So, you're stuck in Inazuma. Or maybe you're just bored and looking for a way to break the game’s early-game borders because the "Decree" is annoying. Most people think getting off Ritou is just a matter of finishing the main Archon Quest. They’re wrong. There’s a weird, slightly janky piece of world design known as the Ritou road Genshin players use to bypass guards or just explore for the sake of it. It’s basically a literal hole in the wall.
When Genshin Impact version 2.0 dropped, everyone was obsessed with the Sakoku Decree. It was a genuine wall for players. You couldn't leave the island without a travel permit. If you tried to swim for it? Teleported back. Tried to bridge with Kaeya? Lightning strikes you down. But the developers left a small, arguably intentional "backdoor" behind a specific hut that leads to a secret tunnel. It’s one of those classic "hidden in plain sight" things that feels like a developer prank.
Where is the Ritou Road Anyway?
Finding it isn't hard if you know where to look. Head to the south side of Ritou. There’s a small, unassuming house tucked away from the main thoroughfare. Look behind it. You’ll see a bunch of foliage and a literal trapdoor/hole situation. If you interact with it, you get transported to a completely different part of Narukami Island.
This isn't just a glitch. It’s a scripted interaction. The game actually prompts you to "View" or "Enter," and suddenly, you're on a cliffside overlooking the ocean, far away from the Kanjou Commission guards who were breathing down your neck five minutes ago. Honestly, it’s kinda funny how much effort the Shogunate put into guarding the docks while leaving a giant teleportation hole behind a shed.
The Secret Achievement You Probably Missed
Doing this actually rewards you. If you follow the path through the tunnel and reach the other side, you unlock a hidden achievement called "Hello! Anyone in here...?" It’s a 5-primogem win, which isn’t much, but it’s the principle of the thing. You also find a small camp with some scattered notes. These notes belong to a researcher named Harrison.
Harrison is basically the MVP for players who hate bureaucracy. He’s been using this secret path to smuggle goods and avoid the tax-heavy eyes of the Kanjou Commission. If you talk to him, he’s a bit jumpy, but he confirms the lore: Ritou is a gilded cage, and this tunnel is the only way for "unauthorized" people to breathe a little bit of fresh Narukami air.
Why Does This Matter for New Players?
In 2026, with Teyvat being as massive as it is, players are rushing to get to Fontaine, Natlan, and beyond. Inazuma is often seen as a speed bump. The Ritou road Genshin discovery is huge for those who want to unlock Statues of the Seven or grab local specialties like Sakura Blooms before the story technically allows them to roam free.
Think about it. You need those materials to level up characters like Ayaka or Raiden Shogun. If you’re gated by a three-hour questline just to walk across a bridge, you’re going to get frustrated. This secret route lets you skip the "official" exit process for a moment. You can’t skip the whole Archon Quest—the game still won't let you progress the main story—but you can at least go explore Mt. Yougou or the Grand Narukami Shrine without a permit.
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Breaking Down the Interaction
The interaction is a bit "old school" Genshin design.
- Go to the hut located at the southern tip of Ritou (near the edge of the map).
- Look for the campfire and the small hole in the ground behind the building.
- Stand over it until the "View" prompt appears.
- Watch as your character disappears into the ground and re-emerges on a beach on the main island.
It’s basically a "teleport without a waypoint." Once you're out, you can run toward Konda Village. Just be careful—if you haven't finished the "Ritou Escape Plan" quest, some NPCs might still treat you like a fugitive, and certain bridges might have guards that reset your position if they spot you. It’s a bit of a stealth mission.
Misconceptions About the "Glitch"
A lot of people on Reddit and Discord call this a "glitch." It's definitely not.
If it were a glitch, there wouldn't be a dedicated achievement for it. There wouldn't be localized text for Harrison’s notes. This was a deliberate "Easter egg" for players who actually explore the corners of the map instead of just following the golden waypoint on their screen.
Another common myth is that you can use this to skip the entire Inazuma introduction. You can't. You still have to arrive in Inazuma via the Alcor with Beidou and Kazuha. You can’t just ice-bridge from Liyue (well, you can, but the lightning will probably kill you before you get halfway there). The Ritou road is strictly for getting off the starting island once you've already legally arrived in the country.
The Lore Connection
Genshin’s world-building is top-tier because of stuff like this. The Sakoku Decree wasn't just a plot point; it was a gameplay mechanic. By providing a secret way out, HoYoverse showed that the Decree was flawed. Even in a nation "locked down" by a literal God, human ingenuity (and a shovel) can find a way through. Harrison represents the black market that inevitably pops up when a government tries to shut its borders.
It also ties into the "Old Ways" of Inazuma. The tunnel feels weathered. It’s not a new construction. It suggests that people have been sneaking in and out of Ritou long before the Traveler showed up. It adds a layer of grime and realism to a city that otherwise looks like a pristine postcard.
Strategy: Using the Road for Efficient Farming
If you just pulled a character that needs Inazuma materials but your World Level is low, use this.
Forget the quest dialogue for an hour.
Go through the tunnel.
Head north.
Grab the Naku Weeds and Sakura Blooms.
Then, go back and finish the quest whenever you feel like sitting through twenty minutes of dialogue about tea and taxes.
Actually, speaking of taxes, the Kanjou Commission is notorious for the "600,000 Mora" bribe attempt early in the quest. While you can't bypass that specific cutscene using the road, having the freedom to leave Ritou early makes the whole "being trapped" vibe feel a lot less oppressive. You're not trapped; you're just choosing to play along with their little game.
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Expert Tips for Navigation
Don't just run blindly once you exit the tunnel.
Narukami Island is denser than you think. There are several Nobushi camps nearby that can be a pain if you're underleveled.
Also, keep an eye on the sky. If you haven't cleared the "Orobashi's Legacy" or similar weather-related quests in other parts of Inazuma, the lightning strikes are a real threat. The Ritou road gets you to the main island, but it doesn't grant you immunity from the Shogun’s wrath.
Check the campfire near the exit point of the tunnel.
There’s often a chest or some investigation points there that give you easy artifacts or 1-star weapons. It’s not much for an end-game player, but for someone just starting their Inazuma journey, every bit of fodder helps for leveling up that Dull Blade (hopefully you're using something better by now, though).
Practical Steps to Maximize the Secret
To get the most out of the Ritou secret, follow these specific steps:
- Locate the Hut: It's the one furthest south on the Ritou sub-island, slightly hidden by trees.
- Trigger the Achievement: You must interact with the "View" prompt behind the house first. If you just walk around it, the achievement might not trigger.
- Investigate the Camp: Once you are teleported to the other side, find the small camp with the interactable notes. This is where the lore "lives."
- Talk to Harrison: He won't always be there depending on your quest progress, but if he is, he provides context for the tunnel's existence.
- Set a Portable Waypoint: If you have them crafted, dropping one on the Narukami side before you've officially cleared the quest can save you from having to use the tunnel repeatedly.
Final Take on the Ritou Road
The Ritou road Genshin secret is a reminder of why we play open-world games. It’s not about the destination; it’s about the weird hole in the ground we found along the way. Whether you're an achievement hunter or just a rebel who wants to defy the Sakoku Decree, this tunnel is a mandatory stop in your Inazuma playthrough. It breaks the monotony of the early "escort the cargo" quests and gives you a taste of the freedom that defines the rest of the game.
Go find the hole. Get your primogems. Tell the Kanjou Commission to keep their permits. You've got a secret tunnel and an island to explore.