Yamata City

Yamata redirects here. For the ruins the city was built on, see Yamata Ruins.

Yamata City is the settlement that was founded after Izumo's destruction.

Yamata City (ヤマタイの都, City of Yamatai) is a city visited in Golden Sun: Dark Dawn and is the primary settlement on the isle of Nihan, the island where Izumo was once located. Visually, Yamata inherits the east-Asian themes of Izumo and has many Japanese references, such as the clothes worn by and the spirituality of the people. Yamata's encyclopedia entry reads as follows:

"This city is the primary settlement on Nihan. Its culture is centered around spirituality, with many prayer shrines."

Story

Spoiler warning: The following section(s) contain plot details that some people may not wish to learn before reaching this point in the game on their own.

Yamata City is dotted with haniwa-like terracotta sculptures.

In the wake of the Golden Sun event, massive changes and devastating natural disasters affected the world. At some unknown point during the thirty year period after the event, a massive tidal wave hit the island of Nihan, destroying the city of Izumo. Luckily, Izumo's leader Uzume, was able to evacuate most of the citizens. The people then relocated to the southern region of Nihan where Uzume founded Yamata. Unfortunately, Uzume died shortly after the relocation. In the wake of her death, Uzume's brother Susa, and Susa's wife Kushinada, would take over as rulers, becoming King and Queen of Yamata. Uzume would be buried in a tomb located beneath the royal palace. Together, the structures form the most prominent building in the city. After the Golden Sun event, Izumo was destroyed by a tidal wave, forcing Uzume to relocate the people to Yamata.

Before the events of the Grave Eclipse, Takeru, Susa and Kushinada's son, would leave Yamata in search of Isaac, due to a prophecy given by his sister, Himi, which warned of danger to Isaac. When the Grave Eclipse hits, Yamata is one of the regions that is safe, as it is far from the affected area. However, Himi would fall into a coma around this time, for reasons that were unknown. Kushinada would lead endless prayer vigils but none were successful.

During the Grave Eclipse, Matthew's party of Adepts come to Yamata while searching for a way to end the Eclipse. More specifically, the scholar Kraden wished to meet with Susa, whom he knew from his days traveling with the Warriors of Vale. Susa promises every aid he can give towards ending the eclipse. During the meeting, Kushinada collapses from exhaustion in the next room, so the group rushes to see to her. As Susa is tending to Kushinada, Matthew approaches Himi. A treasure in Matthew's possession, the Third Eye, reacts suddenly and enters Himi, awakening her.

Yamata Palace, home of King Susa's royal family.

Susa demands an explanation to the events, leading Himi to give a series of prophecies regarding the Eclipse. These prophecies grant insight into the nature of the eclipse, and go into detail about how the eclipse should be stopped. Specifically, the Adepts must collect three Colored Orbs and a set of clothing known as the Umbra Gear, and travel to the Apollo Lens, located in the heart of Angara. According to the prophecy, the Apollo Lens has the power to stop the Grave Eclipse. After giving the prophecy, Himi decides to join Matthew's party, as the Third Eye has granted her Psynergy that is crucial towards stopping the Eclipse. After Himi visits Uzume's tomb, the party leaves to pursue their goals.

The Adepts would return to Yamata at a later point, to search for the Yellow Orb, which is said to be located around Yamata. The Adepts are able to discover a secret entrance to ancient ruins while in Uzume's tomb. After exploring the ruins, they are able to successfully retrieve the Yellow Orb.

Spoilers end here.Those who did not want the plot ruined for them may now continue reading as normal.

Vendors

Yamata's inn is located slightly to the left of the city's entrance and costs 20 coins per party member.

Armory
Name	Class	Cost	Effect
Great Sword	Long Sword	7000	Attack +90, Unleashes Critical Strike, Spin Strike, and Fearless Attack
Great Axe	Axe	5200	Attack +80, Unleashes Power Charge, Critical Strike, and Berserk Rush
Master Rapier	Light Blade	6800	Attack +86, Unleashes Critical Strike, Spin Strike, and Double Attack
War Mace	Mace	6200	Attack +84, Unleashes Critical Strike, Rolling Attack, and Berserk Rush
Steel Armor	Armor	4900	Defense +36
Silver Vest	Clothing	3200	Defense +28
Silver Armlet	Bracelet	4000	Defense +30
Knight's Helm	Helm	4600	Defense +33
Artifacts
Ninja Blade	Light Blade	8800	Attack +94, Unleashes Critical Move, Cyclone Slash, and Zenith Strike
Iron Claw	Claw	7200	Attack +105, Unleashes Wind Blade and Spin Slice
Blessed Robe	Robe	7000	Defense +36, HP recovery +5
Spirit Armlet	Bracelet	9000	Defense +38, Venus Power +10, Mercury Power +10, Can be Used to cast Restore

Item Shop
Name	Class	Cost	Effect
Herb	Consumable Item	10	Restores 50 HP to one Adept
Nut	Consumable Item	200	Restores 200 HP to one Adept
Antidote	Consumable Item	20	Cures Poison and Venom from one Adept
Elixir	Consumable Item	30	Removes Stun, Sleep, and Delusion from one Adept
Sacred Feather	Consumable Item	70	Temporarily lowers monster encounter rate
Artifacts
Mist Potion	Consumable Item	9000	Restores 300 HP to all Adepts
Psy Crystal	Consumable Item	1500	Restores all PP to one Adept
Water of Life	Consumable Item	3000	Revives one downed Adept

Collectables

Kite: found on a ledge in the northwest corner of Yamata.

Sacred Feather: Go to the house on the right and look in the first jar on the left.
Weasel's Claw: In the house on the right, check the upper left pot on this second level for Weasel's Claw. Climb down and push the hay here as well.
Power Bread: In a chest in the house on the right.
60 Coins: In the south pot in the far right room of the palace.
Vial: In the upper pot in the room in the palace where Susa is first met.

Trivia

• Should the player visit Yamata after defeating the final boss, an NPC will ask to sail on their ship, and lead the player to Crossbone Isle. However, triggering this scene is not necessary for visiting the Island.

Cultural references

Yamataikoku was an ancient country in Wa Japan, ruled by a Shaman-Queen known as Himiko. The location of the Yamatai Kingdom, known as the "Yamatai Controversy," is considered by scholars the greatest debate over the ancient history of Japan. It is likely that Himi, who is from Yamata, is based on Queen Himiko.