Finding specific targets in the bustling streets of 16th-century Sakai can be a daunting task, especially when the game markers for the "Searching Sakai" mission are intentionally vague. As Naoe tracks down the leads for the Golden Teppo, the name Imai Sokyu becomes a central focus. This legendary merchant and tea master holds the keys to the next chapter of the story, but his house isn't just handed to you on a silver platter. Navigating the dense urban layout of one of Japan's most historic ports requires a keen eye for detail and an understanding of the local geography.

Pinpointing the exact Imai Sokyu location in Sakai

The quest log for "Searching Sakai" offers two primary clues: Imai Sokyu is located in Western Settsu and specifically within Southwestern Sakai. While this narrows it down to a district, the bustling commerce of Sakai means you could spend hours wandering the wrong alleyways. To find him efficiently, you should focus on the area between the Money Changer district and the Sakai Firearm district.

If you are looking at your map, move your cursor to the southwestern quadrant of the city. The house you are looking for is situated south of the main firearm production area. A reliable way to reach it is to find the central crossroad in the middle of Sakai. From this intersection, head south along the street that features a distinct ramp on the corner. Continue walking until you are just north of the bridge that leads out of the central district.

Before crossing that bridge, turn your attention to the northeast. The visual indicator that separates this house from the dozens of similar structures is the laundry. Look for a modest house with white clothes hanging out front to dry. This specific visual cue is consistent across game instances and serves as the best landmark for players who prefer not to rely solely on UI markers. Once you find the second house from the bridge with these white fabrics, you have arrived at the Imai residence.

Utilizing game mechanics to find the merchant

Assassin's Creed Shadows provides several tools to assist with navigation when a direct quest marker is absent. If the visual descriptions aren't enough, you can employ the following mechanics to verify the Imai Sokyu location:

  • Observation Mode: By holding the left trigger (L2), you can pulse the environment. This will highlight nearby points of interest. When you are within a reasonable range of Sokyu’s home, a blue orb or dot will appear, guiding you directly to the entrance. This pulse also highlights yellow markers for resources, which are worth picking up for your hideout progression.
  • Scout System: If you have scouts available, you can open the world map and press the square button (on PlayStation controllers) to send them into the southwestern area. They will scan the district and eventually place a temporary marker on the exact house. Note that you have a limited pool of scouts, so saving them for dense urban areas like Sakai is a recommended strategy.
  • Quest Details: Pressing left on the D-pad while the mission is active will sometimes provide updated context or proximity warnings. If the UI says you are in the "Money Changer District," you are extremely close.

Entering the house and meeting Imai Sokun

Upon entering the identified house, you won't immediately speak with Imai Sokyu himself. Instead, you will find him sitting at a table with his son, Imai Sokun. At this stage of the mission, Sokyu is depicted as a man of immense gravity and status; he does not deign to speak to strangers immediately. You must first interact with Sokun to request an audience.

This interaction triggers a cutscene and a dialogue sequence where Naoe must maintain her cover. Sokun will ask, "What shall I call you?" because revealing Naoe's true identity to a powerful merchant family would be a catastrophic mistake for a shinobi.

The choice: Shizuka, Sanuki, or Shigure?

During the conversation with Imai Sokun, you are presented with three choices for a pseudonym:

  1. Shizuka
  2. Sanuki
  3. Shigure

From a mechanical perspective, the choice does not change the ultimate outcome of the quest or the rewards you receive. You will still gain the 1,000 XP boost and progress toward the Golden Teppo storyline regardless of the name. However, there is a catch: the game remembers your choice.

NPCs in Sakai and later quest givers will refer to you by the name you selected here. If you choose a different name in subsequent dialogue prompts later in the game, the characters may react with confusion or suspicion. While it doesn't lead to a "game over" or a failed mission, it can lead to some socially awkward interactions for Naoe. The best advice is to pick the name that resonates most with your playstyle and stick to it throughout the Sakai arc.

Beyond the meeting: The Tea Merchant and the Kosode

Finding the Imai Sokyu location is only half the battle. Once the conversation concludes, you will be tasked with preparing for a formal tea ceremony to gain further favor and intelligence regarding the Onryo group. This involves two distinct sub-quests:

  • Locating the Tea Merchant: The tea merchant is located in the northern part of Sakai. Fortunately, this isn't as hidden as Sokyu's house. Head north from the firearm district and use your Observation Mode (L2) to scan the market stalls. You will find the merchant near the center of the northern commerce hub. Interacting with them is essential for learning the basics of the tea ceremony mechanics.
  • Acquiring the Kosode: You will also need to find a specific garment (a Kosode) in the southwestern part of Sakai. This is usually found in a high-end textile shop near where you first searched for the Imai residence. Dressing appropriately is a requirement for the stealth social mechanics that allow Naoe to enter restricted high-society areas.

The historical context of Imai Sokyu

To understand why finding this location is so vital to the narrative of Assassin's Creed Shadows, one must look at the real history of Imai Sokyu. He was one of the most influential figures of the Sengoku period, serving as a primary merchant in Sakai and a renowned master of the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu).

Sakai at this time was a unique entity—a self-governing city of merchants that functioned almost like a free republic in a land torn by feudal warlords. Imai Sokyu rose to power by managing the trade of firearms and ammunition, which explains why his house in the game is situated so close to the Firearm District. His historical relationship with Oda Nobunaga was one of mutual benefit; Sokyu provided the firearms that revolutionized Nobunaga's warfare, and in return, Nobunaga protected Sakai's commercial interests.

In the game, his connection to the Golden Teppo—a weapon of high craftsmanship and lethality—perfectly mirrors his real-world history as a firearms dealer. His son, Imai Sokun, who you meet first, also historically succeeded his father as a tea master and advisor to both Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. This deep layering of historical accuracy is what makes finding the Imai Sokyu location feel more like a piece of investigative work rather than just a simple map marker exercise.

Completing the quest and rewards

Once you have successfully navigated the meeting with Sokun, followed the dialogue sequences, and handled the subsequent tasks involving the tea merchant and the clothing, the "Searching Sakai" mission will conclude.

The rewards for this segment include:

  • +1,000 XP: This is a significant boost in the early to mid-game, helping you unlock higher-tier skills for Naoe's shinobi tree.
  • Access to High-Tier Equipment: Completing the Imai storyline opens up the ability to acquire some of the best weapons for Naoe, specifically the gold-trimmed teppo.
  • Story Progression: This unlocks the "Onryo’s Golden Teppo" storyline, which is one of the most compelling arcs in the game's narrative structure.

If you find yourself stuck, remember to use the visual cue of the white laundry and the proximity of the Money Changer district. The city of Sakai is designed to be lived in and explored; sometimes, the best way to find a target is to stop looking at the map and start looking at the world around you. This mission serves as a perfect introduction to the more grounded, investigative side of being a shinobi in the shadows of the Sengoku era.