[Girls & Panzer] Oarai Town, Higashi-Ibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture

“Girls & Panzer Final Chapter” (commonly known as Garupan) is nationally recognized as a sacred site in Oarai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. More than 10 years have passed since the anime’s broadcast began, and even now, many fans visit this pilgrimage site for the two-dimensional work, creating a unique landscape where the region and anime, manga, and game culture have merged.

The 4th episode of the Final Chapter was released in October 2023, and the 5th episode is scheduled to premiere in 2026. This guide provides a thorough explanation by area of the appeal of sacred site pilgrimage around the stage of this ever-evolving work, alongside actual scenery.

The Stage of Girls & Panzer: Oarai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture

The Deep Connection Between the Work and Oarai Town

The setting of “Girls & Panzer” is Oarai Town, Higashi-Ibaraki County, Ibaraki Prefecture. The Prefectural Oarai Girls’ High School, which the protagonists attend, is located in a city on the deck of a massive academy ship, with Oarai Port as its home port.

Numerous actual locations in Oarai Town appear in the work, including shopping streets, shrines, coastlines, and the town office, making the town a place of special significance to anime fans as a “sacred site.” This work has attracted nationwide attention not merely as an anime sacred site, but as a successful case of regional revitalization.

New Sacred Sites Appearing in the Final Chapter

In the Final Chapter, new sacred sites different from the TV series and theatrical versions also appear. Particularly from the 2nd episode onward, more detailed depictions of narrow alleys, shops, and coastal scenery within Oarai Town have increased, diversifying the ways to enjoy sacred site pilgrimage.

With the release up to the 4th episode, the list of sacred sites has become even more enriched. Among fans, a culture of sharing new “discoveries” has taken root.

Heading to Oarai! Access Methods and Transportation

Access by Train

From the Tokyo Area

• Approximately 70 minutes to “Mito Station” on the JR Joban Line (using express trains)
• Transfer to the Kashima Rinkai Railway Oarai-Kashima Line from Mito Station
• Approximately 15 minutes to “Oarai Station”

The Appeal of Kashima Rinkai Railway

The Kashima Rinkai Railway arriving at Oarai Station is a special presence in itself for Garupan fans. Numerous character panels and posters are displayed in the station, allowing you to feel the atmosphere of sacred site pilgrimage from the moment you arrive.

Access by Car

• Approximately 15 minutes from “Mito-Oarai IC” on the Joban Expressway
• Approximately 20 minutes from “Mito-South IC” on the Kita-Kanto Expressway

Parking lots become congested on weekends and during events such as the Oarai Anglerfish Festival, so public transportation is recommended.

Oarai Station: The Starting Point of Sacred Site Pilgrimage

Oarai Station is the gateway to sacred site pilgrimage. The station building itself appears in the work, and life-sized character panels of Miho Nishi and other characters are installed in front of the station.

Items to Obtain at the Station

• Sacred Site Pilgrimage Map (distributed free at the tourist information center)
• Garupan Collaboration Railway Stamp (popular as a keepsake)
• Limited Merchandise (station shop)

Sacred Site Map: Complete Area-by-Area Guide

The sacred sites in Oarai Town can be classified into five large areas. To tour efficiently, understand the characteristics and representative spots of each area.

❶ Oarai Station Area

Main Spots

Oarai Station Building

• Episodes Featured: TV Series Episode 1, Final Chapter Episode 1
• Points of Interest: Station exterior, station front rotary
• Photography Point: Angle looking up at the station building from the front

Oarai Station Front Shopping Street Entrance

• The stage where Miho Nishi and others first walk through Oarai Town
• Many character panels installed
• Abundant dining options in the vicinity

Tourism Information Center

• Essential stop for sacred site pilgrimage
• Latest sacred site maps distributed
• Garupan merchandise sold
• Stamp rally forms available

❷ Shopping Street Area

The shopping streets of Oarai are the most frequently featured area in the work. Many individual shops handle Garupan-related decorations and goods sales, with the entire street functioning as an anime sacred site.

Magarimatsu Shopping Street

The site of numerous memorable scenes, including the scene where Miho Nishi and others ate crepes while walking.

• Sakana-ya Honten: A treasure trove of anglerfish and Garupan merchandise
• Onuki Shoten: Character panel installed
• Morita Suisan: Sells seafood and Garupan merchandise

Characteristics of Each Shop

Each shop on the shopping street promotes a different character as their “favorite.” Character panels and tank panels are installed at shop fronts, with shops cherishing interaction with fans.

Oarai Maiway Market

• Market with fresh seafood
• Garupan merchandise section always available
• Dining space where you can enjoy local cuisine

Garupan Café “Panzer Vor”

• Must-visit collaboration café for Garupan fans
• Menu items inspired by characters
• Shop interior decorated with work-related merchandise

❸ Oarai Sunbeach Area

The coastal scenery is one of the important settings for Garupan. Particularly in the Final Chapter, many everyday scenes at the beach are depicted.

Oarai Sunbeach

• Episodes Featured: TV Series Episode 4, Final Chapter Episode 2
• Points of Interest: Vast sandy beach, coastal scenery
• Best Season: Summer is ideal for sea bathing; otherwise quiet for sacred site pilgrimage

Oarai Marine Tower

• Observation room at 60 meters above ground with a panoramic view of Oarai Town
• Garupan gallery attached
• A vantage point to overlook the town landscape featured in Final Chapter battle scenes

Oarai Seaside Station

• Shopping mall loved by local residents
• Oarai Garupan Gallery (permanent exhibition facility)
• Merchandise shops and dining options well-stocked
• Ideal for obtaining the latest merchandise

❹ Outlet Area

Oarai Resort Outlet

• Commercial facility appearing in the work
• Garupan collaboration shops with limited-time pop-ups
• Convenient as a rest stop during sacred site pilgrimage

Nearby Points of Interest

• Oarai Wakuwaku Science Museum (near Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium)
• Shiokaze-no-Yu (day-use hot spring facility)

❺ Oarai Town Office Area

Oarai Town Office

• Episodes Featured: TV Series Episode 10, Final Chapter Episode 1
• Appears as the tank path competition management headquarters in the work
• Character panels installed in front of the building
• The tourism department provides Garupan-related information

Oarai Isomae Shrine

One of the most popular sacred site pilgrimage spots. The site of a memorable scene where the Anglerfish Team and Pravda High School tanks race down stone steps during an exhibition match.

• Isomae Torii Gate: A torii gate standing on a rocky reef in the sea is a symbol of Oarai
• Stone Steps: Allows photography from the same composition as the work
• Shrine Grounds: Numerous Garupan ema (votive plaques) are enshrined
• Shrine Seal: Garupan collaboration shrine seal is also popular

Photography Tips

• Early morning visits are recommended (avoiding crowds, beautiful sunrise photos)
• The angle looking down from the top of the steps best recreates the work
• The Isomae Torii Gate has the best photography timing at low tide

Sacred Site Pilgrimage Report: Actually Making the Tour

1-Day Model Course

Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

9:00 AM Arrival at Oarai Station, obtain materials at tourism information center
9:30 AM Photography of Oarai Station area
10:00 AM Begin shopping street tour
11:00 AM Sea food lunch at Oarai Maiway Market

Afternoon (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

12:30 PM Visit and photograph Oarai Isomae Shrine
2:00 PM Oarai Sunbeach area
3:00 PM View Oarai Marine Tower and Garupan Gallery
4:00 PM Purchase merchandise at Oarai Seaside Station
5:00 PM Dinner at shopping street

The Charm of Oarai Realized Through Sacred Site Pilgrimage

When you actually visit, the scenery you saw in anime spreads before your eyes as is. What is particularly impressive is the atmosphere throughout the area welcoming Garupan. On the shopping street, shop owners kindly speak with you, sometimes telling you “this scene was filmed here.” The warm interaction between the community and fans makes Oarai’s sacred site pilgrimage something special.

Seasonal Ways to Enjoy

Spring (March-May)

• Cherry blossom season, beautiful shrine surroundings
• Comfortable weather ideal for walking tours

Summer (June-August)

• Swimming at Oarai Sunbeach
• Summer festival events held
• Heat precautions essential

Autumn (September-November)

• Oarai Anglerfish Festival (November): The biggest Garupan event
• May coincide with Final Chapter new releases
• Crowded for sure, but the most exciting time

Winter (December-February)

• Anglerfish hot pot season
• Relatively few tourists, allowing leisurely tours
• Prepare thoroughly for cold weather

Garupan Merchandise & Gourmet Information

Must-See Garupan Merchandise

Oarai Garupan Gallery (inside Oarai Seaside Station)

• Largest selection of latest merchandise
• Numerous limited products
• Original art exhibition corner

Original Merchandise at Individual Shopping Street Shops

• Unique items specific to each shop
• Some handmade one-of-a-kind pieces
• Conversation with shop owners is also a pleasure

Popular Merchandise Ranking

1. Character acrylic stands
2. Tank models (Oarai limited colors)
3. Collaboration T-shirts
4. Ema notebooks (Oarai Isomae Shrine)
5. Stickers and tin badges

Oarai Gourmet: Garupan and Anglerfish

Anglerfish Cuisine

Anglerfish cuisine, a winter specialty of Oarai, is a must-eat even for non-Garupan fans.

• Anglerfish hot pot: Provided at various dining establishments (November-March)
• Anglerfish dobu-jiru: Characterized by a rich flavor
• Fried anglerfish: Some shops provide year-round

Garupan Collaboration Menus

• Tank Curry: Offered at multiple dining establishments
• Character Cakes: Limited-time offerings at cafés
• Garupan Ramen: Popular at shopping street shops

Seafood Gourmet

Fresh seafood unique to a port town is also a charm of Oarai.

• Seafood bowls
• Fresh whitebait bowls (Spring-Autumn)
• Grilled clams
• Oarai-produced dried fish

Stamp Rallies & Event Information

Permanent Stamp Rally

Oarai Town conducts a “Garupan Sacred Site Pilgrimage Stamp Rally” year-round.

How to Participate

1. Obtain a stamp rally form at the tourist information center in Oarai Station
2. Collect stamps placed at various locations throughout town
3. Completion Prize: Original merchandise gift

Stamp Locations (partial list)

• Oarai Station
• Oarai Town Office
• Oarai Marine Tower
• Oarai Isomae Shrine
• Cooperating shops

Major Events

Oarai Anglerfish Festival (November)

• Large-scale event with over 100,000 visitors
• Talk shows with Garupan voice actors
• Limited merchandise sales
• Tank vehicle exhibit
• Numerous cosplayers

Girls & Panzer Final Chapter Release Commemoration Events

• Held to coincide with new releases
• Screenings, exhibits, merchandise sales
• Details announced on official websites

Kairaku Festa (summer)

• Event to enjoy summer in Oarai
• Beach events, fireworks display
• Garupan collaboration projects also included

Lodging Facilities and Access Information

Lodging Facilities in Oarai Town

Oarai Hotel

• Long-established hotel along the coast
• Garupan collaboration rooms available (limited periods)
• Hot spring facilities complete

Oarai Park Hotel

• Location overlooking the Pacific Ocean
• Rich selection of anglerfish cuisine plans

Private Lodges and Guest Houses

• Homey atmosphere
• Some lodges provide services for Garupan fans
• Relatively reasonable prices

Precautions During Large Events Like the Anglerfish Festival

During large events, lodging facilities are fully booked months in advance.

Countermeasures

• Book early (3-6 months in advance)
• Consider lodging in nearby cities like Mito
• Day-trip plans are also an option

Sacred Site Pilgrimage Etiquette and Manners

Consideration for Local Residents

While Oarai Town is a tourist destination, it is also a place where local people live their daily lives.

Manners to Observe

• No trespassing on private property
• Avoid loud voices and noise in early mornings and late nights
• Always take trash with you
• Contribute to the community by shopping and dining at commercial establishments
• Ensure safety of surroundings when photographing

Precautions When Photographing

• When photographing on roads, be mindful not to obstruct traffic
• Ask permission before photographing in front of shops
• Remember consideration for other tourists and fans
• Be cautious about location information when posting on SNS

Protecting the “Sacred Site”

Oarai’s Garupan sacred sites are possible because of the good relationship between fans and the community. The manners of each individual will help preserve this special place for the future.

Methods for Obtaining Latest Information

Official Information Sources

Girls & Panzer Final Chapter Official Website

• Latest episode release information
• Event announcements
• Merchandise information

Oarai Town Tourism Association Official Website

• Event calendar
• Latest version of sacred site map
• Lodging and gourmet information

Oarai Town Commerce and Industry Association SNS

• Twitter/X: @oarai_info
• Real-time event information
• Latest shop information

Fan Communities

Latest sacred site pilgrimage information can be shared via SNS hashtags.

• #ガルパン聖地巡礼
• #大洗聖地巡礼
• #ガルパン最終章

Conclusion: The Appeal of Garupan Sacred Site Pilgrimage

The Garupan sacred site pilgrimage in Oarai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture, is an experience that transcends a simple anime stage visit. The emotion of actually seeing the scenery from the work, warm interaction with local people, and bonds between fans who love the same work. All of these merge into one—a special place exists here in Oarai.

Until the Final Chapter is complete, and beyond, the story of Oarai and Garupan continues.

No matter how many times you visit, there are always new discoveries, and the town of Oarai shows a different face with each season.

Please visit this sacred site once, or many times. In the moment when the scenery you saw in anime spreads before your eyes, you too will become part of the Garupan world.

Panzer Vor! Experience the best sacred site pilgrimage at Oarai.

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Access Information Summary

• Address: Oarai Town, Higashi-Ibaraki County, Ibaraki Prefecture
• Nearest Station: “Oarai Station” on the Kashima Rinkai Railway
• By Car: Approximately 15 minutes from “Mito-Oarai IC” on the Joban Expressway
• Tourist Information: Inside Oarai Station, Oarai Town Office
• Official Website: Oarai Town Tourism Association https://www.oarai-info.jp/

※ Information is current as of 2025. Please confirm the latest information before visiting.