“If My Favorite Gets to Budokan, I’ll Die” (Commonly known as: Oshibudo) is an anime work based on a popular manga by Auri Hirao. This work, which depicts the relationship between an underground idol and their fan from a unique perspective, is set in Okayama Prefecture, and many fans visit it for pilgrimage to sacred sites.
In this article, we will introduce sacred site pilgrimage spots within Okayama Prefecture in detail, explain efficient pilgrimage routes, access methods, and gourmet information in the surrounding areas thoroughly.
About “If My Favorite Gets to Budokan, I’ll Die”
Overview of the Work
“If My Favorite Gets to Budokan, I’ll Die” is the story of Maina Ichii, a member of the underground idol group “ChamJam,” and “Eripyo,” Nikako Yanishi, her passionate fan. The work is characterized by its innovative structure, which focuses on the fan’s perspective rather than the idol’s, and the TV anime aired from January to March 2020.
Why Okayama is the Setting
Okayama Prefecture was chosen as the setting for the story because the author, Auri Hirao, is from Okayama Prefecture. The work features many real buildings and landscapes centered in Okayama City, making it a pilgrimage site visited by anime fans nationwide as well as local fans.
Major Sacred Site Pilgrimage Spots in Okayama Prefecture
Around Okayama Station
Okayama Station
Okayama Station, which Eripyo uses multiple times in the work, is an important spot serving as the starting point for sacred site pilgrimages. Scenes of the inside of the station and the station plaza appear multiple times, and the landscape of the east exit in particular is impressive.
Access Information:
- JR Sanyo Shinkansen, Sanyo Main Line, Ako Line, Tsuyama Line, and Kibi Line stop here
- Terminal for the Okayama Electric Streetcar (Tram)
Aeon Mall Okayama
A shopping mall directly connected to Okayama Station, which served as the setting for scenes where characters in the work enjoy shopping. The exterior and interior atmosphere of the actual building are faithfully reproduced.
Business Hours: 10:00～21:00 (varies by store)
Address: 1-2-1 Shitaishii, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
Omote-cho and Houganjimachi Shopping Streets
Omote-cho Shopping Street
An arcade shopping street about 900m long located in the center of Okayama City. In the work, it appears as the area around ChamJam’s live venue, depicted in scenes where Eripyo and other fans gather. The atmosphere of the historic shopping street is carefully expressed in the anime.
Access: Get off at “Kenkoku-dori” station on the Okayama Electric Streetcar, immediate vicinity
Houganjimachi Shopping Street
A shopping street with a retro Showa-era atmosphere located about a 5-minute walk from the west exit of Okayama Station. It appears in night scenes in the work, with unique signboards and streetscapes depicted impressively.
Characteristics: Many distinctive shops retaining the atmosphere of the Showa era
Access: About 5 minutes walk from the west exit of JR Okayama Station
Around Okayama Castle and Korakuen
Okayama Castle (Crow’s Castle)
Okayama Castle, also called “Ujo” (Crow’s Castle) because of its black exterior, appears as a distant view in the work. It is a representative tourist attraction of Okayama, and it is worth visiting in conjunction with sacred site pilgrimages.
Opening Hours: 9:00～17:30 (admission until 17:00)
Admission Fee: Adults 400 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 100 yen
Address: 2-3-1 Marunouchi, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
Okayama Korakuen
A special scenic area counted among Japan’s three most famous gardens, adjacent to Okayama Castle. It appears as a background in the work and is depicted as a place symbolizing the beautiful scenery of Okayama.
Opening Hours: 7:30～18:00 (varies by season)
Admission Fee: Adults 410 yen, High school students and younger free
Address: 1-5 Korakuen, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
Around Asahi River and Kyobashi
Kyobashi Bridge
The Kyobashi Bridge spanning the Asahi River was the setting for an important scene in the work. The landscape and night view from the bridge are beautifully depicted, and many fans visit to take photographs.
Characteristics: Perfect location to view the Asahi River and Okayama Castle
Access: About 10 minutes walk from “Kenkoku-dori” station on the Okayama Electric Streetcar
Other Important Spots
Live Houses and Event Venues
Multiple facilities in Okayama City served as models for venues where ChamJam performs live in the work. Experiencing the atmosphere of actual live houses allows you to immerse yourself more deeply in the world of the work.
Efficient Sacred Site Pilgrimage Model Courses
1-Day Course (For Beginners)
9:00 – Arrival at Okayama Station
Sightseeing inside the station and station plaza, photo taking
9:30 – Aeon Mall Okayama
Exploring the setting for shopping scenes featured in the work
11:00 – Omote-cho Shopping Street
Strolling through the arcade shopping street, searching for lunch spots
12:00 – Lunch
Enjoying Okayama gourmet food at restaurants around Omote-cho Shopping Street
13:30 – Kyobashi Bridge and Asahi River area
Viewing Okayama Castle from the bridge, recreating scenes from the work
14:30 – Okayama Castle
Touring inside the castle, enjoying a panoramic view of Okayama City from the observation deck
16:00 – Okayama Korakuen
Strolling through the Japanese garden, enjoying seasonal scenery
17:30 – Houganjimachi Shopping Street
Experiencing the atmosphere from late afternoon to night
19:00 – Dinner around Okayama Station
Enjoying local izakayas and restaurants to wrap up
2-Day Course (For Those Who Want to Take Their Time)
Day 1: Pilgrimage centered around Okayama Station area, Omote-cho Shopping Street, and Houganjimachi Shopping Street
Day 2: Exploration of Okayama Castle and Korakuen, Asahi River area, and other surrounding spots
With the 2-day course, you can spend time leisurely at each spot, enjoy photography and sightseeing in the surrounding areas. Also, since the work features many night scenes, we recommend experiencing both the daytime and nighttime atmosphere.
Access Information
Transportation to Okayama
Shinkansen
- From Tokyo: Nozomi Shinkansen in about 3 hours and 20 minutes
- From Osaka: Nozomi Shinkansen in about 45 minutes
- From Hiroshima: Nozomi Shinkansen in about 35 minutes
- From Fukuoka: Nozomi Shinkansen in about 1 hour and 40 minutes
Airplane
- From Okayama Airport (Okayama Momotaro Airport) to Okayama Station by airport limousine bus in about 30 minutes
- From Tokyo (Haneda) in about 1 hour and 15 minutes
- From Sapporo (New Chitose) in about 1 hour and 45 minutes
Highway Bus
- From Tokyo: About 9 hours and 30 minutes
- From Osaka: About 3 hours and 30 minutes
- From Nagoya: About 5 hours
Transportation Within Okayama City
Okayama Electric Streetcar (Tram)
A streetcar connecting major tourist attractions in Okayama City. It also appears in the work and is an indispensable means of transportation for sacred site pilgrimages.
Fare: 140 yen flat rate for adults (as of 2024)
1-Day Pass: 400 yen for adults (free boarding and alighting as many times as you like)
Rental Bicycles
Okayama City operates a public rental bicycle system called “Momochari,” with stations set up throughout the city where you can freely rent and return bikes between stations.
Fare: First 1 hour 100 yen, then 100 yen for every 30 minutes thereafter
1-Day Pass: 500 yen
On Foot
The area from around Okayama Station to Omote-cho Shopping Street and Okayama Castle is within walking distance. On nice weather days, walking on a pilgrimage is also recommended.
How to Enjoy Sacred Site Pilgrimages and Etiquette
Photography Tips
Comparative Photography with the Work
The charm of sacred site pilgrimages is taking photos from the same angle as scenes in the anime. Prepare screenshots of the anime in advance and compare them while shooting on-site for a more enjoyable experience.
Recommended Photography Times
- Morning (7:00～9:00): Few people, allowing for calm shooting
- Evening (16:00～18:00): Okayama Castle and Asahi River illuminated by the setting sun are beautiful
- Night (18:00 onwards): Can recreate night scenes from the work
Etiquette to Observe
Consideration for Local Residents
Many sacred site pilgrimage spots are places that local people use in their daily lives. Please be mindful of the following:
- Do not make loud noises
- Do not enter private property without permission
- Be considerate not to obstruct passage
- Always take your trash with you
Etiquette in Shopping Streets
- Do not photograph in front of operating stores for extended periods
- Always get permission before photographing inside stores
- If possible, shop and eat at local establishments to contribute to the community
Caution When Posting on SNS
- Be considerate of other tourists and local residents who may appear in photos
- Be cautious about revealing location information
- Do not spread incorrect information
Okayama Gourmet Information
Okayama Local Dishes
Demi-Katsu Bowl
Known as Okayama’s soul food, the demi-katsu bowl is a unique dish with tonkatsu topped with demi-glace sauce. There are many famous restaurants around Omote-cho Shopping Street.
Recommended Restaurants: Nomura, Ajishi Nomura
Barazushi (Okayama Scattered Sushi)
A local Okayama dish where sushi rice is colorfully topped with fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables. With its gorgeous appearance, it is cherished as a dish for special occasions.
Ebi Meshi
A B-class gourmet from Okayama, featuring shrimp and rice stir-fried with sauce with a distinctly black appearance. There are establishments serving this around Okayama Station and in Omote-cho Shopping Street.
Kibi Dango
A famous confectionery of Okayama, well-known in the Momotaro legend. It is popular as a souvenir, with various flavors available for purchase.
Recommended Cafes and Rest Spots for Sacred Site Pilgrimages
Cafes Around Omote-cho Shopping Street
The historic shopping street has retro-atmosphere cafes and long-established coffee shops scattered throughout. They are ideal for resting during pilgrimages.
Tea Shops Around Okayama Castle and Korakuen
There is a traditional tea shop in Korakuen where you can enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets. Resting while viewing the garden is extraordinary.
Accommodation Information
Hotels Around Okayama Station
Hotels around Okayama Station are convenient as a base for sacred site pilgrimages. There are various accommodation facilities ranging from business hotels to city hotels.
Merits:
- Good access to Shinkansen and local trains
- Abundant restaurants
- Many shops open late into the night
Accommodation in Omote-cho and Kyobashi Areas
This area is close to commercial districts and allows you to enjoy the nighttime atmosphere. There are also relatively affordable accommodations such as guest houses and capsule hotels.
Goods and Apps Useful for Sacred Site Pilgrimages
Convenient Items to Bring
- Work Materials: Screenshots from the anime, sacred site maps
- Camera and Smartphone: For taking photos, don’t forget chargers
- Comfortable Walking Shoes: Essential for walking around the city
- Folding Umbrella: To prepare for weather changes
- Mobile Battery: Battery consumption is fast with photography and map app usage
Recommended Apps
- Google Maps: Navigation and current location confirmation
- Okayama Electric Streetcar Official App: Timetables and route maps for streetcars
- Butai Meguri: Anime sacred site pilgrimage dedicated app (supports some works)
- Weather Forecast App: Check Okayama’s weather
Recommended Seasons
Spring (March～May)
Cherry blossoms and new greenery at Okayama Korakuen are beautiful during this season. Especially in early April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, you can enjoy the collaboration of Okayama Castle and cherry blossoms.
Temperature: Around 10℃～20℃
Clothing: Light jacket or cardigan
Summer (June～August)
A season with many summer festivals and events, but with high temperatures and humid days. Heat stroke prevention is necessary.
Temperature: 25℃～35℃
Clothing: Short sleeves, sunscreen, hat essential
Fall (September～November)
A comfortable climate season and the best time for sacred site pilgrimages. The autumn foliage at Okayama Korakuen is also a sight to see.
Temperature: Around 15℃～25℃
Clothing: Long-sleeve shirt, thin upper garment
Winter (December～February)
Okayama is relatively warm, but mornings and evenings are chilly. There is the advantage of fewer tourists, allowing for leisurely pilgrimages.
Temperature: Around 5℃～10℃
Clothing: Coat, scarf, gloves
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
About 15 minutes by train from Okayama Station, in Kurashiki City is the Bikan Historical Quarter where the townscape from the Edo period remains. The historic streetscape with white-walled storehouses is worth visiting in conjunction with sacred site pilgrimages.
Access: About 15 minutes from JR Okayama Station on the Sanyo Main Line to Kurashiki Station, about 15 minutes walk from the station
Kibitsu Shrine and Kibitsu Hiko Shrine
Shrines said to be the roots of the Momotaro legend, where you can feel Okayama’s history and culture.
Access: About 15 minutes from JR Okayama Station on the Kibi Line to Kibitsu Station
Inujima and Naoshima (Art Islands)
The Seto Inland Sea islands known as a mecca for contemporary art are also accessible from Okayama. If you have time, it’s recommended to extend your trip to these islands.
Precautions for Sacred Site Pilgrimages
Impact of Weather
Okayama is relatively warm and known as the “Land of Clear Skies,” but caution is necessary during the rainy season and typhoon season. Check the weather forecast in advance and prepare rain gear.
Verification of Business Hours and Holidays
Shops in shopping streets and tourist facilities have different closing days and business hours. In particular, many facilities are closed on Mondays and during year-end and New Year periods, so advance confirmation is important.
Event and Construction Information
When events are held in the city, traffic restrictions and congestion are expected. Also, some spots may not be visible due to building renovation work, so confirm the latest information.
Interaction with Fan Communities
Information Sharing on SNS
Using hashtags such as “#Oshibudo Sacred Site Pilgrimage” and “#Pushido Sacred Site” on Twitter and Instagram allows you to exchange information with other fans. Share the latest spot information and shooting points.
Off-meetings and Events
Fan-organized sacred site pilgrimage off-meetings are held irregularly. Check SNS and fan sites for information.
To Enjoy the Work More Deeply
Preview of Original Manga and Anime
Reviewing the original manga and anime before sacred site pilgrimages allows for deeper enjoyment. Especially since the anime carefully depicts Okayama’s scenery, previewing will double your emotion at the site.
Related Books and Guidebooks
Official guidebooks and fan books may contain sacred site information and production stories. Reading them before a pilgrimage might lead to new discoveries.
Summary
A sacred site pilgrimage of “If My Favorite Gets to Budokan, I’ll Die” is a precious experience to feel the world of the work. Okayama Prefecture has good transportation access and plenty of attractions, making it an ideal place for first-time sacred site pilgrimages.
Use the spots introduced in this article as a reference to plan your own pilgrimage route. Do not forget consideration for local people, follow etiquette, and make it an enjoyable sacred site pilgrimage.
Okayama’s beautiful scenery, warm people, and delicious gourmet food will surely make your sacred site pilgrimage more memorable. Why not visit Okayama with your love for the work in your heart?
Finally: Sacred site pilgrimages are a bridge between works and reality. By visiting the actual locations, you can rediscover the love of the production staff for the work and the charm of Okayama as a place. Enjoy a safe and fun sacred site pilgrimage!
