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 holy land pilgrimage) and butaitanbou (舞台探訪 scene hunting), which are pop culture tourism and place-based engagement induced by the use of real locations in show settings.
Free! Dive to the Future
Episode 10
Cafe used as third place
The aquarium entrance appears to draw design elements from Kamogawa Sea World in Chiba Prefecture and Adventure World in Wakayama Prefecture, though doesn’t really resemble either.
The location is unclear, and though it is not a precise match, the coloring of the livery echoes the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Though not a precise match, this natatorium appears to be modeled on the Edogawa-ku Sports Center (江戸川区スポーツセンター) in Nishi-Kasai, Edogawa Ward, Tokyo Metropolis.
[Credit: @ssslocation, Twitter]
Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪駅)
To travel from Iwami to Tokyo would involve taking the limited express Super Hakuto from Tottori Station, changing to the Tokaidō Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka.
Encouragement of Climb Season 3
(ヤマノススメ サードシーズン Yama no Susume Sādo Shīzun)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@rimatai (post) and @habusan (tweet thread) made pilgrimages to Mizugakiyama in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture for Episode 11.
Episode 12
Mizugakiyama (瑞牆山) in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture
Beginning of route to Kinpusan (金峰山)
Kinpusan summit
Higashi-Hannō Station (東飯能駅)
Other Current Season Pilgrimage
@Surwill published a Street View tour (part 2) of locations in Okinawa for Harukana Receive.
Past Season Pilgrimage
@yomikatajiyu made a pilgrimage to Aomori Station in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture and published archive images from overnight express train Hamanasu for Eiga Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! Take On Me.
@Nagatoyukito5 made a pilgrimage (post 1, post 2) to Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture for Sora Yorimo Tōi Basho.
@yomikatajiyu made a pilgrimage to Aizuwakamatsu and Kaneyama, Fukushima Prefecture for Mikakunin de Shinkōkei.
@yomikatajiyu made a pilgrimage (post 1, post 2) to Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture for Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu and Suzumiya Haruhi no Shōshitsu.
