle sanctum. It is advisable to have ancient arrows or a high-defense shield ready, as the castle's automated defenses are relentless.

Memory Location 9: Spring of Power

This photograph shows a goddess statue in a sunken, watery ruins area. This is the Spring of Power in the Akkala region.

Located between the North Akkala Valley and the Ordorac Quarry, the Spring of Power is easy to find if you head west from the East Akkala Stable. The memory is located on the stone platform directly in front of the large Goddess Statue. This is a tranquil area, though the trek through Akkala can be perilous due to the presence of Guardian Stalkers on the open plains.

Memory Location 10: Sanidin Park Ruins

The tenth photo features a stone statue of a horse. This is the Sanidin Park Ruins in the Ridgeland region, specifically on Safula Hill.

The ruins are located along the road that leads from the Outskirt Stable toward the Manhala Bridge. It is a very visible landmark. The memory trigger is located in front of the large horse statue. This location is significant because it provides a clear view of Mount Lanayru in the distance, which is relevant to the chronological progression of the story.

Memory Location 11: Lanayru Road - East Gate

This photo depicts a snowy mountain framed by a stone archway at the end of a long road. This is the East Gate of the Lanayru Road, situated at the base of Mount Lanayru.

To get here, start at Kakariko Village and head east through the Lanayru Promenade. The road is long and filled with enemies like Lizalfos and even a Lynel in the nearby valley. The memory trigger is located just past the gate at the foot of the mountain path. This area is often visited when players are heading toward the Spring of Wisdom to deal with the corrupted dragon, Naydra.

Memory Location 12: Hyrule Field

The final photo in the original set shows a wooded area with Hyrule Castle in the background. This is a small forest located on the eastern bank of the Hylia River in Central Hyrule.

It is located north of the Bottomless Swamp and southeast of the Wetland Stable. Look for a dense patch of trees near the river. Unlike the Sacred Ground Ruins, this area is slightly more secluded, though Guardians still patrol the nearby fields. The memory trigger is inside the cluster of trees, making it difficult to spot from a distance if you are gliding.

The Final Memory: Blatchery Plain

Once all twelve of the above memories have been collected, returning to Impa will trigger a final cutscene. She will point to a painting on her wall that reveals the location of the 13th memory. This memory is not in the Sheikah Slate album but is essential for the completion of the quest.

This final memory is located at Ash Swamp in the Blatchery Plain, which is just east of the Dueling Peaks Stable and Fort Hateno. The area is filled with the rusted husks of deactivated Guardians. The memory trigger is located in the center of the battlefield, surrounded by these mechanical remains. This location holds immense narrative weight as it marks the site where the Calamity's advance was finally halted a century ago.

Story-Related Memories

Beyond the thirteen "Captured Memories," there are five additional memories that are unlocked through the natural progression of the main questline. These do not require searching for photo locations but are necessary to complete the memory log:

  1. Revali’s Flap: Obtained after meeting the Rito Elder and speaking with the family of the Champion Revali in Rito Village.
  2. Daruk’s Mettle: Triggered upon visiting Goron City and viewing the Great Hyrule Forest or interacting with the Goron Boss, Bludo.
  3. Urbosa’s Hand: Found during the Gerudo main quest after infiltrating the town and recovering the Thunder Helm from the Yiga Clan.
  4. Mipha’s Touch: Unlocked in Zora's Domain after speaking with King Dorephan and visiting the statue of Mipha.
  5. The Master Sword: This memory is triggered when Link attempts to pull the Master Sword from its pedestal in the Korok Forest (Great Hyrule Forest). It requires at least 13 permanent heart containers.

Strategy and Order of Collection

While the memories can be collected in any order, a tactical approach can save time. Starting with the memories near the Great Plateau (Lake Kolomo and West Necluda) is advisable for early-game players. The Gerudo and Tabantha memories can be collected while pursuing the Divine Beasts Vah Naboris and Vah Medoh.

Saving the Hyrule Castle memory for the later stages of the game is a common strategy, as the equipment and stamina required to survive the castle's perimeter are significant. It is also worth noting that weather can affect visibility; searching for these locations during clear days makes it much easier to match the mountain silhouettes in the photos with the actual horizon.

Completion and the True Ending

Collecting all 13 captured memories, along with completing the four Divine Beasts, satisfies the requirements for the secret post-credits scene. This scene provides a definitive conclusion to the story of Link and Zelda, offering a glimpse into the future of Hyrule.

For players focused on the narrative, these locations are not just collectibles; they are the fragments of Link’s identity. The effort spent navigating the dangerous heights of Eldin or the guarded corridors of the castle pays off in a deeper understanding of the world’s history. Using the Sheikah Slate as a literal window into the past remains one of the most innovative ways to tell a story in an open-world environment, rewarding observation and exploration over simple map-following.

By following these descriptions and utilizing the landmarks provided by the Hyrule landscape, players can systematically recover all of Link’s lost recollections, ensuring that the battle against Calamity Ganon is fought with the full weight of the past behind them.