Creative Assembly and SEGA released Total War: SHOGUN 2 on 15 March 2011, opening the campaign in 1545 and handing every clan the same win condition: take Kyoto and hold it. Nine clans ship in the base game, each with one signature discount, from Shimazu katana samurai to Mori warships. Fall of the Samurai is a separate standalone expansion set during the 1860s Boshin War, so its Gatling guns and ironclads never show up in the Sengoku campaign covered here.
Total War: SHOGUN 2 features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyoto | Turn 40 and later on a long campaign | Shogun status, plus 1 morale for all units, plus 2 percent clan tax rate, plus 1 daimyo honour, and access to Great Guard and the Nihon Maru | Shimazu |
| 2 | Owari | Turns 1 to 15 as an Oda start | Good farmland, short marching distance to Kyoto and early access to the ashigaru dojo chain | Shimazu |
| 3 | Kai | Turns 1 to 20 as a Takeda start | Defensible mountain terrain, horse breeding buildings and quick reach into the eastern provinces | Oda |
| 4 | Satsuma | Turns 1 to 25 as a Shimazu start | A single chokepoint to garrison, Kyushu trade ports and room to build the katana dojo chain undisturbed | Oda |
| 5 | Tosa | Turns 1 to 20 as a Chosokabe start | Island isolation, strong farm income and the bow dojo chain that carries the whole campaign | Oda |
Kyoto: Starting Area
The imperial capital and the campaign win condition. Take it and hold it for four seasons to be declared Shogun, which is also the point where every remaining clan stops pretending to like you.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turn 40 and later on a long campaign |
| Key Rewards | Shogun status, plus 1 morale for all units, plus 2 percent clan tax rate, plus 1 daimyo honour, and access to Great Guard and the Nihon Maru |
| Recommended Build | Shimazu |
| Key Equipment | Yari Ashigaru |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Realm Divide. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Owari.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Owari: Early Game
The Oda home province, sitting in central Honshu with Mino and Ise as immediate expansion targets. Its central position is a blessing early and a liability once Realm Divide turns every border into a front.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turns 1 to 15 as an Oda start |
| Key Rewards | Good farmland, short marching distance to Kyoto and early access to the ashigaru dojo chain |
| Recommended Build | Shimazu |
| Key Equipment | Yari Ashigaru |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Chi and Bushido arts research. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Yari Ashigaru if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Kai.
Kai: Mid Game
The Takeda home province, landlocked and mountainous with hostile neighbours on most sides. There is no safe direction to grow, which is why the Takeda cavalry discount matters so much from the first turns.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turns 1 to 20 as a Takeda start |
| Key Rewards | Defensible mountain terrain, horse breeding buildings and quick reach into the eastern provinces |
| Recommended Build | Oda |
| Key Equipment | Yari Ashigaru |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Katana Samurai becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Ashigaru and samurai unit tiers for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Satsuma: Late Game
The Shimazu home province at the southwestern tip of Kyushu, with a single land approach to defend. The safest opening on the map, at the cost of the longest march to Kyoto once you finally head north.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turns 1 to 25 as a Shimazu start |
| Key Rewards | A single chokepoint to garrison, Kyushu trade ports and room to build the katana dojo chain undisturbed |
| Recommended Build | Oda |
| Key Equipment | Katana Samurai |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Katana Samurai should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Castle sieges and province capitals mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Tosa.
Tosa: Endgame
The Chosokabe home province on Shikoku, separated from the main island by water. Clear the island first, then use naval movement to pick which mainland province you invade instead of grinding through a land border.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turns 1 to 20 as a Chosokabe start |
| Key Rewards | Island isolation, strong farm income and the bow dojo chain that carries the whole campaign |
| Recommended Build | Oda |
| Key Equipment | Katana Samurai |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Tokugawa for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Kyoto → Owari → Kai → Satsuma → Tosa. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Total War: SHOGUN 2 Guides
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Total War: SHOGUN 2 Overview
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Best Builds
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Tier List
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Walkthrough
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Beginner's Guide
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Tips & Tricks
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Weapons Guide
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Combat Guide
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Boss Guide
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Crafting Guide
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Classes & Characters
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