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
Tottori Castle and Free!
Yomiuri Shimbun published an article about unexpected negative feedback received by the city of Tottori when it solicited public opinion about a plan to plant new cherry trees at the Tottori Castle ruins. Fans of Free! expressed concern this would alter landscapes that appeared in the anime series.
Slam Dunk inbound seichijunrei
Searchina published an article about strong and sustained tourism interest in Kamakura from China and Taiwan related to Slam Dunk.
Yasuda-ya and Love Live!
Domo published an interview with the manager of the Yasuda-ya Ryokan in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, discussing the surge of interest in the traditional inn from fans of Love Live! Sunshine!!
Anime to Tetsudō
Gigazine published a review of a special edition of magazine Tabi to Tetsudō, titled Anime to Tetsudō, which will be released in 2017 December. The entire issue devoted to trains and railroad assets that appear in anime follows popular special features on the topic that appeared in earlier issues of the magazine.
2017 Shōkei no Michi
@fragments_sue (post) and @makotomatic (post) published photo essays on the 2017 Shōkei no Michi (憧憬の路) in Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture, depicted in depth in Tamayura.
Love Live! Sunshine!! Season 2
(ラブライブ! サンシャイン!! Rabu Raibu! Sanshain!!)
Episode 5
Plaza Verde (プラザヴェルデ)
Jumbo Encho Numazu shop (ジャンボエンチョー沼津店)
Covered passageway between the Numazu Riverside Hotel (沼津リバーサイドホテル) and adjacent condo
Jumbo Encho Numazu shop
Around the side of Yasuda-ya Ryokan (安田屋旅館)
Just above the Nagaisaki Junior High School bus stop (長井崎中学校バス停)
Mito swimming beach (三津海水浴場)
Yasuda-ya Ryokan
March comes in like a lion
(3月のライオン Sangatsu no Raion)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Tsukuda and Tsukishima, Chūō Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Episode 26.
Episode 26
Tsukuda-kobashi (佃小橋)
Tsukuda (佃)
Sumida River Terrace (隅田川テラス)
Passing under the Tsukuda-ōhashi (佃大橋), Hina and Rei move from the Tsukuda to Tsukishima (月島) section of the Sumida River Terrace.
Tsukuda
Tsukuda Park (佃公園)
Tsukuda-kobashi
Tsukuda Park
Chūō-ōhashi (中央大橋)
Just Because!
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@unimaru_ made a pilgrimage to Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture for Episode 5.
Episode 5
Fujisawa Station (藤沢駅)
Tully’s Coffee Fujisawa OPA shop (タリーズコーヒー 藤沢オーパ店)
Fujisawa OPA (藤沢オーパ)
Kokuya Fujisawa shop (古久家 藤沢店)
[Credit: @SSEBTBM883, Twitter]
Yūrindō Fujisawa shop (有隣堂 藤沢店)
Fujisawa Station bus rotary
Kajiwaraguchi bus stop (梶原口バス停)
Yuki Yuna is a Hero: Washio Sumi Chapter
(結城友奈は勇者である -鷲尾須美の章- Yūki Yūna wa Yūsha de Aru -Washio Sumi no Shō-)
Episode 5
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art (京都市美術館)
Seto-Chūō Expressway (瀬戸中央自動車道), between the Sakaide and Sakaide-Kita interchanges
Kasuga Jinja (春日神社)
Near Kasuga Jinja
Wake Up, Girls! New Chapter
(Wake Up, Girls! 新章 Wake Up, Girls! Shin Shō)
Episode 5
NTT Docomo Sendai Building (NTTドコモ仙台ビル), viewed from pedestrian deck outside Sendai Station east exit
Future Season Pilgrimage
@11922911Rinngo made a pilgrimage to Tappizaki in Sotogahama, Aomori Prefecture for the PV to Eiga Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! -Take on Me-.
Other Current Season Pilgrimage
@fureshima2223 made a pilgrimage to Koganei, Tokyo Metropolis for Netojū no Susume.
Past Season Pilgrimage
@nadukari_h made a pilgrimage (post 6) to Nanto, Toyama Prefecture for Sakura Quest.
@anime_pq made a pilgrimage to Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture for Hirune Hime ~Shiranai Watashi no Monogatari~.
@626shin made a pilgrimage to Kyoto Station for Hibike! Euphonium 2.
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Shakujii, Nerima Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Zutto Mae Kara Suki Deshita. ~Kokuhaku Jikkō Iinkai~.
@keihi49 made a comprehensive pilgrimage (index page) to Kan’onji, Mitoyo, Mannō, Marugame and Sakaide (all Kagawa Prefecture) for Yūki Yūna wa Yūsha de Aru.
@anime_pq made a pilgrimage to Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture for Tamayura.
@anime_pq made a pilgrimage to Kōbe, Hyōgo Prefecture for Fate/Zero and Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya.
