Echo Stone Earring sidequest

Game: Fatal Frame III
Character: Kei Amakura
Chapter(s): Hour X/Hour XII
Reward(s): Echo Stone Earring, Purple Diary 4, alternate ending

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During either Hour X or Hour XII, go to 2F Stairs Hallway and move the shelf at the far end to reveal a hidden door. Cross the roof to access the Closed Room, pick up the diary on the floor, and take a photo of Woman Brushing crying. Pull down the ladder underneath where she was standing, then climb down into the Hearth Room and fight her. After defeating her you will receive the Holly Key. Use it on the mirror stand in the Kimono Room to receive the Echo Stone Earring, "Kei Lookalike" photograph and Legend of Song 3.

Completing this sidequest and acquiring the Echo Stone Earring will prevent Kei from being spirited away by Reika in his final chapter. Whilst the ending cutscene itself remains the same, a sequence of photographs will show during the ending, revealing the fates of Kei and Mio.

Misc. Info

• The second part of the quest (including the alternate ending) is only available on a second playthrough. On a first playthrough, Kyouka Kuze does not drop the Holly Key when defeated.
• The best time to do this quest is early in Hour X, before opening the doors to the Engraving Shrine courtyard, to avoid having to deal with the miasma.