Saria’s Song in OoT 3D: 3DS Notes, Lost Woods Route and Every Use

Saria’s Song on 3DS: R, Y, X, R, Y, X

In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Saria’s Song is R, Y, X, R, Y, X. Saria teaches it to young Link in the Sacred Forest Meadow, once Princess Zelda has given him her letter. You need it to get the Goron’s Bracelet from Darunia, and it also wins a Piece of Heart from the Skull Kid, gets adult Link past Mido and lets you talk to Saria from anywhere.

To play it, tap the ocarina icon on the Touch Screen (the ocarina has its own slot, so it doesn’t need an item button), then press the six notes. While the ocarina is out, tap the music-sheet button in the bottom-right corner of the Touch Screen to see the songs you have learned, so you can check the notes there if you forget them. When the game recognises it, the message reads “You played Saria’s Song.”

Where to learn Saria’s Song

Saria teaches the song at the top of the Sacred Forest Meadow, past the Lost Woods. She is only there after Princess Zelda has given you her letter in the castle courtyard. Before that the top of the meadow is empty, which is why players who head for the meadow first can’t find her. She doesn’t teach it in Kokiri Forest: there she gives you the Fairy Ocarina on the bridge as you leave.

The Lost Woods route to the Sacred Forest Meadow

The Lost Woods entrance is up on the ledge above Kokiri Forest. From the first clearing, take these exits:

1. Right
2. Left
3. Right
4. Left
5. Straight
6. Left
7. Right, into the Sacred Forest Meadow

Most wrong exits send you back to Kokiri Forest, just as Mido warns, so you can’t get lost for long; a few lead to side clearings or other areas instead. The owl you meet on the way tells you to follow your ears and listen for the tune; the route above is quicker.

Through the Sacred Forest Meadow

1. A Wolfos attacks near the entrance. Defeat it to open the gate.
2. Cross the maze. Deku Scrubs hide in it and spit nuts at you.
3. Climb the steps at the far end. Saria is by the tree stump in front of the Forest Temple ruins. Walk up to her and she teaches you the song.

After you learn it, she stays there playing the song while you are young. Saria never appears there as adult Link. On your first adult visit, Sheik is there instead to teach you the Minuet of Forest.

What Saria’s Song does

Darunia and the Goron’s Bracelet

This is the use that makes the song necessary. Darunia has shut himself in his room in Goron City, waiting for the Royal Family’s messenger. Play Zelda’s Lullaby at his door to get in, then play Saria’s Song in front of him. He starts dancing (“Heeey! What a nice tune!”) and gives you the Goron’s Bracelet, which lets you pull up Bomb Flowers. You need it to get into Dodongo’s Cavern and reach the Spiritual Stone of Fire, so learn the song before you go to Goron City.

The Skull Kid’s Piece of Heart

Enter the Lost Woods from Kokiri Forest and take the first exit on the left. Stand on the small stump in front of the Skull Kid and play Saria’s Song. He says “You know Saria’s Song! We should be friends!” and gives you a Piece of Heart. Now that you are friends, he will also buy the Skull Mask; see the mask quest. The Skull Kids through the first exit on the right run the ocarina memory game instead.

Adult Mido in the Lost Woods

As adult Link, Mido stands at the fourth turn of the route and won’t let you pass. Play Saria’s Song to him. He recognises it (“Saria taught that song only to her friends...”), says “OK... I trust you.” and steps aside, so you can reach the meadow and the Forest Temple. As young Link he is not in the Lost Woods.

The frogs in Zora’s River

As young Link, stand on the log by the frogs in Zora’s River and play Saria’s Song. The first time, a frog jumps up and you get a Purple Rupee (50 Rupees); after that it is a Blue Rupee. It is also one of the six songs you have to play to the frogs before their song game, which ends with a Piece of Heart.

Talking to Saria from anywhere

Play Saria’s Song where no one is listening for it and the game asks “You want to talk to Saria, right?” Choose Talk to Saria and she answers: “Link...? This is Saria. Can you hear me?” If you say no, Navi offers to talk instead.

• As young Link, Saria comments on your progress or points you towards the next Spiritual Stone. For example, she tells you King Zora has the Spiritual Stone of Water. If you play it close to her, she says she would rather talk face-to-face.
• As adult Link, until you have the Forest Medallion she calls for help from inside the Forest Temple. After that she speaks to you as the Sage of the Forest.

The hints are optional; once you know where the next dungeon is, you can ignore them.

Why Saria’s Song isn’t working

• Saria isn’t in the meadow. Get Zelda’s Letter first. She is never there as adult Link.
• You haven’t learned it yet. Saria gives you the Fairy Ocarina in Kokiri Forest, but the song comes later, from her in the meadow.
• Darunia’s door is shut. Play Zelda’s Lullaby at the door first, then Saria’s Song inside.
• The Skull Kid ignores you. He is in the first clearing on the left, not the right, and you have to stand on the small stump in front of him.
• You keep ending up in Kokiri Forest. Most wrong exits lead back there; follow the seven turns above.
• Wrong buttons. The 3DS buttons are R, Y, X, R, Y, X. N64 guides list C-Down, C-Right, C-Left, which are the same notes on the old controller.

Master Quest and other versions

In 3DS Master Quest the notes, Saria and every use are the same, but the world is mirrored, so the Lost Woods route becomes left, right, left, right, straight, right, left, and the Skull Kid is in the first clearing on the right. Not tested in-game.

The melody is the same in every version of Ocarina of Time; only the buttons change. This page covers the 3DS game. Saria’s Song is also the name players use for the Lost Woods background music, which you hear as you walk the route.

For every other song and its 3DS buttons, see all Ocarina of Time 3D songs. For the Goron’s Bracelet and the rest of young Link’s gear, see the item list.

Saria’s Song FAQ