Summary
- Tears of the Kingdom features 152 Shrines, with some hidden in caves and split between two realms. Unearthing these early can give players an advantage.
- The Mayachin Shrine in Hyrule Field is a fun physics puzzle involving a ball and Ultrahand. It showcases the versatility of Ultrahand and offers a chance to earn an Energizing Elixir.
- Kyononis Shrine near Hyrule Castle Town Ruins is a combat challenge that teaches players the basics of the game's combat mechanics. Defeating the Construct earns players a Zonaite sword and Zonai Charge and Construct Bow.
The long-awaited sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has finally been released, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is already proving to be a popular addition to the beloved fantasy RPG franchise. Set once again in the familiar kingdom of Hyrule, the game lets its players explore the open world at whatever pace they choose.
Making a comeback from the previous games are the Shrines – small dungeon-like challenges that grant players key resources needed to level up. But with a grand total of 152 Shrines dotted across the map, it can be difficult for players to know where to start. Knowing which are the best ones to unlock early can make all the difference in one's playthrough.
Updated September 11, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: There are many shrines that players can go to early in Tears of the Kingdom to get a bunch of Lights of Blessing, giving early-game Link a leg-up over his opposition as he doesn't have to face the humiliation of a one-hit demise any more. The shrines in Tears of the Kingdom may seem more sparse, but that's because they're split between two realms, and a handful of them are hidden in caves and the like too.
11 Mayachin Shrine
- Location: Near the Exchange Ruins in Hyrule Field.
A shrine that involves a rather fun physics puzzle, players have to whack a ball by forming a paddle using Ultrahand and timing the press of a switch. It's a simple but ingenious shrine that players will find pretty quickly in Hyrule Field near the Exchange Ruins.
Players can attempt a harder version of this puzzle to get a chest containing an Energizing Elixir. It's a simple shrine that lets players understand just how versatile and clever Ultrahand really is.
10 Teniten Shrine
- Location: East of the Lookout Landing Skyview Tower
Not all shrines in Tears of the Kingdom feature ingenious puzzles or tough combat trials. Sometimes, these shrines also feature tutorials that help both new and old players grasp the systems of the game.
Teniten Shrine is one such tutorial that teaches players how to throw weapons in the game. It may seem like a basic task, but people who haven't played Breath of the Wild will appreciate this shrine's inclusion nevertheless. Many such shrines help players learn the systems in this game, which had already been displayed in the first title and don't need anything more than just a reminder.
9 Tajikats Shrine
- Location: Southeast of Whistling Hills in Hyrule Fields
Players have to experiment with logs quite a bit in Tajikats Shrine. This shouldn't be too hard for them, especially since the Great Sky Island has already taught them the basics of Ultrahand.
From forming a bridge to making a boat, this shrine serves as a simple and unique way to use Ultrahand in the game. Over time, the application of this power does become more complicated, so this is a good way to come to grips with the basics.
8 Kyononis Shrine
- Location: Central Square near the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins
When players first drop down from the Great Sky Island, one of the first Shrines they’ll likely come across is the Kyononis Shrine. It can be found in the Central Square by Hyrule Castle Town Ruins, just north of Lookout Landing. Kyononis Shrine is a combat challenge.
As one of the simpler Shrines to complete, Kyononis is a great place to start as it will teach players some of the basics of the game’s combat. Following the instructions given during the trial, players will be able to perfect the Flurry Rush, Perfect Guard, and Perfect Dodge attacks/counters. This Shrine also contains a chest with a 
Zonaite Sword and defeating the Construct will earn players a 
Zonai Charge and 
Construct Bow.
7 Yamiyo Shrine
- Location: East of Central Square towards the Romani Plains
Heading east from Central Square all the way to the Romani Plains will bring players to the Yamiyo Shrine. It can be found just north of a fork in the road. Yamiyo Shrine is another combat-focused trial, but with a slightly different lesson to be learned.
The Yamiyo Shrine will instruct players on how to use materials as projectiles by throwing them while in combat. Players will have access to 
Fire Fruit and can throw these fruits at the Construct enemy to set it on fire. A chest within the Shrine will give players three Bomb Flowers.
6 Jiosin Shrine
- Location: Near a Chasm past the Mabe Village Ruins
Following the road back through the Romani Plains and the Mabe Prairie, players making their way past the Mabe Village Ruins will find the Jiosin Shrine. This Shrine is located beside a Chasm surrounded by Gloom, so players should exercise caution in the area. Unlocking this Shrine is a great way to gain a fast travel point close to an entrance to the Depths.
Jiosin Shrine is a puzzle trial primarily making use of Link’s new Ultrahand ability. This makes the Shrine a great way for players to get used to maneuvering objects. The Shrine will require moving objects through holes in the wall or placing them to complete a staircase. Players should be sure to unlock the hidden chest to get a Hasty Elixir.
5 Susuyai Shrine
- Location: Southwest of the Passeri Greenbelt, opposite Mount Daphnes
Continuing along the same road from Jiosin Shrine and heading west will take players to the Susuyai Shrine. This Shrine is on the southwest edge of the Passeri Greenbelt and opposite Mount Daphnes. Susuyai Shrine is another puzzle trial this time focusing on Zonai motors.
Solving the puzzles of the Shrine will instruct players on how to build simple vehicles using the motors and panels found inside. This is a handy skill to build early on in the game as vehicles are a major new mechanic in Tears of the Kingdom. A chest can be found on one of the Zonai motors in the first area which contains a bundle of arrows.
4 Ishodag Shrine
- Location: Near the Quarry Ruins
Heading north from Susuyai Shrine will take players past Giant’s Forest. After reaching a fork in the road and heading west, players will be able to reach the Ishodag Shrine next to the Quarry Ruins. As another of the puzzle trial Shrines, Ishodag’s mechanics make use of the Zonai fans.
Completing Ishodag Shrine will require players to use fans to propel themselves into the air and build boat-like crafts by fusing fans with other objects. Learning how to properly utilize Zonai fans will set players up well for similar challenges found in other Shrines. Players can also find a chest in this Shrine which will grant them an Opal. Though it does have other uses, Opals are great items to sell in Tears of the Kingdom.
3 Sinakawak Shrine
- Location: The North Hyrule Plain region near Serenne Stable
If players cross the Carok Bridge while following the road northwest from Ishodag Shrine, they should reach the Sinakawak Shrine in the North Hyrule Plain region. In addition to being easily accessible to early players, this Shrine is located beside the Serenne Stable and is a handy fast travel point. Sinakawak Shrine is another puzzle trial.
In this trial, players will need to use balloons to carry items and themselves to higher places. This is another new mechanic added to the game which players will likely need to practice to make good use of. Sinakawak Shrine also contains a chest with another Opal inside.
2 Ekochiu Shrine
- Location: Near Pico Pond, close to the Woodland Stable
Traveling further afield to the northeast of Lookout Landing, players will reach the Woodland Stable near Pico Pond. Between this and the Military Training Camp area is Ekochiu Shrine. This Shrine is located close to the Great Fairy Tera making it a handy fast-travel location to unlock.
Ekochiu Shrine’s challenge is another puzzle trial that builds players’ skills in an essential game mechanic – Recall. By making use of Ultrahand to move blocks and platforms, players can then use the Recall ability to gain access to hard-to-reach places. In the second chamber of the Shrine, a hidden chest can be found on the right which will grant players a 
Zonaite Shield.