Anyone who’s played a Yakuza game before will know that completing every substory is a huge part of the adventure, and Yakuza: Like A Dragon is no different, despite the change to turn-based combat. If anything, they fit better here, acting as side quests to an RPG.
Below is a list of every side story available in Yakuza, where to find them, and how to beat them.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon Substories
1. A Can-Do Attitude
Chapter 3
You can’t miss this substory. It acts as a tutorial to the Can Quest mini-game and is a mandatory part of the story. Just finish the tutorial.
2. Who’s That Sujimon!?
Chapter 4
Another, unmissable, story-related substory that introduces you to Yakuza’s very own tribute to Pokemon, the Sujidex. Just pick an enemy, beat them and that’s all there is to it. This will unlock the Sujidex in the menu that tracks all the unique enemies you encounter on your journey.
3. A Golden Opportunity
Chapter 4
Head to South Sakura River Street and talk to the old Woman there who will complain about someone relieving themselves in the river. Leave the area and wait until a blue icon appears on the map, head back and you’ll have to pick out the perpetrator from a line-up. Just pick out the second guy from the right, fight him, and you’re done.
4. One Man’s Trash
Chapter 4
There’s a Pawn Shop over on Misaki Street that’s completely covered in trash. Walk past it and an NPC will complain about the mess. Leave and you’ll encounter the owner when you return. As is always the way, you’ll have to make him see sense, with your fists. This is Yakuza after all. Beat him and the Pawn Shop will open up, allowing you to sell things amassed along the way.
5. A Trip To Pound Town
Chapter 4
Another story-related one. You’ll automatically encounter Gary Buster Holmes, who will become the first summons in Yakuza Like A Dragon, once you beat him of course.
6. It’s The Thought That Counts
Chapter 4
Head back to South Sakura River Street and you’ll see a man and a child by the river. The kid will drop a handkerchief that you can return to the homeless man, who will walk off with it. He will appear later on East Central Street and will ask if you have any ideas for a gift. Pick whatever answer you want, the overall outcome is still the same, you’ll have to build a bookshelf. To do this, you will need wood and nails.
The wood can be found near the Survive bar on the west side of town. In a park, you’ll find a group of men practicing Karate. After a chat, you can fight them and obtain wooden boards when you’re victorious. From here, head to the south end of Central Street, fight some thugs, and the nails are yours.
With the supplies in hand, go back to the river and hand them over to the old man before heading to the south of Isezaki Road. After some story, the man will leave. Follow him back to the river and a new fight will kick-off. Simply beat your attacker, and this long substory is done and dusted.
7. Baby Don’t Cry
Chapter 4
A nice weird substory here. Talk to the baby formula carrying father on Western Central Street and head to the nearby Pocket Cafe once the dialog ends. Grab some hot water and return to the father. Enjoy the fantastic story and beat the enemies in front of you. Do this and not only will another substory be ticked off the list, but Patriarch Gondawara will be available as a summon from Poundmates.
8. Old Cinema Paradiso
Chapter 4
When walking past the Seagull Cinema (North of East Tsurukame Highway) there will be two men standing in front of it. Look at them and eventually, the owner will come out to talk to you. Accept his offer for a free movie screening, and a brand new mini-game will open up.
This is a pretty simple game where the objective is to fight off sleep-inducing rams, and stay awake. This is done by inputting the correct button prompt as they pop up, and avoiding pressing any buttons on the roosters. It’s fairly simple and once complete you will have access to this bizarre mini-game.
9. Persimmon Premonition
Chapter 4
Back to the west, by Bar Survive, there’s a park with a Persimmon tree in it. Walk up to the tree and a cutscene will start with a girl who is certain she will die if the Persimmon falls from the tree. You’ll have to leave the area and return a number of times. Once all the fights are done and dusted Tosanoyama will become a new Poundmate.
10. Fast Times At Ounabara
Chapter 4
Walk by the Ounabara Vocation school on Daikokuten street and after some dialog with a man who stops you eventually you will take an exam at the school. Successfully answer 3 out of 5 questions to complete this substory. The questions aren’t that hard, but if you do fail you get told the answers.
After this, the school opens up, allowing exams to be taken (for money) to raise Ichiban’s stats.
11. Certified Underdogs
Chapter 5
There are a few requirements in order to start this one, so if you end up going back to it in Premium Adventure mode, don’t worry. The company management mini-game will need to be unlocked, and you’ll need to have completed 10 tests at the vocational school.
Once the requirements are met go up to Ikari who will be in front of the school, fight some guys, and head back to the school for a final cutscene.
12. How To Be A Part-Time Hero
Chapter 5
This substory will introduce you to the Part-Time Hero mechanics in Yakuza Like A Dragon. It’s unmissable and only requires a couple of fights to win.
13. Nowhere To Go But Up
Chapter 5
Also unmissable and will introduce the workshop, opening up plenty of opportunities to craft gear.
14. Something Worth Protecting
Chapter 15
This quest may well have been worked on already, but can finally be finished late in the game. Acting as a relationship/romance substory you will need to upgrade the workshop at a total cost of 22,500,000 Yen, which at the start of the game seems an unobtainable amount, but will be easily obtainable.
After that, you will need to give Sumire Sawa a total of 16 Bonzai trees. You can buy these from the flower seller in Hamakita Park, or you can buy (or grow from seed) Pine trees that can be combined to make the Bonzai trees. Personally, I was in favor of the lazy, buy them all, approach.
After gifting the trees you can chat with Sumire. This will happen 3 times, after gifting her a number of the trees, but to initiate the final chat you will need Ichiban’s Passion stat to be at level 10, so it doesn’t hurt to do all of this at once.
When the last of the trees have been gifted a fight will ensue, as always. Victory will complete this story.
15. Ijincho’s Safety Net
Chapter 5
An unmissable introduction to the company management aspects of the latest Yakuza. Just complete this well-explained tutorial to and you will unlock a great way to make money going forward, as well as a new Poundmate, Omlette.
16. The Crawfish Caper
Chapter 5
Check out the Crawfish on Sunrise Bridge and Ichiban will chuck it into the river. Unfortunately, this poor animal is a friend to a homeless man, meaning there is only one thing for it. Operation Crawfish retrieval. Go down the riverbank and look for the Crawfish with an X on its back, it’s by the stairs.
After returning to the owner he will demand a Premium Sushi Set, which can be purchased at the Jinnai Station Poppo. Give him what he wants and Nancy will become the latest Poundmate to be added to the set.
17. A Love Worth Fighting For
Chapter 5
Head north of the homeless area near Tsurukame Bridge and you’ll come across a lady serving soup to the homeless. After a brief fight, you’ll have to leave the area before coming back and effectively accepting the quest. Follow the dialog directions and leave once more. Return and continue the story.
Next head to Jinnai Station, and then back to the homeless area. After more story, leave and make sure to return to the homeless area in the day. At night go near the Seagull Cinema and stomp the bad guys.
It’s long-winded, but as a reward, Kiyoe Shirakawa will become a helpful new Poundmate.
18. Home Run Heroism
Chapter 5
Near the Fukutoku Bridge, there are some pesky media types harassing a sports star. After stepping in Ichiban will be sent around the map in order to resolve this quest.
First, head to Hamakaze Street and, after approaching a group of men, you’ll need to fight a couple of trouble makers. After this, head back to the bridge and agree to help out the reporter. From there, make your way to the Rose Blossom near the south of Ohama Street.
Fight some guys and go back to Hamakaze street to complete the substory.
19. Bubble, Bubble Toil And Trouble
Chapter 5
Near Yakuza’s Romance Street there is an alley with a man who desperately needs some help, he’s pretty easy to spot. You will need to lead him across town, avoiding any water along the way, before heading back to where it all began.
This is an extremely easy substory which is all fairly self-explanatory once you meet the bubbles man.
20. Tables For One
Chapter 7
Upstairs in the Wette Kitchen, on Ijin Lane, you’ll come across a boy eating alone. You will end up talking to him and having a fight with a local thug outside. You will have to leave and upon returning, the boy will be stood outside and after speaking to him your next task is heading to the bar district, with a blue mark on the map. Follow the story and you’ll end up in another straightforward fight. Once the fight is done, a return to Wette Kitchen will end substory 20.
21. Dumpster Of Demise
Chapter 7
Opposite the Romance Workshop is a man looking through a pile of trash. To finish all you have to do is talk to him, leave and return a few times. After doing this a fight will start and that will be it.
22. An Act Of Kindness
Chapter 7
Near Jinnai Station is a girl asking people for money. Oblige for a stat boost and tell her to go near the popular eatery. Leave and head back to her again before telling her to listen up. Head to the location on the map in Koreatown, at the corner of Ijin Alley and Ijin Street, to trigger the fight that ends this particular substory.
23. Warmest Wishes
Chapter 9
Making sure that substory 22 is completed. Head to Isezaki road to meet up with Megumi again. After some dialog, leave and come back to learn that she has been meeting people off Central Steet. Guess where you go next.
After a fight, you will need to make sure you have or earn 1 million yen. If you don’t have it the business game is an easy place to get in from. When your pockets are lined, jump in a taxi and head to the hospital, and then back to the starting point to finish up. Doing this will make Megumi available as a Poundmaster.
24. Fifty Shades Of Play
Chapter 7
In the parking lot on Ohama Street is the beginning to the kind of substory you may expect from a Yakuza game. After some dialog head south and some people outside of a club will tell you about Mr. Masochist. He can be found in Fukutoku Park attacking a tree.
After a joke of a fight head to the Poppo and bring his mom back. Fight some guys, and then earn Mr. Masochist as a summon. I’m definitely calling him a summon.
25. A Fading Star
Chapter 7
Follow the drunk man who gets kicked out of Eomeoni’s bar in Koreatown and, as standard, you’ll end up in a fight. After some dialog grab some water from the nearest vending machine. After that go to the blue icon on the map in Koreatown and fight some more goons to unlock Yu-Jin as the next summon.
26. The Masked Murderer
Chapter 9
Time to earn one of the scariest looking Poundmates, Jiei-San. Between Eomeoni’s Vow and Hyakkei Street, you’ll hear rumors from a group of people about a masked murderer on the loose. Talk to the NPC and agree to help before making sure to return at night. You’ll find the “murderer” and will do what needs to be done, and you all know what that is. Clobbering time.
27. The Miracle Of Spice
Chapter 7
Towards the south end of Hyakkei Street, an old lady is struggling, but you don’t help her, and she leaves. After that, in Sakura Lane, you’ll be given some Miracle Kimchi that you will need to give to some people that you’re led to. Two people are near Jinnai station, while the other is in Hamakita Park.
After this, head back to where the old lady was and give her some too. Finally, it’s back to the Kimichi seller and you’re done.
28. Tour Guide Turmoil
Chapter 9
A nice straightforward substory, if you’re paying attention. Head on over to Hamakita Park and find the worried tour guide. Agree to help her and she’ll tell you about the tour, something that will be helpful soon. Meet her again in front of the La Chatte Blanche entrance and help her with the tour when she gets stuck.
To do this, answer the following when prompted: “Red Dragon“, “Blue Sign”, and “Ultra Packed Super Bun”.
The obligatory fight will end this substory.
29. The Michio Minefield
Chapter 9
Head to the South East of Chinatown to find a man who will have you pick out the legitimate Michio statues. Just pick the ones with long sleeves, and after 7 statues are found, you are done.
30. Fauxno Michio
Chapter 9
The fakes are back! Complete substory 29 and you’ll find someone, in a fake Ono Michio costume, selling the fake Michio souvenirs in Chinatown. He’s very easy to spot. Pummel the fakes until they see the error of their ways.
31. Like Father, Like Son
Chapter 9
Outside the Meng Wu restaurant in Chinatown, a father and son are having a bit of a disagreement. Leave and when you return the father will ask you to spy on his son. Leave again, and the next time you’ll speak to the son. He will then end up in a new restaurant but is being bullied. Tell this to the dad who will rush in causing Ichiban to intervene with his own Yakuza style brand of justice.
This substory is nothing more than going back and forth and a quick fight.
32. Forget Me Not
Chapter 9
This is a Yakuza substory that deserves to be experienced. It is simple, but all about the story. To the North of Jinnai Station is a girl who will ask Ichiban on a date. Take her to the arcade, win a stuffed toy from the UFO catcher, beat the street punks, and enjoy the story.
33. The Traffic Census Sensei
Chapter 12
A nice easy one for chapter 12. Just head to the east side of Jinnai Station and find the traffic warden completing a traffic census. Take over his job and select the following answers. 4 men, 7 women, followed by 5 men, 6 women. That’s all there is to it.
34. Bros Till The End
Chapter 9
At the entrance to Yakuza’s Hamakita Park is a group on bikes who are having a little bit of trouble with the Yakuza, nothing to worry about there. Fearing for their safety Kasuga will of course help, however, to do so you will have to leave and come back, for some reason.
After this pointless detour, you can interact with a bike outside of a building sitting in the middle of West Central Street. You’ll recognize the bike.
Head inside and beat up all of the Yakuza.
35. Preparing To Suck
Chapter 9
Have 1 million Yen to spare and head to Sesil Cafe which is near Hamakita Park. Invest the 1 million and leave. A text will come through telling you to head to the Station. Do that.
The next part is obvious, you need to defeat the robot vacuum cleaner.
Start by attacking the arms and he/it will soon be vanquished.
36. Whispers Of The Underworld
Chapter 9
Make sure your confidence stat is at level 4 (7 for the end), or you won’t be able to do this one. Assuming it is, go to the west of Kinka pharmacy to start the story, and then go to Survive bar where rumors are told of a black market shop.
Head to the area you’re directed to (the name changes at a certain point), and when prompted select the password of “Lau Chau Chau Ya”. Beat the enemies and you will meet a weapon merchant back where this all started.
Assuming the confidence stat is 7 or higher you can buy a weapon before speaking to him again to finish the substory. This will also see Chau Ka Long become a Poundmate.
37. Ringleader Roundup: Bear Blues
Chapter 10
Grab the flyer from a man to the west of Hamakita Park, it will tell you all about an animal circus, which is actually to the east of the park. Go there and beat up a bear, because why not?
The bear is actually quite easy to beat.
38. Ringleader Roundup: Tiger Takeover
Chapter 10
Same as the substory above, only this time against a tiger. If doing straight after 37, make sure to leave the area before speaking to the ringleader again. Another straightforward fight for quick completion.
39. Ringleader Roundup: Chimp Calamity
Chapter 10
Before speaking to the ringleader this time head to the digger (you can’t miss it) to trigger a cutscene. Then go back and talk to the ringmaster who will make you fight a bulldozer and a chimpanzee. Just keep yourself healed, and do what you do. After all, this won’t be the first time you’ve faced a bulldozer.
40. Welcome To Dragon Kart
Chapter 4
Head to the northmost park and the Dragon Kart building should become plainly obvious to you. Approach it and win the following Kart race. It’s extremely easy, and your reward is the Dragon Kart mini-game, which is fun and will allow access to more substories.
41. Two-Headed Bomb
Chapter 4
Once you have won the Cerberus Cup in Dragon Kart a special race will become available. Surprise, surprise, it’s this substory. If you’ve been upgrading your kart after winning races, this will be a simple race to win. The track will be familiar, even if it is covered in a fog this time.
Just win, but if you’re not confident, do some other races before in order to upgrade your Kart as much as possible.
42. The Rocket Girls
Chapter 4
Like above, only unlockable after Yakuza substory 41, and the Pegasus Cup has been completed. All I can say is use whatever Kart you’re comfortable with and upgrade it as best you can.
43. The Data Drifter
Chapter 4
More of the same. Make sure to have completed the other race stories and beat the Phoenix Kart. Use your best Kart, and win.
44. Biker Blitz
Chapter 4
You know the drill by now. Win this race.
45. One Hell Of A Racer
Chapter 15
After doing all the other races speak to the man on the bench across from the Dragon Kart building. Challenge him to a race and win. This one is pretty easy.
46. The World Is My Racetrack
Chapter 15
After beating the Dragon cup you can speak to the Dragon Kart organizer and race him. This race is definitely more challenging, and you’ll need to make sure your Kart is the best it can be. Just be sure to race as cleanly as you can and grab all the boosts. It’s harder, but still easily achievable. A rewarding end to a great Yakuza mini-game.
47. Girl Of My Dreams
Chapter 15
Make sure to have Ichiban’s style stat maxed out to 10 and have the bond for Saeko at level 5. Talk to her at Survive to begin your intimate relationship and complete the substory.
48. Shared Vision
Chapter 15
As above, but with Eri who joins the party once your company makes it into the top 100 rankings. To get the bond level to 5 Ichiban Holdings will need to become the top business. Ichiban’s kindness will also need to be at level 10. Once you meet the requirements, head to survive, and get it done.
49. Certified Lover
Chapter 15
To complete the relationship substory for Miyakoshi you will have to pass all 21 tests over at the vocational school. This isn’t cheap, but can at least be done throughout the adventure. Once Ichiban is a regular genius make sure to grab 16 bouquets of lilies to give to her.
These can be acquired by either combining single lilies (grown or bought), or buying them from the flower seller if you’re feeling flush.
The max stat needed this time is intellect, but once it is maxed out you can start giving her the lilies to finish the substory. Like the Romance workshop, this is done in three parts.
50. Pillow Chat
Chapter 15
Once again, done in three parts and you’ll need 16 bouquets of roses, either combined from single roses or purchased. You will also need to have had 16 party chats where your party talk to each other whilst walking around.
The target of affections is Iroha Yanagi at Survive bar. Max your charisma stat and give her gifts of roses three times.
51. The Real Me
Chapter 15
This time you need 16 bouquets of pansies and must have changed Ichiban to all his jobs at Hello Work. Get the confidence stat to the max and you can then woo Ririka at Hello Work.
Meet the requirements, and give the gifts.
52. The Lone Survivor
Chapter 15
To make things simple, complete all the other substories before heading to the Survive bar. Go upstairs and watch events play out. With that, your substory adventure is over.
Once the 52 substories are done you’re one step closer to that elusive 100% completion. I believe in you.
Be sure to let me know your thoughts on Yakuza: Like A Dragon in the comments, and if you haven’t played it yet, you shouldn’t be here, but you can read our review here.