Anime fans are making 'holy pilgrimages' across Japan to visit the real-life locations in Makoto Shinkai's 'Suzume.' Here's where they are.
Reena Koh
- Anime fans are making 'holy pilgrimages' to various sites across Japan.
- Makoto Shinkai's latest film 'Suzume no Tojimari' follows the protagonists across Japan.
Anime movies and TV shows have inspired fans from all around the world to make "holy pilgrimages" to Japan, where many of the locations referenced in the stories can be found, per the Japan Times.
Since Japan lifted its Covid-19 border controls, fans have been traveling to locations featured in recent massive hits such as "The First Slam Dunk" and "Suzume no Tojimari," per the Japan Times.
"Suzume no Tojimari" is famed director Makoto Shinkai's latest box office hit. Shinkai, who's known for "Your Name" and "Weathering with You," has been nominated for numerous awards. In 2016, he won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for best animation with "Your Name," per IMDb.
"Suzume no Tojimari" has also been well-received worldwide, passing over $320 million at the global box office, per Crunchyroll.
The coming-of-age story follows the two protagonists, Suzume and Souta, as they travel across Japan on a perilous mission to save the country from supernatural forces.
Their journey begins on the island of Kyushu in the southern region of Japan, moving northwards to Ehime, Kobe, Tokyo, and finally to Miyagi, 187 miles north of Tokyo.
Here's where you can find seven of the locations in "Suzume no Tojimari" in real-life.
Warning: Minor spoilers ahead if you haven't seen "Suzume no Tojimari"
1. Bungo Mori Roundhouse
One of the most important scenes in the film was when Suzume first helped Souta shut a supernatural door, setting off the duo's journey across Japan.
Set in an old abandoned corner of the city where Suzume lives with her aunt, the setting resembles the Bungo Mori Roundhouse located in Kusu, Ōita prefecture.
The Bungo Mori Roundhouse is the only railway roundhouse left in Kyushu and was registered as a Nationally Designated Tangible Cultural Asset in 2012, per ANA.
2. Yawatahama Port
After the talking cat, Daijin, banishes Souta's soul into Suzume's childhood three-legged chair, the protagonists chase after the feline, which led them onto a ferry headed for Yawatahama port.
Yawatahama Port is located in Yawatahama, Ehime prefecture, and serves as one of the ports linking the two southern islands, Shikoku and Kyushu, per JapanTravel.
3. Yawatahama Station
Hot on the heels of Daijin, Suzume and Souta wait for the train at Yawatahama Station.
Yawatahama Station is a passenger railway station located in Yawatahama, Ehime prefecture.
4. Otani Pond
As Suzume wanders around carrying Souta in the form of a chair, she bumps into Chika on a road along a pond that resembles the Otani Pond.
The Otani Pond is located in Saijō City, Ehime Prefecture.
5. Kobe Fruit and Flower Park
In the film, the third supernatural door that the protagonists encounter together is found in an abandoned theme park in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture.
The theme park happens to resemble the Kobe Fruit and Flower Park located in the same city.
6. Shin-Kobe Station
As the pair set off towards their next destination, Suzume bids goodbye to Rumi — a bar hostess who housed the duo — at Shin-Kobe Station.
Shin-Kobe Station is located in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture.
7. Hijiri-bashi Bridge
In one of the most gripping moments of the film, Suzume leaps off a bridge in Tokyo to save Souta.
The bridge featured is the Hijiri-bashi Bridge located in Chiyoda city, Tokyo.
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