Welcome to this week’s review of notable instances of public transit use and urban design, as well as discussion of place identity and culture, through anime currently broadcast or screening in Japan and simulcast internationally via the web. This review also documents seichijunrei (聖地巡礼 sacred site pilgrimage) and butaitanbou (舞台探訪 scene hunting)—on this website referred to collectively as anime pilgrimage—which are forms of place-based engagement induced by the use of real locations in show settings.
Sound! Euphonium
(響け! ユーフォニアム Hibike! Yūfoniamu)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@ye_bi_su (post), @seki_saima (post), @kai881 (post) and @kbt_tigers1985 (post) made pilgrimages to Uji, Kyoto Prefecture for Episode 2.
@thunder_cycle (post 1, post 2, post 3) updated a previous pilgrimage to Uji to include Episode 2.
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Uji for the OP and Episode 1.
@R_ada_cchi made a pilgrimage to Uji for Episode 1 and Episode 2.
Episode 2
Uji Bridge (宇治橋). Director Ishihara really likes this type of shot. Similar scenes of students walking over a bridge during their school commute appear often in Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai!
JR Nara Line rail viaduct (JR奈良線鉄橋)
Uji Bridge west end
Near the Uji Okurayama post office (宇治御蔵山郵便局), about a 15 minute walk from Rokujizō Station
Uji is one of the earliest locations that cultivated tea in Japan, and has been considered a production center of superior quality tea to this day.
Keihan 13000 series (京阪13000系)
Ajirogi no michi (あじろぎの道)
Kisen Bridge (喜撰橋)
Rokujizō Station (六地蔵駅)
Near Hadoyama Ryokuchi Park (羽戸山緑地)
Seven Eleven Uji Ōbaku Park location (セブンイレブン宇治黄檗公園店)
Overlooking Uji from Buttokusan (仏徳山), also called Daikichiyama (大吉山), in Daikichiyamafuchi Park (大吉山風致公園)
Ajirogi no michi
Todō Senior High School (莵道高校)
The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan
(長門有希ちゃんの消失 Nagato Yuki-chan no Shōshitsu)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@keyboar (post) and @thunder_cycle (updates: post 1, post 2, new: post 3, post 4) made pilgrimages to Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture for Episode 3.
@mi_kawana made a pilgrimage to Nishinomiya for the OP and Episode 1 through Episode 3.
Fans and locals attended the unveiling of a plaque that explains the meaning of the recently restored clock in Nishinomiya-Kita Park, a small plaza outside Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi Station. The park and clock are a key location in the Haruhi franchise. The clock was scrapped several years ago during redevelopment of the plaza, but returned after fans discovered its remains in a scrap shop and lobbied the city for its restoration. Photos: tweet 1, tweet 2
Episode 3
cafe ROOTS, near Hinoike Park
Correction 2015/04/20: This did not appear in any previous Haruhi series, as previously stated, but is in fact a brand new location. Thanks to @keyboar for catching the mistake.
Hinoike Park (樋之池公園)
Nishinomiya-Kita High School (西宮北高等学校)
Kōyōen Station (甲陽園駅)
Asakura and Nagato stop to purchase groceries at the supermarket in the commercial area around Kōyōen Station on their commute home from school.
Hatsumōde (初詣), the first shrine or temple visit of the new year, at Hirota Jinja (廣田神社)
Nishinomiya-Kita High School
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO!
(やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。続 Yahari Ore no Seishun Rabu Kome wa Machigatteiru. Zoku)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture for the OP and Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture for Episode 3.
@ngwrb made a pilgrimage to Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture; Tokyo Station; and Kyoto for Episode 1.
@kbt_tigers1985 made a pilgrimage to Kyoto Station for Episode 1 and Episode 2.
Episode 3
Chiba Chūō Shopping Center Mio (千葉中央ショッピングセンターミーオ) is integrated with Chiba-Chūō Station (千葉中央駅). The rail lines serving the station and the shopping center are all operated by the Keisei Electric Railway Company (京成電鉄株式会社).
Mister Donut Keisei Chiba Chūō location (ミスタードーナツ 京成千葉中央ショップ), closed as of 2015/03/29
Mister Donut franchises in Japan feature large seating areas and no time limits for patrons, designed to encourage use of the space as a third place. Though, if you are Hachiman and prefer to sulk in solitude, you may do better to avoid places where people naturally gather.
Hello!! Kinmoza
(ハロー!! きんいろモザイク Harō!! Kin’iro Mozaiku)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@SSEBTBM883 made a pilgrimage to (post 1) Mimomi, Narashino and (post 2) Sakura (all Chiba Prefecture) for the OP and Episode 1.
Episode 2
Mimomi (実籾), Narashino, Chiba Prefecture
The girls make a game of their walk from the train station to school on their morning commute, even roping in a reluctant teacher.
Ending Credits
Fosse Farmhouse in Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England
Sentry of the Grenadier Guards outside Buckingham Palace
Fosse Farmhouse
Re-Kan!
( レーカン! Rēkan!)
Episode 3
Sōka (草加), Saitama Prefecture
Other Pilgrimage
@BloodRambo made a pilgrimage to Nara and Kashihara, Nara Prefecture for the PV to Gekijōban Kyōkai no Kanata I’ll Be Here: Mirai-hen, the second of two Kyōkai no Kanata theatrical films.
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Kusu, Ōita Prefecture for Nisekoi.
@Bf109K1 made a pilgrimage to to Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture for Tamayura ~Sotsugyō Shashin~ Me-Kizashi-.
@hauyashi (post) and @teo_imperial (post) made pilgrimages to Hannō, Saitama Prefecture for Yama no Susume Second Season.
@SSEBTBM883 made a pilgrimage to Shakujiidai, Nerima Ward; and Musashino (both Tokyo Metropolis) for Futsū no Joshikōsei ga Rokodoru Yattemita.
@fureshima made a pilgrimage to Iruma, Saitama Prefecture for Rokujōma no Shinryakusha!?
@kazupi made a pilgrimage to Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture for Tamayura.
