Stardew Valley Journal Scraps: What They Say, Rewards they Give

The 1.5 update for Stardew Valley features a new set of collectibles called Journal Scraps. These journal pages tell the story of a sailor who was trapped on Ginger Island. If you want to know more about the Journal Scraps in Stardew Valley, you’ve come to the right place. Below you will learn what each Journal Scrap says and what reward (if any) they provide for completion.

What are Journal Scraps?

Journal Scraps as a system work exactly like Secret Notes did in update 1.3. You will find Journal Scraps when you are doing various activities like farming, fishing, clearing bush, defeating enemies, and more on Ginger Island. When you collect a Journal Scrap it is added to your inventory where you need to use it to read it. There are 11 Journal Scraps you can find randomly on the island. Notes you’ve read can be found under Collections > Secret Notes.

Important: You need to collect the Journal Scrap for things relating to items before being able to do the activity/find the item in the world

Journal Scrap #1: Day 1

Text: “…My ship is lost… Shattered by a tempest in the unforgiving sea. I find myself stranded now, on these strange shores. My crew has perished, but I still live. Perhaps lady luck has blessed these wicked bones of mine… Or has her own designs for my fate… At any rate, I’ve no choice but to make a life for myself here. There’s fresh water in abundance, food to forage, and fertile soil to work. First I’ll build a shelter… “

Purpose: This first Journal Scrap is simply a lore entry to learn about the castaway on the island. Nothing more to this note.

Journal Scrap #2: Day 6

Text: “I won’t go hungry here… the waters are full of edible (nay, delicious) fish. I even caught a stingray in the caves by the southeast shore. I haven’t a clue what to do with it, though. The other day, I even fished up a couple of Golden Walnuts. They seem to be all over the island. The local parrots go crazy for them.“

Purpose: Explains that the Golden Walnuts are a key currency on the island you will want to trade in to access different areas and unlock new buildings. It also points you towards the location where you can catch the Stingray which becomes accessible after you build the Resort.

Journal Scrap #3: Day 14

Text: “After half a month on this island, I’ve learned a thing or two about finding these golden nuts. One must keep their eyes peeled for subtle clues. If something looks unusual, there may be a hidden nut nearby. I’ve noticed signs in the sand… and signs in the leaves… I even saw a nut up in a tree near the volcano. If only I had a way of shooting it down… Whenever I’ve spotted a nut plant, I’ve always found a way to reach it.“

Purpose: This third Journal Scrap is more lore with a bit more tutorial. The tutorial teaches you more about Golden Walnuts and how to spot/collect them. The Golden Walnut mentioned above the volcano can be shot down using a Slingshot/Master Slingshot. It is on the right side above the Parrot Fast Travel station.

Journal Scrap #4: Treasure Map #1

Purpose: This journal scrap is the first of a few Treasure Maps you will receive pointing towards a specific location on the island. This map takes you to west-side of the island near Birdies house on the shore. Look for a grouping of three clusters of palm trees and dig between them. You will receive 1x Golden Walnut and a Quality Bobber.

Journal Scrap #5: Day 23

Text: “The local volcano holds many secrets. I’ve seen little men with glowing eyes, skittering about in the dark… like cats in the night (Could these be the fabled dwarf-men, mentioned by M. Jasper in his ‘Famous Journeys’?). Strange machines, too. Uncanny… not like anything known to man. At the top, I found a passage to the caldera of the volcano. And, half submerged in the bubbling lave, a peculiar machine… a kind of “Forge”. I’ll investigate further tomorrow“

Purpose: This fifth Journal Scrap is more lore with a bit more tutorial. The tutorial here introduces you to the Forge on top of the volcano. This forge can be found by reaching the tenth floor of the Fire Mountain dungeon.

Journal Scrap #6: Treasure Map #2

• Purpose: This journal scrap is the second of a few Treasure Maps you will receive pointing towards a specific location on the island. This map takes you to west-side of the island in the southeast corner along the shore underneath the farm. Dig at the spot shown above to receive 1x Golden Walnut and 1x Pearl for your treasure hunting efforts.

Journal Scrap #7: Forging Table

Text: 

• Topaz = Defense.
• Emerald = Speed.
• Jade = Critical Strike Power.
• Aquamarine = Critical Strike Chance.
• Ruby = Damage.
• Prismatic Shard = Enchantment.

Note: Weapons can be forged up to 3 times with gems, and can also be enchanted once with a prismatic shard. Tools can only be enchanted, not forged.

Purpose: This Journal Scrap gives information on the Forge and how to use it. Read the above carefully when you are forging or enchanting either a weapon or tool.

Journal Scrap #8: Weapon & Tool Enchantments

Weapon Enchantments

• Artful: Allows you to do “special moves” more rapidly.

• Bug Killer: Do more damage to bugs.

• Vampiric: Occasionally siphon health from a monster.

• Crusader: Do more damage to “unholy” monsters.

• Haymaker: When cutting weeds, you get more fiber, and also a chance to collect hay.

Tool Enchantments

• Powerful: Do more tool damage to stones, trees, and the like.

• Reaching: Increases your charge-up capacity, for a greater area of effect.

• Shaving: Chance to peel off additional wood when chopping.

• Bottomless: Watering can will never run dy.

• Generous: Dig up more from beneath the eart.

• Archealogist: Greater chance to find artifacts and bones.

• Efficient: Takes no energy to use.

• Swift: Swing the tool faster.

• Master: Increases fishing level.

• Auto-Hook: Automatically hooks fish when they bite.

• Preserving: Bait and tackle have a 50% chance to not be consumed.

Purpose: Like the previous Journal Scrap this Journal Scrap gives further information on the Forge and how to use it. Read the above carefully when you are forging or enchanting either a weapon or tool.

Journal Scrap #9: Blackgull’s Treasure

Text: “‘Twas a rain drenched day, and upon a lonely rock a beautiful maiden saw I. Tales I’d head of sea-born maidens singing siren’s songs, yet nary a note could she muster… The next morning I spied an arrangement of stone upon the foamy bank… Aye… stones as big as pennies and stones as big as nickels were they… If but this harried sea dog a tune could howl, perhaps to Blackgull’s treasure she would lead…“

Purpose: Teaches you how to solve the Mermaid Puzzle on Ginger Island during rainy days. To solve the puzzle place 5 Flute Blocks on the markers on the beach. Play the Flute Blocks according to the indicated values of each stone. You receive 5x Golden Walnuts for playing the song correctly.

Journal Scrap #10: Treasure Map #3

Purpose: This journal scrap is the third and final Treasure Map you will receive pointing towards a specific location on the island. This map takes you to north-side of the island just outside the entrance to the Fire Mountain Dungeon. On the left side of this area there is a J tree on the cliff. Dig next to it to get 1x Golden Walnut and 1x Ostrich Egg. The Ostrich Egg can be used to get an Ostrich on your farm.

Journal Scrap #11: Day 37

Text: “When I was a boy of ten years old, my father game me a glow ring and a magnet ring. They’ve never left my fingers since. However, when I was standing on top of the volcano… a strange idea came over me. I took my two rings, and cast them into the forge. Lo and behold. They combined into one. Now I’ve got one glowing magnet ring… I hope old pappy doesn’t mind, rest his soul...”

Purpose: The final journal scrap introduces you to the ring combining you can do at the forge. Simply put two rings into the forge on floor 10 to combine them into one.

These are all 11 of the Journal Scraps you can find on Ginger Island in Stardew Valley 1.5. Like Secret Notes you should read these to learn more about the island and the different gameplay mechanics on it. Many of the notes above are rather helpful to the player.

Check out more guides like this one in our Stardew Valley guide and walkthrough hub. Here you will find all of the guides that we’ve written for this game.

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