ANIME PLACES 2024-2025

“The Elusive Samurai” at Kamakura City in Kanagawa Prefecture and Suwa City in Nagano Prefecture

“The Elusive Samurai” is a spectacular historical story created by Matsui Yusei, who is known for his popular works such as “Neuro: Supernatural Detective” and “Assassination Classroom.” Made into an anime series in 2024, which became a big hit, this popular series is set in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture and Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. The story is set in the 14^th century, with the main character Hojo Tokiyuki, who actually existed. After the fall of the Kamakura shogunate, he escapes to Suwa in Shinano Province (current Nagano Prefecture). Therefore, the series features historical sites that still remain today, such as Suwa Grand Shrine and Takei Castle Ruins Forest Park, and Lake Suwa. Additionally, many famous locations in Kamakura, such as Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, are also depicted. As these places are easily accessible from Tokyo, they are recommended especially for people who want to do an anime pilgrimage without hassles.

The TV anime series “The Elusive Samurai” is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

©松井優征／集英社・逃げ上手の若君製作委員会

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┃Kamakura City in Kanagawa Prefecture

©松井優征／集英社・逃げ上手の若君製作委員会

長

┃Suwa City in Nagano Prefecture

©松井優征／集英社・逃げ上手の若君製作委員会 Suwa Grand Shrine
©松井優征／集英社・逃げ上手の若君製作委員会 　Lake Suwa

“My Deer Friend Nokotan” at Hino City, Tokyo

Aired from July to September 2024, the TV anime series “My Deer Friend Nokotan” is a surrealistic school comedy, which begins with the encounter between the main character, Koshi Torako, and Shikanoko Noko with strange antlers. With the video of Torako dancing surpassing eight million views on YouTube and 28 million views on TikTok, this series was already a hot topic even before it was aired. The story is set in Hino City, Tokyo.

©おしおしお・講談社／日野南高校シカ部

JR Hino Station, which is characterized by a traditional hip-and-gable roof, appears in the show when the characters are heading to school. Various places, such as Hino City Hall, Miharashi Park, Takahata-Fudoson Kongoji Temple, and Tama Monorail Hodokubo Station, also appear in the show. The anime’s ending features deer at Nara Park and the “eyecatches” (commercial bumpers) showcase places all over Japan which are related to deer, leading to fans of the series visiting these places.

©おしおしお・講談社／日野南高校シカ部 Hino Station

Takahata-Fudoson Kongoji Temple
Hino City Hall

“Kaiju No. 8” at Tachikawa City, Tokyo

The first anime season of “Kaiju No. 8” started in 2024 and the second season is scheduled to be aired and streamed in July 2025. As the set for this series, Tachikawa City, Tokyo, attracts much attention. Since the Japanese Anti-Kaiju Defense Force’s Third Division, which the main character Hibino Kafka aims to join, is located in Tachikawa, a collaboration event with the city was held from April to June 2024, during which the characters were displayed here and there in the city around Tachikawa Station. The whole city of Tachikawa is supporting “Kaiju No. 8.” The original manga series has a popular project called “Kaiju Hyakkei,” in which famous places in Tokyo appear, such as Tokyo Tower, Asakusa, and Miyashita Park in Shibuya, gaining a favorable reputation as well.

“Kaiju No. 8” is a popular manga series by Matsumoto Naoya, which has been published on Shueisha’s manga platform “Shonen Jump +” since 2020. The cumulative number of copies in Japan for the original comic has exceeded 17 million and the total number of views on the “Shonen Jump +” platform has recorded over 700 million (as of December 2024).

The compilation movie of the first season of the anime “Kaiju No. 8” series along with a double feature movie “Hoshina’s Day Off” is scheduled to be released in theaters for a limited time of three weeks, starting from March 28, 2025.

©防衛隊第3部隊 ©松本直也／集英社 Tachikawa Station

【OSHI NO KO】 at Takachiho-cho, Miyazaki Prefecture

Along with the worldwide hit of the opening theme song “Idol” by YOASOBI, the TV anime series [OSHI NO KO], has gained popularity outside Japan as well. In the second season which aired in 2024, Takachiho-cho in Miyazaki Prefecture serves as the main setting of the “Private Arc” storyline and also as the location for the music video of “POP IN 2,” one of the songs sung by the characters.

© 赤坂アカ×横槍メンゴ／集英社・【推しの子】製作委員会

In the series, you will find many unique places in Takachiho-cho, which is a famous “town of mythology,” including historical sites related to Japanese mythology, such as Takachiho-jinja Shrine, Kunimigaoka Hill, and Amanoiwato-jinja Shrine, as well as Aratate-jinja Shrine, which is said to bring good luck in performing arts and in romantic relationships.

Takachiho-jinja Shrine Aratate -jinja Shrine

You can also see good photo-shooting opportunities with unique motifs, such as the statue of Ama-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto at Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) Takachiho and Takachiho welcome sculptures. When you visit the town, it is recommended to use Kumamoto Airport, just as the characters did in the anime.

© 赤坂アカ×横槍メンゴ／集英社・【推しの子】製作委員会the statue of Ama-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto

Until the end of March 2025, Takachiho-cho is hosting a collaboration event with [OSHI NO KO]. Lots of fun things are offered, including an audio guide service by Ruby and Arima Kana guiding you through the town, as well as the sales of original goods and items.

“Narenare: Cheer for You!” in Takasaki and Numata Cities in Gunma Prefecture

Aired from July to September 2024, “Narenare: Cheer for you!” is an original TV anime series, featuring six high-school girls who inspire people with their zeal for cheering through cheerleading.

©なれなれプロジェクト/菜なれ花なれ製作委員会

The story takes place in Gunma Prefecture, and various sites modeled on real places in Takasaki and Numata Cities appear in the show. Those in Takasaki City include Takasaki Arena, which is where the story begins and serves as a venue for cheerleading competitions in real life, and Takasaki Chuo Ginza Shotengai shopping street.

©なれなれプロジェクト/菜なれ花なれ製作委員会

hose in Takasaki City include Takasaki Arena, which is where the story begins and serves as a venue for cheerleading competitions in real life, and Takasaki Chuo Ginza Shotengai shopping street. Those in Numata City include Dangozaka slope (Tunnel-zaka), where the main character Kanata succeeds at a big jump, and Jiyorin-ji Temple, which repeatedly appears as the family home of Megumi, a childhood friend of Kanata. All these places attract much attention from fans. As the stage for the episode in which team members strengthened their bonds in an onsen, Takaragawa Onsen in Minakami-machi is also depicted in the series.

Jiyorin-ji Temple

Takasaki Chuo Ginza Shotengai shopping street

The tour map for visiting the places related to “Narenare: Cheer for You!” is available for viewing on the website.
https://www.gunma-fc.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/narenare_map.pdf