An anime pilgrimage, or seichi junrei (holy site pilgrimage), is one of the most immersive ways to experience Japan. Sites like the Suga Shrine staircase shown in Your Name (Kimi no Nawa) now see thousands of tourists each year looking to recreate the magic of that final scene. The number of places in Japan portrayed in anime keeps multiplying and if you’re an experienced otaku, how do you choose where to go?? Focus on the music, of course! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡ ♪
Instead of simply visiting the settings of your favorite shows, follow in the footsteps of the artists, the iconic concert venues, and the real-life locations featured in “music-heavy” anime.
Here is a guide to the essential stops for your music focused anime pilgrimage:
1. Shimokitazawa: The Indie Rock Hub of Bocchi the Rock!
Bocchi the Rock! captured hearts with its raw depiction of social anxiety, overcoming isolation, and the supportive power of a band. Most of the series takes place in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo’s trendy “subculture” neighborhood:
- SHELTER (STARRY): This legendary basement club served as the model for “Starry.” Note: It is a working venue; fans are encouraged to be quiet and respectful of neighbors when taking photos outside.
- Village Vanguard: Visit the quirky, cramped bookstore where the characters hang out. It’s a treasure trove for music and anime merch.
- The Streets of Shimokita: Wander the narrow alleys to find the specific vending machines and graffiti walls seen in the iconic opening sequence.
Bonus — Enoshima: This island in Kanagawa is the setting for the series’ famous beach episode.
2. Nerima & Shichirigahama: The Melodies of Your Lie in April
Just mention Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso) and to any anime fan and you will be met with a deep sigh or guttural sound. This beautiful and heart-wrenching story is primarily set in the Nerima Ward of Tokyo.
Key Locations in Nerima:
- Nerima Culture Center (Towa Hall): The real-life venue for Kosei and Kaori’s first performance, located just north of Nerima Station.
- Shakuji Park: A central location for Kaori’s search for her cat and many of Tsubaki’s emotional flashbacks.
- The Train Crossing: Located between Kami-Shakuji and Musashi-Seki stations, this is the site of the series’ unforgettable finale.
- La Primeur Cafe: The actual cafe that served as the model for where Kaori pushes Kosei to return to the piano.
The Coastal Connection:
The series also features the Enoden Railway (the iconic green train) and Shichirigahama Beach, often used for the show’s most melancholic and reflective scenes.
3. Kanagawa: The Traditional Strings of Sounds of Life! (Kono Oto Tomare!)
This anime offers a stunning look at the koto, Japan’s National instrument. Featuring important pieces like Rokudan no Shirabe and portraying accurate koto technique, Sounds of Life! is a wonderful immersion into traditional music practice in Japan!! This series is primarily set in the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan, with many real-life locations in cities such as Yamato and Kawasaki serving as inspiration for the show’s settings.
While the specific high school in the anime, Tokise High School, is fictional, several actual locations in Kanagawa served as inspiration for the series’ backdrops:
- Enoden Line: The iconic, scenic train line that runs between Enoshima and Kamakura appears frequently in the anime’s background shots. (Also seen in Your Lie in April)
- Fujisawa Station: The north exit of Fujisawa Station is a key location that appears in the anime, with a high degree of detail matching its real-life counterpart.
- Enoshima Island and Bridge: The scenic island of Enoshima and the long bridge connecting it to the mainland are prominently featured in the anime. (The same as Bocchi and the Rock!)
- Katase-Enoshima Station: This train station is another location the anime staff replicated with careful detail.
- Enoden Line The iconic, scenic train line that runs between Enoshima and Kamakura appears frequently in the anime’s background shots. (Also seen in Your Lie in April)
4. Sasebo & Bungo Takada: The Jazz Era of Kids on the Slope
Kids on the Slope (Sakamichi no Apollon) is not only fascinating visually, as the animators used a rotoscoping technique to master the movement of Jazz musicians, but also because it is very much set in real life locations in Sasebo, Nagasaki, featuring iconic spots like the distinct “Spectacles Rock” (Megane-iwa), while utilizing Showa no Machi (Showa Town) in Bungo Takada, Oita, as a preserved mid-20th century backdrop for many of its nostalgic scenes, creating a tangible link to the anime’s 1966 jazz era (very clever of the animators).
Key Locations to Visit
- Sasebo, Nagasaki: The primary location for the anime’s school and town, with tourism boards even creating maps to help fans find filming sites.
- Megane-iwa (Spectacles Rock): A distinctive rock formation seen in the anime that fans can visit for breathtaking views.
- Kuroshima Catholic Church: Located on the Kujūku Islands, this church also appears in the series.
- Showa no Machi (Showa Town), Bungo Takada, Oita: This area perfectly captures the mid-Showa era (1955-1965) with its preserved streets and shops, used extensively for scenes requiring a period feel.
Designing Your Private Pilgrimage
At Musical Getaways, we believe an anime pilgrimage should be more than just a photo op—it should be a gateway into the technical and emotional world of Japanese music.
While the “holy sites” are a starting point, our private journeys go deeper. Whether you are a jazz enthusiast inspired by Kids on the Slope or a classical musician moved by Your Lie in April, we provide the keys to the city. We don’t just show you the locations; we introduce you to the culture that created them.
Led by Ethnomusicologist Lydia Snyder
Your journey is curated by Lydia Snyder, a professional shakuhachi player and professor at Kent State University. Lydia’s academic and performance background allows her to bridge the gap between J-Pop fandom and traditional Japanese discipline. Under her guidance, your tour might include:
- Private Koto Workshops: Learn the basics of the instrument from Sounds of Life! with masters in Kanagawa.
- Live House Access: Navigate the underground rock scene of Shimokitazawa with an insider’s perspective on Tokyo’s indie ecosystem.
- Academic Insight: Explore the rotoscoping and jazz history that made Kids on the Slope a masterpiece.
Beyond the Screen: Our Japan Music Tour
For those seeking a broader exploration, our Japan: Anime to Zen tour is now open for bookings. We travel from the meditative silence of Kyoto’s temple gardens to the neon-drenched live houses of Tokyo, examining how the shakuhachi finds its modern echo in J-pop.
[See Dates & Custom Itineraries Here]
