PDP Optional: Early-Level Muenzuka

Obtaining the Inflatable Boat is a prerequisite to reach Muenzuaka, so please check out Part 8 of the guide.

Hello, welcome to an Optional Sidetrip guide! What will you gain by heading to Muenzuka now? An opportunity to fight more trainers, pick up more Yin Yang Orbs, and the opportunity to capture some new Puppets!

So, to get to Muenzuka, you need to speak with the Kappa at the dock outside the healing building in Kappa Valley to head back to the cave. Exit the cave by going up the ladder and out the door. Follow the path out until you reach an area with an opportunity to turn left (it's right after you leave the paved area).

Head down there and into the alternate entrance to the Forest of Magic. Cross the water in front of you with your Inflatable Boat.

This part is mildly confusing, so bear with me. Also, the grass here contains the same things as the original Forest of Magic (Three Mischievous Fairies), but at higher levels, along with Marisa and Ellen. [Thank you to the anonymous commenters who let me know Ellen can also be captured here]

Head to the left and fight the Brown-Haired Fairy. She will use a level 28 Wriggle and a level 28 Rumia. Follow the path until you see water. Now, follow the water down and cross the bridge.

From there, head up and through some mud and grass (remember that mud dismounts you from your bicycle). Fight the Purple-Haired Fairy who will use a level 30 Lily. Head through some more grass and pick up a Yin Yang Orb containing Skill Card 14.

Now, head back to where the bridge was, and this time, head down. When you get the chance to turn left, do so and head through the grass. Fight the Ghost there who uses a level 30 Lunasa. Hop down the ledge and then head left to exit the Forest of Magic.

This new area is Muenzuka 1. Head up to facea Ghost who uses a level 30 Komachi. In the grass here, you can capture Komachi, Nazrin, and Medicine.
To the left of the Ghost, head across the water and pick up a Yin Yang Orb containing Skill Card 57. Now head back across the water to the Ghost, and go down into the flower fields.

Here, you will be challenged by a Brown-Haired Fairy using two level 28 Nazrins. Head up and hop over the left ledge. Straight ahead is a Yin Yang Orb containing a Prismatic Candy. Up past that is a Sunflower Fairy who will challenge you with two level 28 Medicines.

Head up past her and through the flower field. Hop down the nearby ledge and then head left and up. Up a bit is a currently unoccupied house (Nazrin's, perhaps?), so head left instead. This brings you to Muenzuka 2.

In Muenzuka 2 you can capture Renko, Mari, Yukari, Rinnosuke, and Eiki. Yukari is the rare capture here.
Head immediately up to pick up a Yin Yang Orb containing a Clear Hairpin, then head down and pick up another Yin Yang Orb, this one containing Vintage Wine (sellable item). Down some more is yet another Yin Yang Orb, this one containing a Dust SpStone.

Head across the bridge and into more flowers. Head up and go around a tree to pick up another Yin Yang Orb, this one containing a Dusk SpStone. Then head up some more to pick up yet another Yin Yang Orb. This one contains a Halo SpStone.
Head down and to the right to pick up another Yin Yang Orb containing a Silent SpStone.

That's about all to do here aside from capturing more Puppets. However a set of stairs is what I'm assuming is the Saigyouji Ayakashi, and to the left of that you can find a Yin Yang Orb containing Skill Card 63. So, after picking that up, make your way out of Muenzuka 2.

Once back in Muenzuka 1, head down and hop down the nearby ledges (both). Then head right and fight the Ghost. He uses a level 30 Komachi. Keep heading right past him and hop over the ledge. Proceed with going right, then straight, and then right to head back into the Forest of Magic.

Once in the Forest of Magic, head up, then right, go across the bridge, then head up and keep going until you see a Brown-Haired Fairy. Continue right past her until you see a dead tree in the center. Head up from there and go across the water and leave the area.

Head back up the path to Kappa Valley, heal up, and prepare yourself for the ascent of Youkai Mountain.

Link to Part 9 of the guide here.