[Yakumo Mug Series] Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture
Produced by Planet, “Yaku nara Magcup mo” (abbreviated as Yakumo) is a free comic that depicts the youth and Mino pottery set in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture. Since the anime adaptation in 2021, Tajimi City has been selected for two consecutive years as one of “88 Anime Sacred Sites Worth Visiting in Japan,” becoming a popular pilgrimage destination attracting fans from across the country. This article comprehensively introduces the major sacred sites featured in the work, providing a complete guide to enjoying Tajimi City, from efficient pilgrimage routes to local cuisine.
What is “Yaku nara Magcup mo”? The Appeal of the Work and Its Connection to Tajimi City
“Yaku nara Magcup mo” is a free comic created by Planet, set in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture, with Mino pottery as its theme and a coming-of-age story at its heart. The narrative follows Himeno Toyokawa as she moves to Tajimi, her father’s hometown, joins the pottery club, and grows alongside her friends while discovering the charm of Mino pottery.
Anime Adaptation and Recognition as a Sacred Site
The first season aired in April 2021 and the second season in October 2021, becoming a hot topic due to the faithful recreation of real landscapes from Tajimi City in the anime. The work features many symbolic locations in the city, including Tajimi Station, Honmachi Oribe Street, and Togake Water Channel Square. The local Tajimi City also established the “Yaku nara Magcup mo Promotion Utilization Council” to develop infrastructure for welcoming sacred site pilgrimages.
The Fusion of Mino Pottery’s Tradition and Modernity
Tajimi City is a major production center for Mino pottery, which has over 1,300 years of history. Beyond serving as mere tourism promotion, the work plays an important role in passing traditional crafts to the next generation. Through the anime, more fans have become interested in Mino pottery and engage in actual pottery experiences, significantly contributing to regional development.
The Pilgrimage Hub: JR Tajimi Station and Surrounding Area
JR Tajimi Station serves as the starting point for sacred site pilgrimages. With good accessibility—about 40 minutes from Nagoya Station via the Chuo Main Line—the station interior and surroundings feature numerous work-related displays.
Attractions at Tajimi Station
Upon arriving at the station, you’ll immediately spot large banners and posters of “Yakumo.” Just outside the ticket gates, you’ll find character panels and exhibition spaces recreating scenes from the anime. The tourism information desk in the station distributes free sacred site pilgrimage maps, allowing first-time visitors to begin their pilgrimage with peace of mind.
Tajimi City PR Center and Toto Creation Hall
Located about a 3-minute walk from the north exit of Tajimi Station, the Toto Creation Hall is a facility that appears in important scenes from the work. The first floor houses the Tajimi City PR Center, where “Yakumo”-related merchandise is sold and Mino pottery is displayed. This is an essential stop for fans, as some limited-edition goods are available only here.
Within the hall, visitors can learn about the history and production process of Mino pottery, deepening their understanding of the work. Periodic special exhibitions are also held, offering new discoveries with each visit.
Tajimi City Hall Kita Shokusai
Located near the Toto Creation Hall, the Tajimi City Hall Kita Shokusai building also appears in the anime. Its exterior is directly recreated in the work, and fans enjoy taking comparative photographs. The area around City Hall opens to a spacious plaza, perfect for recreating scenes from the work.
The Heart of the Series: Honmachi Oribe Street Pilgrimage
Located about a 10-minute walk from Tajimi Station’s south exit, Honmachi Oribe Street is the primary setting for “Yakumo.” This charming shopping district lined with Mino pottery shops, galleries, and cafes is where you can most vividly feel the world of the work.
The History and Charm of Oribe Street
Honmachi Oribe Street is named after Oribe Furuta, a tea master from the Momoyama period. Inheriting the spirit of Oribe Furuta, who created Oribe-yaki Mino pottery, the street has undergone urban development that harmonizes tradition with innovation. Along the stone-paved road, you’ll find a unique landscape where modern architecture and traditional warehouses blend together.
Details of Sacred Spots
Several shops on Oribe Street served as models for the ceramic shops and cafes visited by Himeno and friends. Each shop displays “Yakumo” posters and panels, welcoming fans with a warm atmosphere. By actually purchasing Mino pottery pieces or enjoying menus featured in the work at cafes, you can immerse yourself more deeply in the work’s world.
Gallery and Workshop Tours
Around Oribe Street, there are galleries and workshops run by active potters. You can observe pottery techniques depicted in the work, experiencing the depth of Mino pottery. Pottery experience classes are also offered by reservation, and creating your own original mug becomes an unforgettable memory of your pilgrimage.
Nagase Shopping District and Togake Water Channel Square Area
Nagase Shopping District, extending south from Tajimi Station, and Togake Water Channel Square beyond it are important sacred sites that frequently appear in the work.
Highlights of Nagase Shopping District
Nagase Shopping District is an arcade shopping street connecting Tajimi Station’s south exit to Honmachi Oribe Street. In the work, it’s depicted as a place Himeno and friends pass through daily, with an approachable atmosphere conveying local life. The district features diverse shops, from long-established individual businesses to new stores, with many dining establishments offering local cuisine.
Character panels and posters from “Yakumo” are displayed throughout the shopping district, and exploring them with a pilgrimage map in hand is one way to enjoy the experience.
Togake Water Channel Square: A Symbolic Location of the Work
Togake Water Channel Square is where particularly memorable scenes from “Yakumo” occur. This square preserves the history of the Togake water channel, constructed in the Edo period, with a walking path and rest areas along the water route. In the anime, it features scenes of Himeno and friends gathering to talk, making it recognized by fans as the “sacred site among sacred sites.”
Explanation panels about the work are installed at the square, allowing visitors to compare anime scenes with real-world landscapes while photographing. On sunny afternoons especially, the light matches the anime, creating perfect shooting conditions.
Hidden Sacred Spots in the Surrounding Area
Around Togake Water Channel Square, there are hidden sacred sites that appear only briefly in the anime. Buildings used as backgrounds and alleyways are notable details fans shouldn’t miss. Since some places aren’t marked on pilgrimage maps, exploring while rewatching the anime offers its own enjoyment.
Efficient Sacred Site Pilgrimage Model Courses
Here are recommended model courses for visiting major sacred sites within limited time.
Half-Day Course (Approximately 4 hours)
Starting in the morning:
- JR Tajimi Station (30 minutes): View station displays, obtain pilgrimage maps
- Toto Creation Hall and Tajimi City PR Center (45 minutes): Purchase merchandise, view Mino pottery exhibits
- Tajimi City Hall Kita Shokusai (15 minutes): Photograph exterior
- Nagase Shopping District (30 minutes): Explore shopping district, have lunch
- Honmachi Oribe Street (60 minutes): Visit ceramic shops, take cafe break
- Togake Water Channel Square (45 minutes): Photograph, explore surroundings
This course allows you to efficiently visit major sacred sites. Since movement is primarily on foot, wear comfortable shoes.
Full-Day Enjoyment Course (Approximately 8 hours)
With ample time, a full-day course adding pottery experiences and museum visits is recommended.
Additional spots for full-day course:
- Mino Pottery Museum: Affiliated with the Tajimi Ceramic Design Research Institute, offering in-depth learning of Mino pottery history
- Pottery Experience Workshop: Create your own mug or plate (reservation required, 2-3 hours)
- Togake Mountain Eihoji Temple: A Zen temple with National Treasure buildings, allowing you to touch Tajimi’s history
- Mosaic Tile Museum: Located in neighboring Kasahara Town, designed by architect Teruhiro Fujimori
A full-day course allows deeper understanding of Tajimi’s culture and history beyond just the work’s settings.
Recommended Visiting Seasons
Tajimi is known as “Japan’s hottest city,” with summer temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius. Optimal times for pilgrimage are:
- Spring (March-May): Pleasant climate ideal for walking pilgrimages. Cherry blossom season makes Togake Mountain Eihoji Temple especially beautiful
- Autumn (September-November): Beautiful foliage and numerous events like pottery festivals
- Winter (December-February): Cold but fewer tourists, allowing leisurely pilgrimage
- Summer (June-August): Requires heat precautions. Using early morning or evening hours is recommended
Enjoying Tajimi Gourmet and Mino Pottery Experiences During Pilgrimage
Sacred site pilgrimage enjoyment extends beyond visiting the work’s settings. Let’s fully experience Tajimi’s unique gourmet offerings and activities.
Enjoying Local Gourmet in Mino Pottery Tableware
Most restaurants in Tajimi City serve dishes using local Mino pottery. Model cafes from the work allow you to enjoy coffee in Mino ware mugs. Experiencing the pottery’s feel and taste difference deepens understanding of the pottery charm depicted in the work.
Recommended gourmet spots:
- Cafes around Oribe Street: Lunch and sweets served in Mino pottery
- Long-established restaurants in Nagase Shopping District: Local favorites serving set meals and noodles
- Izakayas near Tajimi Station: Local sake served in Mino pottery vessels
Pottery Experience Creating Your Own Mug
Creating your own pottery, just like the protagonists of “Yakumo,” is the essence of sacred site pilgrimage. Tajimi City has multiple pottery experience facilities where beginners can easily participate.
Types of pottery experiences:
- Hand-forming experience: Traditional method of hand-shaping clay. High freedom allows creating highly original works
- Electric wheel experience: Shaping on a rotating wheel. Experience feeling like a professional potter
- Painting experience: Decorate pre-made bisque ware. Completes quickly with same-day take-home options
Most experiences require advance reservations, with completed pieces sent later (except painting experiences). Sessions take 1.5-3 hours, with fees ranging 2,000-5,000 yen.
Enjoying Mino Pottery Shopping
Purchasing Mino pottery as a pilgrimage memento is also recommended. Around Honmachi Oribe Street, shops carry diverse Mino wares, from traditional Oribe-yaki to contemporary designs.
Purchase tips:
- Daily-use mugs and bowls start from 2,000 yen
- Artist pieces and one-of-a-kind works run several tens of thousands of yen
- “Yakumo” collaboration goods available at the Toto Creation Hall and PR Center
- The semi-annual “Mino Pottery Festival” offers discounted purchases
“Yakumo” Related Events and Collaboration Information
Throughout the year, Tajimi City hosts “Yakumo”-related events and collaborations.
Regularly Held Events
Mino Pottery Festival (Spring and Autumn):
Tajimi’s largest pottery market, held during Golden Week (spring) and October (autumn). “Yakumo” collaboration booths feature limited merchandise sales and character panel displays.
Yakumo Stamp Rally:
Periodically held sacred site pilgrimage stamp rally. Collecting stamps at major sites throughout the city earns original merchandise. Information is available on the official “Yaku nara Magcup mo Promotion Utilization Council” website.
Collaboration Merchandise Information
The Toto Creation Hall and Tajimi City PR Center sell the following “Yakumo” collaboration items:
- Character-designed mugs (Mino pottery)
- Acrylic stands, keychains
- Clear files, postcards
- Pilgrimage maps with guidebooks
- Limited-time collaboration products
Since many items are limited quantity, checking inventory on the official website before visiting is recommended.
Voice Actor Events and Fan Interaction
Voice actor talk events and autograph sessions have been held in Tajimi City in the past. Latest event information is available on official anime sites and Tajimi Tourism Association SNS accounts.
Access Methods and Surrounding Tourist Information
Here’s information on how to reach Tajimi City and nearby attractions worth visiting alongside your pilgrimage.
Access to Tajimi City
Train access:
- About 40 minutes from Nagoya Station via JR Chuo Main Line Express (680 yen fare)
- From Tokyo: Via Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station
- From Osaka: Via Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station
- From Gifu Station: About 50 minutes via JR Takayama/Tao Lines
Car access:
- About 10 minutes from Chuo Expressway “Tajimi IC” to downtown
- About 15 minutes from Tokai Ring Expressway “Tajimi Shirakawa IC”
- Parking: Multiple coin parking lots around Tajimi Station (200 yen per hour and up)
Accommodation Information
For leisurely pilgrimage, staying in or near Tajimi City is recommended.
Tajimi City accommodations:
- Business hotels: Multiple options around Tajimi Station (5,000-8,000 yen per night)
- Traditional inns: Japanese-style hospitality with meals using Mino pottery
- Guesthouses: Budget-friendly options with local interaction opportunities
Nearby accommodation areas:
- Nagoya City: Abundant hotel options, 40-minute train ride to Tajimi
- Toki City: Outlet mall available, combining shopping with pilgrimage
Surrounding Tourist Attractions
Tourist attractions in Tajimi and nearby areas worth visiting alongside pilgrimage:
In Tajimi:
- Togake Mountain Eihoji Temple: Zen temple with National Treasure Kannon and Kaisando buildings. Also famous as a fall foliage spot
- Tajimi City Mosaic Tile Museum: Tile-specialty museum in Kasahara Town. Architect Teruhiro Fujimori’s unique building is also noteworthy
- Monastery: A quiet prayer space with beautiful gardens
Nearby areas:
- Toki Premium Outlets: 15 minutes by car. Shopping destination
- Ena Gorge: 30 minutes by drive. Scenic spot with sightseeing boats and ropeway
- Magome and Tsumago Lodging Towns: About 1 hour drive. Edo-period inn towns with preserved atmosphere
Sacred Site Pilgrimage Precautions and Etiquette
Consideration for residents and other tourists is essential for enjoying pilgrimages.
Photography Etiquette
- Always obtain permission for photographing on private property or in shops
- Avoid noise in residential areas; refrain from photographing early morning or late night
- Photograph in locations not obstructing traffic
- When using tripods, ensure they don’t impede pedestrians
Community Consideration
- Always carry away trash or dispose in designated bins
- Purchase local products at shops to support the regional economy
- Respect residents’ daily lives and maintain composed behavior
- Avoid entering unmarked locations on pilgrimage maps
Heat Precautions (Summer)
Tajimi experiences extremely high temperatures during summer.
- Maintain regular hydration (vending machines available throughout the city)
- Bring heat protection gear like hats, parasols, and sunscreen
- Avoid prolonged outdoor activity; take breaks at cafes or indoors
- Rest immediately in cool locations if experiencing heat-related symptoms (dizziness, headache, nausea)
SNS Posting Precautions
- Keep location information to general areas; avoid posting detailed addresses
- Verify photos before posting to ensure residents or other tourists aren’t pictured
- Use spoiler-warning hashtags
Conclusion: Discovering Tajimi’s Charm Through “Yakumo” Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Sacred site pilgrimage for “Yaku nara Magcup mo” transcends simple anime location visits, offering valuable experiences with Mino pottery—a traditional craft—and touching Tajimi City’s history and culture. With major sacred sites clustered within walking distance from Tajimi Station to Togake Water Channel Square and Honmachi Oribe Street, a fulfilling pilgrimage is achievable in half to one day.
By actually experiencing pottery’s charm depicted in the work, enjoying gourmet in Mino pottery vessels, and touching residents’ warmth, you’ll more deeply understand “Yakumo’s” world. Tajimi’s sacred sites, offering new discoveries with each visit, inspire repeated pilgrimages.
In Gifu Prefecture’s Tajimi City, experience the work’s world and traditional pottery’s beauty. Viewing the same landscapes and feeling the same air as Himeno and friends will deepen your affection for the series.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the ideal duration for a sacred site pilgrimage?
A1: About four hours suffices for efficiently visiting major sites. For including pottery experiences and nearby attractions, allocate a full day (approximately 8 hours). Since pottery experiences require 2-3 hours, plan generously when including them.
Q2: Where can I obtain a pilgrimage map?
A2: Maps are freely distributed at the Tajimi Station tourism information desk and the Tajimi City PR Center in the Toto Creation Hall. PDF versions are also available for download from the “Yaku nara Magcup mo Promotion Utilization Council” official website. Maps show major site locations and photos, helping first-time visitors navigate without confusion.
Q3: Do pottery experiences require reservations?
A3: Most facilities require advance reservations. Especially during weekends and holidays, booking a week or more in advance is recommended. Some facilities accept same-day registration, but may be fully booked. Reservations are available through facility websites or phone.
Q4: Where can I purchase “Yakumo” collaboration merchandise?
A4: Primary locations include the Tajimi City PR Center in the Toto Creation Hall and station shops. Character mugs, acrylic stands, and clear files are available. Popular items sell out, so checking inventory before visiting is advisable. Special collaboration goods may be available during pottery festival periods.
Q5: Is pedestrian-only travel possible within Tajimi?
A5: All major sites—Tajimi Station, the Toto Creation Hall, Nagase Shopping District, Honmachi Oribe Street, and Togake Water Channel Square—are within walking distance, with the farthest site about 20 minutes walk from the station. For visiting surrounding spots like Togake Mountain Eihoji Temple or the Mosaic Tile Museum, buses, taxis, or rental bikes are convenient. Community buses (“Kikyo Bus”) also operate around Tajimi.
Q6: Is Tajimi truly that hot in summer? Are precautions necessary?
A6: Yes, Tajimi is known as “Japan’s hottest city,” with summer highs regularly exceeding 38 degrees Celsius. For outdoor walking pilgrimages, heat protection gear including hats, parasols, water, and salt tablets are essential. Visiting early morning or evening hours is recommended. Take appropriate breaks at cafes or indoors while maintaining a comfortable pace.
Q7: Can I enjoy the experience without having watched the series?
A7: Absolutely. Tajimi is appealing as a Mino pottery production center with abundant attractions—ceramic shop tours, cafes, and historic buildings. However, watching the series beforehand enriches understanding of each location’s significance, doubling pilgrimage enjoyment. Watching at least the first few episodes before visiting is recommended.
Q8: Can families with children enjoy this?
A8: Yes, families will find plenty to enjoy. Child-oriented pottery programs are available for parent-child participation. Togake Water Channel Square provides open space for children to play, and the shopping district has numerous restaurants for family dining. Summer heat requires special caution, making spring or autumn visits ideal for families with young children.
