Your name (Kimi no na wa) in real life
- asboccomics
- Oct 13, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 28, 2024
[Author: Silvia Jiang]
“Seichi junrei (聖地巡礼, lit. 'pilgrimage to sacred places') is a Japanese buzzword and internet slang term describing a form of pop-culture tourism or film tourism where fans of anime subculture-related media make visits to real-world locations featured as settings, backgrounds, or general inspiration for their favorite series.“
When you set foot on the familiar locations of anime, walk along the streets that once appeared only on the screen but are now real and touchable, and gaze at the landscapes that once existed only in your memories, perhaps everyone will have a moment of disorientation and trance. Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, for example, was the inspiration for the classic manga "Slam Dunk". For countless basketball fans, this anime is not only an inspiration for chasing sports dreams, but also a symbol of youth. Imagine seeing that vintage tram whizzing along the coastline, and then think about the classic scene where Sakuragi and Haruko are waving at the train gate. These images will remind you of the manga that has inspired many people during their youth.Most anime real-life locations are in Japan, but there are actually quite a few anime set overseas. You can follow in the footsteps of JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: GOLDEN WIND and go on a real seichi jurei not far from Milan. The entire anime is set in various famous locations in Italy, from Naples in the south to Venice in the north. During the trip, you can try to take photos with jojo pose, which will be really fun.It's a way for anime fans to express their fondness for manga.
If you happen to have a ticket to Japan and have watched Makoto Shinkai’s film Your Name, the travel guide I'm about to share might offer you great inspiration.Since the various locations from Your Name are scattered across different regions of Japan, you can refer to these cool websites during your trip: www.anitabi.cn and https://anime-tourism.jp.
These websites include the real-life locations featured in various anime, making it easy for global anime fans to visit. The only downside is that the website isn't in English.
The following recommendations will cover some of the most famous locations from the movie. Some spots have become quite popular, so there may be lines, even though the movie was released 8 years ago.
Tokyo Chapter
The route starts at Yotsuya Station (30m 37s).
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You can first walk to Suga Shrine, where you will find the staircase where Taki and Mitsuha reunite at the end of the movie (90m30s). The stone steps are the entrance to Suga Shrine, and many other nearby corners which are featured in the anime, so those interested can explore them one by one.
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From the shrine, you can walk to Shinanomachi Station. The bridge outside the station frequently appears in the movie (41m 22s), including the scene where Taki and Mitsuha call each other (41m 36s, 73m 55s). To capture the same scene as in the anime, you might wait until dusk.
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You can then take one stop to JR Sendagaya Station, at the platform featured in the movie’s ending scene (99m 36s), with Mitsuha running out of the subway to find Taki, is located.
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After exiting the Shinjuku Gate, walk a few hundred meters to Shinjuku Station, which appears in the scene where Mitsuha, in Taki’s body, first arrives in Tokyo. Here, you can also see the Docomo Tower, which is frequently shown in this anime, and in other Makoto Shinkai’s movies.
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Outside of Tokyo
Izu Peninsula - Omuroyama
This is where the protagonists meet each other across time. The famous meteorite crater is located here.
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It takes about 3 hours by train from Tokyo to Izu Kogen, and from there you can take a bus directly to Omuroyama or opt for a taxi (about a ten-minute ride). You’ll need to take a cable car to reach the top of the mountain. Always check if the cable car is running on that day.
From May to October, the mountain looks like a matcha pudding. It’s not recommended to visit during other seasons.
Nagano
Nagano is the location of Itomori Lake in Your Name. You may not remember all the details from the anime, but I’m sure Itomori Lake left a strong impression.
The small town surrounding the lake is the model for Itomori Town, Mitsuha's hometown, where many key scenes take place and where the meteorite struck.
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It takes about 40min from Matsumoto Station to reach Kamisuwa Station. Next to the station, there is the Suwa Lake Tourist Information Center.
To capture a panoramic view of the lake, you should head to Tateishi Park, which is located on a hill. The lake is in a basin surrounded by mountains, so you'll need to admire the entire view from above. If you’re in a hurry, you can take a taxi, or you can opt for a bus or walk (30min). Walking along the roads, you’ll pass Japanese houses with gardens, and in the distance, you can catch glimpses of the lake.
Tateishi Park is small and offers lake views, which are especially stunning on clear days, particularly during sunset. You can also wait until night with a camera, try to shoot time-lapse photography, and perhaps you will get the same effect as in the movie!
Every year in late August, you can enjoy a fireworks festival by Lake Suwa. If you want to attend, you need to win the ticket lottery, which you can find on the official website https://suwako-hanabi.com/kojyou/overview/
The accuracy of the anime locations compared to the reality is incredible, and being in real-life settings will make you feel closer to the story and characters from Your Name.
Seichi jurei not only impress fans with how accurately creators can recreate real-life locations but also offers them an immersive, firsthand experience. Additionally, many popular spots collaborate with local governments, using this form of tourism promotion to bring significant economic benefits to the region.
If you ever have the chance in the future to embark on a seichi jurei following your favourite anime, I believe it will become a truly priceless and unforgettable memory, because every scene carries a part of your passion and your past.
Reference
Figure 1 Movie: “Your Name” by Makoto Shinkai
Figure 3 Movie: “Your Name” by Makoto Shinkai
Figure 5-6-7 Movie: “Your Name” by Makoto Shinkai
Figure 9 Movie: “Your Name” by Makoto Shinkai
Figure 10-11-12: https://voyapon.com/real-life-locations-movie-your-name/
Figure 14 Movie: “Your Name” by Makoto Shinkai
Figure 16 Movie: “Your Name” by Makoto Shinkai
I visited Shuga Shrine in 2018, and I was surprised by how faithfully the movie captured the reality. It was exactly during the "Your Name" boom, so there was a long queue of people in front of the shrine, all waiting for their turn to take a photo. I returned here last year to revisit this anime "icon," and there were still some people there.
P.S. On the way to Shuga Shrine from Shinjuku Station, you'll pass by Shinjuku Gyoen Park. If you have some time, be sure to visit it. Not only for its beauty, but also because it's the setting for The Garden of Words ;)