Shenmue - exploring the Hazuki Residence, all flashback locations
How to exploring the Hazuki Residence and see every flashback.
The first thing you do Shenmue is wake up in the Hazuki Residence, which is where you start and end each of your day throughout the game.
This page explains the steps you need to take at the start of the game - including to find how to find the dojo location - as well as the location of all the items you can find at a glance, without having to rummage through every room yourself.
The Hazuki Residence is also home to several flashbacks, which are attached to several Trophies or Achievements, depending on the version you're playing.
On this page:
If you're looking for help with other parts of the game, our Shenmue guide and walkthrough and list of Shenmue tips can help.
Exploring the Hazuki Residence
After the opening cutscenes, you'll control our hero Ryo in his bedroom.
Flick through the notebook to get up to speed, then press back (Circle on PlayStation, B on Xbox or Dreamcast) to position the camera behind him.
Now's a good time to get accustomed to investigating items up close. Everything in this room can be looked at closer, and there's several optional things to find.
Pressing the left trigger will allow you to zoom in and look at something (as our Shenmue tips suggests, it's worth swapping the controllers over so zoom is on the right - but that might be personal preference). You'll want to focus first on the desk, and move the stick until you lock onto a cassette tape. Press the X button on PlayStation, or A on Xbox or Dreamcast, to investigate the object. Press it again to pick it up, giving you the 'Shenmue' tape.
There are a few other things to find in here too - investigate the drawers of this desk to find three objects, one in each - the 'Cassette Player', the 'Photo of Friends' and 'Sha Hua' tape.
When ready, leave the room for a cutscene with Ine-san. She'll give you an allowance of 500 yen. You'll receive this every day when you leave the house, giving you a reliable flow of income for the game's many activities.
Before you leave, there are a bunch of other optional things to find in the house. While we recommend you take your time and explore in your own time - which is part of the fun of Shenmue - at a glance you can collect or interact with the following:
In Fuku-san's room (turn right then left out of your room) to find the 'Shadow Reaper' move scroll on the desk
Under the TV, inside the cabinet is a Sega Saturn. Yes, it may have technically not existed before the game's 80s setting, but don't let that ruin the fun. You can collect Sega Saturn games to play on it later.
In the prayer room (on the north-side of the house) you can find a Box of Matches and Candles next to the altar and right drawer respectively.
At the back of the prayer room, open the sliding door and look inside the basket on the left for the 'Twin Blades' move scroll.
In Iwao's room (at the furthest end of the house) there's an optional cutscene by investigating the letter on the desk. You can also find a 'Mysterious Key' in the drawer here - this is needed much later in the game, but there's no harm picking it up now.
Finally, before you leave, use the house phone near the front door and call the police on 110 to earn a missable Trophies and Achievement.
When you are done, leave the house to arrive in the yard.
Dojo location
When you are outside of the Hazuki residence, turn left and follow the path around the outside to find the dojo.
Enter the dojo, and after the cutscene with Fuku-san, you'll be tasked with asking around for information.
This is your cue to leave the residence and head towards Yamanose, which is the gate opposite where you enter and exit the house. As you do, you'll come across a Kitten, and following that in Sakuragaoka, the Yamamoto House and Yamagishi locations and searching for the Black Car.
After some more Shenmue tips? Our full Shenmue walkthrough will guide you through ever step of the main story, from the Three Blades, to where to find Charlie, Warehouse No 8 and where to use the Mysterious Key. And, of course, exactly where to find sailors. We also have pages on Shemue's various extracurricular activities, like feeding the kitten, winning forklift races, Shenmue flashback locations, a full Shenmue Trophy and Achievements and Capsule Toys lists, too.
Shenmue flashback locations
Before you continue, it's worth noting the Hazuki residence are several flashbacks - memories of Ryo and his father - which you can discover by interacting with certain objects.
In the Dreamcast original these were optional story moments, while in the remasters they have Trophies and Achievements attached - making them all the more important to find.
Yummy Meal: Look at the chopsticks on the kitchen table.
Simpler Times: Before you enter the dojo, you can approach the tree in the corner.
Treasure Your Friends: When you are in the Dojo, go left and look at the banner up above.
Note the above might only be available at the start of the game. If so, you can create a new save file - it won't take five minutes to watch and unlock them.