Every named cave in Tears of the Kingdom hides one small, glowing frog. Kill it and you get a Bubbul Gem, the currency behind a whole side quest, a set of monster masks, the Mystic armor and Koltin’s Fabric, a Satori-themed paraglider fabric. Most players find their first one by accident. The smart ones farm them on purpose.
Science time. Here is where Bubbulfrogs live, how to drop them fast, and exactly what your gems buy from Koltin.
Where to Find Bubbulfrogs
The rule is simple: one Bubbulfrog per cave. Tears of the Kingdom has 147 caves, so there are 147 Bubbulfrogs and 147 Bubbul Gems to collect.
- Caves only: Every named cave has one. Wells do not count, and you will not find them out in the open.
- Look up: They usually perch on a wall or ledge somewhere in the cave, often in the largest chamber, glowing faintly.
- Map checkmarks: Once a cave’s Bubbulfrog is dead, the cave name on your map gets a checkmark. That is your progress tracker.
- Multiple entrances: Many caves have more than one entrance, so 147 caves means a lot more than 147 cave icons.
The Tech: The checkmark only appears for the Bubbulfrog, not for the cave’s chests or other loot. If a cave has no check, its frog is still alive somewhere inside.
How to Beat a Bubbulfrog
Bubbulfrogs are not a threat. Their only attack is a slow stream of bubbles that barely scratches you. The challenge is reaching them, not killing them.
- Arrows: Two or three arrows usually do it. Shooting it off its perch is the cleanest method.
- Jump attack: If it falls but survives, finish it on the ground with any melee hit.
- The Blupee: When a Bubbulfrog dies, a Blupee may pop out and run off. Hit it for a few rupees if you are quick.
Starting the Quest: Kilton and Koltin
The gems only become useful once you meet the brothers behind them. The quest is called The Hunt for Bubbul Gems!
- Find Kilton near the Woodland Stable. He is camped by Pico Pond in southern Eldin, northeast of Lookout Landing.
- Meet Koltin. Talking to Kilton introduces his brother Koltin, who wants Bubbul Gems so he can become a Satori.
- Get your first gem. If you do not have one, enter Pico Pond Cave right there. Its Bubbulfrog is easy to spot in the main chamber.
- Hand it over. Koltin eats it, it does not work the way he hoped, and he decides he needs more. That is your cue to keep collecting.
After the first gem, Kilton moves to Tarrey Town in Akkala and Koltin starts wandering Hyrule. Visit Kilton whenever you want to know where Koltin is now, then go hand in your gems in one batch. The town has grown a lot since its Breath of the Wild days.
Koltin’s Rewards
Koltin trades rewards for gems in a fixed order. You cannot skip ahead to the item you want, so the useful stuff comes in sequence. The masks arrive early, but the final reward, Koltin’s Fabric, only unlocks once you’ve handed over all 147 gems.
| Reward type | Items | Gem cost each |
|---|---|---|
| First reward | Bokoblin Mask | 1 |
| Monster masks | Moblin, Lizalfos, Horriblin, Lynel Masks | 2 to 4 |
| Monster parts | Hinox Toenail, Fire Keese Eyeballs, Ice-Breath Lizalfos Tails, Gleeok Wings, Gleeok Thunder Horns, White-Maned Lynel Mace Horn | 2 to 4 |
| Mystic armor | Mystic Robe, Mystic Trousers, Mystic Headpiece | 3 to 5 |
| Final reward | Koltin’s Fabric (Satori-themed paraglider fabric) | All 147 gems |
Are the Masks Worth It?
Yes. A monster mask makes that monster type treat you as one of their own, so you can walk right up to a Bokoblin camp and start the fight on your terms. Masks are the reason to start collecting early: the sooner you have them, the more camps you can scout and ambush on your own terms.
The Mystic Armor
The Mystic set is the late reward line and is mostly a look rather than a stat upgrade. Before you ask: yes, collectors will still want it, and Koltin’s Fabric at 147 gems is the real trophy. It makes your paraglider glow at night.
Efficient Bubbul Gem Farming
- Go region by region: Pull up your map, find caves without checkmarks, and clear an area at a time.
- Carry light: Brightbloom Seeds or a light source make spotting the glow much faster in dark caves.
- Bring arrows: You will spend two or three per frog, and some perch high up.
- Batch your trades: Stack gems and trade them in one visit rather than chasing Koltin around after every cave.
- Use the Shrine Sensor area knowledge: Many caves hold shrines too, so you often clear both at once.
For more Tears of the Kingdom guides, start at our Tears of the Kingdom hub. If you are still on the fence about the Switch 2 upgrade, the TOTK Switch 2 Edition review covers what changed, and BOTW or TOTK: which to play first helps new players pick a starting point.
Bubbulfrog FAQ
How many Bubbulfrogs are in Tears of the Kingdom?
147, one in each named cave. Each drops one Bubbul Gem, so there are 147 gems in total.
What do you do with Bubbul Gems?
Trade them to Koltin for monster masks, rare monster parts, the Mystic armor set and finally Koltin’s Fabric for your paraglider once you’ve handed in all 147. Kilton tells you where Koltin is.
How do I know which caves I have cleared?
A cave gets a checkmark next to its name on your map once you defeat its Bubbulfrog.
Are there Bubbulfrogs in wells or the Depths?
No. Wells and the Depths have none; only the named caves on the Surface hold Bubbulfrogs.
Test Results: Clearing caves you were already exploring is the cheapest way to fund every mask in the game. Shoot the frog, check the map, move on. Working as intended, and for once I actually believe it.
