【Non Non Biyori】Ibaraki Prefecture (Chiba Prefecture, Chiba City)
What is Non Non Biyori?
“Non Non Biyori” is a Japanese manga work by At, serialized in KADOKAWA’s “Monthly Comic Alive” from November 2009 to April 2021. It is a beloved comedy manga by many fans, depicting the daily lives of students attending a countryside school called “Asahioka Branch School.”
The series has also been adapted into anime, with Season 1 (2013), Season 2 “Non Non Biyori Repeat” (2015), Season 3 “Non Non Biyori Nonstop” (2021), and a theatrical film “Non Non Biyori Movie: Vacation” (2018) produced, making it a long-supported content by many fans over the years.
Non Non Biyori Setting Model and Ibaraki Prefecture
About the Work’s Setting
The setting of “Non Non Biyori” is a peaceful countryside somewhere in Japan. The original author, At, constructs the work’s world by drawing inspiration from multiple places, such as the land where they lived in childhood and places visited for travel, rather than modeling a specific location.
This approach was also maintained in the anime production. The production staff conducted location scouting in multiple regions including Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, Wakayama, and Niigata prefectures, incorporating the charm of each area while creating the work’s unique countryside landscape.
Why Ibaraki Prefecture Draws Attention
There are several reasons why fans search for connections between Non Non Biyori and Ibaraki Prefecture.
Similarity of Countryside Scenery
Particularly in northern and western Ibaraki Prefecture, there are beautiful agricultural landscapes like those appearing in the work. Rice paddies, fields, rural mountain scenery, old wooden school buildings, and many other elements align with Non Non Biyori’s worldview.
Connection with Hitachinaka Kaihhin Railway
The Hitachinaka Kaihhin Railway’s Miki 300 Series (formerly Miki Railway 300 Series) is used as the model for trains appearing in the work. This railway runs as a local line through Hitachinaka City in Ibaraki Prefecture, and its appearance running through pastoral farmland overlaps with the work’s atmosphere.
Actual Holy Sites for Pilgrimages
Shimosato Branch School in Ogawa Town, Saitama Prefecture
In fact, the major confirmed holy site for Non Non Biyori is the “Ogawa Town Elementary School Shimosato Branch School” in Hiki District, Ogawa Town, Saitama Prefecture. This abandoned wooden school building served as the model for the Asahioka Branch School featured in the work.
- Opened: 1874
- Closed: 2003
- Abandoned: 2011
This branch school has many elements matching the work, including the exterior and interior structure of the school building and surrounding scenery, and is recognized as a “holy site” among fans.
Spots Where You Can Enjoy Non Non Biyori-Like Scenery in Ibaraki Prefecture
There are many places in Ibaraki Prefecture where you can feel the worldview of Non Non Biyori.
Hitachi-Ohta City and Daigo Town Area
This area, located in northern Ibaraki Prefecture, features beautiful agricultural landscapes and rural mountains. Particularly Daigo Town preserves a naturally rich environment reminiscent of Japan’s primordial landscape, making it worth visiting for Non Non Biyori fans.
Chikusei City and Sakuragawa City Area
In these western Ibaraki regions, traditional agricultural village scenery remains. The combination of spreading rice paddies and Mount Tsukuba visible in the distance presents a truly Japanese countryside appearance.
Hitachinaka Kaihhin Railway Line
The Hitachinaka Kaihhin Railway, which became the model for the train in the anime, is a local line connecting Katsuta Station to Ajigaura Station. The line runs through pastoral farmland where you can feel the flow of a leisurely pace.
The Charm of Non Non Biyori
Appeal of Characters
Main Characters
The center of the work consists of distinctive students attending Asahioka Branch School.
- Renge Miyauchi: First grader. A spirited girl with a distinctive greeting, “Nyan Pasu”
- Hotaru Ichijo: A fifth grader who transferred from Tokyo. While city-raised, she adapts to countryside life
- Natsumi Koshigaya: A second-year middle school student. Energetic and mischievous
- Komari Koshigaya: A first-year middle school student. Small and cute in appearance but responsible
- Kazue Miyauchi: The branch school teacher and Renge’s older sister. Laid-back in personality
The Work’s Worldview
The greatest charm of Non Non Biyori is its depiction of leisurely time in the countryside, away from urban hustle and bustle. It carefully portrays the beauty of nature through the seasons, the purity of children’s daily lives, and human relationships unique to rural areas—values being lost in modern society.
Healing Elements
The work belongs to the “slice-of-life anime” genre with no major incidents or dramatic developments. Instead, small daily occurrences, seasonal changes, and the casual conversations of children are carefully depicted. This “nothing happening” quality provides deep healing to viewers.
Anime Series Development
Television Anime Series
Season 1 “Non Non Biyori” (2013)
The first anime adaptation. The beautiful depiction of countryside scenery and the appeal of the characters’ daily lives were highly praised, gaining many fans.
Season 2 “Non Non Biyori Repeat” (2015)
Set in the same time period as Season 1, centered on episodes not previously depicted. True to its “Repeat” title, it portrays the same year from different perspectives.
Season 3 “Non Non Biyori Nonstop” (2021)
The timeline advances with a new year’s story unfolding. Character growth can be felt in the content.
Theatrical Film
“Non Non Biyori Movie: Vacation” (2018)
A story about the branch school members vacationing in Okinawa where Kazue’s brother’s family lives. Everyday life unfolds against southern island scenery different from their usual countryside.
Ibaraki Prefecture Countryside Tourism Spots
Places Where You Can Experience Non Non Biyori-Like Activities
Ibaraki Prefecture has numerous tourism spots where you can experience Non Non Biyori’s worldview.
Komorebi Mori no Ibaride
An experiential agricultural park in Inashiki City. You can enjoy countryside nature with animal interactions and agricultural experiences. It’s an ideal spot for spending leisurely time.
Museum Park Ibaraki Nature Museum
A nature-themed museum in Bandou City. Vast nature surrounds the area, and you can enjoy the four-season landscape changes.
Hitachi Seaside Park
A vast park in Hitachinaka City. Spring nemophila and autumn kochia bloom beautifully with each season. You can spend unhurried time in spacious surroundings.
Enjoying Ibaraki’s Agricultural Scenery
Around Kasumigaura Lake
Surrounding Japan’s second-largest lake, Kasumigaura, beautiful agricultural landscapes spread out. With prepared cycling roads, you can leisurely enjoy the scenery while moving.
Tsukuba Mountain Foothills
At the foothills of Mount Tsukuba, traditional agricultural village scenery remains. The appearance of old private houses scattered among rice paddies and fields is truly Japan’s primordial landscape.
Ibaraki Prefecture Visitation Guide for Non Non Biyori Fans
Access Methods
To Ibaraki Prefecture from Tokyo
- Train: Approximately 1.5 hours to Mito Station on JR Joban Line
- Car: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours using the Joban Expressway
- Express Bus: Direct buses from Tokyo Station to various locations
Access to Hitachinaka Kaihhin Railway
Transfer to Hitachinaka Kaihhin Railway Minato Line from JR Joban Line Katsuta Station. Enjoy a local line trip through pastoral farmland.
Recommended Visiting Periods
Spring (March–May)
Season when rice planting preparations begin and fresh greenery is beautiful. The national Hitachi Seaside Park’s nemophila comes into full bloom.
Summer (June–August)
Season of lush green rice paddies. Ideal for summer vacation countryside experiences.
Autumn (September–November)
Beautiful season when golden rice stalks sway in the wind. The harvest season arrives, offering enjoyable countryside scenery.
Winter (December–February)
Snow may fall, with quiet and calm countryside scenery spreading. Clear air allows viewing of distant mountains.
Cultural Impact of Non Non Biyori
Increased Interest in Countryside
Non Non Biyori has become a work that helps many urban dwellers rediscover the countryside’s charm. Through the work, more people develop longings for leisurely time flow and nature-surrounded living.
Contribution to Regional Revitalization
In Ogawa Town, Saitama Prefecture, which became a holy site, Non Non Biyori fan visits have increased, contributing to regional activation. In Ibaraki Prefecture as well, tourist numbers seeking countryside scenery aligned with the work’s worldview show increasing trends.
Countryside Living Experience Available in Ibaraki Prefecture
Agricultural Experience Programs
Agricultural experience programs are implemented throughout Ibaraki Prefecture. You can actually experience agricultural work like rice planting and harvesting, and vegetable picking—the tasks Non Non Biyori characters encounter daily.
Historic Farmhouse Stays
Accommodations remodeled from historic farmhouses are increasing throughout the prefecture. Spending time in traditional Japanese houses provides an excellent opportunity to experience the work’s worldview.
Local Events
Rural areas of Ibaraki Prefecture host various local events seasonally. Participating in festivals and harvest celebrations allows experiencing the richness of human relationships depicted in Non Non Biyori.
Common Points Between Work Elements and Ibaraki Prefecture
Natural Environment
The beautiful nature depicted in Non Non Biyori can be seen throughout Ibaraki Prefecture. Vast rice paddies, rural mountain scenery, streaming brooks, starry skies—natural elements portrayed in the work actually exist here.
Local Railway
The Hitachinaka Kaihhin Railway serves as the model for trains in the anime, offering an experience of leisurely countryside train travel. The single-car vehicle running through pastoral farmland is the work’s world itself.
Branch Schools and Small Schools
Many branch schools once existed in Ibaraki’s agricultural regions. While consolidation has progressed, small schools remain today, and the small-class educational environment depicted in the work actually exists.
Non Non Biyori Merchandise and Ibaraki Prefecture Souvenirs
Work-Related Merchandise
Official Non Non Biyori merchandise is available through online shops and specialty stores. Various products are offered including character goods, Blu-rays, and books.
Ibaraki Prefecture Specialty Products
Recommended souvenirs from visiting Ibaraki Prefecture include:
- Hitachi Beef: Representative Japanese brand beef
- Dried Sweet Potato: Ibaraki comprises approximately 90% of national production
- Natto: Mito natto is nationally famous
- Melon: Among the top national production areas
- Local Sake: Many breweries throughout the prefecture offer delicious sake
Conclusion
While the direct relationship between Non Non Biyori and Ibaraki Prefecture is limited, the countryside scenery and lifestyle the work depicts can actually be experienced throughout Ibaraki. Related elements like the Hitachinaka Kaihhin Railway exist, making it worth visiting for fans.
Ibaraki Prefecture, where one can experience the “beautiful Japanese countryside” depicted in Non Non Biyori, serves as an ideal tourist destination for those wishing to escape urban hustle for leisurely time. Whether ardent series fans or those rediscovering rural charm, all are encouraged to visit Ibaraki’s agricultural areas.
Beautiful nature, warm people, delicious food, and leisurely time flow. Why not visit Ibaraki Prefecture to actually experience the “richness” Non Non Biyori teaches us?
