Like a Dragon Ishin: Friendships - Shops Like a Dragon Ishin guide, tips

Ryoma can develop friendships with employees located in the city. This page of the guide to Like a Dragon Ishin explains where such people are located, what needs to be done to develop a relationship with them, and what rewards await for doing so.

Last update: 03 March 2023

On this page of our guide to Like a Dragon Ishin you'll learn how to establish Friendships with service providers. We've listed the most important information required - where to find them and what to do to deepen the bond. We've also included the rewards acquired for maxing out the Friendship with each available person.

• Important information regarding establishing Friendships
• Utamaruya Owner
• Umai Udon Owner
• Maijo-sensei
• Shinto Priest
• Akari
• Hanamaru Udon Employee
• Anna
• Mahjong House Residents
• Shogi Parlor Owner
• Cho-Han Dealer
• Chicken Race Receptionist
• Ichikura Owner
• Sushi Zanmai Chef
• Fukufuku Pub Owner
• Ecchudo Apothecary
• Uji Tea Parlor Girl
• Don Quijote Employee
• Ebisu Pawnbroker
• Kasuga Okami
• Kitchen Aoba Chef
• Greengrocer
• Rakugai Arms Dealer
• Palanquin Bearer
• Momokawa Brothers

Important information regarding establishing Friendships

You can start establishing Friendships with service workers after using their services - shopping or eating a meal. After doing so, you must repeat that step until maxing out the Friendship. Some Friendships are started by completing a side quest. Sometimes you'll need to bring them specific items or fight in their defense.

You'll find information about available Friendships in the Diligence Records menu, more specifically in the Friendships (Shops) tab.

There are 24 Friendships available in total. It can be worth it to wait until the postgame before completing them all, due to the reward for beating the main story: 200 ryo. This is due to some of the Bonds being rather expensive (such as shops, dance school). They're still worth taking care of while playing through the game though, even if only occasionally. They're a good source of Virtue, a currency which can be spent on increasing inventory capacity, purchasing items from the Shinto Priest, better fishing rods or expanding our farm (Another Life).

Here are some especially useful Friendships:

1. Palanquin Bearer - maxing out this Friendship unlocks fast travel to Mukurogai (the boat east of the Teradaya Inn in Fukushima).
2. Ecchudo Apothecary - maxing out this Friendship rewards you with a Longevity Pill, the best healing item in the game. It will also be added to the Apothecary's wares (at the price of 8,000 mon).
3. Arms Dealer - maxing out this Friendship rewards you with a rare crafting item and unlocks new purchasable weapons.
4. Cho-Han Dealer - maxing out this Friendship unlocks an easy money-making method. You can now bet much more cash (10 ryo) and thus earn much more as well. There's no big risk involved either, as you can save the game outside of combat at any time.

Utamaruya Owner

The Utamaruya Owner is located in the northern part of the Fushimi district, in the Utamaruya near the gate to the Rakugai district, on the North Fushimi Ichibangai street.

Map link: Utamaruya Owner

Talk to the owner and start one of the songs. After finishing it, he'll ask you to befriend him. From now on, the Friendship bar will increase whenever you sing a song. We recommend saying goodbye to him after every song rather than extend the session - this will fill up the bar much faster.

At some point you'll need to put in a very good performance (at least 80 points) because of some music gate keepers. Choose one of the easier available songs, such as Baka Mitai.

This is still not the end, though. On your next visit, you'll have to battle several enemies to prove your point. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and a Phoenix Feather.

Umai Udon Owner

Umai Udon is located in the middle of the Fushimi district, on the Fushimi Ichibangai street.

Map link: Umai Udon Owner

Talk to the owner and enjoy one of his meals. He'll try to befriend you afterwards.

After developing the relationship a bit, you'll unlock a mini-game during which you'll have to serve customers. You must memorize button combinations and input them within the time limit - each subsequent combination is more complex and gives you less time to react. Getting high scores will quickly fill out the meter. At the end of the questline you'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue.

Maijo-sensei

Head to the north-eastern part of Rakunai, to Kawaramachi Street. You'll find the Nichibuza dance school there.

Map link: Maijo-sensei

Before you can start building up the Friendship, you must first complete the #1 Nichibuza's Newest Fan side quest located near the dance school. It requires you to defeat a thug menacing the owner. Afterwards, agree to a dance lesson. Complete it to establish a Friendship with Maijo.

You must dance to some more songs to fill the Friendship bar. At some point you'll be asked to participate in a competition. Winning isn't easy, as you'll need to pass a hard-level dance (thankfully only once). Succeed to max out the Friendship, being rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and Solid Wood.

Shinto Priest

The Shinto Priest is located in the northwestern part of the Rakunai District, in a temple on Karasuma Street.

Map link: Shinto Priest

Before establishing the Friendship, you must first unlock the priest's shop by spending 500 Virtue at a shrine (in the Virtue tab). Once you've done that, go see the Priest and make the purchase - a couple of his cheapest items each visit will do.

At the end of the questline you'll need to chase a thief. If you ever lose track of him, you'll have a minute to search five possible hiding spots. Finding the villain completes the Friendship. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and a reputation increase.

Akari

Akari is located in the northwestern part of the Rakunai District, in a temple on Karasuma Street.

Map link: Akari

You can start talking to Akari from Chapter 4 onward. Talk to her to build up the Friendship - this can only be done once per day. We recommend going to sleep after each conversation. Fortunately, there's a palanquin nearby you can use to quickly get to your hideout.

Eventually, Akari will feel poorly and ask you for medicine (any medicine will do). After giving her some, talk to her one last time the next day. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and Akari's Omusubi.

Hanamaru Udon Employee

Go to Hanamaru Udon in the middle of the Rakunai district on East Shijo Street.

Map link: Hanamaru Udon Employee

Maxing out this Friendship is easy, requiring only eating his meals. During one of the visits the chef will treat you to his specialty - it will appear in the menu, becoming purchasable during your subsequent visits. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue for completing the Friendship.

Anna

You'll find Anna in Gion, in a place called Yamabuki. First, talk to her boss at the front desk.

Map link: Anna

You must spend time with Anna by playing three available mini-games. The better you do, the faster the Friendship bar will fill. You must sleep in your hideout after each visit. Completing the Friendship rewards you with 1,500 Virtue.

Mahjong House Residents

The Mahjong House Residents are located in the southwestern part of the Mukurogai district, at the Mahjong Spot on the Mukurogai First Floor street. The easiest way to get there is by boat from near the Teradaya Inn in Fukushima. For this to be possible, you must have maxed your Friendship with the Palanquin Bearer.

Map link: Mahjong House Residents

After playing your first game the owner will talk to you. Afterwards play some more games (you don't need to finish them), then leave the building. Each time you get near the door, you'll trigger a cutscene - until, eventually, you'll be able to leave unimpeded.

Once that happens, go to sleep and return to the Mahjong Spot - you'll be invited to the Advanced Table. Play one more game there to receive 1,500 Virtue and a Charming Doll.

Shogi Parlor Owner

The Shogi Parlor Owner is located in the Shogi Parlor in the south-central part of the Rakunai district, on Shinmeicho street.

Map link: Shogi Parlor Owner

After playing a game, the owner (also called the Receptionist) will talk to you. Each subsequent game fills up the Friendship bar - the entire questline can be completed in a single visit (you don't need to sleep in-between visits).

Eventually, you'll be asked to play a game against a specific opponent. Regardless of the result, this completes the Friendship. You'll be rewarded 1,500 Virtue and a Tear of the Dragon.

Cho-Han Dealer

The Cho-Han Dealer is located at the Gambling Den in Rakugai, on Sannocho Street, right next to the palanquin.

Map link: Cho-Han Dealer

You must find her in the back of the premises (where the most players are).

She'll talk to you after you play a game with her and then try to leave the building. From now on, each subsequent game raises the Friendship bar. We recommend always finishing after a single round - this raises the meter much faster.

Eventually, the stakes will be raised much, much higher (10 ryo). Regardless of whether you win or lose, this completes the Friendship. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue. If you win the game, you'll receive an additional valuable prize. Remember you can save the game beforehand and keep trying until you succeed.

Chicken Race Receptionist

You'll find the Chicken Race Receptionist in the western part of the Rakugai district, at the Chicken Racing parlor on Umekojicho street.

Map link: Chicken Race Receptionist

Regardless of your placement in the wacky competitions, you'll still establish a Friendship with the receptionist. Each race fills up the bar. You don't need to sleep between visits, but we recommend finishing after a single race to speed up the process.

At the end, he'll ask you for a favor (bet on the Wondercrest or the Tosan Pride - you must go with your gut). You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and a Broken Compass.

Ichikura Owner

The Ichikura Owner is located in the middle of the Fushimi district, in the Ichikura General Goods store on the Fushimi Ichibangai street.

Map link: Ichikura Owner

Keep shopping (we recommend purchasing a single cheapest item each visit) until tasked with chasing a certain man. Catch him to complete the Friendship, being rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and a Crystal.

Sushi Zanmai Chef

The Sushi Zanmai Chef is located in the northern part of the Rakunai district, in Sushi Zanmai on Kawamarachi Street.

Map link: Sushi Zanmai Chef

Eat sushi at his place until he invites you for a special treat. Sleep, then come back. This completes the Friendship and rewards you with 1,500 Virtue.

Fukufuku Pub Owner

The Fukufuku Pub Owner is located in the middle of the Fushimi district, in the Fukufuku Pub on Fushimi Ichibangai street.

Map link: Fukufuku Pub Owner

Purchase his wares until you complete the Friendship. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and Nada Refined Sake.

Ecchudo Apothecary

The Ecchudo Apothecary is located in the northern part of the Rakunai district, in Ecchudo Pharmacy on Kawamarachi Street.

Map link: Ecchudo Apothecary

After talking to the owner you'll be asked to test out his medicine. Unfortunately, this is the only, quite unfavorable way to deepen this Friendship. Keep testing his invention until it succeeds - you'll need to sleep after each time (there's a palanquin nearby).

After the last test you'll receive 1,500 Virtue and a Longevity Pill. From now on you can purchase these pills at the Apothecary for 8,000 mon. It's the best healing item in the game, fully restoring your HP and Heat.

Uji Tea Parlor Girl

The Uji Tea Parlor Girl is located in the western part of the Rakugai District, at the Uji Tea Parlor on West Umekojicho street.

Map link: Uji Tea Parlor Girl

Purchase her products until you'll need to help her out (defeat an enemy in combat). Solving the problem completes the Friendship. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue.

Don Quijote Employee

The Don Quijote Employee is located in the middle of the Rakunai district, in the Don Quijote store on Shijo Street.

Map link: Don Quijote Employee

Keep making purchases (the more items you buy at once, the faster the meter will fill up) until he tells you he doesn't have change. Someone will accost you when you try to leave the store.

Go outside, then left. You'll help the customer and can now return to the shopkeeper. You'll be rewarded with a Gold Plate and 1,500 Virtue Points.

Ebisu Pawnbroker

The Ebisu Pawnbroker is located in the eastern part of Rakunai, in the Ebisu Pawn Rakunai shop on East Shijo Street.

Map link: Ebisu Pawnbroker

You can deepen your Friendship with him by buying or selling goods. Keep doing this until he asks you a favor - finding the right customer.

You'll find him in the western part of Rakunai on Shinmeicho Street, in front of the Fermented Goods store. Return to Ebisu Pawn Rakunai to complete the friendship. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and a Platinum Chunk.

Kasuga Okami

The Kasuga Okami is located in the middle of the Gion District, in the Kasuga restaurant.

Link to the map: Kasuga Okami

Order food and drink until you're tasked with dealing with a rather troublesome fellow. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and a Fine Silk Fabric.

Kitchen Aoba Chef

The Kitchen Aoba Chef is located in the south part of the Gion district, in the Kitchen Aoba restaurant.

Map link: Kitchen Aoba Chef

Order food and drink until you fill out his Friendship bar. Midway through the process you'll be treated to a special meal of your choice, and at the end you'll be rewarded 1,500 Virtue.

Greengrocer

The Greengrocer is located in the middle of Fushimi district, on the Fushimi Ichibangai Street.

Map link: Greengrocer

Purchase vegetables from him until he asks you to bring him 10 carrots. Do so to complete the Friendship and receive 1,500 Virtue, as well as some Sturdy Lumber. Midway through this questline he'll also give you some free vegetables.

Rakugai Arms Dealer

The Rakugai Arms Dealer is located in the eastern part of the Rakugai district on West Umekojicho Street.

Map link: Rakugai Arms Dealer

Purchase his wares (preferably a single item per visit) until you max out the bar. You'll be rewarded with 1,500 Virtue and a Dragon Fang. You'll also gain access to the dealer's exclusive offers.

Palanquin Bearer

You can find palanquins all around the city. You'll most likely first encounter them in the southwestern part of the Fushimi district.

Map link: Palanquin Bearer

Make use of their services until you're attacked by a group of thugs. Defeat them to complete the Friendship. As a reward, you'll now be able to fast travel to Rakugai. You'll also receive 1,500 Virtue.

Momokawa Brothers

The Momokawa Brothers are located in the eastern part of the Rakunai district on East Shijo Street in the Shippoku Momokawa restaurant.

Map link: Momokawa Brothers

After eating enough meals, the brothers will announce a contest. Keep eating as usual until you trigger a cutscene, make your choice and earn your reward: 1,500 Virtue and a Broken Compass.