【Makoto Shinkai Works】Your Name. Sacred Site Pilgrimage Guide: Suga Shrine (Tokyo) Complete Strategy
Makoto Shinkai’s blockbuster film “Your Name.” has captivated countless fans since its release in 2016. Among the many memorable scenes, the staircase scene where Taki and Mitsuha reunite stands out as particularly impressive. The setting for this moving moment is Suga Shrine, located in Yotsuya, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, and the stone steps of its approach.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to Suga Shrine, a sacred pilgrimage site visited by many fans of “Your Name.” We will explain everything necessary for a pilgrimage, from access methods and photography spots to etiquette and nearby attractions.
Suga Shrine: History and Heritage
Suga Shrine was founded in Kanei 11 (1634), during the early Edo period. The enshrined deities are Susanoo no Mikoto and Ukanomitama no Kami, and the shrine is said to offer blessings for warding off misfortune and business prosperity.
Long cherished by local residents as the protective shrine of Yotsuya, Suga Shrine has gained new attention as a sacred pilgrimage site visited by anime fans from around the world following the release of “Your Name.”
Official Name and Pronunciation
The official name is “Suga Shrine” (須賀神社, *Suga Jinja*). Note that it is pronounced “suga” with a voiced sound, not “suka.” Be mindful of this when visiting.
Suga Shrine’s Appearance in “Your Name.”
Suga Shrine appears in “Your Name.” in an important scene near the climax of the story. It becomes the setting where Taki and Mitsuha, who have continued searching for each other across time and space, finally reunite after passing each other in Tokyo’s streets.
The Iconic Staircase Scene
Particularly famous is the stone staircase called the “Otoko-zaka” (men’s slope) at Suga Shrine. The scene where Taki and Mitsuha pass each other on this staircase, and he turns back to ask “What is your name…?” has become an unforgettable moment in the hearts of many fans, symbolizing the film.
The beautiful depiction of light characteristic of Shinkai’s direction, combined with the impressive view of Tokyo’s skyline from the top of the slope, creates an experience where visitors feel they have stepped into the world of the film.
How to Access Suga Shrine
Suga Shrine is located in the Yotsuya district of Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, and is accessible from multiple stations.
Nearest Stations and Walking Routes
From Yotsuya-sanchome Station (Most Recommended)
- Get off at Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line “Yotsuya-sanchome Station”
- Approximately 7 minutes on foot from the exit
- Head west on Shinjuku-dori, then turn left at Suga-cho intersection
From Shinanomachi Station
- Get off at JR Chuo/Sobu Line “Shinanomachi Station”
- Approximately 10 minutes on foot
- Head north on Gaien-Nishi-dori towards Suga-cho
From Akebonebashi Station
- Get off at Toei Shinjuku Line “Akebonebashi Station”
- Approximately 12 minutes on foot
Access by Car and Parking Information
Suga Shrine does not have a dedicated parking lot. Those driving must use nearby coin parking. However, since the area is a residential neighborhood with narrow streets, we strongly recommend using public transportation.
For pilgrims planning to take photographs on the stairs and explore the surrounding area, accessing by train is most convenient.
Sacred Site Pilgrimage: Photography Spots and How to Enjoy
Here are tips for maximizing your enjoyment of the sacred pilgrimage to Suga Shrine.
Best Photo Spot: The Otoko-zaka Staircase
To recreate scenes from the film, the stone staircase “Otoko-zaka” at Suga Shrine is the ultimate photography location.
Photography Tips:
- Shoot from the middle of the stairs looking upward
- Shoot from the top of the stairs looking down at the cityscape
- Early morning and late afternoon light is most beautiful
- Weekdays are better for calm photography, as weekends attract many pilgrims
Photography Etiquette and Courtesy
Before all else, Suga Shrine is a sacred place where local residents come daily to worship. Please follow this etiquette:
- The stairs are a living pathway: Local residents use these stairs regularly. Avoid occupying them for extended periods
- Keep conversations quiet: Located in a residential area, noise consideration is necessary
- Avoid early morning and late night visits: Out of consideration for nearby residents, visit at reasonable hours
- Take all trash with you: Maintaining the sacred site is the responsibility of fans
- Do not trespass on private property: There are residences near the stairs. Be careful not to enter private grounds
Recommended Times to Visit
Morning Hours (8:00–10:00)
- Few people, allowing for unhurried photography
- Beautiful morning light and fresh atmosphere
Evening Hours (4:00–6:00 PM)
- Atmosphere closest to the film’s scenes
- Tokyo’s skyline beautifully lit by the setting sun
Times to Avoid
- Midday (11:00 AM–3:00 PM) on weekends and holidays is peak crowded time
- Year-end holidays and long holidays are particularly crowded
How to Worship at Suga Shrine
Even if you’re here as a pilgrim, it’s worthwhile to pay proper respects with correct ritual.
Basic Worship Procedure
- Bow once before passing through the torii gate
- Purify yourself at the water basin (right hand → left hand → mouth → handle in that order)
- Worship at the main hall
- Perform the “two bows, two claps, one bow” ritual
- Offer a monetary gift
- Make your wishes
- Bow once at the torii gate when leaving
Ema (Prayer Plaques) and Protective Amulets
Ema can be obtained at Suga Shrine.
Ema Information:
- Suggested donation: typically ¥300–500
- Reception hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (approximate)
- Original ema books may also be sold
Amulets and Blessings:
- Warding off misfortune amulet
- Business prosperity amulet
- Good fortune in love amulet
- Academic achievement amulet
While there are no official “Your Name.”-themed amulets or merchandise sold, the love fortune amulet aligns with the film’s theme and makes a good souvenir.
Nearby “Your Name.” Sacred Sites
There are other “Your Name.” locations in the area around Suga Shrine.
The Yotsuya Cityscape
The Tokyo skyline visible from the steps of Suga Shrine is depicted impressively in the film. Visiting in person allows you to see the Shinjuku high-rises and Tokyo’s expanse at a glance, truly experiencing one of the film’s key scenes.
The Shinjuku Area
The Shinjuku area has multiple sacred sites, including the model for the restaurant where Taki worked part-time and the streets Mitsuha walked when she visited Tokyo. Since these are close to Suga Shrine, visiting them together is recommended.
Cafe La Boheme
The real Italian restaurant “Cafe La Boheme” in Shinjuku is said to be the model for the shop where Taki worked part-time in the film. It is only a few minutes by train from Suga Shrine.
Tourist Spots in the Yotsuya Area
Here are tourist attractions near Yotsuya worth visiting while on your pilgrimage.
Akasaka Palace (State Guest House)
Within walking distance of Suga Shrine, this designated National Treasure features luxurious Western architecture. Interior viewing is possible with advance reservation.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Famous as the setting for Shinkai’s another work “The Garden of Words,” Shinjuku Gyoen is within walking distance of Yotsuya-sanchome Station. Enjoy beautiful gardens throughout the seasons.
Yotsuya Araki-cho
A drinking district retaining the ambiance of the Edo period. Quirky shops line the narrow alleyways, perfect for adult exploration.
Planning Your Pilgrimage
Here’s how to plan an efficient pilgrimage to enjoy sacred sites.
Half-Day Course (Morning or Afternoon)
- Meet at Yotsuya-sanchome Station
- Worship and photograph at Suga Shrine (1–2 hours)
- Rest at a nearby cafe
- Visit other sacred sites in the Shinjuku area
Full-Day Course
- Morning: Explore Shinjuku Gyoen (sacred site from “The Garden of Words”)
- Lunch: Cafe La Boheme, etc.
- Afternoon: Worship and photograph at Suga Shrine
- Late afternoon: Explore Yotsuya Araki-cho
- Evening: Dinner and shopping in Shinjuku
Packing Checklist
- Camera/Smartphone (fully charged)
- Photos of film scenes (for comparison shooting)
- Ema book (if collecting ema from different shrines)
- Comfortable walking shoes (many slopes and stairs)
- Water bottle (especially in summer)
- Offline map app
Suga Shrine’s Seasonal Appeal
Suga Shrine reveals different faces throughout the four seasons.
Spring (March–May)
During cherry blossom season, the street trees around the area become beautiful, and the view from the stairs becomes more vibrant. As the start of new beginnings, it’s a season where you can feel the film’s theme of “encounters.”
Summer (June–August)
The contrast between lush green foliage and blue sky is beautiful. However, climbing and descending the stairs causes sweating, so remember to hydrate.
Autumn (September–November)
Fall foliage is beautiful, and this season most closely matches the autumnal atmosphere of the film’s setting. November especially offers stable weather, making it ideal for pilgrimage.
Winter (December–February)
Clear air allows views extending farther from the stairs. While the New Year pilgrimage period is crowded, the sacred atmosphere is palpable. This season also captures the seasonal feeling of the film’s final scenes.
Suga Shrine’s Annual Events
As a community shrine, Suga Shrine hosts various events throughout the year.
Major Annual Events
- January 1–3: New Year’s shrine visits
- February 3: Setsubun Festival
- Early June: Annual Grand Festival (Suga Shrine’s most important ceremony)
- November 15: Shichigosan (Seven-Five-Three Festival)
- December 31: Great Purification Ceremony
The Grand Festival period brings activity from local residents, offering a different atmosphere than usual. However, there may be restrictions on worship or photography during festival periods, so advance confirmation is recommended.
Social Media Appeal and Photography Techniques
Here are techniques for taking more beautiful photographs at Suga Shrine.
Composition Tips
- Utilize the stairs’ depth: Shooting the stairs at an angle emphasizes perspective
- Include people: Positioning companions creates a sense of scale closer to film scenes
- Capture the sky widely: Be conscious of the beautiful sky characteristic of Shinkai works when deciding composition
- Consider symmetry: Compositions conscious of the stairs’ centerline also turn out beautifully
Photography Settings Tips
- Use HDR mode: Captures both sky and ground beautifully even with high contrast
- Aim for golden hour: Light is most beautiful during the first hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset
- Use burst mode: With heavy foot traffic, shoot in burst and select frames with fewer people
- Use portrait mode: Smartphone portrait mode blurs the background, creating a film-like atmosphere
Hashtag Usage
When posting on social media, using the following hashtags connects you with fellow fans:
- #YourName
- #SugaShrine
- #SacredPilgrimage
- #MakotoShinkai
- #Yotsuya
- #AnimeSacredSite
- #YourName
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I avoid crowds?
Weekday mornings (9:00–11:00 AM) are quietest. Weekends and holidays experience peak crowding at midday, so early morning or evening are recommended.
Can I enjoy it on rainy days?
Rainy days require care as the stone steps become slippery, but rain-wet stones and the post-rain sky create an atmosphere beautifully characteristic of Shinkai works. Don’t forget an umbrella.
Do many foreign tourists visit?
As “Your Name.” was a worldwide hit, many international tourists visit. Visitors from Asian countries are particularly noticeable.
Are there nearby places to eat?
The Yotsuya-sanchome Station area has numerous cafes and restaurants. Along Shinjuku-dori you’ll find various options from chain stores to independent shops.
“Your Name.” Recap: Work Information
To enjoy your pilgrimage more deeply, let’s review the film’s basic information.
Work Overview
- Release year: August 26, 2016
- Director/Writer: Makoto Shinkai
- Music: RADWIMPS
- Box office: Over ¥25 billion (4th highest in Japanese cinema)
- Awards: Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, among many others
Story Overview
Taki Tachibana, a high school boy living in Tokyo, and Mitsuha Miyamizu, a high school girl living in rural Hida, discover they are switching bodies in their dreams. Through this mysterious connection transcending time and space, the two continue searching for each other.
Makoto Shinkai’s Direction and Sacred Site Pilgrimage Culture
Makoto Shinkai’s works are known for precisely depicting real locations.
Characteristics of Shinkai’s Works
- Faithful recreation of real places: Locations are thoroughly researched and rendered in fine detail
- Beauty of light and sky: Sensitively expressing light’s changes by time of day and season
- Poetic depiction of everyday scenery: Transforming familiar landscapes into something special
Other Makoto Shinkai Works’ Sacred Sites
- 5 Centimeters per Second: Sanomiya Bridge Station, Yoyogi (Tokyo)
- The Garden of Words: Shinjuku Gyoen (Tokyo)
- Weathering with You: Tabata, Roppongi (Tokyo)
- Suzume: Locations throughout Tokyo, Miyazaki, and Kobe nationwide
After visiting Suga Shrine, exploring other Shinkai works’ pilgrimage sites is also enjoyable.
Sacred Site Pilgrimage Etiquette and Ethics
There are rules all visitors should follow to maintain healthy pilgrimage culture.
Basic Etiquette
- Consideration for residents: Remember this is a place of living, not merely a tourist destination
- Obtain photography permission: Ask permission before photographing shops or private property
- Follow traffic rules: No parking on roads or occupying sidewalks
- Environmental protection: Never litter or write on surfaces
- Keep quiet: Avoid loud conversation and noise
Protecting Sacred Sites
Cases exist nationwide where pilgrimage activities have caused conflicts with residents, leading to requests to stop visits. For Suga Shrine to continue warmly welcoming “Your Name.” fans, each individual must follow proper etiquette.
Conclusion: Experience the World of “Your Name.” at Suga Shrine
Suga Shrine has become a special place in the hearts of many fans, serving as the setting for the moving climactic scene of “Your Name.”
The beautiful staircase and Tokyo skyline depicted in the film deepen understanding and emotion when visited in person. Standing where Taki and Mitsuha reunited and gazing at the same scenery creates a special experience as if stepping into the film’s world.
Sacred site pilgrimage is a wonderful way to express love for a work, but respect for the local community must never be forgotten. By following proper etiquette and visiting with gratitude, Suga Shrine will remain a precious place for many fans.
If you have the chance to visit Tokyo, please stop by Suga Shrine. A film scene comes alive, and new discoveries and emotions await you.
“What is your name…?”
Create your own special memories at the setting of that iconic scene.
