Like a Dragon Ishin: Bonds Like a Dragon Ishin guide, tips

Ryoma can make friends with people and animals encountered in the city. This page of the guide to Like a Dragon Ishin explains where they are, what needs to be done to develop a relationship with them, and what rewards await for doing so.

Last update: 08 March 2023

On this page of our Like a Dragon: Ishin guide, we show how to make friends (create Bonds) with people and animals. We've listed the most important information required - where to find them and what to do to deepen the bond. Finally, our guide shows what rewards are there for reaching maximum level of the Bond with the given character.

• Basic information about the Bond mechanic
• Servile Beggar
• Hungry Sumo Wrestler
• Revolutionary Chef
• Love-Starved Husband
• Sword Nut
• Battery Defender
• Amnesiac
• Oblivious Woman
• Veggie-Loving Boy
• Desperate Fisherman
• Injured Grandma
• Mysterious Merchant
• Sexy Madam
• Junk Boy
• Trash Dealer
• Woodcutter
• Frequently Lost Courier
• Patient Dog
• Injured Dog
• Barking Dog
• Hungry Cat
• Filthy Cat
• Lucky Cat

Basic information about the Bond mechanic

To initiate a Bond, most of the time you need to complete a related Substory first. After the quest is complete, Bond is initiated, and you can further it by giving the characters items they need. Sometimes, a new level of Bond is reached through a battle if the given character needs defending. Some relations are closely related to the associated mini-games.

To get information regarding your Friendships and Bonds, visit Diligence Records from the menu and choose Friendships tab.

There are a total of 23 Bonds. Some of these require spending major cash, so it's worth waiting with furthering them until you beat the main story, as you'll be rewarded with 200 Ryo. This is because sometimes you have to spend a lot to be able to further develop the Bond (buying or crafting needed items). Nevertheless, continue to develop Bonds during breaks from the main story. They are a good source of Virtue points, which is a currency that can be used to improve your hero - for example, increase his inventory size, develop the farm ( Another Life ) or improve his sprint duration.

Servile Beggar

Servile Beggar can be found in the northern part of the Mukurogai district , near the gate leading to Rakugai.

Location - Interactive Map: Servile Beggar

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #34 - The Servile Beggar

To further the bond with Servile Beggar, you need to give him food items (either bought at stores or prepared on your farm). After each delivery, go do something else or rest so the Bond can continue.

After the fourth delivery, Servile Beggar will dissapear from his usual spot. You can find him in East Umekojicho Street in Rakugai (near Scarecrow Chateau) - once found, interact with him. Completing the Bond will be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue points and Precise Machinery.

Hungry Sumo Wrestler

You can find Hungry Sumo Wrestler in Rakunai on the bridge near South Teramachi Street.

Location - Interactive Map: Hungry Sumo Wrestler

Availability: From Chapter 5.

Related Substory: #12 - The Hungry Sumo Wrestler

To develop the Bond with Hungry Sumo Wrestler, you need to bring him food. It can be food bought at a store, vegetables, or prepared dishes. After each delivery, go rest so the Bond can be continued. Once the bond reaches Ozeki level, the wrestler will ask for the final meal. After delivering it, spend some time elsewhere and return to talk to him. Completing this Bond yields 1,500 Virtue Points.

Revolutionary Chef

Revolutionary Chef can be found in Gion, not far from Kasuga restaurant.

Location - Interactive Map: Revolutionary Chef

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #58 - The Revolutionary Chef

Revolutionary Chef craves meals prepared on the farm. In this case, you don't have to rest between visits - you can give him everything in one go, provided you have the needed dishes in your inventory. To complete the Bond, you need to deliver 4 meals, and after delivering the final one, you need to go rest. After spending some time, return to the Chef to learn a new recipe and obtain 1,500 Virtue points.

Love-Starved Husband

You can find Love-Starved Husband on Teramachi Street in Rakunai (near the river). The fastest way of reaching him is taking a palanquin ride to Rakugai (Kamo River), but to be able to do that, you need to max out the Bond with the Palanquin Bearer.

Location - Interactive Map: Love-Starved Husband

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #13 - The Love-Starved Husband

Love-Starved Husband craves meals made on the farm. In all, you have to deliver 5 meals, and unfortunately, you need to rest after each delivery. Completing this Bond yields 1,500 Virtue Points.

Sword Nut

You can find Sword Nut in eastern Rakugai, on Sannocho street east of Scarecrow Chateau and not far from the gate to Mukurogai. The fastest way of reaching him is taking a palanquin ride to Rakugai (Kamo River), but to be able to do that, you need to max out the Bond with the Palanquin Bearer.

Location - Interactive Map: Sword Nut

Availability: From Chapter 3.

Related Substory: #25 - The Sword Nut

The Bond with Sword Nut begins after he accosts you on the street wanting Ryoma to show his sword. To further it, you need to bring the following weapons (you need to craft them at a blacksmith).

1. Ebony Sword (ingredients: 1x Nameless Blade, 1x Crooked Magnet, 5x Iron Scrap),
2. Yaksha Blade (ingredients: 1x Ebony Sword, 1x Picture of a Ghost, 5x Metal Sheet),
3. Vulpecula (ingredients: 1x Handy Blade, 1x Beautiful Leaf, 5x Metal Sheet),
4. King of Beasts (ingredients: 1x Vulpecula, 1x Emerald, 5x Precious Steel / it will find its way to your inventory once the main story is completed).

Your reward is 1,500 Virtue points and Tunasmith sword.

Battery Defender

You can find Battery Defender on South Umekojicho in Rakugai, not far from the gate to Fushimi.

Location - Interactive Map: Battered Defender

Availability: From Chapter 5.

Related Substory: #26 - The Battered Defender

During the first encounter, you'll take part in combat alongside him, with the next encounters, you have to bring him healing items - the better their quality, the less of them you need to give (e.g. 3 Deluxe Vitality Pills). You need to rest on the farm between each delivery. The final phase of the Bond sees you talk to the Defender - your reward will be 1,500 Virtue points.

Amnesiac

You can find Amnesiac on the way to the temple which is accessed from Sannocho in Rakugai. The fastest way of reaching him is taking a palanquin ride to Rakugai (Kamo River), but to be able to do that, you need to max out the Bond with the Palanquin Bearer.

Location - Interactive Map: Amnesiac

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #65 - The Amnesiac

To further the bond with Amnesiac, you need to give him a healing item at each visit. The better the item, the less you will have to use it (e.g. 3x Deluxe Vitality Pill). Each time you deliver a healing item, you'll be rewarded with an item (Solid Wood, Sturdy Lumber, Thousand-Year Tree Branch, and Sacred Wood). After delivering enough items, talk to Amnesiac once again to complete the Bond. Completing this bond is rewarded with 1,500 Virtue Points.

Oblivious Woman

You can find Oblivious Woman in the central part of Rakunai, next to Karasuma Street near the Palanquin.

Location - Interactive Map: Oblivious Woman

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #14 - The Oblivious Woman

Oblivious Woman craves vegetables. Give them at every visit until the Bond is completed. After each delivery, you need to spend some time somewhere else. The reward for completing the bond will be 1,500 Virtue points and 3 Ryo.

Veggie-Loving Boy

You can find Veggie-Loving Boy in Mibu, not far from the entrance to Rakunai.

Location - Interactive Map: Veggie-Loving Boy

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #66 - The Boy Who Loves Veggies

You need to bring Veggie-Loving Boy vegetables. These can be bought from a shop or grown at the farm.

Deliver vegetables a few times, then his next order will be Refreshing Vegetable Salad, which can be prepared in the kitchen at the farm. The screenshot above shows the recipe for the salad.

It is important to prepare it as best as you can, as the item you're looking to get is the Premium Refreshing Vegetable Salad. To have an easier time cooking, buy the necessary upgrades for Virtue points. We are talking about Cooking Success Rate: Godly which costs 8000 Virtue.

After delivering the premium salad, all that remains is to go rest or spend some time elsewhere and talk to the boy one last time. Completing this bond is rewarded with 1,500 Virtue Points.

Desperate Fisherman

You can find Desperate Fisherman in south-eastern Fushimi, on Shinmachi street to be exact.

Location - Interactive Map: Desperate Fisherman

Availability: From Chapter 2.

Related Substory: #50 - The Desperate Fisherman

Desperate Fisherman expects you to deliver him fish - it can be caught one or bought at a store. Deliver fish at each visit until the Bond is completed. Completing this bond is rewarded with 1,500 Virtue Points.

Injured Grandma

You can find Injured Grandma in south-eastern Rakunai, on Shinmeicho street to be exact.

Location - Interactive Map: Injured Grandma

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #15 - The Injured Grandma

To be able to start a bond with this character, you need to complete Substory #15 (The Injured Grandma) first. The task involves convincing her to return home. From now on, you can visit the woman and help her. She will ask you for certain items. These are Ointment (purchased at the Don Quijote), All-Purpose Medicine (Ecchudo Pharmancy) and Yokan (Don Quijote).

After completing all of the favors, sleep on the farm and then return to the woman to complete the Bond. Completing this bond is rewarded with 1,500 Virtue Points.

Mysterious Merchant

You can find Mysterious Merchant in south-west Rakugai (West Umekojicho). He is hiding in a shed not far from Rakugai Arms Dealer and nearby well.

Location - Interactive Map: Mysterious Merchant

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #27 - The Mysterious Merchant

The Bond starts with selling 10 Tomatoes to him. Your next deliveries should be Loincloth (Rakugai Arms Dealer), Scrap Paper , Natto (Rakunai Fermented Goods Store), and Ginseng (you can e.g. farm it). After each delivery, you need to rest or spend some time somewhere else. Successful completion of the Bond nets 1,500 Virtue Points and unlocks the ability to shop with him .

Sexy Madam

You can find Sexy Madam in Gion, underneath one of the trees near Kitchen Aoba.

Location - Interactive Map: Sexy Madam

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substories: #59 - The Sexy Madam

The first item Sexy Madam needs is a Cucumber. During the next meetings, you'll be asked to deliver Carrot, Eggplant, Daikon, and Pumpkin . Each brought item is reciprocated with a reward, and these are Vitality Pill, Passion Pill, All-Purpose Medicine, Deluxe Vitality Pill, Gold Plate, and finally 1,500 Virtue Points.

Junk Boy

You can find Junk Boy in eastern Fushimi, right behind Teradaya Inn between two buildings.

Location - Interactive Map: Junk Boy

Availability: From Chapter 2.

Related Substory: #51 - The Junk Boy

Junk Boy asks for any item. It is best to give him Scrap Paper, which is the lowest reward in the lottery. Whatever you bring, he will be extremely pleased with it. Rest after every encounter until the final time, when you won't have to bring anything and the link will be completed. Completing this bond is rewarded with 1,500 Virtue Points.

Trash Dealer

You can find Trash Dealer in northern Mukurogai, not far from the Rakugai gate.

Location - Interactive Map: Trash Dealer

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #35 - The Trash Dealer

Trash Dealer expects any item - keep bringing those until the Bond bar is full. It is best to give stuff like Scrap Paper. When the Bond bar is filled almost completely, you'll have to solve a problem, but it only involves listening to the dialogue. Completing this Bond yields 1,500 Virtue Points.

Woodcutter

You can find Woodcutter in western Fushimi, not far from Palanquin on South Yashikimachi street.

Location - Interactive Map: Wood Cutter

Availability: From Chapter 2.

Related Substory: #52 - The Wood Cutter

To complete the bond with Woodcutter, you need to cut 300 pieces of wood. This is done through a Woodchopping mini-game - you have to cut 100 pieces at each run. After chopping enough pieces, return to the farm and rest. After 3 such runs, the Bond will be completed, and you get to reap the rewards: 1,500 Virtue points, Ancient Amulet, and Broken Compass.

Frequently Lost Courier

You can find Frequently Lost Courier in eastern Fushimi, on Shimachi street not far from Teradaya Inn.

Location - Interactive Map: Frequently Lost Courier

Availability: From Chapter 3.

Related Substory: #53 - The Frequently Lost Courier

After engaging in a few conversations with the courier, the Bond will be activated. He will ask you to help him deliver parcels. The recipient NPCs are in a few chosen locations.

One of them is in western Fushimi on Yashikicho street near jizo shrine. Successful delivery is rewarded with 5000 Mon.

Another package must be delivered to an NPC in Rakugai, on North Umekojicho street opposite Uji Tea Parlor. This delivery is rewarded with 6000 Mon.

Another recipient is in eastern Rakugai, on Kawamarachi street. Look for the Nichibuza dance school. Your recipient is left from the entrance to this building. Completed delivery means 8000 Mon.

The next stop is the second level of Mukurogai. You can find the recipient before the entrance to Tachibanagumi HQ. Your reward will be 1 Ryo.

You will receive the fifth package after some time passes (e.g. after resting on the farm). The final recipient is one of the locations mentioned above. If you are not sure where to deliver your next shipment, you can check its description in the Inventory -> Valuables tab.

After you deliver the sixth package, the Bond will be completed, rewarding you with 1,500 Virtue points and the delivering mini-game unlocked - you need to max it out to attain 100% completion of the game.

Patient Dog

You can find Patient Dog in western Fushimi, on Yashikimachi street between two stair levels. If you look at the map, its a location south from the Dojo.

Location - Interactive Map: Patient Dog

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #54 - The Patient Dog

Patient Dog expects food. It can be both items bought at the store or prepared at the farm - vegetables also count. After each treat, some time will have to pass (e.g. by resting on the farm). After that, you can name the dog and adopt him. There is also a reward for completing the Bond - 1,500 Virtue Points. More on adopting can be found here.

Injured Dog

You can find Injured Dog in northern Mukurogai, on Mukurogai First Floor to be exact.

Location - Interactive Map: Injured Dog

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #36 - The Injured Dog

Injured Dog requires healing items - give them to him until the Bond is completed. Remember to rest after each brought item so that the Bond can evolve. During the final meeting, you'll help the dog solve a problem. After the Bond is completed, you'll be able to name the dog and adopt him. In addition, you will receive 1,500 Virtue Points. More on adopting can be found here.

Barking Dog

You can find Barking Dog in south-eastern Rakunai, on Teramachi street near Ebius Pawn Rakunai.

Location - Interactive Map: Barking Dog

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #16 - The Barking Dog

To befriend Barking Dog, you need to bring him Bones on 3 occasions (these can be found randomly lying on the ground or bought at shops) - after each delivery, you need to pass some time e.g. you can rest at the farm. After the Bond is completed, you'll be able to name the dog and adopt him. More information regarding Barking Dog and other animals can be found here.

Hungry Cat

You can find Hungry Cat in central Rakugai, on East Umekojicho street between two rows of buildings.

Location - Interactive Map: Hungry Cat

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory : #28 - The Hungry Cat

You can make friends with the cat by giving it fish, but unfortunately you can't do it all at once - after each visit, some time must pass (e.g. by resting on the farm). Up to a certain point, he will be satisfied with any, but with time he will become more demanding - he will ask for Sea Bream, which, fortunately, can be bought. The last fish is even worse - the cat will want Tuna, which can only be obtained by catching it.

To catch bluefin tuna, it's best to equip yourself with the best fishing rod (Peerless Pole - you can buy it at any Virtue shrine) and the best bait (Top-Grade Bait). Once the preparations are complete, you can use the Fisherman's boat in Fushimi to travel to East Coast, apply the bait, and hunt fish with the largest silhouettes.

Delivering Tuna completes the Bond - from that moment, you'll be able to name the cat and adopt it. In addition, you will receive 1,500 Virtue Points. To learn more about adopting, visit here.

Filthy Cat

You can find Filthy Cat in south-central Fushimi, next to the river.

Location - Interactive Map: Filthy Cat

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substory: #55 - The Filthy Cat

All you have to do in this case is meet and interact with the cat a few times. After the Bond has been completed, you'll be able to name the cat and adopt it to live on the farm. In addition , you will receive 1,500 Virtue Points. More information on adopting and other pets can be found here.

Lucky Cat

You can find Lucky Cat in western Rakunai on Karasuma Street near Ryo-Satsuma Consulate.

Location - Interactive Map: Lucky Cat

Availability: From Chapter 4.

Related Substories: #17 - The Lucky Cat

Each time you interact with the cat, you need to give him some money - he will take more with each visit. At some point, you'll have to fight on his behalf. After the Bond is completed, you'll be able to name the cat and adopt it to live on the farm.