The Dirty Key is a key item required to open a certain locked door in Nioh 3, but the game does not tell the player exactly where this door is located, leaving it up to them to find it. Similarly, if a player finds the locked door in Tenryu River first, they’re not told that they need the Dirty Key to unlock it.

This guide covers the exact method of obtaining the Dirty Key, the location of the locked door where this item can be used, as well as all rewards waiting for the player inside. Here are the details.

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How to Get the Dirty Key in Nioh 3

Dirty Key Location in Nioh 3

The Dirty Key item can be obtained by defeating Yamainu, the wolf yokai with the golden claws patrolling the village street in Tenryu River on the Warring States map. To find Yamainu, head to the location marked on the map above and look for a wolf yokai roaming the main road.

How to Beat Yamainu in Nioh 3

yamainu tenryu river dirty key nioh 3 Image via TheBestWarGames; Source: Koei Tecmo

Yamainu is a highly aggressive yokai and likely one of the strongest non-boss enemies you’ll have encountered so far in the game. We recommend using Ninja Style with the Evade skill to dodge his tricky attacks. To avoid getting surrounded, make sure you defeat the yokai standing on the roof nearby before engaging with Yamainu.

What to Do With the Dirty Key in Nioh 3

How to Use Dirty Key in Nioh 3

The Dirty Key can be used to open the locked door of the house in the southeastern corner of the Tenryu River. On the map, look for a Chijiko icon in the Tenryu River village; the house is directly underneath it. The exact location where you need to go is shown in the screenshot above.

secret skills text armor piercer nioh 3 Image via TheBestWarGames; Source: Koei Tecmo

After you unlock the door using the Dirty Key, enter the house to find a large red chest. Open it, and you’ll find Secret Skills Text: Armor Piercer, in addition to some other goodies. The skill text will be activated the next time you visit a shrine and pray.

The Chijiko is floating above the house with the locked door. Use your bow to shoot it down to earn 1 Samurai’s Locks.

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Nioh 3
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Action
RPG
Soulslike
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Systems
PlayStation-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
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Released
February 6, 2026
ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Koei Tecmo
Publisher(s)
Koei Tecmo
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DIGITAL
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Genre(s)
Action, RPG, Soulslike
Platform(s)
PlayStation 5, PC
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty