Among those searching for pilgrimage sites related to “Non Non Biyori Repeat,” there are not a few who search for locations in Ibaraki Prefecture. However, in reality, the main pilgrimage sites for this anime are not in Ibaraki Prefecture, but rather in Saitama Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, and other locations. This time, we will explain why Ibaraki Prefecture is confused with the actual sites, and introduce the actual pilgrimage spots in detail.
What is Non Non Biyori? Overview of the Work
“Non Non Biyori” is a manga work by Atto that depicts the daily lives of children attending a branch school in the countryside, a heartwarming anime. The first season aired in 2013, and the second season “Non Non Biyori Repeat” aired from July to September 2015. Later, a third season “Non Non Biyori Nonstop” was also produced in 2021.
The setting of the work is a small “Asahioka Branch School” with only 5 students in total. The rural landscape surrounded by abundant nature has been highly evaluated as a work that gives viewers a sense of nostalgia and healing.
Reasons for Confusion with Ibaraki Prefecture
Similarity of Countryside Scenery in the Kanto Region
There are several reasons why many people think the pilgrimage sites for “Non Non Biyori Repeat” are in Ibaraki Prefecture. First, the rural landscape depicted in the work is very similar to the agricultural areas of Ibaraki Prefecture. While Ibaraki is part of the Kanto region, there are many areas where abundant nature and agricultural scenery remain, which overlap with the atmosphere of the anime.
Image of Countryside Near the Kanto Region
The setting of the work strongly gives the impression of “countryside in the Kanto region,” and locations such as Saitama Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, and Gunma Prefecture are easily associated with it. In fact, Ogawa Town in Saitama Prefecture, which is the main pilgrimage site, is located relatively close to the border with Ibaraki Prefecture, making geographical confusion a contributing factor.
Existence of Abandoned Schools and Branch Schools
Many abandoned and closed branch schools exist within Ibaraki Prefecture. The consolidation of schools due to declining birth rates is a nationwide phenomenon, and a similar situation is seen in Ibaraki Prefecture as well. For this reason, many people associate Ibaraki Prefecture with the keyword “countryside branch school.”
The Actual Pilgrimage Sites Are Not in Ibaraki Prefecture
In conclusion, there are no major pilgrimage sites for “Non Non Biyori Repeat” in Ibaraki Prefecture. The author, Atto, based the settings on their birthplace and places they researched, and most of them are distributed across Saitama Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, and other locations.
Main Pilgrimage Site ①: “Ogawa Town Ogawa Elementary School Shimosato Branch School” in Saitama Prefecture
The School That Became the Model for Asahioka Branch School
The most important pilgrimage site in the “Non Non Biyori” series is “Ogawa Town Ogawa Elementary School Shimosato Branch School” in Ogawa Town, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture. This school became the model for “Asahioka Branch School” that appears in the work. It was established in 1874, closed in 2003, and was formally decommissioned in 2011.
Currently, it is not open to the general public, and only the exterior can be viewed. However, it is a valuable pilgrimage site where you can feel the atmosphere of the school building that appears in the anime. The wooden school building, schoolyard, and surrounding agricultural landscape embody the world view of the work, and many fans visit this place.
Characteristics of the School Building and Schoolyard
The Shimosato Branch School building has an exterior very similar to the Asahioka Branch School depicted in the anime. The wooden two-story school building, schoolyard equipment, and surrounding nature reproduce the atmosphere of the work in detail. In particular, the windows and entrance of the school building boast high reproduction accuracy compared to cuts in the anime.
Playground equipment such as horizontal bars and swings remain in the schoolyard, and visitors can imagine scenes of Renge and others playing. However, since it is private property, entry into the grounds is prohibited. Visitors are expected to follow proper etiquette during visits.
Access Method
The nearest station is “Ogawa Town Station” on the Tobu Tojo Line and JR Hachioji Line. From the station to Shimosato Branch School is about 7 kilometers, which takes about 1.5 hours on foot. Using a rental bicycle, you can reach it in about 20-30 minutes. Rental bicycle services are available around Ogawa Town Station, and electric-assist bicycles can also be rented.
For car access, it takes about 15 minutes from the “Ranzan-Ogawa IC” on the Kan’etsu Expressway. However, there are no parking lots around the branch school, so parking on the roadside should be avoided, and care should be taken not to trouble nearby residents.
Nearby Café “Mozart”
Near Shimosato Branch School, there is a café “Mozart” in a converted old house. It is a famous spot among Non Non Biyori fans and is used as a rest stop for pilgrimage visits. Inside the shop, you can enjoy homemade sweets and light meals while spending time in a leisurely atmosphere.
Since business days are limited, it is recommended to confirm business information before visiting.
Main Pilgrimage Site ②: “Amano no Sato” in Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture
Water Wheel Mill and Agricultural Landscape
The model for the water wheel mill that appears in Episode 2 of “Non Non Biyori Repeat” is located at “Amano no Sato” in Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. This place, with its impressive stepped rice paddies and water wheel mill, became the setting for important scenes in the work.
Amano no Sato is located at the foot of Mount Koya, which is part of the World Heritage site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range,” and spreads out with a historic agricultural landscape. The scenery around the water wheel mill shows the beauty of each season, with fresh greenery in spring and golden rice stalks in autumn captivating visitors.
Access and Viewing Points
From “Kasada Station” on the JR Wakayama Line, it takes about 20 minutes by bus or taxi. Since public transportation is limited, visiting by rental car is convenient. The water wheel mill is currently preserved, and the surrounding area can be freely explored.
Since it is an agricultural area, care should be taken not to interfere with farm work, and unauthorized entry onto private property should be avoided. Actions that respect the daily lives of local residents are required.
Main Pilgrimage Site ③: “Former Kakinoki Station” in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
Unmanned Station on JR Tadami Line
In “Non Non Biyori Repeat,” the “Kakinoki Station” (now a defunct station) on the JR Tadami Line in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, appears. The atmosphere of a countryside unmanned station fits perfectly with the world view of the work, and the station building and surrounding scenery were depicted in the anime.
The JR Tadami Line is a local line that runs through a heavy snowfall area, surrounded by mountains in a natural and rich environment. In winter, it is covered with deep snow, and visitors can actually experience the snowy landscape depicted in the work.
Precautions When Visiting
The Tadami Line experienced a partial suspension due to heavy rain in 2011, and restoration work has been underway. In 2022, the entire line resumed operation, but since the number of trains is extremely limited, visiting plans need to be made carefully.
In winter, this area experiences extremely heavy snowfall, so adequate equipment and preparation are necessary for winter visits.
Other Pilgrimage Spots
Candy Store in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo
The actual candy store “Takahashi Shoten,” which served as the model for the candy store “Kagaya” that appears in the work, exists in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. The interior of this old-fashioned candy store, lined with nostalgic candies, has the exact atmosphere of the anime.
Access is about a 10-minute walk from “Ohanachasya Station” on the Keisei Line. Business hours may be irregular, so prior confirmation is recommended.
Scenery in Minamibouso City, Chiba Prefecture
In Minamibouso City, Chiba Prefecture, there are places that served as models for the agricultural landscape and seacoast backgrounds used in the work. The natural environment of the Boso Peninsula has an atmosphere perfectly suited to the setting of the work.
Areas Around Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture
In the Chichibu area adjacent to Ogawa Town, there are scattered places that became models for scenery that appears in the work. The natural environment surrounded by mountains is an important element in shaping the world view of the work.
Preparation and Etiquette for Pilgrimage Visits
Advance Preparation
When going on a pilgrimage visit, it is good to prepare the following:
- Confirm access methods: Public transportation schedules, reservations for rental cars or rental bicycles
- Prepare maps: Smartphone map apps or paper maps
- Comparison materials: Anime screenshots or pilgrimage guide books
- Equipment according to season: Pay special attention when visiting snowy regions like Niigata Prefecture
- Confirm business information: When visiting cafés or shops
Etiquette to Follow
When on a pilgrimage visit, be sure to follow the following etiquette:
- No unauthorized entry onto private property: Shimosato Branch School in particular is private property
- Consideration for residents: Don’t shout loudly, don’t litter
- Caution when photographing: Don’t obstruct traffic, be careful about other people appearing in photos
- Respect for farm work: Don’t enter rice paddies, don’t touch farm equipment
- Observe traffic rules: Don’t park on the roadside, drive safely
Always be aware that these are places where residents live their daily lives, and act in ways that do not cause trouble. If visitors who don’t follow etiquette increase, access to pilgrimage sites may become restricted.
Highlights by Season
Spring (March-May)
Spring is a season of fresh greenery and one of the most beautiful times for agricultural landscape. Around the time of cherry blossom bloom, you can also enjoy cherry blossoms in the areas around Ogawa Town. At Amano no Sato in Wakayama Prefecture, the rice paddies filled with water before transplanting create a beautiful mirror-like landscape.
Summer (June-August)
Summer, the setting of the work, is an optimal season for pilgrimage visits. You can experience the lush green rice paddies, the sounds of cicadas, summer clouds, and other landscapes exactly as depicted in the anime. However, heat countermeasures and heatstroke prevention are essential.
Autumn (September-November)
Autumn, the rice harvesting season, spreads out with agricultural landscape dyed in golden color. At Amano no Sato in Wakayama Prefecture, the rice stalks in the stepped paddies create a beautiful gradation that is ideal for photography. The climate is also mild, making it a season well-suited for pilgrimage visits.
Winter (December-February)
Around the Tadami Line in Niigata Prefecture, you can enjoy the winter scenery covered with deep snow. The landscape unique to snowy regions evokes the winter episodes in the work. However, care for traffic impacts from snowfall and preparation for cold weather are necessary. In Ogawa Town, Saitama Prefecture, if it snows, you can recreate the winter scenes in the work.
Nearby Sightseeing Spots
Around Ogawa Town
Ogawa Town is known as the “Washi Hometown” and is a production area for traditional handmade Japanese paper. At the Saitama Traditional Crafts Hall, you can experience making Japanese paper. Additionally, there are restaurants around Ogawa Town Station that use local ingredients and can be enjoyed along with pilgrimage visits.
If you venture towards the Chichibu area, there are many sightseeing spots such as Chichibu Shrine and the scenic valley of Nagatoro.
Around Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture
The World Heritage site Mount Koya is nearby, and as the sacred site of Japanese Buddhism, there are many temples and temple lodgings. A plan to visit Amano no Sato combined with a pilgrimage to Mount Koya is recommended. Additionally, Katsuragi Town is active in fruit cultivation, and seasonal fruit picking can also be enjoyed.
Around Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
The Uonuma region is one of Japan’s leading production areas for Koshihikari rice, where delicious rice and sake can be enjoyed. Additionally, there are many hot spring areas, and combining a journey on the Tadami Line with hot spring hopping is also a good option. Winter skiing is also available.
How to Enjoy Pilgrimage Visits
Comparison Photography with Anime
Saving anime screenshots on a smartphone or tablet and photographing from the same angle at the actual location—”comparison photography”—is the essence of pilgrimage visiting. Understanding the work deepens by confirming how well the anime and actual landscape match while making the rounds.
Combining Multiple Pilgrimage Sites
While it is difficult to visit all pilgrimage sites in a single day, you can make efficient rounds by grouping visits by region. For example, visiting Ogawa Town and the surrounding Chichibu area in one day, and Amano no Sato in Wakayama Prefecture and Mount Koya in another day are possible plans.
Enjoying Local Cuisine
Enjoying local specialties and regional dishes is also an important element of pilgrimage visiting. In Ogawa Town, you can enjoy dishes made with local vegetables; in Wakayama Prefecture, persimmon leaf sushi and pickled plums; in Niigata Prefecture, Uonuma Koshihikari rice and sake—you can savor the unique flavors of each region.
Places in Ibaraki Prefecture Where You Can Enjoy a Similar Atmosphere
While not actual pilgrimage sites, there are places in Ibaraki Prefecture where you can feel the atmosphere of “Non Non Biyori.”
Agricultural Areas of Ibaraki Prefecture
Northern and western Ibaraki Prefecture have many areas with beautiful agricultural landscapes. In particular, intermediate mountain areas such as Hitachi-Ota City and Daigo Town retain the countryside scenery depicted in the work.
Facilities Utilizing Abandoned Schools
Several facilities and cafés utilizing abandoned schools exist within Ibaraki Prefecture. While not actual pilgrimage sites, it can be interesting to visit these places to feel the atmosphere of branch schools.
Conclusion
The pilgrimage sites for “Non Non Biyori Repeat” are not in Ibaraki Prefecture, but are distributed mainly in Ogawa Town, Saitama Prefecture; Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture; Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture; and other locations. The confusion with Ibaraki Prefecture is thought to stem from the similarity of countryside scenery in the Kanto region and geographical proximity.
When making pilgrimage visits, confirm access methods to each location in advance, do not forget to show consideration for local residents, and keep in mind to act with proper etiquette. By actually visiting the beautiful agricultural landscape that became the setting for the work, you will deepen your understanding of the anime and make new discoveries.
The secret to a fulfilling pilgrimage visit is enjoying the charm of each region while making your way around the pilgrimage sites scattered throughout the country. Try to experience the world of “Non Non Biyori” while feeling the leisurely flow of time.
