Welcome to this week’s review of notable instances of transit, place and culture as rendered in anime currently broadcast in Japan and simulcast internationally via the web. For a detailed outline of the approach, please refer to the explanation in the inaugural issue. Links to streaming sources are included when available, though not all may have current episode available at the time this column is published.
Special Note: This issue covers the previous four weeks of broadcasts. Sorry for keeping you waiting a week longer than planned! My in-laws took over our house during Chinese new year and pretty much nothing got done. Hokkaidō was a lot of fun. Apparently, it gets really cold there in the winter. Who knew. And an FYI, should you be planning a Wake Up, Girls! pilgrimage to Sendai, don’t schedule your visit to 38mitsubachi for the lunch hour on a weekend. Line out the door. Really good pancakes, though. (^^)
Saekano -How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend-
(冴えない彼女（ヒロイン）の育てかた Saenai Hiroin no Sodatekata)
Watch: Crunchyroll • Hulu
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@qqbb5at9k updated his full season pilgrimage post through Episode 7.
@ngwrb went on a Saekano pilgrimage spree:
Episode 00 and Episode 3: Venus Line (Prefectural Route 40) to the west of Shirakaba Lake in Nagano Prefecture; bamboo forest in Sagano, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto City; Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō Prefecture
Episode 1: Nozokizaka and Akebono Bridge in Takada, Toshima Ward; Tokyo Animation College in Shimoochiai, Shinjuku Ward (both Tokyo Metropolis)
Episode 2: Komeda Kissaten, Hōya location in Fujimachi, Nishitōkyō; Tokyo Metropolis
Episode 3: Asahiyama Zoo, Fushimizaka in Nishi-nippori, Arakawa Ward, Tokyo Metropolis; Haneda Airport, Nozokizaka, Komeda Kissaten
Episode 4: Omokagebashi tram stop in Nishi-waseda, Shinjuku Ward; Toyoko Inn Wakōshi-ekimae location in Wakō, Saitama Prefecture; Takatobashi, Takadanobaba, Shinjuku Ward; Kadokawa Shoten headquarters building in Fujimi, Chiyoda Ward
Episode 5: Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma in Iruma, Saitama Prefecture; Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Kōtō Ward, Tokyo Metropolis; Wakōshi Station in Wakō, Saitama Prefecture
Episode 6: Wakōshi Station, Gusto Wakō-ekimae location, Seseragi Park and Toyoko Inn Wakōshi-ekimae location in Wakō
Koisuru Metoronōmu, Volume 1: The third set of manga based on the Saekano light novel series. This pilgrimage includes many of the same locations from Episode 1 through Episode 7, and a few additional places, which may appear in future episodes.
@ssslocation made pilgrimages to all relevant locations (see above) for Episode 3 and Episode 4, Episode 5 and Episode 6.
@teo_imperial made a pilgrimage to the Komeda Kissaten, Hōya location; Arakawa Line fumikiri in Takada; Takatobashi; Omokagebashi tram stop; and Nozokizaka for the OP and Episode 1 through Episode 4.
@626shin made a pilgrimage to Takada, the Komeda Kissaten, Takatobashi and the Kadokawa Shoten building for the OP and Episode 1 through Episode 4.
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Takada, the Venus Line, Sagano bamboo path, and Takatobashi for the OP and Episode 1 through Episode 4.
@SSEBTBM883 made a pilgrimage to the Asahiyama Zoo for Episode 3.
@WataruUmino made a pilgrimage to Takada and Takatobashi for the OP, Episode 3 and Episode 4.
Episode 4
Katō and Tomoya pass the Omokagebashi tram stop (面影橋停留場) while riding the Toden Arakawa Line (都電荒川線) in Nishi-waseda, Shinjuku Ward. This is the 7000 series (東京都交通局7000形電車), the oldest of the currently circulating rolling stock.
When transit appears in anime, I appreciate attention to the little things, like stop request buttons on the window frames and fare boxes at each end of the carriage.
Toyoko Inn Wakōshi-ekimae location (東横イン 和光市駅前) in Wakō, Saitama Prefecture
The Arakawa Line passes through Takatobashi (高戸橋), Takadanobaba, Shinjuku Ward.
Kadokawa Shoten (角川書店) headquarters building in Fujimi, Chiyoda Ward
Episode 5
Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma (三井アウトレットパーク 入間) in Iruma, Saitama Prefecture
Aki is able to overcome his aversion to the crowd of “commoners” after he visualizes the scene at the shopping mall as a visit to Comiket, held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center (東京国際展示場), popularly known as Tokyo Big Sight (東京ビッグサイ), in Ariake, Kōtō Ward, Tokyo Metropolis.
Wakōshi Station (和光市駅) in Wakō, Saitama Prefecture. Wakō is used as a setting in both Saekano and Utaha’s light novels.
Episode 6
Wakōshi Station (和光市駅) in Wakō, Saitama Prefecture
Gusto Wakō-ekimae location (ガスト和光市駅前店) in Wakō
Bus stand
Though it makes for a good scene, no such cafe with a view of the train platform exists in Wakō.
Large bus rotary at the Wakō Station south exit
Seseragi Park (せせらぎ公園) in Wakō. The Tōbu Tōjō Line (東武東上線) and either the Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line (有楽町線) or Fukutoshin Line (副都心線) pass in the background.
Wakōshi Station
Tōbu Tōjō Line
Toyoko Inn Wakōshi-ekimae location (東横イン 和光市駅前) in Wakō
Episode 7
Fujimizaka (富士見坂) in Takada. (Nota bene: Slopes named Fujimizaka are common, particularly in Tokyo.)
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens (旧古河庭園) in Nishigahara, Kita Ward, Tokyo Metropolis
Chibikko Park (チビッコ公園) in Wakō, Saitama Prefecture. One of the Tokyo Metro lines passes in the background.
The Tōbu Tōjō Line passes in the background.
Nozokizaka (のぞき坂) in Takada (高田), Toshima Ward, Tokyo Metropolis
SHIROBAKO
(シロバコ)
Watch: Crunchyroll
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@fureshima made pilgrimages to Nishitōkyō and Asagaya Station in Suginami Ward, and Kodaira for Episode 16; to Kami-Igusa, Suginami Ward, Koganei and Musashino for Episode 18.; and to Koganei (all Tokyo Metropolis) for Episode 19.
@ssslocation made pilgrimages to Nishiharachō, Nishitōkyō; Koganei; Asagaya Station in Suginami Ward; Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku Ward; and Jingūmae, Shibuya Ward for Episode 16 and Episode 17; and to Kami-Igusa, Suginami Ward; Musashino; and Koganei (all Tokyo Metropolis) for Episode 18 and Episode 19.
@fureshima reviews the details of the just announced official collaboration between the SHIROBAKO production committee and the Skip-dōri Shōtengai in Musashisakai, Musashino, which appears frequently in the show setting. Official announcement: http://news.shirobako-anime.com/skipdori.html
@kobaya made two video pilgrimages. One covers the Hamamatsu Airpark, Musashi-Sakai and Kichijoji:
The other takes a close look at the opening day of a month long promotional collaboration between the SHIROBAKO production committee and the Skip-dōri Shōtengai in Musashino. The shopping street appears frequently in the show, as it is the direct route between Musashi-Sakai Station and the location of the fictional Musashino Animation studio:
Episode 17
Victor Studio (ビクタースタジオ) in Jingūmae, Shibuya Ward
Ema, Midori and Aoi walk home after work.
Andō falls asleep on the Chūō Line (中央本線), going clear past Musashi-Sakai and ending up at Ōtsuki Station (大月駅) in Ōtsuki, Yamanashi Prefecture. Happens to the best of us.
Episode 18
Aoi waits at a grade level railroad crossing (踏切 fumikiri) next to Kami-Igusa Station (上井草駅) in Suginami Ward.
She walks down an almost completely shuttered shōtengai in search of art director Ōkura.
Bento shop Sakaitei (さかい亭) in Musashisakai, Musashino
The consensus appears to be that what is depicted as the haikyo Ōkura sketches at the end of the episode can be found at Nihon Shōwamura (日本昭和村), an architecture museum village in Minokamo, Gifu Prefecture. There, it’s named Yamabiko School (やまびこ学校), formerly the Miya Elementary School (旧・宮小学校) before it was relocated.
Episode 19
Koganeibashi intersection (小金井橋交差点)
Musashino Fishing Center (武蔵野フィッシングセンター), closed as of 2012/11/30
Episode 20
Musashi-Sakai Station (武蔵境駅)
IC transit card swipe
Durarara!! X2
(デュラララ!!×2 承 Durarara!!x2 Shou)
Watch: Crunchyroll • Hulu
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@tianlangxing made pilgrimages to Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Episode 5, Episode 6 and Episode 7.
Episode 5
Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅)
Though almost all of the streets in the dense zone around Ikebukuro Station are open to vehicles, the narrow lanes, sidewalks at the same grade as the street, and brick paving in some locations all establish the heavily pedestrian-oriented nature of the area.
Lotteria location at the entrance of Sunshine 60-dōri (サンシャイン60通り)
One bit about Japan that I find perplexing is the continued existence of smoking in restaurants and bars, despite the fact that it is already heavily restricted in most public places. Many developed countries have long since addressed the reality that second-hand smoke is a huge public health issue for customers and employees. Japan is 10 to 15 years behind the curve.
Ikebukuro Station
Elevated pedestrian walkways traverse the large rail right-of-way that bisects Ikebukuro.
Episode 6
Episode 7
Romance-dōri (ロマンス通り), a shōtengai in the entertainment district on the west side of Ikebukuro
Toden-Zōshigaya tram stop (都電雑司ヶ谷停留場) on the Toden Arakawa Line (都電荒川線)
Nisshutsu Yūryō Shotenkai (日出優良商店会), a small neighborhood shopping street near the Higashi-Ikebukuro-yonchōme tram stop (東池袋四丁目停留所)
Episode 8
Kida and Saki take a shinkansen.
I need to get my eyes checked. This far in to the second season, I’m only now noticing that Mikado’s apartment is next to the Toden-Zōshigaya tram stop (都電雑司ヶ谷停留場), hence the faint sound of fumikiri chimes that drifts into the background from time to time. The Arakawa Line is getting a healthy amount of screen time this season.
Guardrails, shrubs and leafy trees work together to provide three functions: sidewalk protection, sidewalk shading and traffic calming.
Kamisama Kiss Season 2
(神様はじめました◎ Kamisama Hajimemashita)
Watch: Funimation
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture for Episode 6.
@rimatai made a pilgriamge to Kawagoe for Episode 2 and Episode 6.
@teo_imperial made a pilgrimage to Kawagoe for Episode 1 through Episode 6.
Episode 5
Izumo (出雲), Shimane Prefecture
Izumo Taisha (出雲大社)
Episode 6
Hon-Kawagoe Station (本川越駅)
Even if you hadn’t noticed it before, it would be hard to ignore the tourism drumbeat running through Kamisama Hajimemashita. What’s interesting is that, while my memory is a little hazy, I don’t recall the first season even mentioning Kawagoe or its points of interest by name. If it did, they were used subtly and sparingly. In this season, I’ve lost track of the number of times Nanami brings up Kawagoe sweet potatoes, often as a clumsy, non-sequitur. Don’t get me wrong, I think there are huge untapped opportunities for pop culture media as a vehicle for tourism and regional activation. Even if a local government or tourism association is paying for the placement, it needs to come across as a natural part in the course of events. It should be integrated with the story. Overt and heavy-handed product placement can be just as off putting for tourism as it is for consumer packaged goods. Witness the slide show that comprises the remainder of the episode.
Crea Mall (クレアモール), an open air, pedestrian shopping street to the east of Hon-Kawagoe Station. This is in the Kawagoe Shintomichō Shōtengai (川越新富町商店街) section, one of the two shōtengai associations that comprise the street.
Kawagoe Kumano Jinja (川越熊野神社)
Toki no kane (時の鐘 Bell of Time)
Teahouse Kasuga (甘味茶房 かすが)
On the left, Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum (川越市蔵造り資料館)
Kita-in (喜多院)
Honmaru Goten (本丸御殿), the primary hall and one of only two remaining structures of Kawagoe Castle (川越城)
Kawagoe Scalaza (川越スカラ座) cinema
Taishō Roman Yume-dōri (大正浪漫夢通り)
Kawagoe City Hall (川越市役所)
Saitama Resona Bank (埼玉りそな銀行), Kawagoe branch
Dango (a traditional confection) shop Tanaka-ya (田中屋)
Kawagoe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (川越市商工会議所)
The 500 statues (actually 540) depicting rakan, disciples of Budda (五百羅漢) at Kita-in
Unagi shop Hashiya Kawagoe branch (林屋 川越店)
Fujimi Yagura Ato (富士見櫓跡), a lookout tower, another of the few remaining structures of Kawagoe Castle
Miyoshino Jinja (三芳野神社)
Kawagoe Civic Center (川越市民会館)
Your lie in April
(四月は君の嘘 Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso)
Watch: Crunchyroll • Hulu
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@qqbb5at9k updated his full season pilgrimage post through Episode 19.
@ssslocation made a pilgrimage to Nerima Ward, Tokyo Metropolis and Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture for Episode 16 and Episode 17.
@ssslocation (updated gallery) and @Roan_Inish (post) made pilgrimages to Inamuragasaki cape in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture for Episode 14.
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Kodaira, Tokyo Metropolis for Episode 7 through Episode 11.
Episode 16
Shakujii River (石神井川), close to Nerima-Takanodai Station (練馬高野台駅) in Nerima Ward, Tokyo Metropolis
Nagi, a junior high school student, walks home in the evening, after school and a piano lesson.
Sayama Fudōson (狭山不動尊) in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture
Commercial district and elevated pedestrian walkway network surrounding Ōizumi-gakuen Station (大泉学園駅) in Higashi-Ōizumi, Nerima Ward
Episode 17
Kōenji North Park (高円寺北公園) in Suginami Ward, Tokyo Metropolis
Futago Bridge (ふたご橋) entrance to Hikarigaoka Park (光が丘公園) in Hikarigaoka, Nerima Ward
Episode 18
The main hall of the Kawaguchi Cultural Center (川口総合文化センター), popularly known as Lilia ( リリア), in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture
The Idol M@ster Cinderella Girls
(アイドルマスターシンデレラガールズ Aidorumasutā Shinderera Gāruzu)
Watch: Daisuki
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@teo_imperial made a pilgrimage to Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Episode 6.
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Shibuya (municipality), Shibuya Ward for the ED and Episode 2 through Episode 4.
@R_ada_cchi made a pilgrimage to Shibuya (municipality) and Sangenjaya, Setagata Ward for Episode 1.
Episode 6
Sunshine City (サンシャインシティ) in Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward
Episode 7
Mitake Jinja (御嶽神社), Shibuya 1-chōme
Shibuya Station (渋谷駅)
Tokyo Ghoul √A
(東京喰種トーキョーグール√A Tōkyō Gūru √A)
Watch: Funimation
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture; and Bunkyō, Taitō and Toshima wards in Tokyo Metropolis for the first season.
Episode 7
Tōka runs through a shōtengai, chasing after Kaneki.
Pedestrian overcrossing
Episode 8
Human-scale streets with interesting shop fronts and textures bring out strollers, despite cold temperatures and snow flurries.
Yoriko asks Tōka about plans for the future. Tōka responds that she might want to open a coffee shop, a “place where people naturally gather”, also known as third place.
Shonen Hollywood -Holly Stage for 50-
(少年ハリウッド -HOLLY STAGE FOR 50-)
Watch: Funimation
Episode 18
Harajuku Station (原宿駅)
Jingūbashi (神宮橋)
Harajuku Station
Green Street (グリーンストリート), formally Kuhonbutsu River Green Road (九品仏川緑道). A pedestrian greenway that runs from the western edge of Jiyūgaoka (自由が丘) municipality to Midorigaoka Station.
Takeshita-dōri (竹下通り)
Episode 20
Kira gives his seat to an elderly woman on the train.
Special Items
@ye_bi_su made a pilgrimage to Uji, Kyoto Prefecture for the key visual of Hibike! Euphonium, premiering 2015 April.
@yusa_yusaani made a pilgrimage to Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture for the first promotional image released for Love Live! Sunshine!!, an as yet undetermined project in the Love Live! franchise.
@kou1mori (post) and @kbt_tigers1985 (post) made pilgrimages to Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture for the PV to the first of four Tamayura ~Sotsugyō Shashin~ films.
@shira_ry made a pilgrimage to the Hibiya Library and Musuem in Hibiya Park, Chiyoda Ward; and Ōtsuka Park, Rekisen Park and Motomachi Park in Bunkyō Ward (all Tokyo Metropolis) for Yuri Kuma Arashi.
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Hibiya Park, Ōtsuka Park and Rekisen Park for Yuri Kuma Arashi.
@lidges made a pilgrimage to Kure and Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture for Kantai Collection.
@ssslocation made a pilgrimage to Ueno, Taitō Ward, the Suginami Ward Municipal Library, and Hibiya Park (all Tokyo Metropolis) for Kōfuku Gurafiti.
@mikkatatsu made a pilgrimage to the Yokohama Chinatown for Tantei Kageki Milky Holmes TD.
@SSEBTBM883 made a pilgrimage to Toyohama Station in Kan’onji, Kagawa Prefecture for Sora no Method.
@626shin made a pilgrimage to Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture for Sword Art Online II.
@cairn_07 (post) and @rimatai (post) made pilgrimages to Hannō, Saitama Prefecture for Yama no Susume Second Season.
@habusan published a “Field Guide” to Mount Mitsutōge in Yamanashi Prefecture for Yama no Susume Second Season.
@ssslocation made pilgrimages to (post 1): Minato Mirai, Yokohama and Kōenji, Suginami Ward, Tokyo Metropolis; (post 2): Jiyūgaoka, Meguro Ward and Kichijōji, Musashino (both Tokyo Metropolis); and (post 3) Senjusekiya-chō, Adachi Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works.
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Senjusekiya-chō for Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works.
@kai881 made a pilgrimage to Santorini, Greece, a possible inspiration for Shioshishio, the underwater village in Nagi no Asukara.
@cairn_07 made a pilgrimage to Nagareyama, Chiba Prefecture for Futsū no Joshikōsei ga Rokodoru Yattemita.
@ssslocation made a pilgrimage to Iruma, Saitama Prefecture for Rokujōma no Shinryakusha!?
@kai881 made a pilgrimage to Budapest, Hungary for Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka?
@mikkatatsu made a pilgrimage to Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture for Ping Pong the Animation.
@fragments_sue made a pilgrimage to the Shinjuku Gyoen in Shinjuku and Shibuya wards, Tokyo Metropolis for the Shinkai Makoto film Kotonoha no Niwa (The Garden of Words).
@fragments_sue made a pilgrimage to Iwafune Station in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture for the Shinkai Makoto film Byōsoku Go Senchimētoru (5 Centimeters Per Second).
@tachikichi updated ARIA the Navigation, a comprehensive guide to Venice, Italy and Japan locations featured in manga and anime works from the ARIA franchise.
@HidesanYamasiro made a pilgrimage to Moriguchi Station in Moriguchi, Osaka Prefecture for the Kyoto Animation version of Kanon.
@fragments_sue made a pilgrimage to Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture for Mizuiro Jidai.
