The Lens of Truth, renamed the Lenses of Truth in the remake, is in the Bottom of the Well, the dungeon under Kakariko Village’s well. To get in, learn the Song of Storms as adult Link, travel back to young Link, and play it inside Kakariko’s windmill to drain the well. Then climb down and defeat the dungeon’s mini-boss, Dead Hand, for the Lens.
You need it before the Shadow Temple, which is full of hidden floors, fake walls and invisible enemies. Below is the full route in the Ocarina of Time remake and where the Lens earns its keep.
What You Need First
- The Master Sword, so you can move between young and adult Link.
- The Song of Storms, from the Music Man in the Kakariko windmill, as adult Link.
- A magic meter. The Lens drains magic while it is on, so you need the meter from the Great Fairy at the top of Death Mountain. Our Great Fairy Fountain guide covers it.
Step 1: Learn the Song of Storms
As adult Link, go into the big windmill on the east side of Kakariko Village and talk to the Music Man twice. He is angry about a kid with an ocarina who wrecked his windmill seven years ago, and he plays you the tune that did it. Play it back: L, R, X, L, R, X on the remake’s ocarina.
Our Song of Storms guide has every step and the side quest it starts in Threads of Time.
Step 2: Drain the Well as Young Link
- Return the Master Sword in the Temple of Time to become young Link.
- Go back into the Kakariko windmill.
- Play the Song of Storms inside. The storm sends the windmill spinning wildly, and the water drains out of the village well.
- Walk to the well in the middle of the village. It is now dry, with a way down inside.
This is the trick behind the Music Man’s grudge: the “kid with the ocarina” is you.
Step 3: Get Through the Bottom of the Well
The Bottom of the Well is a dungeon only young Link can explore, and much of it is built around things you cannot see yet: false walls you walk straight through, holes hidden under fake floor, and chests behind illusions.
- Walk into suspicious walls. Some solid-looking walls are not there at all.
- Go slowly near the pits. Floors that look solid can hide drops.
- Play Zelda’s Lullaby at the Triforce marks to drain the water in the central room and open the lower levels.
The Lens of Truth is in the basement, guarded by Dead Hand, a mini-boss whose arms grab Link from the ground. Get grabbed (or let a hand catch you), then hit Dead Hand’s head when it leans down. Beat it and the chest gives you the Lens.
Where the Lens of Truth Is Needed
| Place | Why |
|---|---|
| Shadow Temple | Required: hidden walls, floors and enemies throughout |
| Haunted Wasteland | Shows the Poe who guides you across the desert |
| Spirit Temple and Gerudo Training Ground | Hidden chests and floors |
| Ganon’s Castle | Invisible paths and walls in some trials |
| Treasure Chest Shop | Shows the right chests in the Market’s night game |
The Treasure Chest Shop is worth a trip back: its night game hides a Piece of Heart, and with the Lens you can see which chests to open. It is in our Heart Piece guide.
Tips
- Turn it off when you are done looking. It keeps draining magic for as long as it is on.
- Carry a magic refill. A green potion in a bottle saves a long walk in the Shadow Temple.
- Clear the Bottom of the Well’s Gold Skulltulas while you are there. Our Gold Skulltula guide lists them.
Every remake guide is on our Zelda hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Lens of Truth in the Ocarina of Time remake? In the Bottom of the Well under Kakariko Village, guarded by the mini-boss Dead Hand.
How do you get into the Bottom of the Well? Play the Song of Storms inside the Kakariko windmill as young Link. It drains the well.
Can adult Link get the Lens of Truth? No. Only young Link can explore the Bottom of the Well.
Do you need the Lens of Truth to beat the game? Yes. The Shadow Temple cannot be finished without it.
Does the Lens of Truth use magic? Yes. It drains your magic meter while it is active.