Deku Shrine

The Deku Shrine is a location in Majora's Mask, situated on the west side of the Deku Palace. The entrance to the Deku Shrine is initially blocked by a Big Octo; however, after Odolwa has been defeated and the Southern Swamp's waters return to their normal state, Link may enter it whenever he pleases since the Big Octo will be gone.

The inner part of the Deku Shrine is a labyrinth full of traps, enemies, and dead-ends. Here, Link must race against the Deku Butler in order to obtain the Mask of Scents from him. If Link is too slow to keep up with the Deku Butler, the doors of the Deku Shrine will begin to close until the young hero gets stuck and is unable to catch up with the butler. As the young hero progresses through the labyrinth, masks such as the Bunny Hood and the Deku Mask will be useful to him to make the race a bit easier.

If Link succeeds and reaches the end of the Deku Shrine, the Deku Butler will reward him with the Mask of Scents, who apologizes with the young hero for trying too hard to outrun him. The only way to exit the shrine is through a magic portal that appears after talking to the Deku Butler.

Trivia

 * A similar race is held in Dampé's Grave in Ocarina of Time, where Link races the ghost of Dampé the gravekeeper.
 * The Deku Shrine can be entered without defeating the Woodfall Temple if Deku Link stands on the lilypad closest to the entrance, removes the Deku Mask, and shoots the Big Octo with an arrow. The lilypad will sink under Link's weight, so this must be done quickly. However, the Deku Butler will not be in the Shrine to race Link, so he cannot proceed past the first room.