Substories in Like A Dragon: Ishin! act like subquests where players can participate and earn great rewards. Most of these rewards involve learning new abilities, obtaining better stuff to use and equip, and gaining access to previously inaccessible features. There are a ton of substories, and all of them are found in different chapters of the game. This guide will let players know all the substories found and more, so read on.
Since these substories function like optional sidequests and can be found in any chapter, we’ve compiled a list of every quest in the game so far, along with its objectives and possible rewards.
The substories list is in a work of progress, some of which have yet to be unlocked. We'll make sure to update this guide as we progress through the game.
Conflict of A Writer
Requirement: After Meeting with the Shinto Priest
Location: Fushimi
Objective: On the second floor of Terada Inn players will hear a guy scream. If they select the top option Ryoma checks it out and it turns out a writer lost his inspiration. So it’s up to players to give him some. He wants players to come up with what the story should be about. Select the top option to say “cats”. Leave and come back. They will get a reward and now he asks what the nickname of the MC should be.
Select the middle option to say “bokuchan“. Leave and come back and you’ll get another reward. Apparently, the players did a great job and his book sold well! He got his inspiration back, so now he’s writing a second book. He asks them for a title. Select the top option that says”sentiment”. Leave and come back for their final reward.
Reward: Broken compass, Beautiful silk, and Imported cloth from the west
The Most Important Thing is Stiffness
Requirement: After Meeting with the Shinto Priest
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Go to the Umaiya Udon shop and do the Udon shop minigame. This completes the substory and you can come back to continue the friendship.
Reward: Money
Long Story
Requirement: After Meeting with the Shinto Priest
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Right next to the restaurant called Hanako, there are 2 girls. One of them is sick of eating leaves. Talk to them and one of them will ask players to listen. She says so much it’s insane and at the end of the story, players have to answer some questions. Top option (“bamboo shoots”), option 3 (“tea house”), and bottom option (“Sakiko”).
Reward: Golden Stamp
Long Story Successor
Requirement: Complete Long Story Substory
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Same as last time, listen to the story and select the top option. The correct answers are the Top option (“Red, White, Green”), option 2 (“Amazake”), and option 2 (“Sumire”).
Reward: Dragon Tear
The Last Long story
Requirement: Complete Long Story Substory
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Same as last time, listen to the story and select the top option. The correct answers are option 2 (“Scarecrow”), Top option (“Daikon Asazuke”), and option 2 (“Tuna”).
Reward: Golden Pill Box
Ee Ja Nai Ka
Requirement: After Meeting with the Shinto Priest
Location: Fushimi
Objective: East of Ebisu Pawn Fushimi there’s an Ee Ja Nai Ka dance. Some of the members don’t behave and cause a commotion. Such as a few people trying to shoplift. Beat them up and partake in the dance.
Reward: Exquisite Gear
Friendship: Cliff Angler
Requirement: After Meeting with the Shinto Priest
Location: Fushimi
Objective: In front of Terada Inn, there’s a fisherman who hasn’t caught a fish yet so fish one or buy one and give it to him.
Reward: None
Friendship: Junk Boy
Requirement: After Meeting with the Shinto Priest
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Located North of the Fushimi Building, there’s a child who has nothing and wants to play with something since all his friends have cool toys. He plays with junk so give him literally anything by choosing the top option and then selecting the junk.
Reward: None
Friendship: Wood-Splitting Old Man
Requirement: After Meeting with the Shinto Priest
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Located nearby the palanquin, there is an old man chopping wood. Assist him by chopping 20 more pieces.
Reward: None
The Man Fluttering Like A Butterfly
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Rakunai
Objective: Walk in front of the Nichibu-Za, defeat 4 enemies, and then do the traditional Japanese-dancing minigame.
Reward: Unlock Dancing Mini-Game
God Buddha Ebisu
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Rakunai
Objective: Walk in the same street as Ginryu Dojo, and players will hear about a scammer called Black Ebisu. Talk to an old lady to the right of the restaurant Kamatora to get more information on him. He’s in the alleyway south of Hanamaru Udon and Beat him up.
Reward: None
Artistic Entertainment
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3 and clear The Man Fluttering Like A Butterfly quest
Location: Rakunai
Objective: At the south of Ebisu Pawn Rakunai, a famous artist needs someone to perform for him, and Ryouma will be the perfect candidate. Select the top option to agree and players will meet him in Watami in Rakunai. First off, they will need to do karaoke, after which they will need to select option 2 when talking to him. Then players will dance for him, after which select option 1 when talking to him. You will both go outside when some scum tries to kidnap the famous artist. Beat them up.
Reward: Old Amulet
The Girl That Moves
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Rakunai
Objective: Walk to the street just west of Nichibu-Za and there are two kids talking. Interact with the little girl and go to the Rakunai Shrine and talk to a boy to deliver a message. Choose the top option (“thank you for being friends”), then the bottom option (“you’re important to her”). Now go back to where the girl cried and players will see the boy doing his farewell.
Reward: Rainbow Colored Fabric
Tosa Dialect Course
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Rakunai
Objective: A man in a pickle will be seen in the northeast of Nichibu-Za. Players will need to translate the letter using Ryouma’s knowledge. Here are the correction choices for each letter:
- Letter 1: Top, Middle, Top
- Letter 2: Middle, Top, Bottom
- Letter 3: Middle, Top, Bottom
Reward: Beautiful Silk, Platinum Lump, and Phoenix Feather
2 Lies Out Of 5
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3 and clear The Man Fluttering Like A Butterfly quest
Location: Rakunai
Objective: A the west side of the Shofi Parlor, there are 6 people standing by. 2 of them ate food from the officer while cleaning the office. Choose the top option to find the 2 liars. The officer introduces players to the 5 suspects, which are, in order, “Higashihara”, “Nishiyama”, “Nakagawa”, “Minamino” and “Kitajima”. Now players will have a chance to talk to each of them, getting the intel that Higashihara and Minamino had access to the storeroom. Anyway, go talk to the officer and select the top option to say you’re done. Then go talk to Higashihara and Minamino and choose the top option for both of them.
Reward: God-Killing Talisman
Painful Dance
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3 and Complete Ee Ja Nai Ka and This is Good, Isn’t It quest
Location: Rakunai
Objective: At the west side of the shogi parlor, there is another Ee Ja Nai Ka dance. Talk to the group and unexpectedly some soldiers appear. Beat them and eventually, Ryouma will join in the dance.
Reward: Calming Towel
The Man Who Knows The World
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Rakunai
Objective: Located at the alleyway south of Hanamaru Udon, an old man asks players to read a globe for his students. Help him and choose the correct answers. The correct options for the questions of the children are Top (Japan), Middle (China), and Bottom (UK).
Reward: Imported Cloth from the West
Friendship: Injured Grandma
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Rakunai
Objective: Alongside the riverbank south of the bridge headed to Gio, there is an injured Grandma. Walk her home to complete this quest.
Reward: None
Hikkomori
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Rakugai
Objective: Go to the street exactly west of the scarecrow mansion building and players will see a son and a mother arguing. Help the mother out by choosing the top option, then the top option again, then the bottom option to convince him to get a wife and go out more. Unexpectedly, there will be a group of bandits ambushing players so beat them up.
Reward: Rainbow Colored Fragment
Sonno Joi
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Rakugai
Objective: Go North of the Suspicious Bar as there are 2 men talking. Listen to them and then head to the north gate of Mukurogai. A foreigner will be there being ambushed by local samurai. Defeat them and go to Mukurogai via the boatman in Fushimi. The foreigner will appear once more on the 2nd floor and another ambush will occur. Defeat them and the quest will be complete.
Reward: None
This Is Good Isn’t It
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3 and complete Ee Ja Nai Ka quest
Location: Rakugai
Objective: Go to the northwest of the Shrine in Rakugai and there are some thugs hitting an old woman. Beat them up.
Reward: Vermillion Colored Cloth
Friendship: Man Fascinated by Swords.
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Rakugai
Objective: Outside the scarecrow mansion, players will see Kamiyama. Talk to him and he will ask for a Kurganemaru. Craft, equip, and talk to him again.
Reward: None
In A Bustling City
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Mururogai
Objective: Near the stairs opposite the weapons store, players will get ambushed. Defeat Them
Reward: None
The Brawler Sumibozu
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3 and Complete The Painful Dance Quest
Location: Mururogai
Objective: Located near Paradise Bar, there is a guy in white who gets paid to beat people up. Suddenly, a familiar figure pays him to beat up Ryouma. Defeat him.
Reward: None
Friendship: The Beggar
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Mukurogai
Objective: There’s a beggar east of the north exit to Rakugai on the first floor of Mukurogai. Give him some food.
Reward: None
Man With A Good Sweat
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Go inside the bathhouse and take a bath. Out of nowhere, the player’s clothes are stolen. Chase the thief and run away from the guards using stealth.
Reward: Crystal
Inari-San
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Fushimi
Objective: North of the map, there is a food stall. Interact with the food stall twice and out of nowhere, a thief stole Ryouma’s food. Chase down the thief.
Reward: None
Parfum
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Find the boatman who can take Ryouma to Mukurogai and next to him is a woman who wants some perfume from Mukurogai. Get it for her by going to the second floor of Mukurogai. Unexpectedly, the spray was tested out on Ryouma and players will be forced to escape countless pursuers. Run back to the boatman and hand over the item to the client.
Reward: None
Friendship: Courier With No Sense of Direction
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Located at one of the Shrines in Fushimi, there is a courier who sucks at his job. Help him by giving directions but out of nowhere, players will be asked by him to deliver the packages.
Reward: None
The Proprietor With Skin That Only Seems To Stick
Requirement: After Joining the Shinsengumi in Chapter 3
Location: Gion
Objective: Located North of Gion, there is a guy asking Ryouma if he wants to party. Accept it and out of nowhere, there are sumo wrestlers who will hang out with. Refuse and fight them.
Reward: 3 Ryo
Friendship: Revolutionary Chef
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Gion
Objective: If you walk with a home-cooked meal in the north end of Gion, there’s a guy that smells it. Select the top option and give a home-cooked meal to him.
Reward: None
Friendship: Bewitching Wife
Requirement: Begin Chapter 3
Location: Gion
Objective: At the south end of Gion, there is a woman who needs help. Give her a cucumber and the quest will be completed.
Reward: None
Friendship: Love- Starved Man
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Rakunai
Objective: Located at the riverbank south of the bridge in Gion, there is a guy minding his own business. Interact with him.
Reward: None
Friendship: Careless Wife
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Rakunai
Objective: Located west of Sushi Zanmai, there is a wife who lost her purse. Interact and give her some vegetables.
Reward: None
Friendship: barking Dog
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Rakunai
Objective: Head southwest of Ebisu Pawn Rakunai and there’s a dog. Apparently, it keeps barking and it’s going to be euthanized soon. So go buy a bone at Ebisu Pawn and give it to the dog with the top option to calm it.
Reward: None
Friendship: Beckoning Cat
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Rakunai
Objective: As players head to the Rakunai Shrine in the northeast corner opposite the water well, there is a cat. Give him a total of 1000 mon.
Reward: None
Friendship: Mysterious Merchant
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Rakugai
Objective: On the opposite side of the weapon shop in Rakugai, there is a wooden pallet. Interact with it and a mysterious merchant will arrive. Give him 10 tomatoes and he will reward players.
Reward: 2 Ryo
Friendship: Hungry Cat
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Rakugai
Objective: Near one of the save points in Rakugai, there is a hungry cat. Give him fish
Reward: None
Friendship: Man Who Collects Garbage
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Mukurogai
Objective: Within that area, there is a man collecting various junk across the street. Give him any material.
Reward: None
Friendship: Injured Dog
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Mukurogai
Objective: Found at the west side of the Paradise Bar, there is an injured dog. Heal using the medicine.
Reward: None
Exchanged Baggage
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Fushimi
Objective: On the Northside of the Terada Inn, there is an event where Ryoma ties his shoes. Suddenly. two men bump him and they unexpectedly switch bags. Chase down one of the guys in Mukurogai who is located in a fishing spot. Unexpectedly, thugs ambush him. Help that man and beat them up. Afterward, Ryouma will get the correct bag and must return to the place where it began
Reward: Serpent Skin
Friendship: Dirty Cat
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Located at the docks in the southwest of Fushimi, there is a cat on a boat. Save the cat as it falls off the boat. Clean him up in the bathhouse.
Reward: None
Friendship: Waiting Dog
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Fushimi
Objective: South of a dojo in Fushimi, there is a dog waiting for its owner. Give Him some food
Reward: None
To Whom I Haven’t Seen Yet
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Go to the big arch and there will be a diary. Read it and choose to write something inspirational. Read it thrice and return the book to the Shinto priest.
Reward: None
Flowers Wither and Bloom Again
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Mibu
Objective: On the west side of the Shinsegumi HQ entrance, there is a wealthy samurai shouting at a poor old couple. Interact and help the old couple. Afterward, find the samurai and kill him. Afterward, bury the dog under the cherry blossom and return home. Interact with Haruka and go back to the old couple.
Reward: Double Pilgrimage Talisman
Ryouma is A Mom
Requirement: Chapter 4 and complete the Flowers Wither and Bloom Again quest
Location: Mibu
Objective: Go walk through the Mibu near the gate. There will be 3 kids appearing out of nowhere to annoy Ryouma. Play with them. Suddenly, a man appears trying to kill the kids. Defend them.
Reward: None
Friendship: The Man Who Can’t Remember
Requirement: After going to Kiyomizudera in Chapter 4
Location: Kiyomizudera Forest Path
Objective: On the way to Kiyomizudera, there is a man injured. Give him some medicine.
Reward: Withered Tree Branch
Friendship: A Boy Who Loves Vegetables
Requirement: After learning the tutorial to Another Life in Chapter 4
Location: Mibu
Objective: Near the exit to Rakunai, there is a boy who is crying and wants to eat veggies. Give him any veggies from the inventory
Reward: None
Courier Agent
Requirement: Begin Chapter 5
Location: Rakunai
Objective: On the bridge headed to Goin, there is a man delivering packages. Players may need to avoid him but eventually will bump and injure him. Help him by delivering all the packages to their corresponding senders under the time limit.
Reward: Golden Stamp
The Black Panther Postman Group Appears
Requirement: Begin Chapter 5 and complete the Courier Agent quest
Location: Rakunai
Objective: Go back to the bridge headed to Gion and talk to the courier once more. Race against his fellow postmen and deliver 10 packages this time.
Reward: None
The Star of The Black Panther Postman Group
Requirement: Begin Chapter 5 and complete the Black Panther Postman Group Appears quest
Location: Rakunai, next to Sushi Zanmai
Objective: Final showdown between the postman and Ryoma in delivering packages.
Reward: None
Friendship: The Hungry Wrestler
Requirement: After meeting Yamazaki in Chapter 5
Location: Rakunai
Objective: In the street east of the Shogi parlor, there is a hungry sumo wrestler. Give him some food.
Reward: None
Scythe of Terror
Requirement: After meeting Yamazaki in Chapter 5
Location: Rakugai
Objective: Go to Uji Tea House and players will hear about a guy with a scyhte in Mukurogai. Head to one of the save points and there will be a mother and child. Listen to their story and head to Mukurogai using the north gate. Suddenly, players will see a group of misunderstood guys. They will start to get angry and will try to beat up Ryoma. Defeat them and chase one of the guys running off. Catch him and report back to the mother and child
Reward: Pot Sound Opportunity, SR Soldier Card
The Commander of the Black Panther Postman Group
Requirement: Begin Chapter 5 and Complete the Star of the Black Panther Postman Group quest
Location: Rakugai
Objective: As the last quest of the postman group, players must head home and the commander of the postman group will appear. Battle him in a single postman combat at Gion Bridge. Deliver all packages as quickly as possible.
Reward: None
Friendship: Injured person with a sense of justice
Requirement: After meeting Yamazaki in Chapter 5
Location: Rakugai
Objective: In the street that leads into Rakugai from Fushimi, there’s a guy who is a bit reckless and tries to be the hero. After he is beaten down, give him medicine.
Reward: None
Awfully Elegant
Requirement: After meeting Yamazaki in Chapter 5
Location: Mibu
Objective: When walking through Mibu, players will see a worker being harrassed by bandits. Another samurai appears and defeats them. Talk to him at the Otake tea house. Suddenly a girl appears. Chase after the girl at the riverbank south of the bridge to Gion. Go after her and she rejects the marriage proposal of Ikesugi. Meanwhile, Ryoma talks to Aguri and says he has a chance. Choose the bottom option. Go back to Mibu in front of the shrine and you see Aguri injured. Apparently, Ikesugi wants them both dead now. Defeat Ikesugi
Reward: Headgear of Gion
Chef de cuisine
Requirement: Cook 5 home meals and meet Yamazaki in Chapter 5
Objective: A bigshot lord comes to visit your house because there are rumors it smells nice here. Select the top option to cook for him. Players will need red seabream, Ayu, and Salmon. You can buy the first two from the fish shop and get the other one through river fishing. After cooking, he comments that it tastes amazing.
Reward: Dragon whisker
There’s A Bear
Requirement: After meeting Yamazaki in Chapter 5 and completing Awfully Elegant
Objective: In front of the shrine is a boy who tells Ryoma about a big bear lurking there. And then it appears behind him. Defeat it.
Reward: Invitation headgear
The Girl in A Cage
Requirements: Begin Chapter 6
Location: Rakugai
Objective: Some girl is trying to travel via palanquin, but her stalker is resorting to desperate measures. Escort the lady and defeat any incoming enemies nearby.
Reward: Crimson Magatama
Reckless Repayment
Requirements: Begin Chapter 6 (the story won’t be available in Chapters 9, to 12)
Location: Rakugai
Objective: Head to the gambling hall and a man is being extorted for money. Save him and Okita will show up. Come back to the gambling hall and talk to the same man as he will tell Ryoma that the same group is brewing trouble in Mukurogai. On the first floor, near the north gate, you’ll find the same man ganged up again. Save him
Reward: None
Multiple Tattoos
Requirements: Begin Chapter 6 and complete The Brawler Sumibozu
Location: Mukurogai
Objective: Beat Sumibozu once more.
Reward: None
Definition of A Samurai
Requirements: During the Daytime of Chapter 6
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Near the random Dojo, there’s a foreigner named Tom who wants to be a Samurai. Train him twice. Afterward, he will feel dejected not being able to. Then, head to the middle of the street in Fushimi, and Tom will be seen defending children from samurai. Team up with Tom and defeat them.
Reward: SR Soldier Card
Samurai-invitation
Requirements: After completing the hunt for the fake Ryoma in Chapter 7
Location: Rakugai
Objective: In the north of Rakugai, there is someone who asks Ryoma for help. Fend off the attackers and the client will want to interview Ryoma at the Shinsegumi HQ. Head to the HQ and answer all of the questions. The correct answers are Bottom (“it’s my duty”), Bottom (“don’t make your momma cry”), Top (“with whomever, it clicks”), Top (“a path to being the strongest”), Top (“do not worry”).
Reward: Dragon Eye
Ghost Warrior
Requirements: During the Daytime of Chapter 7
Location: Mukurogai
Objective: Head South of paradise bar where Ryoma hears about a ghost appearing every night. Come back to the bar at night and the ghost will appear and fight.
Reward: Colored Carp Amulet
Black Ships? There’s An Invasion
Requirements: During the Daytime of Chapter 7
Location: Fushimi
Objective: Head south of Fushimi, southwest of Terada Inn. There will be people talking about black ships nearby. Go around and there will be a crowd. Within that group is a foreigner who is seasick. Talk to a nearby bystander and then talk to the foreigner to take him to a drink. Go around and talk to another onlooker. Afterward, talk once more to the foreigner and duel him in a dojo. Finally, talk to another onlooker and give the foreigner some dried plums. Suddenly, a group of samurai appears and try to ambush both of you. Defend him.
Reward: Precision Machine
An Enlightened Man
Requirements: Begin Chapter 10 and Complete Multiple Tattoos Quest
Location: Mukurogai
Objective: Fight once more Sumibozu as it is the last confrontation
Reward: Backwater Talisman
And that’s our guide on the list of Substories found in Like A Dragon Ishin. Hope players like this guide and if players want to read more guides, check out our other Like A Dragon Ishin articles and guides.
Also check out devileon7 video on tips on how to play Like A Dragon Ishin
