Gathering
Gathering in inZOI refers to the collection of raw materials and natural resources from the game world. It encompasses several distinct activities: mining for gemstones and minerals, fishing for fish species, farming for crops and produce, and foraging for items like pearls from beach sand piles. These activities feed into downstream systems including crafting, cooking, and the Collection Log. The majority of gathering content was introduced in the v0.3.0 update (August 2025) alongside the free Island Getaway DLC and the Cahaya region.
Gathering Activities
Mining
Mining is the core activity of the Collecting skill. Zois extract rocks, minerals, and raw gemstones from Mining Spots found in parks, farmlands, and non-residential areas across all three cities. Mining requires a pickaxe, purchasable from the Farm Store in Cahaya or craftable at a Crafting Table. Seven pickaxe tiers exist, from Stone through Gem, with each tier dramatically improving the chance of finding rare materials.
Mining Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Skill Used | Collecting |
Equipment | Pickaxe (Stone, Copper, Steel, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Gem) |
Resources | Rocks, iron, copper, silver, sodalite, gold, diamonds, gemstones |
Best Location | Xiang Park, Cahaya |
Respawn | Mining spots respawn quickly; can be revisited in the same session |
See the Gem Mining and Crafting article for full details on pickaxe tiers, mining spot types, and gemstone locations.
Fishing
Fishing is governed by the Fishing skill. Zois catch fish from designated spots in Dowon (Harang River Park), Bliss Bay (Sunset Bay, North Beach), and Cahaya (beach, boat, and park spots). Fishing rods come in material tiers (Wooden, Copper, Iron, Silver, Gold, Jewel) that determine which species can be caught. Advanced Bait (5 Meow per use) improves odds on rare catches.
Fishing Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Skill Used | |
Equipment | Fishing rod (7 tiers from Wooden to Jewel) |
Resources | Fish species (freshwater and saltwater), fish fillets for cooking |
Best Locations | Harang River Park (Dowon), Sunset Bay (Bliss Bay), Cahaya boat spots |
Time of Day | Some species are day-only or night-only |
Fish fillets are used as ingredients in Cooking recipes like Flatfish Sushi and Steamed Fish. See the Fishing article for the complete species list.
Farming
Crop farming uses the Gardening skill. Zois plant seeds on dirt plots, water and fertilize daily, and harvest mature crops for Meow or Cooking ingredients. Crops range from basic starter vegetables (Lettuce, Tomato, Blueberry) to higher-level produce (Apple trees, Lettuce Hydroponic System) that unlock at Gardening Levels 2 and 6.
Farming Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Skill Used | |
Equipment | Seedling pots, watering can, pitchfork, dirt plots |
Resources | Vegetables, fruits, special crops (pumpkin) |
Growth Time | ~2+ in-game days per crop |
Income | Good-quality harvests sell for ~500 Meow each |
See the Gardening and Crop Farming articles for full crop lists and growth mechanics.
Foraging
Some items are gathered through environmental interaction rather than a specific skill:
Item | Description |
|---|---|
Pearls | Found in sand piles on beaches in Cahaya and Bliss Bay. Pearls are rare and tracked in the Collection Log. |
Twigs and rocks | Common environmental items gathered forHandiwork crafting recipes. |
Skills Involved
Three main skills govern gathering activities:
Skill | What It Governs | |
|---|---|---|
Mining efficiency, gemstone drop rates, pickaxe effectiveness | Teenager through Senior | |
Catch success rate, access to rarer species, fishing rod effectiveness | Teenager through Senior | |
Crop variety, harvest quality, bonsai pruning, plant growth mechanics | Teenager through Elder |
Children can develop related skills through the Curious Mind child skill, which grows through fishing and mining activities and gives a head start in Collecting and Fishing when the child ages up to a Teenager.
Equipment
Gathering activities require specific tools, most of which can be purchased from the Farm Store in Cahaya or crafted at a Crafting Table:
Tool | Activity | Where to Get | Starting Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Pickaxe (Stone/Copper/Steel) | Mining | Farm Store, Cahaya | 200 Meow each |
Fishing Rod (Wooden+) | Fishing | Farm Store, Whatever Tiny Shop, or Crafting Table | 200 Meow |
Watering Can | Farming | Farm Store or Crafting Table | 200 Meow |
Rake | Farming | Farm Store or Crafting Table | 200 Meow |
Seeds / Seedlings | Farming | Build Mode catalog | 5-160 Meow |
Higher-tier tools are crafted through Handiwork at the Crafting Table. Premium Pickaxes and Fishing Rods unlock at Handiwork Level 2; Jewel Watering Cans and Rakes unlock at Level 5.
Downstream Systems
Gathered materials feed into several downstream systems:
System | Input | Output |
|---|---|---|
Raw gems, metals, rocks from mining | Tools, jewelry, polished jewels | |
Fish fillets from fishing, crops from farming | Meals, recipes | |
Crops and produce from farming | Baked goods, pastries | |
All gathered items automatically | Completion rewards, exclusive furniture | |
Raw materials, crops, fish | Direct Meow sales |
Collection Log
Every item gathered by any household member is automatically recorded in the Family Collection Log. The log is divided into categories (Fishing, Farming, Mining/Gems, Jewels, Tools, Conversations) and tracks completion progress. Each entry shows silhouettes for undiscovered items and full-color icons for collected ones, with hints about where to find missing entries. Completing sections unlocks exclusive furniture rewards.
Best Gathering Locations
Location | City | Activities Available |
|---|---|---|
Xiang Park | Dense mining spots; best location for gem mining | |
Cahaya Farmland | Farming plots, nearby mining spots, Farm Store access | |
Fishing spots + mining spots in one area | ||
Sunset Bay / North Beach | Saltwater fishing, beach foraging for pearls | |
Cahaya Boat Spots | Cahaya | Deep-sea fishing; rarest species (Orca, Whale Shark) |
Bliss Garden | Mining spots with diverse mineral types |
Tips
Cahaya is the hub for gathering. The Farm Store, mining spots, fishing spots, and farmland are all concentrated in one area.
Pair mining and fishing in locations like Harang River Park where both activities are available side by side.
Upgrade your pickaxe and fishing rod as soon as possible through Handiwork crafting. Better tools dramatically improve results.
The Concentrated mood boosts rare gem drops when mining. Use meditation or yoga before a mining session.
Check the Collection Log hints to find which locations and spot types yield missing items.
Farm crops daily even when focused on other gathering. The passive income and Cooking ingredients add up over time.
Children can fish and mine to build their Curious Mind skill, giving them a head start when they become teenagers.
Sell raw materials directly if you do not have high Handiwork. Processing materials at the Crafting Table is only more profitable once you can apply premium cuts or craft premium tools.