From Ghibli to Slam Dunk! Let's visit the holy land of Japanese anime
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Photo by Saki Terauchi Japanese anime has many fans all over the world. Many people visit Japan to see the places that appear in anime. In this article, we will introduce five representative Japanese anime holy sites.
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Table of Contents
- Spirited Away
- Whisper of the Heart
- Your Name
- Evangelion
- Slam Dunk
- If you want to take photos at anime holy sites , Capture My Japan
" Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas, provided by Lovegraph Co., Ltd , one of Japan's largest on-location photography session businesses.
If you use the coupon code "MCM-17174" when applying, you can get a 5% discount and experience a professional photo shoot!
Please take a look at the following article for more information about shooting with "Capture My Japan".
Spirited Away
"Spirited Away," which was released in 2001, is one of Studio Ghibli's world-renowned films.
This animated film is popular all over the world, having won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards, ranked 4th in a poll run by the BBC in the UK's "100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century" in 2016, and ranked 2nd in the New York Times' ranking of the best foreign language films of the 21st century in 2017.
Sekizenkan (Gunma Prefecture)
Photo by Makoto Maruyama
Sekizenkan in Gunma Prefecture is a long-established inn with over 300 years of history.
The red bridge in front of the main building of Sekizenkan, as well as the tunnels and stairs inside the building, are similar to the bathhouse that appears in the film, and it has been said that this location served as the image model.
Sekizenkan has five hot springs, all of which are natural springs. Not only can you enjoy the movie, but you can also enjoy the soothing experience of the hot springs.
Whisper of the Heart
The work was serialized in a Japanese manga magazine in 1989 and animated by Studio Ghibli in 1995.
It is a simple yet beautiful film that depicts a scene from everyday life, with typical Japanese town scenes, schools, uniforms, buses... it is an anime that will evoke some nostalgia for Japanese people.
Seiseki Sakuragaoka (Tokyo)
Photo by Meru
Seiseki-Sakuragaoka, located about 30 minutes on the Keio Line from Shinjuku in Tokyo, has several sights that are reminiscent of Whisper of the Heart.
The station that appears in the movie as "Suginomiya Station," where the main character gets off, is modeled after Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station, and in front of the station there is a monument based on the antique shop "Chikyu-ya" that appears in the movie.
South of the station is Oguri River, where Kasumigaseki Bridge crosses, and this is also where the main characters walked in the movie. Further ahead is Irohazaka, which is the main setting of the movie, and further ahead are the places where the main character was confessed to by his childhood friend, and the rotary where he found the antique shop, making it a fun spot for those who know Whisper of the Heart.
Your Name
Shinjuku (Tokyo)
Photo by imuchan
Shinjuku is a spot that appears many times in Your Name.
Also featured in the film are the Shintoshin Pedestrian Bridge where the now-working Taki and Mitsuha pass each other, Cafe La Bohém, an Italian restaurant in Shinjuku Gyoen where Taki had a part-time job, and the south exit ticket gates of Shinjuku Station.
If you watch the movie carefully and then visit Shinjuku, you will surely be able to find many of the locations that appeared in Your Name.
Shibuya (Tokyo)
Photo by Nao Ito
Taki had his coffee at a Starbucks in the TSUTAYA building, located right next to JR Shibuya Station. This Starbucks closed at the end of October 2023, but reopened in April 2024. I'd love to visit the new holy place.
Also, the pedestrian bridge in front of Aoi Bookstore that Taki crossed can still be seen exactly as it appeared in the film, although Aoi Bookstore closed in 2018.
Tateishi Park (Nagano Prefecture)
Photo by mayuki
The town of Itomori, where the heroine Mitsuha lives, is home to a large lake called Lake Itomori, and many people are sure to be touched by its beautiful scenery.
It is said that Lake Suwa, seen from Tateishi Park in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, resembles Lake Itomori. It is especially beautiful at dusk, and is featured in a famous movie scene, so it is a spectacular view you should definitely see if you visit.
Evangelion
The film "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time" was released in 2021, bringing the Evangelion series to an end after 25 years, but its popularity continues to grow, with fans making pilgrimages to the holy sites.
Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Photo by Haruna Nakamura
Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture was the setting for Evangelion's New Tokyo-3.
The event "Evangelion x Hakone 2020" ended in September 2020, but some parts still remain to this day, providing entertainment for many fans.
If you're an Evangelion fan, this is a place you'll want to visit at least once, with attractions such as the large-scale wrapping at Togendai Station, the souvenir shop "Eva-ya" on the first floor of Hakone-Yumoto Station which sells Evangelion goods, and the Evangelion-themed public toilets in Kintoki Park.
Ube Shinkawa Station (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Ube City in Yamaguchi Prefecture is the hometown of Hideaki Anno, the general director of Evangelion, and Ube-Shinkawa Station appears in "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time."
The chair Shinji was sitting on is at the very back of platform 3, so why not sit there and take a commemorative photo?
There are Evangelion stamps available at the station, and when you purchase an admission ticket, you will receive an Evangelion-designed stamp to mark it as used.
Tenryufutamata Station (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Tenryufutamata Station in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture This was one of the locations that served as the model for the "Third Village" that appears in the "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time" film.
At the Tenryufutamata Station depot, the "Spear of Longinus," one of the important tools in Evangelion, is on display. It is 3.6 meters tall and very impressive. The date of its removal has not been decided yet, so we recommend visiting early.
Slam Dunk
This is a basketball-themed manga that was serialized in a manga magazine from 1990 to 1996, and an anime version was aired from 1993 to 1996, and a movie was released in 2022, which became a hot topic.
In front of Kamakura High School (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Photo by suzunico
The railroad crossing in front of Kamakura High School is also depicted in the opening scene of Slam Dunk.
Located near Shichirigahama Beach in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, about 100 meters from Kamakurakokomae Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway, it is a rare and beautiful spot where you can see the sea over the railroad crossing and train tracks.
When taking photographs or visiting the area, please be sure not to enter the road or train tracks.
Kugenuma Beach (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Photo by pixta
Kugenuma Beach , a popular surfing spot in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is the location depicted in the final scene of the Slam Dunk manga, where Hanamichi is reading a letter from Haruko.
Although the scenery has changed a little over the years, you can still see Enoshima from here. The sunset is beautiful here, so I recommend going in the evening.
If you want to take photos at anime holy sites , Capture My Japan
Photo by Yuki Matsumoto
Did you find a favorite anime? There are many places in Japan that were models for anime, so please enjoy visiting the sacred places of your favorite anime.
With "Capture My Japan," you can take photos at your favorite locations throughout Japan. An English-speaking photographer will be in charge of the photos while maintaining close communication with you, so why not try taking photos as a character from your favorite anime at its sacred locations?
The rate for "Capture My Japan" starts from 49,500 yen per hour (including 50 edited photos). Currently, you can get a 5% discount on your photography experience by entering coupon code " MCM-17174 " when applying. If you're considering requesting services from Capture My Japan, be sure to take advantage of this offer!
Official website: https://capturemy.jp/
Photographer: https://lovegraph.notion.site/Photographers-2e00aa4468c0438dafe5ce576dd39be7
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Tokyo
"Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas by Lovegraph Co., Ltd, which operates one of Japan's largest on- location photography session businesses. Would you like to capture yourself along with the beautiful scenery of Japan with a professional photographer? You can experience shooting at your favorite travel destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Capture My Japan's photographers have bases all over the country and can handle shooting in a wide range of areas. We have photographers who have passed a strict screening process, so you can leave your shooting to us with confidence! Japanese photographers who have a good understanding of each region will take care of your needs. Why not leave your memories of your trip to Japan together in a wonderful way?
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