Get the Hookshot by following Dampé’s ghost through his race in Kakariko Graveyard as Adult Link, then opening the reward chest. In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake, this tool is required for main-quest progress and helps you reach places ordinary jumps cannot. The main challenge is finding the right tombstone and staying on Dampé’s trail through the tunnels. You can also return for a separate timed reward once the Hookshot is yours.
When you can get the Hookshot
You can begin the trip after drawing the Master Sword in the Temple of Time and meeting Sheik for the first time. Only Adult Link can use the Hookshot, so leave this objective until you reach the adult timeline.
Epona is useful for crossing Hyrule Field, but unlocking her is optional for this trip. You can head directly to Kakariko Village when you regain control.
Plan to inspect the Graveyard at night. Dampé’s diary points you toward a nighttime clue on his tombstone. If you already know the Sun’s Song, you can use it to change the time without waiting.
How to reach Kakariko Graveyard
Travel to Kakariko Village, on the northeastern side of Hyrule Field. Once inside, take the path toward the eastern side of the village, passing the houses and the well.
Climb the stone steps leading into Kakariko Graveyard. Your destination is beneath a grave here, so you do not need to search the village’s shops or enter the well.
If you are also starting the Biggoron Sword trading quest in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake, collect the Pocket Egg from the Cucco Lady during this visit. That is a separate objective; continue into the Graveyard for the Hookshot.
Find Dampé’s grave
Read the diary for the tombstone clue
Enter Dampé’s house on your right as you arrive in the Graveyard. His diary lies on the floor. Read it to learn that he took treasure into his grave and left something special on his tombstone that becomes visible at night.
Read the gravekeeper’s clue
Leave the house and climb the stairs in front of it toward the northern part of the Graveyard. Look for the leftmost tombstone with smoke rising from it. The nearby large tree is another useful landmark.
Use the smoke to identify the grave before moving a headstone. Dampé’s prize is underground, not inside his house.
Locate the smoky tombstone
Open the underground passage
Move behind the tombstone and pull it to uncover a hole. Drop through the opening, then follow the purple-lit passage toward the barred gate.
Dampé’s ghost waits inside. Speak to him to hear the rules of his new challenge, which takes you through the tunnels he dug beneath the Graveyard.
Complete Dampé’s race
The race begins as soon as Dampé’s dialogue ends, so be ready to move. Despite the name, you do not need to overtake him. Your first goal is to follow him all the way to the finish.
Watch his lantern as you approach each fork. He drops purple flames along the route, which can help you recover your direction if he briefly slips out of view. Avoid running into the flames themselves.
Use these priorities through the course:
- Watch the next turn. Follow Dampé’s direction at junctions instead of choosing a tunnel at random.
- Dash on clear stretches. Hold A to move at your fastest speed.
- Steer around the fire. The glowing trail shows where he went, but you should pass beside it.
The initial Hookshot challenge and the optional return challenge have different requirements. Keep the rewards separate when deciding how hard to push your time.
| Attempt | What you need to do | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| First successful race | Keep pace with Dampé and reach the end | Hookshot |
| Optional return challenge | Finish in under 60 seconds | Piece of Heart |
If you are struggling with the course, concentrate on reading the forks before chasing a faster time. The one-minute target belongs to the later challenge, not your first Hookshot run.
Collect and use the Hookshot
Open the reward chest
At the finish, Dampé summons a chest beside him in the chamber. Open the chest on the red rug to receive the Hookshot. Reaching Dampé is not the final interaction; claim the item before heading toward the stairs.
Claim Dampé’s hidden treasure
Use the target above the exit
The ruins give you an immediate opportunity to learn the tool’s basic action:
- Climb the stairs behind the reward chest.
- Equip the Hookshot and aim at the dedicated target above the exit gate.
- Hold its assigned button to aim, then release to fire.
- Let the chain pull Link across, then follow the tunnel onward.
The tunnel leads into the upper floor of Kakariko Village’s windmill. You can leave the underground route through here instead of returning to the hole where you entered.
Where to try your new tool
Reach ledges and revisit Kakariko
Wooden anchors and dedicated Hookshot targets are the tool’s main exploration value when comparing the best items in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake. A successful shot pulls Link toward the attachment point, letting you cross gaps and reach elevated ledges.
Kakariko has a nearby use for that reach. Find the vines near the southernmost house and use the Hookshot to get behind the building. A Gold Skulltula appears there at night.
Before leaving the windmill, you can also collect its ledge-mounted Piece of Heart. Hop onto the rotating platform around the central shaft, then jump across when it approaches the ledge. Do this before learning the Song of Storms from the Music Man, which makes the platform spin faster.
Use the Hookshot against enemies
The Hookshot’s combat effect depends on its target: it can stun Moblins and kill Keese. Keep that difference in mind when comparing the best weapons in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake, because the Hookshot offers enemy control as well as damage against certain foes.
For your next main-quest objective, open Threads of Time and check the updated Forest Temple Mysteries entry. Keep the Hookshot ready as you continue exploring. Later, you will also need it to open the Water Temple at Lake Hylia.
