Stardew Valley: Complete Secret Notes Guide

Stardew Valley offers a wealth of engaging characters and mysteries to uncover in the village of Pelican Town. Toward the end of the first year, you’ll have the opportunity to search for a total of 25 Secret Notes, each containing valuable information about these mysteries and the town’s inhabitants.

What are Secret Notes?

Secret Notes are collectible items that can be found while players are doing their day-to-day tasks. These may contain useful information about the residents of Pelican Town, treasure maps, or cryptic text that could lead to rare items.

Once a Secret Note is found, players can add it to their collection by selecting it in the top row of their inventory.

How to Find Secret Notes

Secret Notes can’t be found until players acquire the Magnifying Glass. To get this item, walk from your farm to the Bus Stop during Winter between the hours of 6 AM and 4 PM. Here, you’ll see a mysterious Shadow Guy, who quickly runs away. This will trigger the quest titled A Winter Mystery.

After the cutscene, follow the Shadow Guy’s footsteps until you arrive at a bush next to the playground. Interact with it to find Shadow Guy, who will immediately apologize and give you the Magnifying Glass.

The 25 Secret Notes aren’t found in specific locations. Instead, they have a chance of spawning while players are doing normal activities, like chopping trees or fishing. These are the actions that could result in finding a Secret Note and the probability that a note will spawn.

Some Secret Notes will give players more insight into the likes and dislikes of different villagers. These don’t require any action to be taken. Other Secret Notes will require players to do something in order to gain a reward. These rewards are things that cannot be gained in any other way–you will need to read the corresponding Secret Note to cause them to spawn.

Secret Note #1 – Abigail’s Diary

A page from Abigail’s diary detailing some of her ‘Loved’ gifts.

Text: Things I love: the smell of carved pumpkin, keeping an amethyst under my pillow, chocolate cake, the thrill of spicy eel, and the comfort of Mom’s blackberry cobbler (I like to eat!)

Secret Note #2 – Sam’s Shopping List

Sam’s holiday shopping list. This helpful note details what gifts certain residents of Pelican Town will love.

Text:
Sebastian: Frozen Tear, Sashimi
Penny: Emerald, Poppy
Vincent: Grape, Cranberry Candy
Mom: Crispy Bass, Pancakes
Dad: Risotto, Roasted Hazelnuts
Me: Cactus, Maple Bar, Pizza.

Secret Note #3 – Leah’s Ultimate Dinner

A note in Leah’s handwriting. This tells players some of Leah’s ‘Loved’ gifts, all of which can be produced on the farm.

Text: My idea of a perfect dinner would be salad, goat cheese, truffle, and wine. For dessert I’d need a poppyseed muffin. Yum! If someone gave me one of those things, I’d melt.

Secret Note #4 – Maru’s Invention

A note in Maru’s handwriting. This lists her ‘Loved’ gifts.

Text: Parts still needed for my greatest invention yet!: Gold Bar, Iridium Bar, Battery Pack, Diamond, Strawberries

Secret Note #5 – Penny’s Gift List

A note in Penny’s handwriting listing the ‘Loved’ gifts of a few residents. Mr. Mullner is Alex’s grandpa George and Granny Mullner is his wife Evelyn. Pam is Penny’s mom. Despite the note reading “NO BEER,” beer is actually one of Pam’s ‘Loved’ gifts. (Penny just wants her to stop drinking so much.)

Text:
I want to get everyone something they love!
Mom: Parsnip, Glazed Yams, NO BEER!
Jas: Fairy Rose, Plum Pudding
Vincent: Pink Cake
Mr. Mullner: Leek, Fried Mushroom
Granny Mullner: Beet, Tulip

Secret Note #6 – Stardrop Saloon’s Special Orders

A note likely written by Gus, the owner of the Stardrop Saloon. This helpful details some ‘Loved’ gifts of certain NPCs.

Text:
Stardrop Saloon Special Orders
Mayor Lewis: Autumn’s Bounty (Double order of high-fiber bread on the side)
Marnie: Pumpkin Pie (extra whipped cream!)
Demetrius: Bean Hotpot (Make it spicy)
Caroline: Fish Taco (she wants triple the sauce! Better throw in a few extra napkins…)

Secret Note #7 – Mysterious Diary Page

This note shares some more ‘Loved’ gifts for Elliott, Shane, and Harvey. It also highlights some personal details about some of the ‘older’ bachelors in Stardew Valley.

Text:
It’s a page from someone’s diary…
…There are only a few ‘older’ bachelors in town, and none of them are perfect! Harvey is really anxious and weak, but I know he would make a loyal and devoted husband. He likes coffee and pickles.
Elliott is a bit foppish and melodramatic, but he does have a nice chin. He likes crab cakes and pomegranates.
Shane is messy and anti-social. But I think his gruff exterior is a defense mechanism, insulating his softness from the world. He likes Beer, Pizza, and Pepper Poppers.

Secret Note #8 – Haley and Emily’s Parents

This rare correspondence from Haley and Emily’s mom and dad gives insight into the pair’s ‘Loved’ gifts.

Text:
To Haley and Emily

Hope you two are doing well! We’ve sent you your favorite gifts: Pink Cake and Sunflowers for Haley, Gemstones and Wool for Emily!

-Love Mom and Dad

Secret Note #9 – Alex’s Strength Training Diet

This note details two cooked meals that Alex loves.

Text:

Alex’s Strength Training Diet:
*Complete Breakfast
*Salmon Dinner
(I’ve learned to love this food… I can feel the protein!!)

Secret Note #10 – Skull Cavern

This note contains a mysterious message from an unknown person. To receive this Secret Note, players must complete the Qui’s Challenge quest by reaching the 25th level of the Skull Cavern.

Text:
Someone is
waiting for you
on level 100
in
the
skull cavern…

Solution: Reading this note will trigger the Cryptic Note quest, requiring players to reach the 100th level of the Skull Cavern. Once this difficult goal is achieved, Mr. Qi will reward you with Iridium Snake Milk. This permanently raises your health by 25 points.

Secret Note #11 – An Old Photo

This Secret Note is simply an old picture of Marnie and Jaas. There is no quest or solution involved in this note.

Text: This note contains no text.

Secret Note #12 – Garbage Tips

Written by Linus, this note lets players know that they can interact with garbage cans to loot items.

Text:
I’ve found some good things by looking in the garbage cans, on lucky days.
Sometimes you’ll find the ‘dish of the day’ behind the saloon… usually fresh!
For dessert, I’ll check the Mullners’ can for cookies.
For treasures, check the cans by the blacksmith and museum.

Solution: This note explains what items can be found in each can if you’re lucky enough. Check with the fortune-teller before going dumpster diving!

Note that while rummaging through these bins might be tempting, doing so while an NPC nearby will cause you to lose friendship points with them.

Secret Note #13 – Junimo Plush

This note references a hidden item and how to retrieve it.

Text: 12 o’clock noon SHARP. Last day of the season. Check the bush above the playground.

Solution: As this note reads, players will need to visit the bush above the playground at noon on the final day of the current season. Doing so will reward you with a Junimo plush toy.

Secret Note #14 – Stone Jumino

This note mentions a mysterious item and explains where to find it.

Text: I hid something behind the community center.

Solution: Head behind the community center during the day. Walk along the back side of the building, and on the right side, you’ll find the Stone Jumino statue. You may need to click around for a bit with your pickaxe or hoe equipped before you find it.

Secret Note #15 – Mermaid Show Puzzle

This Secret Note makes reference to the Mermaid that performs at the Night Market in winter.

Text: Mermaid Show: 1-5-4-2-3

Solution: The mermaid can be found in the far boat during the Night Market. After she concludes her performance, click on the shells in the order the note specifies to receive a Pearl. This can only be done one time.

Secret Note #16 – Railroad Treasure Map

This note leads players to a hidden Treasure Chest.

Text: This note contains no text. It is an image of a red X marked above some train tracks next to a cliff.

Solution: Behind the hot springs, continue past the train tracks towards the top left of the map. You’ll see a stone wall in the corner. Dig here to find a Treasure Chest worth a whopping 5,000g.

Secret Note #17 – River Treasure Map

This note leads players to hidden treasure.

Text: This note contains no text. It shows a red X marked between a river and a cliff beside a thin bridge.

Solution: This time, you want to head just north of JojaMart. Follow the right side of the river bank to the very top and dig next to the large bolder. You’ll find a Strange Doll artifact that can be donated to the museum.

Secret Note #18 – Desert Treasure Map

This note leads players to hidden treasure.

Text: This note contains no text. It shows a red X marked in the sand beside a bench.

Solution: As you may have guessed, this map is showing the Calico Desert. Head there and find the bench in the lower-east corner. Dig around the left side to find another Strange Doll artifact to donate to the museum in town.

Secret Note #19 – Follow Directions 1

This note shows a series of directions that players will need to follow in order to find a hidden item.

Text: This note contains no text. It shows a sequence of green arrows pointing to a secret item.

Solution: The blue house seen in the note is 1 Willow Lane. Stand directly in front of the door and follow the directions. You won’t be taking a single step in each direction–you’ll need to walk in each direction listed for as far as you can go until you hit an obstacle.

The order is: Left, Up, Right, Up, Right, Down, Left, Down, Left, Down.

When you reach the right spot, just stand where you are and interact with the ground by right-clicking. You’ll be rewarded with a golden Lewis statue.

Bonus: Placing this somewhere in Pelican Town where it won’t be disturbed will grant players a bonus. The following day, it will be replaced with 750g, a rotten plant, and a note which reads the following:

“In the future, I’d appreciate it very much if you refrain from placing my PRIVATE belongings in the town for all to see! I’m very displeased! Take this money and never speak of my ‘project’ to anyone.”

After this, there is a 90 percent chance that the statue will appear in Lewis’ bedroom and a 10 percent chance that it will appear in Marnie’s bedroom.

Secret Note #20 – Follow Directions 2

This note shows a series of directions that players will need to follow in order to find a hidden item.

Text: This note contains no text. It shows a sequence of arrows leading to a reward in the town square.

Solution: The note shows the town square. Stand in the center of the eye in the town square and follow the directions. As a reminder, you’ll need to walk in each direction listed for as far as you can go until you hit an obstacle before heading in the next listed direction.

The order is: Right, Down, Right, Up, Right, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, Left, Up, Right, Up, Left, Up, Left.

Following the directions correctly will lead players to a truck beside JojaMart. Click on the driver’s door to start a conversation. The driver will request a Lucky Rabbit’s Foot, and giving one to him will permanently increase your luck stat.

Secret Note #21 – Nighttime Meeting

This note instructs the player to go somewhere at night.

Text: This note contains no text. It shows a hand-drawn map leading to a bush with a moon and a clock.

Solution: Visit the bush near the bridge in Pelican Town leading towards the beach. Interacting with it at exactly 12:40 AM will cause Marnie and Lewis to pop out. Sadly, there is no treasure to be found.

Secret Note #22 – Master Qi Quest

This note allows players to begin the quest titled The Mysterious Qi.

Text:
Greetings [Farmer]…
Have you found my ‘secret’ in the dark tunnel?
I look forward to meeting you!
-Qi

Solution: Visit the tunnel found out of town by heading to the bus stop and continuing west. Halfway through, you’ll see a box on the wall. Place a battery pack inside to begin the quest.

Secret Note #23 – Maple Syrup Quest

This note triggers the Strange Note quest once read. It requires players to bring an item to an NPC in exchange for a reward.

Text: If yoo can reed dis… come to seecrit wuds. Pleez bring may-pal serrup.

Solution: Get some Maple Syrup and visit the Secret Woods between 6 AM and 7 PM. You’ll find yourself chatting with a talking bear who will reward your good deed by sharing some special information about berries. This will allow you to sell Salmonberries and Blackberries for three times more.

Secret Note #24 – M. Jasper’s Book

This note is a snippet from M. Jasper’s book containing some useful information for farmers.

Text:
It’s a page from M. Jasper’s book:

…the creatures, known by some as “Forest Spirits” or “Junimos”, are said to appear in abandoned buildings after they’ve “gone to seed”.
As a general rule…when humans leave, and nature begins to reclaim her territory, the Junimos will undoubtedly appear.
Folk wisdom holds that the Junimos display some kind of resonant affinity with gemstones that are placed inside their little huts…
Of course, all these claims come from dubious, unverified sources… As far as I know, even the mere existence of these creatures has never been proven!

Solution: This note teaches players that putting a forged gem, mineral, or geode into a Junimo Hut will change the colors of the Junimos living there that harvest crops. The Junimos will typically turn the same color as the stone used.

Secret Note #25 – Abigail’s Note

This note, written by Abigail, leads players to a lost item.

Text: I ‘borrowed’ a necklace from Mom, but lost it somewhere near the bath house… She’s going to freak out if she notices it’s missing.

Solution: Fish outside the Spa during Spring, Summer, or Fall to find the Ornate Necklace. Giving this to Abigail will reward you with 100 friendship points.