Prologue: The First Three Days (Majora’s Mask Walkthrough)

Table of Contents

• Prologue: The First Three Days: Navigating Clock Town and initial objectives.
• Woodfall Region: Deku Palace exploration and Woodfall Temple guide.
• Snowhead Region: Goron Village challenges and Snowhead Temple walkthrough.
• Great Bay Region: Zora Hall quests and Great Bay Temple strategies.
• Ikana Canyon: Ancient Castle of Ikana and Stone Tower Temple solutions.
• Final Confrontation: Preparations and strategies for facing Majora.

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As you ride through the misty woods on Epona, searching for your lost friend, Navi, a sudden disturbance shatters the quiet. Two mischievous fairies, Tatl and Tael, appear out of nowhere, startling your horse. Epona rears up in fright, throwing you to the ground with a heavy thud. Before you can recover, a strange figure emerges from the shadows—a Skull Kid wearing a mysterious mask. He approaches, rummaging through your belongings, and finds the Ocarina of Time. With a few playful notes, he begins to play, clearly amused by the instrument. Meanwhile, the fairies bicker in the background, adding to the chaos.

You regain consciousness, disoriented and frustrated. Spotting the Skull Kid with your Ocarina, you spring into action, but he’s quick. He leaps onto Epona and rides off, leaving you in the dust. Determined, you chase after him, but as you round a corner, you lose your grip and fall, watching helplessly as the Skull Kid escapes with both your horse and your Ocarina. The weight of the situation sinks in—you’ve been robbed, and the journey ahead just became much more complicated.

As you take control of Link, familiarize yourself with the basic controls:

• Analog Stick: Move Link around.
• A Button: Perform actions and interact with people and objects.
• B Button: Slash your sword.

To practice, approach nearby bushes and press the B button to slash them. This is an excellent way to gather rupees early in the game. You can leave the area and return to make the bushes respawn, allowing you to collect more rupees before proceeding.

Proceed through the stump where the Skull Kid disappeared. This area serves as a tutorial for jumping. Run towards a ledge, and Link will automatically jump, depending on how far you’re holding the Analog Stick. If you’ve played Ocarina of Time, you’ll notice Link’s stylish new flips.

After navigating the tutorial area, a cutscene will play where Link falls off a ledge and lands on a pink flower. The Skull Kid appears and makes a cryptic remark about Epona. He then sends you into a terrifying dream sequence. Upon waking, you’ll find yourself transformed into a Deku Scrub.

Your head is now disproportionately large compared to your body. Use the A button to spin and get accustomed to your new form. Approach the door and press A to enter. As you move forward, Tatl will catch up with you. She agrees to help you, at least until you confront the Skull Kid. Press Up-C (N64) or Right on the d-pad (3DS) when near something of interest to have Tatl provide information about it.

Stand atop a Deku Flower and press A to dive into it. Aim with the Analog Stick and release A to shoot up and fly around using a flower in each hand. Fly over to the other side of the room and either wait for the “flower-power” to wear out or press A to drop down early. If you don’t make it to the platform, use the flowers to work your way back up and try again. Once you make it, go through the door.

In the next chamber, you’ll encounter multiple platforms separated by gaps. Utilize the Deku Flowers to traverse these gaps, aiming for the platforms ahead. If you miss a platform, don’t worry; simply return to a lower platform and try again. Persistence is key. On the third platform to your left lies a chest, loot it for Deku Nuts.

To your right, you’ll spot a tree. Behind it is the fourth platform. You can either attempt to fly around the tree or return to the second platform below and then leap to the fourth one. Once you land on the fourth, look ahead, and you’ll see the fifth platform in the distance. Hop into the flower, fly around the tree, and head straight for the platform—you should just about make it.

Tatl will point out something interesting across the way and will try to teach you how to use Z or L targeting. Feel free to check it out, then fly over to the final platform. When you reach it, press A to inspect the peculiar tree (it kind of looks like a Deku Scrub, doesn’t it?) and proceed through the entrance.

As you move through a narrow corridor with some dizzying camera angles, you’ll enter a room where the door slams shut behind you, locking you in. Things are already feeling tense! Take a moment to observe the waterwheel, then head upstairs toward the double doors.

Just as you approach, a cutscene triggers. The Mask Salesman appears behind Link, dramatically stepping into view. While many of the characters in Majora’s Mask share similar designs to those from Ocarina of Time, this is one of the rare exceptions—this character is actually from Hyrule.

The Mask Salesman reveals that he’s been traveling the world collecting masks, but the Skull Kid has stolen a particularly important one—Majora’s Mask. If you can retrieve his “precious item,” he promises to teach you how to return to your normal form. There’s a catch, though: he’s leaving in three days, so you’ll need to act quickly. But don’t worry, there’s a reason for this tight deadline, and you’ll soon discover why.

In the 3DS version, the Mask Salesman mentions a nearby Sheikah Stone. Just like in Ocarina of Time 3D, if you’re ever unsure of what to do next, you can use the Sheikah Stone to get a helpful hint. Once he’s done explaining, you’ll regain control of (Deku) Link. Turn around, head through the double doors.

Welcome to Clock Town! As you step out of the Clock Tower as Deku Link, you have 72 in-game hours (three days) before the moon falls. Time is ticking, but don’t panic – we’ll manage it wisely. In this part of the walkthrough, you’ll focus on obtaining the Moon’s Tear, trading it for the Land Title Deed, and snagging Heart Piece #1. Along the way, you’ll gain a new ability and meet a few important characters. Let’s get started!

Explore South Clock Town (Optional)

Take a moment to get your bearings in South Clock Town. This central plaza is bustling with townsfolk preparing for the Carnival of Time. Feel free to chat with the locals (optional) to learn about the looming Moon and the festival preparations. As a Deku Scrub, you can perform a quick spin attack (press A while moving) to break nearby bushes and collect some Rupees. It’s a quick way to earn spending money and will come in handy for buying a map soon (plus, any rupees you don’t spend can be saved in the bank – more on that later).

In Clock Town, time flows continuously. Keep an eye on the on-screen clock. Dawn of the Second Day will arrive after 24 in-game hours, and Dawn of the Final Day after 48 hours. Certain events happen only at specific times, so we’ll note those as we go. For now, you have plenty of time on Day 1 to accomplish our goals.

Find the Great Fairy (Magic Bubble Ability)

As you arrive in South Clock Town. Tatl, your new fairy companion, suggests seeking out the Great Fairy for assistance. The Great Fairy has been shattered by Skull Kid’s mischief, and one missing Stray Fairy is wandering town. Your task is to find that Stray Fairy and bring it back to the fountain. Its location depends on the time of day:

• Daytime: The Stray Fairy is at the Laundry Pool (a small canal area in southwestern Clock Town). From South Clock Town, take the west path that leads to the Laundry Pool. You’ll see the orange fairy floating above the water there. Hop across the lilypads or use the wooden plank to reach it and touch the fairy to collect it.

• Nighttime: If it’s already night, the Stray Fairy moves to East Clock Town, hovering in the middle of the open plazat. To grab it at night, use the nearby Deku Flower in East Clock Town: hop in and launch Deku Link into the air, steering into the glowing fairy.

Once you’ve retrieved the Stray Fairy, return to North Clock Town and enter the Great Fairy’s Fountain (the cave entrance along the north wall). Approach the fairy pond, and the Stray Fairy will reunite with the others, restoring the Great Fairy of Magic. In gratitude, the Great Fairy grants you Magic Power and teaches you the Bubble Blast techniquet. Now you can shoot bubbles by pressing and holding B to charge a bubble and releasing it to fire. This new ranged attack is crucial for what comes next. The Great Fairy also hints that you should seek out the observatory to learn more about Skull Kid’s whereaboutst. Keep that in mind – that’s our next major destination.

Talk to Tingle and buy the Clock Town map for 5 Rupees. If you need rupees, cut grass or shrubs with your spin attack until you have enough. The map will make navigating Clock Town easier (and it remains with you even after you reset time).​

Pop the Balloon & Play Hide-and-Seek (Bomber’s Code)

Exit the fairy fountain back to North Clock Town. You’ll notice a young boy in a red cap here named Jim, shooting a blowgun at a balloon decorated with a creepy mask. That balloon bears the symbol of Majora’s Mask – and we can now pop it. Stand in front of the Majora Balloon, hold B to blow a bubble, aim upward in first-person view, and release to burst the balloon (make sure to charge the bubble fully so it reaches). When the balloon pops, Jim is startled and finally acknowledges you.

Talk to Jim after popping the balloon. Impressed by your skills, he challenges you to a game of hide-and-seek with his friends, the Bombers Secret Society of Justice. Catch all five Bomber kids before daybreak (you have until the Dawn of the Next Day to find them). If it’s already night when you start, you’ll have less time, so hurry! They scatter across different parts of Clock Town.

Here’s where you can find each Bomber kid (N64 version locations):​

North Clock Town: Two kids hide here. One is running near the trees by the playground slide (northeast corner), and another is near the Deku Scrub Playground entrance (by the fences on the north side)t. They’ll run when you approach, so use Deku Link’s spin move (press A) to catch up or shoot a bubble to stun them.

East Clock Town: Two kids are hiding here. One is up on the Stock Pot Inn’s roof, near the bell. To reach him, hop into the Deku Flower outside the inn and launch up; he’ll start running along the rooftop – chase and corner him or wait until he drops down. The other is on top of the Milk Bar (Latte) roof, holding a Cucco. As you approach the top of the stairs, hit him with a Deku Bubble to make him drop the cucco. If you’re not quick enough, he will leap off the roof, and you’ll have to follow him down and snag him.

West Clock Town: One kid patrols the street between the Post Office and the Swordsman’s School. Dash after him in the cramped alley and grab him.

The Bombers are impressed, but since you’re currently a Deku Scrub, Jim can’t officially add you to their gang. Instead, as a consolation, he gives you the secret code to their hideoutt. Make sure to remember or write down this 5-digit code! It’s random for each player and playthrought, so your code will be unique (in the Nintendo 64 version, you must remember it yourself; in the 3DS version, the code will be recorded in the Bomber’s Notebook for you). If you ever forget the code, you can re-play the hide-and-seek game or consult the notebook in the 3DS editiont.

The Astral Observatory – Obtaining the Moon’s Tear

Now that you have the Bombers’ secret code, it’s time to visit the Astral Observatory as the Great Fairy suggested. Head to East Clock Town, where you’ll find a Bomber in a yellow cap standing guard in front of a narrow tunnel entrance. Talk to him and input the secret code you just received. Once the code is accepted, he’ll let you through the door into the Bomber’s Hideout.

Inside the hideout, you’ll navigate a short sewer-like passage to the observatory. As a Deku Scrub, remember you cannot swim – you hop across water a few times before sinking. Thankfully, there are wooden platforms in the water you can leap between. If you need to cross a longer water gap, try this trick: do a spinning launch right before touching the water’s surface to skate across the water quickly without sinking. Use the platforms and this spinning method to make your way through the tunnel.

You’ll come to a dead-end chamber with a ladder, but another big balloon is blocking your path. Use your bubble to pop the balloon just as you did in town, then climb up the ladder. Continue through the open doorway at the top to enter Astral Observatory.

Inside the Observatory, soak in the atmosphere – there’s starry décor and an old scholar here. You might notice a friendly Scarecrow dancing near the entrance. Climb the stairs and speak with Professor Shikashi, the astronomer. He’s eager to share his knowledge. During your conversation, he notes that the troublemaker Skull Kid has been causing chaos in Termina and even tells you that Skull Kid somehow reached the top of the Clock Tower. After some chat, he invites you to use his telescope. Agree to look through it.

When prompted, pan the telescope around. Feel free to sightsee – you can spot interesting details, like a man doing exercises in the grass outside. Ultimately, look toward Clock Town and zoom in on the top of the Clock Tower. You’ll catch Skull Kid in the act, dancing atop the tower. Watch the cutscene: Skull Kid looks up at the ominous Moon, and suddenly the Moon sheds a glowing Tear that falls from the sky. Ever the imp, Skull Kid will also turn around and flash his rear at you in mockery before the view session ends.

Press B to stop using the telescope. Professor Shikashi will ask if you saw that strange stone drop. Exit the dialog and head outside the observatory door to the outdoor yard – right near the telescope dome, you’ll see a small smoking crater. Inside it lies the sparkling item we came for: the Moon’s Tear. Pick up the Moon’s Tear to obtain this beautifully glowing jewel. This precious stone is said to be a gift from the Moon, and it’s coveted by certain folk… in fact, we know just the person who wants it! With the Moon’s Tear in hand, you’re done at the observatory.

Head back the way you came, through the Bomber’s Hideout tunnel, and return to Clock Town. (If you need Magic Power or a health refill, break the jars in the observatory or in the tunnel room – they often contain Magic Jars and hearts.)

Trade the Moon’s Tear for the Land Title Deed

Back in Clock Town (you’ll emerge in East Clock Town), our next step is to trade the Moon’s Tear. Go to South Clock Town, near the Clock Tower. In the southern plaza, there’s a large yellow Deku Flower at the base of the Clock Tower. As you approach this flower, a cutscene will play: a Business Scrub (a traveling Deku salesman) swoops down from the sky and lands in “his” flower, shooing you away. Talk to the Business Scrub. He mentions that he has ownership papers for this prime real estate flower bed.

However, he’s willing to make a deal – lately he’s been eyeing a truly precious stone to give to his wife: your Moon’s Tear! When prompted, agree to trade. In your item menu, equip the Moon’s Tear to one of your C-buttons (N64) or simply select it from the touch screen (3DS) and give it to the Business Scrub. He will happily exchange it for the Land Title Deed (Clock Town). The Business Scrub will hand you the deed, then promptly take off to go show the Moon’s Tear to his wife. In an overly long but amusing scene, he launches into the air and flies away, vacating the flower bed for you.

Wrapping Up & Preparing for the Final Night

At this point, you might wonder what to do until it’s time to confront Skull Kid. The Clock Tower only opens at midnight on the Final Day (the eve of the Carnival). If you’ve completed everything on Day 1, you’ll need to either wait or find ways to occupy Link’s time until then. Here are some tips and optional activities while you wait:

When the Final Day (Day 3) arrives, be sure you’ve wrapped up any business. By the Night of the Final Day, around 11:30 PM, head to South Clock Town. The ground will be rumbling and the moon looming dangerously low. At 12:00 AM (midnight) of the Final Day, the door at the top of the Clock Tower will open up, leading to the Carnival ceremony – and your chance to confront Skull Kid and retrieve your Ocarina. Make sure you’re in South Clock Town before this time so you can use the Deku Flower to launch up when the door opens.

The Song of Healing

As the clock tower bell tolls midnight on the Final Day, the door to the Clock Tower creaks open, revealing the Skull Kid standing atop the platform. His mischievous grin fades as he notices your presence. Without hesitation, the Skull Kid raises his arms, summoning a dark energy that causes the moon to descend ominously toward Clock Town. The ground trembles as the moon’s face contorts into a menacing grimace. Time is running out. Determined to stop the impending disaster, you prepare for action.

Using your newfound Bubble Blast ability, you aim carefully and release a charged bubble toward the Skull Kid. The bubble strikes him, causing him to stagger and drop the Ocarina of Time. Seizing the opportunity, you rush forward and retrieve the ocarina.

As you grasp the ocarina, memories flood back, and you recall the Song of Time. With urgency, you play the melody, invoking its power to reset the cycle and return to the First Day. The world around you blurs, and the countdown to the moon’s collision is halted.

You return to South Clocktown on the first day. Turn around and head through the Clock Tower’s double doors. Inside, the Happy Mask Salesman, upon receiving the ocarina, teaches you the Song of Healing, allowing you to transform back into your Hylian form, dropping the Deku Mask from your face.

With the curse lifted and the cycle reset, you stand ready to face the challenges ahead, determined to prevent the looming threat of Majora’s Mask from consuming Termina.