“Your Name” Scene Craze Hits Big Time: Top 5 Anime Pilgrimage Routes in Japan

By /MOOKCompiled and Reported by ScenicSpots.com Editorial Team

Makoto Shinkai’s latest anime film “Your Name,”with its hyper-realistic and finely detailed artwork,and the numerous anime scenes that overlap with real-world settings,has ignited a wave of discussion and pilgrimage enthusiasm worldwide. Filming locations spanning Tokyo, Qingdao, Gifu,and Nagano have also been revealed one by one.

As a major exporter of animation,Japan has countless classic anime scenes filmed all over the country,making them worthy of exploration by travelers. Hotels.com has compileda list of Japan’s top five classic pilgrimage cities, inviting travelers to step into the real-world counterparts of their favorite animated stories,and experience the magical overlap between fiction and reality that even non-die-hard anime fans can’t resist.
 
 
1.    “Your Name” Scene-Perfect Journey: Tokyo
The male protagonist’s home base in the anime, Tokyo, not only features iconic spots like the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building,but its exquisitely realistic artistry has also made many hidden locations hugely popular. Among the most representative,the red escalator where the male and female leads first meet is located at Sakuragaoka Shrine, about a 10-minute walk from Shinano-machi Station.Head toward the Meiji Jingu Gaien Stadium,and you’ll soon see the Shinano-machi pedestrian bridge where the male lead gazes up at the sky in the film. Additionally,the scene of the towering office buildings and circular traffic lightsis situated near the police station by Shinjuku Station—perfect for a visit when the neon lights come alive at night.
 
Tokyo Accommodation Recommendation:Roppongi S Hotel─ 3.5 stars

2.    “Slam Dunk” Classic Comeback Journey: Kamakura
“Slam Dunk” is considered a shared nostalgic memory for many in Taiwan.The sparkling coastline and classic train crossing scene from the opening theme song are located just over an hour away from Tokyo..., an hour's drive away, lies Kamakura. Take the nostalgic-looking Enoden train to “Kamakura High School Front?”, recreating the iconic scene from the opening credits of *Slam Dunk*where Haruko and Sakuragi wave — a must-do photo op for many travelers!The nearby Kamakura High School served as the prototype for Ryonan High, the strongest rival school in the manga.And the breathtaking blue coastline is also the very roadthat Ryota Muto, aka Rukawa, cycled along on his way to and from school in the anime!
 
Kamakura Accommodation Recommendations:Breath Hotel ─ 3 stars

3.    A Romantic Journey Inspired by *The Wind Rises*: Karuizawa
Originally a popular summer retreat near Tokyo, Karuizawa gained even more fame after Hayao Miyazaki’s final masterpiece *The Wind Rises*. Aside from the red brick arched bridge seen in the film,which closely resembles the Usui Third Bridge (also known as the Eyeglass Bridge),the over century-old Hotel Wanohan is also believed to be a key filming location.Spend an afternoon cycling through the lush, poetic landscapes of Karuizawa — the very place where the protagonists, Jiro and Naoko, fell in love.Spend an afternoon cycling around and enjoying the scenery where the protagonists, Jiro and Naoko, fell in love.The lush, poetic town of Karuizawa.
 
Karuizawa Accommodation Recommendations:The Prince Karuizawa Hotel ─ 4 stars