niponica is a web magazine that introduces modern Japan to people all over the world.
2017 No.21
Japan’s Cutting-Edge Pop
Between Reality and Fiction
Anime Pilgrimage to a Special Place in the Heart
Your Map to Japan
Manga and Anime Site Map
Anime and manga stories are often based on a real city or town. It’s natural to want to visit the setting of a story you like, so here’s a map that might be handy for visiting the places of your favorite manga and anime.
1. Hokkaido
© H.A.,S/E
“Gin no Saji Silver Spoon”
Obihiro
Anime depicting the life of a boy who is an agricultural high school student. One of the film’s locations is Hokkaido’s Tokachi area, the only place in Japan to see Ban’ei Horse Racing, in which horses pull heavy sleds as they compete for strength and speed.
2. Miyagi Prefecture
Photo: PIXTA
“Wake Up, Girls!”
Sendai
Idol animation that took on the ambitious challenge of merging reality with the anime realm. Step foot into the city of Sendai and you enter the world of Wake Up, Girls!
3. Saitama Prefecture
© ANOHANA PROJECT
“Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day”
Chichibu
An ensemble cast anime based in the city of Chichibu. Fans flock there to appreciate the street sights and nature as well as the Old Chichibu Bridge triggering an anime pilgrimage to the place.
4. Tokyo
©OSAMU AKIMOTO, ATELIER BEEDAMA/SHUEISHA
“Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari
Koen-mae Hashutsujo”
Katsushika
Katsushika is where daring police officer Ryotsu Kankichi gets posted. Bronze statues of him and other characters, found throughout the town, welcome the visiting fans.
5. Ishikawa Prefecture
Photo: Railstation.net
“Hanasaku Iroha
~Blossoms for Tomorrow”
Kanazawa
The story features three girls who work at a hot springs inn. The Bonbori (paper lantern) Festival in the story has been made a reality mainly by the Yuwaku Onsen Tourism Association and is now a popular local event in Yuwaku Hot Springs.
6. Shiga Prefecture
© S/K,V,N
© Biwako Visitors Bureau
“Chihayafuru”
Otsu
A high school student’s story about competitive karuta (poem card game) and young love. Omi Jingu Shrine, fictional venue for the competition, is now a pilgrimage site for fans.
7. Tottori Prefecture
©GOSHO AOYAMA/SHOGAKUKAN
“Case Closed”
Hokuei Town
Birthplace of Aoyama Gosho, author of “Case Closed” (Meitantei Conan). Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory opened in 2007.
8. Kochi Prefecture
Photo: PIXTA
© T/PQP 2016
“POPIN Q”
Nakatosa Town
Youth story depicting a girl’s growth through dancing. The heroine, Kominato Isumi, living in Nakatosa Town runs to Kure Fishing Port when overwhelmed with emotion, shouting with all her might.
9. Saga Prefecture
©Hasetsu Townspeople / Yuri!!! on ICE PROJECT
“Yuri!!! on ICE”
Karatsu
Sports anime series about men’s figure skating. Karatsu and Karatsu Castle, Saga Prefecture, are the models for the anime’s Hasetsu-cho and Hasetsu Castle.