Silent Hill f Crimson Water Puzzle Guide
Complete walkthrough for finding the Agura no Hotei-sama and solving the mysterious Crimson Water puzzle in Silent Hill f's post-game content.
Spoiler Warning
This guide contains significant spoilers for Silent Hill f's post-game content and alternate endings. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.
To unlock some of the most critical new endings in your second playthrough of Silent Hill f, you'll need to locate a hidden mystical object known as the "Agura no Hotei-sama." This comprehensive guide will walk you through finding this elusive item and solving the intricate Crimson Water puzzle.
How to Find the Agura no Hotei-sama in Silent Hill f
Starting Your Search
After completing your first playthrough, you'll receive a notification about an ending that requires the "Agura no Hotei-sama," though its nature and location remain mysterious. Fortunately, the path to finding it is more straightforward than you might expect.
The Brooch Key Item
The first essential element for locating the Agura no Hotei-sama is the Brooch, which Hinako automatically possesses at the beginning of New Game+. This special item allows you to open doors marked with the emblem of Inari-sama scattered throughout the Dark Shrine.
Locating the Attic Entrance
One of these emblem-marked doors is hidden in the Main Hall's dilapidated attic, where you previously found the Dirty Drawstring Bag during your initial playthrough.
Map Location Reference
If you missed this area initially, the attic is situated between the second ritual room and the lobby. Refer to the map coordinates below for precise navigation:
NG+ Attic Dangers
Be warned: the attic becomes significantly more dangerous in New Game+. An Oi-omoi lurks here alongside three "monster eggs" that will hatch into shackle monsters if not destroyed promptly.
⚠️ Pro Tip: Ensure you have a full charge meter before entering this area, as it can quickly become a deadly trap without adequate preparation.
Revealing the Hidden Path
After clearing the attic of threats, examine the west wall to find a seal that you can Focus on to dispel. This action opens a hidden passageway leading to a secret side room.
This concealed chamber contains a Dried Carcass and a locked emblem door that requires the Brooch to open.
Discovering the Hidden Garden
Passing through the emblem door transports you to a secret side garden outside the Dark Shrine. This area is thankfully free of enemies, allowing for safe exploration.
While exploring the garden paths, you'll discover several documents that provide valuable lore and clues. Don't miss the office overlooking the garden, which contains an Ema and the crucial Hotei-sama Sitting Cross-Legged key item.
Treasured Belonging Achievement
Collecting the Hotei-sama Sitting Cross-Legged immediately unlocks the "Treasured Belonging" trophy/achievement. Additionally, it activates the "Hotei-sama" tab in Hinako's journal Information section.
Journal Information
According to the journal, you've discovered the container for the Agura no Hotei-sama: an extraordinarily powerful local folk remedy with significant mystical properties.
Complete Silent Hill f Crimson Water Puzzle Solution
Initiating the Crimson Water Puzzle
While finding the Hotei-sama is a major accomplishment, your journey isn't complete. As revealed in the Note of Caution document found in the office, you can also purify the Sacred Sword in this location.
Return to ground level and inspect the stone plinth on the garden's northwest side to begin the Crimson Water puzzle.
Understanding the Puzzle Mechanics
Important Note
At the time of writing, the Crimson Water puzzle solution appears to be identical across all three difficulty settings, making this guide universally applicable.
Plinth Inscription Translation
"He who seeks the crimson water which banishes evil...
When the shishi-odoshi strikes once, let the bell chime. Thrice shall the bells ring to speak the legends of this land.
Trapped under a great stone in the lake's abyss lies a slumbering water dragon, born during the age of gods and sealed away by our ancestors.
Deprived of the water dragon's spirit, the once lush great tree has met a withering fate."
Deciphering the Clues
The shishi-odoshi refers to the sōzu bamboo water feature audible throughout the garden. While the inscription might suggest a timing-based challenge synchronized with the sōzu's rhythm, timing doesn't actually factor into the solution.
As you explore the garden, you'll notice several bells hanging from various trees, each marked with an elementally-themed logo. The Crimson Water puzzle functions similarly to the Shrine Vault puzzle, requiring you to identify key words in the inscription.
Bell Locations and Elemental Symbols
Stone Bell
Located on the office balcony, featuring a mountain symbol representing stone.
Water Bell
Positioned next to the plinth, marked with a water logo.
Wood Bell
Found above the stone bridge to the east, displaying a wood logo.
Crimson Water Puzzle Solution Steps
Correct Bell Sequence
Stone → Water → Wood
Ring the bells in this specific order to solve the puzzle.
After ringing the final bell, you'll hear a powerful rumbling throughout the area. All puzzle elements will become non-interactive, and even the sōzu will cease functioning. While nothing immediately dramatic occurs, the puzzle has been successfully completed.
Completing the Ritual
The next time you return to Ebisugaoka, visit the burned-out shrine in northern Sugisato. You'll discover that the water in its purification basin has transformed into a distinct crimson color.
If you've successfully obtained the Sacred Sword, you can now use this crimson water basin to purify it and remove its curse. This purification is an essential step toward unlocking Endings #2 and #4.
Permanent Puzzle Completion
Important Completion Note
Similar to the statues from the Sacred Sword puzzle, solving the Crimson Water puzzle is a permanent accomplishment. Once completed on any difficulty setting, it remains solved for all subsequent playthroughs on that save file.
There is no reason to return to this garden after completing the puzzle.
Silent Hill f Crimson Water Additional Tips and Strategies
Preparation Recommendations
- • Ensure you have full health and resources before attempting the attic section
- • Consider bringing healing items for the Oi-omoi encounter
- • Have your Focus meter charged for the wall seal interaction
- • Complete the Sacred Sword questline before attempting purification
Ending Requirements
- • Necessary for Endings #2 and #4
- • Must be completed in New Game+
- • Requires prior acquisition of the Sacred Sword
- • Unlocks additional lore and story content
Final Thoughts
The Crimson Water puzzle represents one of Silent Hill f's most intricate and rewarding post-game challenges. By following this comprehensive guide, you'll successfully navigate the hidden garden, solve the elemental bell puzzle, and unlock the path to alternate endings that deepen the game's mysterious narrative.
Remember that patience and careful observation are key to mastering Silent Hill f's most complex puzzles. The Crimson Water challenge tests both your problem-solving skills and your understanding of the game's rich mythological underpinnings.