The hometown of "Slam Dunk" in Shonan – the level crossing where Haruko waves

Reported and photographed by Yutor&#... / Japan


                 ▲The “Slam Dunk Haruko Waving Level Crossing” is situated in the Shonan area, about an hour and a half’s drive from Tokyo. (Top image / from YouTube; bottom image / photo by Yutor&#...)

Do you still remember that most classic scene from the opening theme of Slam Dunk? Ryota Sakuragi stands in front of the level crossing, waiting for a dark green train to pass. Once it’s gone, a beautiful view of the blue sea and sky appears, and Haruko is on the other side, waving at him. This “Slam Dunk Haruko Waving Level Crossing” is located in the Shonan area, about an hour and a half’s drive from Tokyo. By taking the Enoshima Electric Railway, this nostalgic scene from childhood suddenly appears as the train crosses the tracks.


▲ The most famous level crossing in the Slam Dunk story.

“If you haven’t seen ‘Slam Dunk,’ then you haven’t truly experienced youth,” says Yumiko Sano, 35, who grew up in the Shonan area. To the Japanese, Slam Dunk is not just a series filled with memories of youthful innocence, but also a representative work full of friendship, passion, and teamwork. Because of this, the Shonan area, which serves as the backdrop for the Slam Dunk story, is not only relaxing and laid-back, but also brimming with memories and longing tied to the Slam Dunk anime.

By taking the Enoshima Electric Railway—which became sister railways with Taiwan’s Pingxi Cradle Railway starting in May—it takes about 15 minutes to travel from “Enoshima Station” to “Kamakura High School Front Station.” A one-minute walk from the station brings you to the “Haruko Waving Level Crossing.” On one side is the slope leading up to Kamakura High School, and on the other is the sparkling sea. In front of the level crossing, high school students often stop to watch as the Enoden trains pass by. The waves on the other side shimmer under the sun, and that youthful, sunlit atmosphere makes it feel as if the real-life scenes from Slam Dunk have truly come to life.





▲ As the Enoden trains pass by, the waves on the other side of the level crossing shimmer in the sunlight, creating a youthful, sun-drenched scene that feels like a real moment from Slam Dunk.


▲ Kamakura High School Front Station, with the Enoden train pulling into the station.

Walking up the slope in front of the level crossing will take you to “Kamakura High School,” a school that also appeared in Slam Dunk and served as the inspiration for “Ryonan High” in the manga. Normally not open to the public, the reporter gained special permission to enter the campus. Stepping onto the basketball court of “Ryonan High,” you can see high school students cheering loudly for their team. The stands are filled with youthful energy, and the noise of the entire court makes you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time into the world of Slam Dunk, going wild over Ryota Sakuragi’s signature free throw stance.


▲ Walking up the slope in front of the level crossing will take you to “Kamakura High School.”


▲ Kamakura High School is one of the top three high schools in the Shonan area.


▲ The entrance to the school gymnasium.


▲%This is the basketball court in the school that served as the model for “Ryonan High” in the Slam Dunk story. Here, you can see high school students passionately cheering for their teams during matches, and the stands are filled with youthful excitement. The noise echoing throughout the court makes you feel as if you've traveled through time and entered the world of Slam Dunk, cheering for Ryota Sakuragi's iconic free throw form./strong>



▲ The basketballs used for practice at the school look especially familiar.


▲ The footprints left after practicing on the muddy ground give off a vibe of youth and passion that fills the campus.


▲ The theme song of Slam Dunk. (Video / from YouTube)