【Tamayura】 Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
What is “Tamayura”? The Charm of the Work and the Background of Sacred Site Pilgrimage
The anime “Tamayura” centers on Takehara City in Hiroshima Prefecture and depicts the daily lives and growth of Kaede Sawatari, a high school girl who loves photography, and her friends in a heartwarming story. It was produced as an OVA in 2010, and the first season “Tamayura ~hitotose~” aired on television in 2011, followed by the second season “Tamayura ~moggrexxive~” in 2013. Then, from 2015 to 2016, the four-part theatrical film series “Tamayura ~Graduation Photo~” was released as the concluding chapter, bringing the story to an emotional ending.
The greatest feature of the work is its faithful recreation of the actual townscape and scenery of Takehara City. The photographs that the protagonist Kaede takes with a Rollei 35 film camera, which is a keepsake from her late father, occasionally capture mysterious light orbs called “tamayura.” This fantastical presentation and the beautiful landscape of Takehara, known as the “Little Kyoto of Aki” facing the Seto Inland Sea, blend wonderfully, capturing the hearts of many fans.
Even now, nearly ten years after the series ended, visitors from around the world continue to make pilgrimages to Takehara City. From 2018 to 2025, it has been selected for eight consecutive years as one of “88 Japanese Anime Sacred Sites Worth Visiting,” drawing nationwide attention as a success story of anime tourism.
Reasons for Eight Consecutive Years of Selection as “Japanese Anime Sacred Sites Worth Visiting”
Behind Takehara City’s continuous selection for eight consecutive years in the Anime Sacred Sites 88 are sustained efforts by the entire community. Since the work’s broadcast, the Takehara City Tourism Association has actively promoted anime tourism, establishing an environment that warmly welcomes fans through the distribution of pilgrimage maps, installation of signage, and organization of events.
In the shopping streets, music from “Tamayura” plays, and places like the cafes and shrines featured in the work maintain their original atmosphere. Local residents also enjoy interaction with fans and show a cooperative attitude toward regional revitalization through the work. This integrated effort by both the public and private sectors is the key factor in maintaining the charm of a sacred site that does not fade with the passage of time.
Additionally, Takehara City is home to a town preservation district dating back to the Edo period, and its value as a historical tourist destination extends beyond just being an anime setting. This multifaceted charm that appeals not only to anime fans but also to general tourists has led to its continuous selection.
Preparation for Sacred Site Pilgrimage and Tips for Touring
How to Obtain Pilgrimage Maps and Stickers
To make your sacred site pilgrimage more fulfilling, first obtain the “Tamayura Sacred Site Pilgrimage Map” at the Takehara City Tourism Association or the Takehara Station Tourist Information Center. This map details the major spots featured in the work, allowing you to compare anime scenes with actual locations as you tour.
Many spots distribute and display commemorative stickers and stamps for visits. By collecting these while touring, you gain a sense of achievement and create keepsakes of your memories. Shopping streets in particular have various stores selling original goods and work-related merchandise, making souvenir shopping fun as well.
Recommended Pilgrimage Styles
The sacred sites in the center of Takehara City are concentrated within walking distance, and you can visit major spots in about 2 to 3 hours of leisurely walking. If you want to enjoy photography and tour thoroughly, it is recommended to set aside half a day to a full day.
By renting a bicycle, you can efficiently access sacred sites and spots in outlying areas away from the city center. Bicycle rental services are available around Takehara Station, and electric bicycles can also be rented, making it possible to move comfortably despite the hilly terrain.
Touring with a camera like the protagonist Kaede is a wonderful way to enhance immersion in the work. While not necessarily a film camera, many fans enjoy taking photographs from the same angles as the anime using smartphones or digital cameras.
Points to Remember When Visiting and Etiquette
Many of the sacred sites are actual places where people live or operating shops. When photographing, be considerate of your surroundings and avoid trespassing on private property. Especially in residential areas and temples or shrines, make an effort to observe quietly.
By making purchases at shopping streets and restaurants whenever possible, you contribute to the local economy. Some cafes and teahouses featured in the work recreate their original menus, making it a good idea to enjoy meals and tea while touring.
【Central Takehara City】 Touring the Main Stage of the Story
Town Preservation District and Honmachi Shopping Street
The greatest attraction in Takehara City and the central stage of “Tamayura” is the “Takehara Town Preservation District.” Traditional townhouses built from the late Edo period through the early Showa period line the streets and have been designated as a National Important Traditional Building Preservation District. This historic townscape, also called the “Little Kyoto of Aki,” retains strong traces of its prosperous past as a key transportation hub on the Seto Inland Sea.
In the work, the beautiful townscape appears repeatedly in scenes of Kaede and her friends’ commute to school and afternoon walks. A picturesque landscape spreads in all directions—latticed doors on townhouses, stone-paved alleys, white-walled storehouses—and you can experience the emotion of seeing the scenery from the anime appear right before your eyes.
Honmachi Shopping Street is an area where many shops featured in the work actually exist. As you walk through the shopping street, music from “Tamayura” plays, allowing you to immerse yourself in the work’s atmosphere. Work-related signs and posters are displayed in each shop, creating a warm atmosphere that welcomes fans.
Shoukeino Michi (Path of Yearning)
“Shoukeino Michi,” held around the end of October each year, is a fantastical event that illuminates the Takehara town preservation district with approximately 1,000 bamboo lanterns. This event is depicted as an important scene in the work, making it a place of special significance for fans.
From dusk through evening, the soft light of the bamboo lanterns illuminates the stone-paved paths and old townscape, creating a scene that truly deserves the word “tamayura.” While the event draws many tourists during its run, the quiet beauty of the town preservation district can be enjoyed at other times as well.
Saiho-ji Temple and Pumeikan Hall
Located on a hillside in the town preservation district, Saiho-ji Temple is a symbolic place that appears repeatedly in the opening, ending, and important scenes of the work. In particular, from the building with stage-style construction next to the main hall, “Pumeikan,” spreads a spectacular view overlooking Takehara’s townscape and the Seto Inland Sea.
Many scenes in which Kaede and her friends view the sunset or have conversations are depicted at Pumeikan. When you actually visit, you can view the beautiful Takehara landscape from the same perspective as the anime, deepening your understanding of the work. The path up the stairs also appears in the work, making each step feel like a real sacred site pilgrimage.
The temple grounds have a quiet, serene atmosphere, perfect for slowly enjoying the scenery and immersing yourself in the lingering feelings of the work. Visiting at sunset is especially recommended for experiencing the anime scenes firsthand.
Takehara Station and Station Square Shopping District
JR Takehara Station is the place where Kaede arrives when moving from Tokyo to Takehara, symbolizing the beginning of the story. Though the station building is relatively small, the station square landscape featured in the anime remains intact, making it a place of deep emotion for fans of the work.
From the station to the town preservation district is about a 15-minute walk, and this path also appears in the work. The station square shopping district has a tourist information center where you can obtain pilgrimage maps and pamphlets, making it an ideal starting point for your pilgrimage.
Takehara Shokkeino Hiroba (Former Kasai Residence)
“Takehara Shokkeino Hiroba” located within the town preservation district is a facility that recreates the residence of a wealthy Edo-period merchant and is a significant spot featured in the work. The interior of the building is open for free viewing, and you can learn about the lifestyle of the time and Takehara’s history.
The garden and room views are also beautiful, allowing you to leisurely spend time while recalling anime scenes. During events, special exhibitions and workshops may be held, and depending on your visit timing, you can have an even more enriched experience.
Shoren-ji Temple and Ebisu-do Shrine
Shoren-ji Temple, located in the center of the town preservation district, is a temple that appears multiple times in the work. Its atmosphere and the appearance of its buildings are faithfully recreated in the anime, making it a must-see spot for fans.
The nearby Ebisu-do is a small shrine, but it appears in important scenes of the work. As a place cherished by local people, quietly visiting there deepens your understanding of the work’s world.
Kissaten “Horikawa”
An actual teahouse that served as the model for the coffee shop featured in the work exists on Honmachi Shopping Street. Its interior atmosphere and exterior are faithfully depicted in the anime, and you can actually enjoy meals and tea there.
The shop has many local regular customers and exudes the warm atmosphere of a traditional kissaten (teahouse). The menu includes dishes made with local ingredients, allowing you to enjoy Takehara’s cuisine alongside your sacred site pilgrimage. It is recommended to check operating hours and days closed before visiting.
【Outskirts of Takehara City】 Sacred Sites Worth Taking a Detour to Visit
Bamboo Joy Highland (Currently Closed)
Located on a hilltop in the outskirts of Takehara City, Bamboo Joy Highland was featured as an important location in the work. Though currently closed, the view from the observation deck remains wonderful, with an expansive view of the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
It is a place where Kaede and her friends took photographs and had important conversations in the anime, making it deeply meaningful for fans. A car is necessary for access, but it is worth visiting if you have the time.
Matoba Beach
Located a short distance from Takehara City center, Matoba Beach is where seaside scenes in the work are set. The calm waves of the Seto Inland Sea and white sandy beach are beautiful, and the area bustles with swimmers during summer.
It is an ideal place to take photographs like in the anime or spend leisurely time. The scenery at sunset is particularly beautiful, allowing you to spend quiet time while feeling the work’s atmosphere.
Takehara Port Area
Takehara Port is where ferries depart for islands in the Seto Inland Sea and appears in the work’s port scenes. Near the port is a fishery cooperative’s direct sales shop where fresh seafood can be purchased.
The Seto Inland Sea view from the port is open and expansive, with a unique landscape of scattered islands to enjoy. Ferries to Osaki-Shimojima depart from here, serving as a base if you wish to expand your sacred site pilgrimage across a wider area.
【Kure City and Osaki-Shimojima】 The Story’s World Extends Further
Sacred Sites in Kure City
The setting of “Tamayura” extends beyond Takehara City to the neighboring Kure City. Kure is a port town with a history as the Imperial Japanese Navy’s naval port and currently hosts a Japan Self-Defense Force base.
In the work, Kure appears as the location of the home of Norie Okazaki, a friend of Kaede’s. The Kure Station area’s shopping street and port landscape are depicted in the anime, and you can feel the atmosphere of a Seto Inland Sea port town different from Takehara.
The Yamato Museum (Kure Maritime History and Science Museum) and Tetsunokuujira Hall (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure History Museum) are major tourist facilities near Kure, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing alongside your sacred site pilgrimage.
Osaki-Shimojima Island and Mitarai District
The Mitarai district on Osaki-Shimojima Island, floating in the Seto Inland Sea, is one of the particularly important stages in “Tamayura.” A port town that prospered from the Edo period through the early Showa period as a wayport on the Seto Inland Sea shipping routes, it has been designated as a National Important Traditional Building Preservation District, like Takehara.
In the work, Kaede and her friends visit in their photography club activities, and the district becomes an important setting in the theatrical version. The unique landscape where the old townscape and port views harmonize possesses a quiet, timeless beauty.
Access to the Mitarai district is via ferry from Takehara Port or from a port in Kure City. Since boat frequency is limited, it is important to check the schedule in advance and plan with sufficient time.
Onomichi City as a Sacred Site
Onomichi City, located in the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, is also one of the sacred sites featured in “Tamayura.” Known as a city of slopes and cats, Onomichi is a tourist destination where the Senkou-ji Temple and Onomichi Strait landscape appear in the work.
Onomichi is about 30 minutes from Takehara by JR and can be visited as a day trip. You can also enjoy Onomichi-specialty cuisine such as Onomichi ramen and Onomichi-style okonomiyaki, allowing you to fully enjoy sightseeing alongside your sacred site pilgrimage.
There are many tourist spots unique to Onomichi, such as shopping streets, the Senkou-ji Mountain Ropeway, and the Neko-no-Hosomichi (Alley of Cats), and the town has sufficient charm to enjoy even for those who are not “Tamayura” fans.
Access Information and Transportation
Access to Takehara City
By Train
- Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Hiroshima Station via JR Kure Line to Takehara Station
- Approximately 25 minutes from Mihara Station via JR Kure Line to Takehara Station
- The Kure Line has limited frequency, so it is recommended to check the schedule in advance
By Car
- Approximately 20 minutes from Kawachi IC on the Sanyo Expressway
- Approximately 30 minutes from Hiroshima Airport
- Multiple parking lots (paid and free) are available around the town preservation district
By Express Bus
- Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Hiroshima Bus Center to Takehara
- Direct buses available from Hiroshima Airport to Takehara (approximately 30 minutes)
Transportation Within and Around the City
On Foot
Approximately 15-minute walk from Takehara Station to the town preservation district. Major spots within the preservation district are concentrated within walking distance.
Bicycle Rental
Bicycle rental services are available around Takehara Station. Electric bicycles are also available, allowing comfortable travel despite the hilly terrain. Fees are approximately 500 yen to 1,000 yen per day.
Local Buses
Community buses circulate through the city, but limited frequency requires checking schedules.
Taxi
A taxi stand is located in front of Takehara Station. It is convenient for traveling to outlying spots.
Car Rental
A rental car is convenient for efficiently touring multiple sacred sites or extending your trip to Osaki-Shimojima. Car rental companies are available around Hiroshima Airport and Hiroshima Station.
Enjoying Takehara Cuisine While on a Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Taketsuru Sake Brewery
Takehara City is also the birthplace of Masataka Taketsuru, founder of Nikka Whisky. Taketsuru Sake Brewery is an old-established brewery continuing since the Edo period and is known as the setting of the NHK morning drama “Massan.”
You can tour the brewery and taste sake, as well as purchase local sake and related products. Alongside your “Tamayura” sacred site pilgrimage, you can experience Takehara’s sake culture, another of the city’s charms.
Local Seafood Cuisine
Facing the Seto Inland Sea, Takehara offers cuisine made with fresh seafood. Oysters, octopus, conger eel, and other Seto Inland Sea delicacies are served in set meals and bowls of exceptional quality.
Restaurants using local ingredients are scattered around shopping streets and the port area, making them perfect for stopping by between sacred site tours. Oyster cuisine in winter is particularly popular as a local specialty.
Takehara Specialty “Bamboo Shoot Cuisine”
True to its name, Takehara is a bamboo-producing region, and fresh bamboo shoot dishes are available in spring. Bamboo shoot rice, fried bamboo shoots, simmered bamboo shoots—various dishes showcase this ingredient.
Cafes and Sweets
The town preservation district has stylish cafes and sweet shops housed in renovated old homes. You can slowly relax while enjoying cakes and Japanese sweets made with local ingredients and carefully selected coffee.
Beyond just the teahouse featured in the work, many newly opened shops exist, providing enough options for a day of cafe hopping.
Preserving Memories of Your Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Photography Tips
Like Kaede, the protagonist of “Tamayura,” carrying a camera while touring the sacred sites enhances your immersion in the work. Photographing from the same angles as the anime allows you to relive the work’s world.
The town preservation district, with its many historic structures, offers scenery that is beautiful from any angle. Early morning quiet times and dusk in particular illuminate the townscape with soft light, producing memorable photographs.
When photographing, be considerate not to interfere with local people’s lives or other tourists, and always practice proper etiquette.
Souvenirs and Goods
Original “Tamayura” goods and local specialties can be purchased at the Takehara City Tourism Information Center and shops in shopping streets. Stickers, postcards, and keychains are popular as sacred site pilgrimage keepsakes.
Local specialties include bamboo crafts, Japanese sake, processed seafood products, and Japanese sweets, which make appreciated souvenirs. The sake from Taketsuru Sake Brewery in particular has a solid reputation as a representative Takehara specialty.
Event Information
Takehara City hosts various events throughout the year. The “Shoukeino Michi” in late October is particularly special for “Tamayura” fans, drawing enthusiasts from across the country.
Other traditional community events are also held, including summer festivals and autumn harvest festivals. Checking event information according to your visit timing allows for a more fulfilling sacred site pilgrimage.
Conclusion: Creating Lasting Memories Through a “Tamayura” Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Takehara City in Hiroshima Prefecture, a sacred site of the anime “Tamayura,” is a wonderful place to experience the world of the work. The beautiful townscape continuing from the Edo period, the warm local people, and the calm Seto Inland Sea landscape welcome visitors with kindness.
Centered on the town preservation district of central Takehara, you can extend your journey to Kure City, Osaki-Shimojima Island, and Onomichi City to visit almost all the sacred sites featured in the work. Each location possesses unique charm, deepening your understanding of the work while allowing you to experience the culture and history of the Seto Inland region.
Sacred site pilgrimage is not merely tourism but a special experience where the work and reality intersect. By walking the paths Kaede walked and viewing the same landscapes, the work’s message and the protagonists’ feelings resonate more deeply in your heart.
By taking time to tour slowly, enjoying local cuisine, and treasuring interaction with people, your “Tamayura” sacred site pilgrimage becomes a lifetime memory. Why not embark on a journey with camera in hand, searching for your own “tamayura”?
Takehara’s town welcomes you warmly at any time. Over ten years after the work’s broadcast, the sacred site continues to maintain its unchanged beauty and warmth. Spend special time there that will remain in your heart.
