Shenmue Sacred Spot Guide Maps - All Editions Download Page
The Shenmue Sacred Spot Guide Map is a multi-page tourist pamphlet highlighting locations of interest to Shenmue fans around Yokosuka, created through a collaborative effort between Yokosuka City and SEGA. First released at the end of 2017, the map impressed fans with its high-quality and thoughtful detail, and has since seen several new editions - each tied to different milestones in Shenmue’s journey.
Over the years, three main versions of the map have been produced: the Original (2017), the Shenmue I & IIedition (2018), and the Shenmue the Animationedition (2022 JP / 2024 EN). Each version has been available in both Japanese and English, offering fans worldwide the chance to explore Shenmue’s real-world setting.
In this post, we’ll tie all the versions together with an overview of how each edition differs - and supply PDF download links for each version in one handy place.
The Origins: The First Sacred Spot Guide Map (2017)
Original version cover (Japanese)
The very first Sacred Spot Guide Map appeared at the end of 2017, launched as part of the “Yokosuka City × Shenmue Project” promotion. It marked the beginning of a unique collaboration between SEGA and the city of Yokosuka, designed to promote local tourism while celebrating the cultural footprint of Shenmue.
The map highlighted a selection of real-life locations that fans would instantly recognize from the games, centered around Dobuita Street and the nearby harbor area. Its detailed design, high-quality printing, and clear connection to the game world made it an instant collector’s item, not just a tourist pamphlet.
Shortly after the debut of the Japanese version, an English version was released, broadening its reach and catering to the steady trickle of international Shenmue fans visiting Yokosuka. This move also reflected the global following Shenmue had built up over the years.
Original version - outer pages (English)
Original version - inner pages (English)
The success of this first edition paved the way for a refreshed version the following year.
A refreshed version of the Sacred Spot Guide Map was unveiled at the 2018 Tokyo Game Show to coincide with the release of Shenmue I & II on modern platforms. This new edition built upon the solid foundation of the original map while introducing a number of subtle but meaningful updates.
The most obvious change was the cover artwork, redesigned to celebrate the remaster. Inside, small tweaks were made to the layout and featured locations, giving the map a slightly different look and feel while retaining its fan-friendly clarity. For returning Shenmue players eager to revisit Yokosuka through the remasters, the updated map served as the perfect companion.
As with the original, an English version was also produced, ensuring international fans could fully enjoy the updated guide, whether they were planning a visit to Yokosuka or simply collecting every iteration as a piece of Shenmue memorabilia.
Shenmue I & II version - outer pages (Japanese)
Shenmue I & II version - inner pages (Japanese)
And the updates didn’t stop there. With the arrival of Shenmue the Animation, the guide map would take on a whole new look.
The most recent version of the Sacred Spot Guide Map arrived in June 2022, created to tie in with the release of Shenmue the Animation. This edition carried a fresh design that reflected the anime’s visual style, giving it a distinctive look compared to the game-focused maps that had come before.
While the overall concept of guiding fans through iconic Shenmue locations in Yokosuka remained the same, the anime-themed edition adjusted the presentation to appeal to a new audience. The cover and layout incorporated artwork inspired by the series, and certain featured spots were updated to highlight how the anime depicted Yokosuka’s streets and landmarks.
At the time of its release, only a Japanese version of the anime-themed map was available. An English edition followed later in 2024, though its existence has been less widely publicized.
Shenmue the Animation version - outer pages (Japanese)
Shenmue the Animation version - inner pages (Japanese)
We’ve posted ongoing updates about each of these maps on the blog since their release, and it has been fascinating to watch them evolve. Beyond being practical tourist pamphlets, the Sacred Spot Guide Maps have woven themselves into part of Shenmue’s legacy.
For visitors to Yokosuka, they serve as a genuine guide to exploring the streets and landmarks that inspired the game world. But for fans who may never set foot in Japan, each edition doubles as a high-quality item to add to their private collection - a tangible piece of Shenmue history that connects the real and virtual worlds.
From the original project that first brought SEGA and Yokosuka City together, to the remaster tie-in, and now the anime adaptation, the guide maps tell their own story of how Shenmue continues to inspire new ways of engaging with the city. I’m sure many fans will agree that Yokosuka City deserves thanks for shining a light on Shenmue through these thoughtful maps.
Final Words
With three distinct versions now released, available in both Japanese and English, the Shenmue Sacred Spot Guide Maps form a complete set of maps that are as attractive to look at as they are practical to use as guides. Whether you’re exploring Yokosuka in person, planning a future visit, or simply enjoying them as keepsakes, these maps capture the spirit of Shenmue like few other official materials.
If you haven’t already, be sure to download a version and take a virtual walk through the streets that shaped Ryo’s journey. And if you do make the trip to Yokosuka to experience the magic, these maps make the perfect companion to your own real-world Shenmue pilgrimage - you might even try walking in Yu Suzuki's footsteps, locating the local shops he visited during his video interview with IGN Japan's Esra Krabbe in 2023.
I have always felt that the years immediately after Shenmue's original release represented a golden opportunity for locations and businesses in Yokosuka to embrace the series, and in return attract local and international fans to the location. That potential may not have been realized at that time, but it is heartening to see, in recent years, how Yokosuka’s connection to the franchise has been honored in such thoughtful ways.
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