Even in the ever-expanding world of Teyvat, some destinations remain shrouded in mystery no matter how many years pass. Tsurumi Island, the lonely, fog-choked island in Inazuma, is one such place. New players picking up Genshin Impact in 2026 might gaze at it from the coastline and wonder: how on earth do you get there? The answer hasn’t changed since version 2.2 dropped back in late 2021, yet it still trips up unprepared adventurers. Let’s walk through the steps so you can stride onto that misty shore without a hitch.

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The One Prerequisite You Can’t Skip

Before you even think about sailing toward Tsurumi, ask yourself: have you calmed the storms on Seirai Island? If not, the boat stays firmly docked—figuratively. The game won’t let you start the Tsurumi quest chain until you’ve completed the Seirai Stormchasers world quest. That multi-part mission, introduced all the way back in 2.1, requires you to explore Seirai Island, solve puzzles, and ultimately quell the thunderous barrier surrounding it. Only after that will the real gate to Tsurumi creak open.

Why, you might ask, does completing a quest on a different island matter? Lore-wise, it’s about establishing a connection with the Adventurer’s Guild in Inazuma and proving you’re prepared for high–danger areas. Gameplay-wise, it’s simply the lock on the door. No Seirai Stormchasers, no creepy fog island. If you haven’t done it yet, take a detour, finish that storyline, and then come back here.

Triggering the \u201cThrough the Mists\u201d World Quest

With Seirai tamed, the next step is to start the Through the Mists series. Head to Inazuma City and speak to Katheryne at the Adventurer’s Guild. But here’s a crucial detail that still fools people: you must talk to the Inazuma branch’s Katheryne. Chatting with her Mondstadt or Liyue counterparts will only earn you a polite \u201cAd astra abyssosque\u201d and no quest trigger. Once you get the dialogue option, the quest \u201cA Particularly Particular Author\u201d will appear in your journal. Activate navigation on it.

Following the marker leads you to an NPC named Sumida, an eccentric writer prowling the city streets not far from the Guild. She’ll spin a tale that sends you to Ritou to find a boatman named Kama. Could you simply sail there on your own before meeting him? Nope—the game’s fog wall prevents any unauthorized approach. This scripted meeting is your ticket.

Boarding the Boat to the Fog

Kama is waiting on the docks of Ritou, and after a quick conversation, he’ll reluctantly agree to ferry you across the sea. The voyage itself is narrative, not something you steer. You watch the mist thicken, the sky darken, and suddenly you’re standing on the eerie, timeless shores of Tsurumi Island. Congratulations—you’ve arrived.

But hold on, is it really that easy? Only for the first landing. Tsurumi Island operates under a unique day-to-day fog cycle. Certain parts of the island are only accessible after completing further \u201cThrough the Mists\u201d quests that clear patches of the fog permanently. So reaching the island is just the beginning. You’ll be coming back to Kama (or rather, a specific spot on the island) over three more real-world days to lift the fog completely and unlock all Teleport Waypoints.

Why Tsurumi Still Matters in 2026

By 2026, Genshin Impact has expanded through Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and beyond. Newer players might ask: is this foggy relic even worth the trouble? Absolutely. Tsurumi Island offers:

  • Primogems galore through world quests and exploration.

  • Rifthounds and other elite enemies that drop valuable ascension materials.

  • The blueprint for the Peculiar Pinion gadget, which is necessary to interact with hidden owl statues across Inazuma.

  • A heartbreakingly beautiful storyline that fleshes out the history of the Thunderbird and the island’s lost civilization.

And let’s not forget the Red Feather Fan, a 4-star catalyst exclusive to one of Tsurumi’s hidden quests. Many older players still keep it as a trophy.

Common Stumbling Blocks (Even Now)

Despite the passage of time, the same questions resurface. \u201cI spoke to Katheryne in Inazuma but nothing happened—why?\u201d Probably because Seirai Stormchasers isn’t truly finished; some players unlock the island but miss the final conversation that completes the quest. \u201cI can’t sail there even after talking to Kama!\u201d That’s because the fog doesn’t part until the quest specifically transports you. And \u201cI lost the boat and can’t get back!\u201d No worries—once you’ve unlocked the Statue of the Seven on Tsurumi, you can teleport back anytime, even when the fog is still active in other areas.

A Timeless Gateway

Years from now, when Genshin Impact reaches its conclusion, Tsurumi Island will remain a rite of passage for anyone truly exploring Inazuma. Its haunting atmosphere and intricate puzzle design have aged remarkably well. So if you’re a 2026 traveler staring at that blurred shape on the horizon, know this: the path is exactly as it was in 2021—and it’s absolutely worth taking.

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