Finding every captured memory in Breath of the Wild requires tracking down 12 specific photo spots scattered across Hyrule, plus a 13th hidden memory unlocked after finding the rest. You don't need to visit them in order, but tracking them down early unlocks crucial story context and provides a massive map-exploration shortcut. The exact search intent for this topic revolves around fast, accurate coordinate-style routing so you can skip wandering blindly and head straight to the glowing trigger points.
Unlike typical open-world collect-a-thons, these locations demand careful navigation past high-level enemies like Guardian Stalkers and Lynels. This guide cuts through the noise, mapping out every primary photo location, detailing optimal travel routes from nearby shrines, and addressing common pitfalls that cost players time.
Tracking Down the First Six Memories
Your search begins with Impa in Kakariko Village, who points you toward the pictorial clues stored on your Sheikah Slate. Here is how to knock out the first half of the map efficiently.
- Sacred Ground Ruins (Memory 1): Located directly south of Hyrule Castle, right in the middle of a shallow pool of water. Teleport to the Central Tower or Katah Chuki Shrine and paraglide north. Watch out for active Guardian beams patrolling the broken stone structures.
- Lake Kolomo (Memory 2): Situated north of the Great Plateau. From the Oman Au Shrine, head north toward the edge of Lake Kolomo. The memory trigger rests on a small grassy knoll overlooking the water.
- Ancient Columns (Memory 3): Found in the Tabantha region. Paraglide south from Tabantha Tower toward Piper Ridge. The glowing light waits directly in front of the Tena Ko'sah Shrine.
- Kara Kara Bazaar (Memory 4): Head into the Gerudo Desert along the main trade path south from Gerudo Canyon Stable. The spot is on the eastern side of the oasis pond. Bring heat-resistant food or the Gerudo Outfit to survive the ambient desert temperatures.
- Eldin Canyon (Memory 5): Located on a high ridge west of Goronbi Lake. Approach from Woodland Tower by scaling the cliffs heading northeast, or glide down from Eldin Tower. Watch your wooden gear, as the ambient heat here causes wooden weapons to catch fire.
- Irch Plain (Memory 6): Head northwest from the Monya Toma Shrine near the Ridgeland region. Look for a kidney-shaped pond surrounded by a sparse cluster of trees; the memory sits right beside a large solitary tree.
Locating the Remaining Narrative Spots
The second half of the collection takes you deeper into perilous terrain, requiring stamina management and careful stealth execution.
- West Necluda (Memory 7): Positioned on the hills of Baumer, sandwiched between Scout's Hill and Deya Lake. Glide across from Scout's Hill to land directly next to the large tree overlooking the River Hylia.
- Hyrule Castle (Memory 8): Tucked away on a walkway outside Princess Zelda's study on the western side of the inner castle compound. You can sneak in via the back waterfalls or glide straight from the Official Nintendo Zelda Site recommended entry routes without fighting the main boss.
- Spring of Power (Memory 9): Found tucked away in the Akkala region, just north of the South Akkala Stable ruins. Drop a piece of Dinraal's scale into the water after viewing the memory if you want to unlock the nearby shrine early.
- Sanidin Park Ruins (Memory 10): Located west of Central Hyrule along the main road running through Regencia Plains. The memory is positioned right next to the giant horse statue monument.
- Lanayru Road East Gate (Memory 11): Follow the mountain path east past Kakariko Village, winding up through the canyon road until you reach the massive stone gates marking the entrance to Mount Lanayru.
- Mount Lanayru Peak (Memory 12): Situated near the summit of the mountain, just below the Wisdom Spring. Equip cold-resistance gear or stock up on spicy dishes before making the grueling climb.
Unlocking the Final Thirteenth Memory
Once you collect all 12 primary photo locations across the map, return to Impa in Kakariko Village. She will show you a final painting hanging on her wall depicting a specific patch of land near Fort Hateno.
Head to the ruined stone pillars just west of the Fort Hateno gates (near the memory spot where Link fought off the Guardian horde in the flashback). Approaching this exact patch of grass triggers the final cinematic, completing your collection and altering the ending sequence of the game.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Players often waste hours because of a few simple tracking errors. Keep these tips in mind as you explore:
- Ignoring Shrines: Always activate nearby shrines as fast-travel waypoints before hunting a memory. Running across Hyrule on foot every time you miss a precise spot drains your resources.
- Trigger Confusion: The glowing light won't appear unless you stand precisely in the center of the designated zone. If the prompt doesn't pop up, walk slowly in a tight circle until the interaction icon lights up.
- Rushing Combat Zones: Attempting to grab memories inside Hyrule Castle or near Eldin cliffs without proper stamina elixirs or stealth food leads to quick deaths. Bring fairy revives and armor upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to find the memories in sequential order?
No. You can collect the 12 photos in any order you want. Finding them out of sequence won't break your progress or lock you out of future cutscenes.
What reward do I get for finding all memory locations?
Aside from piecing together the full backstory of Zelda and Link prior to the Calamity, collecting all 13 memories unlocks an extended, secret ending sequence after you defeat Dark Beast Ganon.
Can I still collect memories after beating the final boss?
Yes. Breath of the Wild reloads your save file right before the final boss encounter when you finish the game, allowing you to wrap up any missing map exploration, shrines, or memories.
Do memory locations contain Korok seeds or treasure chests?
Many memory spots sit directly next to hidden puzzles. For example, the Eldin Canyon memory rests right beside a stone circle Korok puzzle, making it efficient to check for seeds while you're there.
