Picture this: the Lantern Rite fireworks have barely faded, and already a new type of adventure beckons in Teyvat—one that swaps epic battles for playful mischief and scenic photoshoots. In 2026, Genshin Impact revisits a fan‑favorite getaway with the Eight Locales Over Mountains and Seas event, casting Travelers as impromptu tour guides for a pint‑sized, shape‑shifting troublemaker named Kichiboushi. Think of it as a holiday where your most pressing challenge isn’t a weekly boss, but chasing a magical tanuki who’s decided a torch is a perfect hiding spot.
How to Unlock the Event – Or, Why That Giant Statue Won’t Stop Talking
Before packing your bags, know that the game won't simply toss this furry companion into your lap. Three conditions stand between you and a tanuki‑sized travel itinerary. First, your Adventure Rank must be at least 30—by now, probably a given for anyone who’s ever accidentally stumbled into the Chasm. Second, you need to have completed the bulk of Inazuma’s Archon Quests, because the narrative demands a proper introduction to the land of lightning and tanuki. Third, and most crucial, the world quest Tanuki‑Bayashi in the Forest must be resolved. Remember Ioroi, the gargantuan stone tanuki slumbering in Chinju Forest? That quest wakes him up, and he’s been holding a grudge against boredom ever since. Without it, Kichiboushi remains just another rumour whispered among the trees.
Once you’ve ticked all three boxes, the event pops up in your Event Tab and nudges you to chat with Ioroi. He’ll wax lyrical about his little bake‑danuki disciple, lamenting that Kichiboushi has never seen the world beyond the forest. Naturally, the Traveler—already an errand‑runner of legendary renown—gets voluntold to escort him across the continent. From that moment, the Event Page opens daily outings, each a bite‑sized vacation designed to cram a lifetime of memories into a single afternoon.
Your Daily Dose of Tanuki Chaos
So what does a typical day with Kichiboushi actually look like? In short: half tour guide, half crisis manager. The event unfolds over seven days, with one day featuring a double locale. No two excursions are quite the same. One moment you’ll be settling disputes between NPCs who can’t agree on whose souvenir is more authentic, the next you’ll be cooking a meal because a certain tanuki has declared himself a critic. Be prepared to fight wild boars too—apparently the local fauna has zero respect for a cross‑continent educational trip.
But wait, why would a simple tour involve boar‑beating? Because tanuki are, by folklore and coding, masters of mischief. Kichiboushi might decide he wants to play hide‑and‑seek, and “play” for him means teleporting around like he’s just downed six cups of dango milk. When he vanishes, listen carefully—he’ll often do a little dance at his new location, rustling leaves and creating a visual cue that you’re supposed to follow. If you’ve ever chased a playful cat through Mondstadt, multiply that energy by a factor of tanuki magic.
Even trickier is his favourite pastime: shapeshifting. One second he’s a fluffy, tail‑wagging companion; the next he’s an unassuming torch, a cookpot, or a suspiciously placed rock. How do you find a tanuki pretending to be an inanimate object? Start searching for objects that prompt an ‘interact’ button—burning braziers, sparkly shrubs, oddly placed barrels. A quick Pyro attack or an elemental reaction often shocks him back to his true form. Take the early example near a bridge: Kichiboushi transforms into an unlit torch. A single spark from Amber’s arrow and poof!—one embarrassed tanuki reappears, as if wondering why his Oscar‑worthy performance didn’t fool you.
Picture Perfect Moments (Say Cheese, or Else)
Every slice‑of‑life escapade ends with a photo‑op, because what’s a vacation without a cringeworthy snapshot? Approach your tiny charge at the designated scenic spot, and the game’s camera interface springs to life. Frame the shot, adjust the angle, maybe let Kichiboushi photobomb with a silly expression, and capture a screenshot that can be saved to your device. It’s the only memento where you’re legally allowed to keep a bake‑danuki without getting cursed. As an added bonus, these photos don’t cost a single Resin—a word that should make any seasoned Traveler weep with joy.
The Loot Haul – Why Babysitting a Tanuki Pays Off
Let’s address the question everyone’s really asking: Is chasing a teleporting raccoon dog worth the effort? Absolutely. Completing each locale rewards you with Primogems, those cherished crystals that fuel the gacha‑spinning dreams. Alongside them come Talent Level‑Up Materials and Weapon Level‑Up Materials, the very resources that normally require a Resin‑draining trip to a domain. In a game where every artifact run counts, receiving a stack of philosophy guides or enchantment ores for free feels borderline illegal—but we won’t tell Celestia.
Crucially, these rewards aren’t auto‑delivered. You must visit the Event Page after each day’s outing to claim your spoils. Forgetfulness here is the true hidden boss of Eight Locales. Paimon will not remind you twice, and no amount of tanuki dancing will retrieve those unclaimed gems.
Tips for a Smooth Journey with Your Fur‑baby
Is Kichiboushi high‑maintenance? Let’s put it this way: he’s easier than escorting a balloon in a daily commission, but trickier than feeding the fox statues. Here’s a cheat sheet for budding tour guides:
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🦊 Keep your volume up. Sound cues are your best friend when he vanishes. That little shuffle‑step dance is unmistakable.
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🔍 Spam elemental sight or scan for glowing objects. Shapeshifted objects often have a faint outline or interaction prompt.
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🗡️ Bring a variety of elements. Pyro and Electro come in handy for triggering reactions on disguised targets.
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📸 Don’t skip the photos. Besides saving a cute memory, the photo‑op usually signals mission completion—so snap away, even if Paimon photobombs.
And perhaps the most vital advice: Suspend your pride. You’re a legendary hero who’s defeated gods, but here you’re a glorified playmate. Lean into it. The sooner you accept that your afternoon involves chasing a creature who thinks turning into a vase is peak comedy, the more fun you’ll have.
Why This Event Still Shines in 2026
Three years after its original run, Eight Locales Over Mountains and Seas remains a breath of fresh air in the ever‑expanding world of Genshin Impact. It ditches the damage‑focused grind and instead celebrates the whimsical side of Teyvat—the idea that exploration isn’t just about opening chests, but about sharing a sunset with a new friend. The event is a gentle reminder that even in a continent scarred by archon wars and vision‑hunt decrees, there’s room for a bake‑danuki who just wants to see the ocean. Plus, who can resist that face? The same face that, moments later, might morph into a wooden bucket. But still.
So grab your adventurer’s hat, slot in your most patient party, and help Kichiboushi fill his photo album. The scenery is stunning, the rewards are Resin‑free, and the memories are… well, they’re definitely something. Just maybe leave your Serenitea Pot locked. A tanuki who can teleport and shapeshift in your personal realm? That’s a housing crisis no one needs.