The popular volleyball manga “Haikyu!!” is beloved by many fans as a youth sports work set in Miyagi Prefecture. This article explains in detail the relationship with Kesennuma City and pilgrimage sites centered around Sendai City.
The Relationship Between Haikyu!! and Miyagi Prefecture
About the Story’s Setting
“Haikyu!!” is a work set primarily in Miyagi Prefecture. The setting has Karasuno High School, where the protagonists Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama belong, located in Miyagi Prefecture, and numerous real place names and buildings within Miyagi Prefecture, such as Sendai Station and Sendai City Gymnasium, appear throughout the story.
In the work, important matches such as the Spring High Volleyball Tournament’s Miyagi Prefecture preliminaries and the Interhigh preliminaries are depicted as taking place at facilities within Miyagi Prefecture. In particular, Kamei Arena Sendai (formerly Sendai City Gymnasium) appears multiple times in the work as the venue where numerous memorable battles, including fierce confrontations between Karasuno High School and Aoba Johsai High School, took place.
Production Background and the Author’s Involvement
The author, Haruichi Furudate, is from Karumei Town in Iwate Prefecture, but had the experience of living in Miyagi Prefecture for approximately 10 years after graduating high school. This experience significantly influenced the work’s setting.
Interestingly, the landscape of Karasuno High School and its surroundings were drawn using the scenery of Karumei Town in Iwate Prefecture, where the author is from. When Furudate lived in Karumei Town, there were no trains nearby, and he rarely went outside the town, so he carefully observed the local scenery and reflected it in his work. On the other hand, the school’s settings and competition venues are located within Miyagi Prefecture, making this a work where elements from both Iwate and Miyagi prefectures are skillfully blended.
The Relationship Between Kesennuma City and Haikyu!!
The Positioning of Kesennuma City
Kesennuma City is a port town located in the northeastern part of Miyagi Prefecture at the southern end of the Sanriku Coast. In “Haikyu!!,” while Kesennuma City is depicted as the direct setting in limited scenes, it serves as an important element constituting the work’s world view as one of Miyagi Prefecture’s representative cities.
Given the setting of high school volleyball within Miyagi Prefecture, representative schools from various regions throughout the prefecture, including Kesennuma City, are considered to participate in tournaments where athletes gather from across the prefecture. Although the work primarily centers on the area around Sendai City, the entire Miyagi Prefecture is included within the work’s setting area.
Regional Characteristics Within Miyagi Prefecture and the Story World
“Haikyu!!” uses Miyagi Prefecture as a whole as its stage, and while centered on Sendai City, the characteristics of various regions throughout the prefecture are reflected in the work’s world. Coastal cities like Kesennuma City occupy an important position in expressing the diversity of Miyagi Prefecture.
The various high schools appearing in the work reflect different regional characteristics within Miyagi Prefecture, and the distinctive features and team colors of each school also correspond with actual regional characteristics within Miyagi Prefecture.
The Center of Pilgrimage: Major Spots in Sendai City
Kamei Arena Sendai (Sendai City Gymnasium)
The most important location for pilgrimage in “Haikyu!!” is Kamei Arena Sendai. This gymnasium is depicted in the work as the venue for the Spring High Volleyball Tournament’s prefecture preliminaries and is also where the protagonists Hinata and Kageyama first met. It appears multiple times throughout the series as the stage where Karasuno High School engaged in various fierce battles.
The Appeal of Facility Tour Visits
At Kamei Arena Sendai, a “Kamei Arena Sendai Facility Tour” is offered, and participation is free. During this tour, visitors receive explanations of scenes from the work, providing a special experience for Haikyu!! fans.
Tour participants are also given special benefits, such as the opportunity to enter the actual court, offering a valuable chance to experience the work’s world. Inside the main arena, visitors can recall the match scenes depicted in the work and experience the atmosphere of an actual competition venue.
The Author’s Special Hand-Drawn “Doodles”
In May 2025, author Haruichi Furudate visited Kamei Arena Sendai and left hand-drawn “doodles” inside the main arena and its surrounding areas. These doodles are hidden in various places, providing fans with a treasure-hunt-like experience.
Additionally, various events are held, such as the public display of oversized flags for limited periods, allowing visitors to have different experiences depending on when they visit.
Sendai Tourism Ambassador Commemorative Monument
On August 19, 2025 (Reiwa 5), Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama, the protagonists of “Haikyu!!,” were appointed as the first “Sendai Tourism Ambassadors.” To commemorate this, an appointment memorial monument featuring specially drawn illustrations by Haruichi Furudate has been installed at Kamei Arena Sendai.
This monument depicts the two characters promoting Sendai’s attractions and has become a must-see photo spot for fans. Its value is particularly high as a special illustration drawn by the author.
Sendai Station Area
Sendai Station is an important landmark that appears in the work. Various Haikyu!!-related spots are scattered around the station area.
Jump Shop Sendai
At Jump Shop Sendai, official Haikyu!! merchandise can be purchased. Limited products and collaboration items are also handled, making it an ideal place to find souvenirs from the pilgrimage.
Special exhibitions and events are sometimes held depending on the period, so it is recommended to check the latest information before visiting.
Hagi no Tsuki × Haikyu!! Collaboration
“Hagi no Tsuki,” a famous Sendai specialty confection, has implemented a collaboration with “Haikyu!!.” To commemorate Tsukito Tsukishima and Tadashi Yamaguchi being appointed as Sendai City tourism ambassadors, special package versions of Hagi no Tsuki were sold.
These collaboration products are popular as souvenirs, and fans definitely want to get them. The collaboration between Sendai’s traditional specialty confection and a popular anime is noted as a successful example of regional revitalization.
Sacred Sites in Karumei Town, Iwate Prefecture
Model Locations Around Karasuno High School
As previously mentioned, Karasuno High School and its surrounding scenery were drawn using Karumei Town in Iwate Prefecture as a model. Within Karumei Town, there are numerous locations that served as models for scenery appearing in the work, and these have become popular pilgrimage sites.
Major Sacred Sites
Throughout Karumei Town, various locations serve as models for the scenes depicted in the work, such as the roads Hinata bikes along to commute to school and the town scenery where characters go about their daily lives. There are many spots—including local shopping streets, areas around schools, and parks—where visitors can feel the work’s atmosphere.
As the author’s hometown, the local area is also conducting town revitalization efforts using “Haikyu!!,” and pilgrimage maps have been prepared.
The Relationship Between Karumei Town and Miyagi Prefecture
Although Karumei Town is located in Iwate Prefecture, it is near the prefectural border with Miyagi Prefecture, and the regions have deep cultural exchange. The setting of Karasuno High School being located within Miyagi Prefecture in the work is considered to reflect this geographical and cultural proximity.
In reality, the distance from Karumei Town to Sendai City is several hours by car, and the movement scenes depicted in the work are based on this actual geographical relationship.
Recommended Pilgrimage Routes
One-Day Course Centered on Sendai City
Morning: Kamei Arena Sendai
- Participate in the facility tour (check reservation requirements in advance)
- Take photos at the memorial monument
- Search for the author’s doodles
Lunch: Around Sendai Station
- Have lunch in the station area
- Purchase merchandise at Jump Shop Sendai
- Check out Hagi no Tsuki collaboration products
Afternoon: City Sightseeing
- Visit Haikyu!!-related spots throughout Sendai City
- Relax at a café and immerse yourself in the work’s world
Two-Day Miyagi and Iwate Course
Day 1: Sendai City
- Tour sacred sites throughout the city centered on Kamei Arena Sendai
- Stay overnight in Sendai City
Day 2: Karumei Town
- Head to Karumei Town in the morning (approximately 2.5 hours by car)
- Visit model locations around Karasuno High School
- Enjoy the local atmosphere
This route allows efficient visits to sacred sites in both Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, enabling a deeper understanding of the work’s world view.
The Work’s Appeal and Its Relationship to the Setting
Realism Created by the Setting
One reason “Haikyu!!” is supported by many fans is the realism created by using real locations as the setting. By depicting actual facilities like Sendai City Gymnasium in the work, readers and viewers can feel the work’s world more intimately.
Author Haruichi Furudate has constructed a convincing fictional world by reflecting his own experiences and landscapes he has actually seen in his work. By using Miyagi Prefecture, a specific region, as the setting, the work creates a sense of reality—”this might actually be happening in this place”—rather than merely being fiction.
Mutual Interaction with the Region
The relationship between “Haikyu!!” and Miyagi Prefecture is not one-directional. By using Miyagi Prefecture as the setting, the work’s fame increases, while Miyagi Prefecture simultaneously uses the work as a tourism resource, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
The appointment of Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama as Sendai Tourism Ambassadors is a symbolic event of this mutual relationship. The attempt to have fictional characters become actual city tourism ambassadors demonstrates the deep connection between the work and the region.
Points to Note When Visiting and Etiquette
Rules for Using Facilities
When visiting public facilities like Kamei Arena Sendai, care must be taken not to bother other users. If participating in a facility tour, check reservation status in advance and follow the rules.
Photography may be permitted in some areas but not others, so it is important to follow staff instructions. Also, when other users are present, avoid loud noise or blocking passageways.
Consideration for Local Residents
When visiting places such as Karumei Town, which are residential areas depicted in the work, respecting the lives of local residents is most important. Trespassing on private property without permission or making noise early in the morning or at night is strictly forbidden.
Always take your trash with you, and when taking photos, be considerate of those around you. Remember that the manners of fans enjoying pilgrimage sites will affect future reception conditions.
Checking Latest Information
Many exhibitions and events are time-limited, so it is recommended to check official websites and SNS for the latest information before visiting. In particular, collaboration products and special exhibitions may end without notice, making prior research important.
Facility hours, holidays, and tour operation status may change, so always check official information before visiting.
The Future of Miyagi Prefecture and Haikyu!!
Continuing Regional Revitalization
Although the “Haikyu!!” serialization has ended, media adaptations such as anime and films continue, and the relationship with Miyagi Prefecture is expected to continue. Special exhibitions and commemorative events coinciding with new film releases are anticipated.
Miyagi Prefecture municipalities, including Sendai City, position “Haikyu!!” as an important tourism resource, and various collaboration projects are likely to be developed in the future.
Formation of Fan Communities
Through pilgrimage, fans from across the country visit Miyagi Prefecture, and fan communities are formed through these visits. Information sharing on SNS and interactions between fans at the sites create new connections through the work.
The existence of such fan communities is expected to support the work’s popularity long-term and deepen the relationship with the region.
Summary: The Special Relationship Between Haikyu!! and Miyagi Prefecture
The relationship between “Haikyu!!” and Miyagi Prefecture, particularly Sendai City, extends beyond a mere setting to possess a deep connection. All of Miyagi Prefecture, including Kesennuma City, serves as an important element constituting the work’s world view, and by blending with elements from Iwate Prefecture’s Karumei Town, it forms a unique fictional world.
Sacred pilgrimage sites centered on Kamei Arena Sendai are valuable places where fans can experience the work’s world. The appointment of the protagonists Hinata and Kageyama as Sendai Tourism Ambassadors is symbolic of the strength of the connection between the work and the region.
When planning a pilgrimage, visiting spots primarily in Sendai City and, if time permits, extending to Karumei Town in Iwate Prefecture allows for a deeper understanding of the work’s world. While respecting local residents and observing proper etiquette, fully enjoy the “Haikyu!!” world.
The relationship between Miyagi Prefecture and “Haikyu!!” will likely continue into the future. While checking for information on new events and collaborations, discover Miyagi Prefecture’s charms as a sacred site worth visiting repeatedly.
