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.
Media and General Interest
Kumano Nagiasu background art exhibition
The Mainichi Shimbun published an article about an exhibition in Kumano, Mie Prefecture of background artwork from Nagi no Asukara, which draws heavily on images from the coastal area in Kumano and Mihama.
Hello!! Kinmoza
(ハロー!! きんいろモザイク Harō!! Kin’iro Mozaiku)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@yusa_yusaani made a pilgrimage to Chiba City, Onjuku and Katsuura (all Chiba Prefecture) for Episode 10.
@Barnirun made a pilgrimage to Chiba City and Onjuku for Episode 10.
@ngrwb made pilgrimages to (post 1) Tsudanuma for Episode 8; (post 2) Mimomi (both Narashino, Chiba Prefecture) for Episode 4 through Episode 9; and (post 3, post 4) Sakura, Chiba Prefecture for Episode 8, Episode 9 and the OP.
Episode 10
At long last, a watershed moment for Kinmoza as it finally depicts public transit use, and does so comprehensively. While beach episodes are predictably light on story content that has much relevance to the main plot, they are often good opportunities to show extensive travel outside the main setting. The girls’ day trip begins at Keisei-Usui Station (京成臼井駅) in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture.
Ticket wicket
Keisei Main Line (京成本線)
This episode is the first in two seasons of Kinmoza to depict station interiors and characters riding trains.
Keisei Chiba Station (京成千葉駅)
Transfer to the JR East operated Chiba Station (千葉駅)
Checking the route map
Ticket vending and SUICA charging machines
Ticket wicket
Departure status boards
Waiting on the platform
Sotobō Line (外房線)
Onjuku Station (御宿駅)
Onjuku (御宿), Chiba Prefecture is noted for its beaches, protected as part of the Minami-Bōsō Quasi-National Park (南房総国定公園). While coastlines along the Tokyo Bay and Sagami Bay are frequently used for beach scenes in anime, it’s rare to see locations on the Pacific side of Chiba Prefecture.
Tsuki no Sabaku Memorial Hall (月の砂漠記念館 Desert of the Moon)
Tsuki no Sabaku Statue (月の沙漠記念像)
Not depicted in the episode, to reach the Katsuura Undersea Park (勝浦海中公園) from Onjuku requires an addition two stops on the Sotobō Line and then about 15 minute walk from Ubara Station (鵜原駅).
Onjuku Station
Sotobō Line
Sound! Euphonium
(響け! ユーフォニアム Hibike! Yūfoniamu)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@ye_bi_su (post), @seki_saima (post), @R_ada_cchi (post), @mi_kawana (update: post), and @kbt_tigers1985 (post) made pilgrimages to Uji, Kyoto Prefecture for Episode 10.
@lidges made a pilgrimage to Uji (north of the Uji River) and updated a previous pilgrimage to Uji (south of the river) to include Episode 1 through Episode 9.
@ewi also made a pilgrimage to Uji (update: post 1, new: post 2) to include Episode 1 through Episode 9.
@etesuke made a pilgrimage to Uji (rail stations) for Episode 8.
@R_ada_cchi made a pilgrimage to Uji (Daikichiyama night climb) for Episode 8.
@626shin made a pilgrimage to Uji for Episode 3.
Episode 10
McDonald’s Uji Kohata shop (マクドナルド宇治木幡店) used as third place
Hadoyama Third Childrens Park (羽戸山第3児童公園)
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)
Episode 11
Tree and shrub lined pedestrian walkways, pedestrian overcrossings
Mihama Bridge (美浜大橋)
The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan
(長門有希ちゃんの消失 Nagato Yuki-chan no Shōshitsu)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@thunder_cycle made a pilgrimage (updates: post 1, post 2; new: post 3) to Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture for Episode 11.
Episode 11
Nishinomiya-Kita High School (西宮北高等学校). Students walk and arrive at school at the end of the morning commute.
Students leave school at the beginning of the evening commute.
Other Pilgrimage
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Nerima Ward, Kodaira and Fuchū (Tokyo Metropolis); and Tokorozawa and Niiza (Saitama Prefecture) for Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso.
@fureshima made a pilgrimage to Hannō, Saitama Prefecture for Yama no Susume Second Season.
@kazupi made a pilgrimage (post 1, post 2) to Sydney, Australia for Free! – Eternal Summer.
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Takanawadai, Minato Ward and Wadakura Fountain Park in Chiyoda Ward (both Tokyo Metropolis) for Nisekoi.
Yamaoka Yuri (@yuri_yamaoka), the seiyū for Choi Mochimazzi, visited the Demachi Masugata Shōtengai in Kyoto, the model for the setting of Tamako Market, and purchased the new t-shirt print based on the show and sold at Self Kishimoto-ya in the arcade.
@cairn_07 made a pilgrimage to Takehara, Mihara and Onomichi (all Hiroshima Prefecture) for Tamayura: More Aggressive.
