【Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious】 Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
“Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious” is beloved by many fans as a work depicting small happinesses found in everyday life and delicious meals. This article introduces in detail the sacred sites in Tokyo where the work is set, and provides tips and ways to enjoy pilgrimage visits to these locations.
What is “Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious”?
“Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious” is a work that carefully depicts various meals encountered in daily life and the human dramas portrayed through them. Set in Tokyo, the restaurants and streetscapes visited by the protagonist are modeled after real locations, and “sacred site pilgrimages” have become popular among fans.
The appeal of the work lies in its ability to help readers rediscover the happiness of “delicious meals” found in ordinary everyday moments. Many of the dishes featured in the work are modeled after actual restaurant menus, and by visiting these places after reading the work, readers can experience the world of the work more deeply.
Major Sacred Sites in Tokyo
Sacred Sites in the Shinjuku Area
Shinjuku is one of the important settings in “Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious.” Many crucial scenes from the work are depicted here, such as restaurants the protagonist visits after work and places where they meet with friends.
Around Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Station is a frequently appearing location in the work. Each of the east, west, and south exits has characteristic scenes, particularly the memorable scene of walking through the crowds at the east exit. The complex structure of the station and the appearance of underground passages are described in detail.
Around Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai
Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku serves as the setting for scenes where the protagonist enjoys solitary meals in peace. The atmosphere of small restaurants lined along narrow alleyways perfectly matches the world depicted in the work. When visiting in person, the evening to night hours are recommended.
Sacred Sites in the Shibuya Area
Shibuya is depicted in the work as the center of youth culture, with many scenes of the protagonist’s interactions with friends.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Shibuya Scramble Crossing, which appears in the opening scene of the work, is portrayed as a place symbolizing Tokyo. The detailed depictions of people crossing and surrounding buildings make for enjoyable pilgrimage experiences when compared with actual scenery.
Around Dogen-zaka
The Dogen-zaka area is home to small cafes and set restaurants modeled after those frequently visited by the protagonist. Part of the pilgrimage’s charm lies in walking up the slope and searching for scenery featured in the work.
Sacred Sites in the Ikebukuro Area
Ikebukuro emerges as an important setting from the middle of the work onward, with many scenes depicting the protagonist’s daily life.
Around Sunshine City
Sunshine City and its surroundings are depicted as places the protagonist visits on days off. Shopping and dining scenes are particularly memorable, and you can actually trace the same routes.
Ikebukuro West Gate Park
Ikebukuro West Gate Park is where crucial conversational scenes in the work unfold. The scene of characters sitting on benches talking remains vivid in many fans’ memories. The park’s atmosphere and surrounding buildings are depicted faithfully.
Sacred Sites in the Shimokitazawa Area
Shimokitazawa serves as the setting for some of the work’s most memorable episodes, and its subculture atmosphere adds color to the work’s world.
Shopping Streets Around Shimokitazawa Station
The labyrinthine shopping streets serve as places where the protagonist makes new food discoveries. The unique atmosphere created by vintage clothing stores, miscellaneous goods shops, and small restaurants forms the work’s world.
North Exit Shopping Street
The North Exit Shopping Street has several restaurants serving as models for the individual establishments featured in the work. From curry shops to ramen restaurants to coffee houses, there’s the joy of discovering the originals of restaurants the protagonist finds “delicious.”
Sacred Sites in the Kichijoji Area
Kichijoji is a regular on lists of neighborhoods people want to live in and is depicted in the work as an idealized living space.
Inokashira Park
Inokashira Park is depicted as one of the most beautiful landscapes in the work. The park’s changing appearance with the seasons is described with the protagonist’s emotional state in mind, making it recommended to visit during different seasons.
Kichijoji Sunroad Shopping Street
Sunroad Shopping Street appears as a place where the protagonist regularly shops. The vitality of the arcade and the variety of stores lining it are depicted in detail, and walking through it in person creates a sense of entering the work’s world.
Dining Establishment Tours Featured in the Work
The greatest charm of “Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious” lies in its depictions of delicious meals. By visiting actual restaurants that served as models for the work, readers can have the same experiences as the protagonist.
Set Meal Restaurants and Eateries
The work features numerous set meal restaurants and eateries. The variety of set meals the protagonist enjoys as “the extraordinary within the ordinary” stimulate readers’ appetites. Multiple restaurants in Tokyo that served as models for those in the work exist, and you can actually order the same menus.
Set Meal Restaurant Tour Tips
- Avoid lunch hours when it’s crowded; slightly offset timing is recommended
- Check menus that appeared in the work beforehand
- Sitting at the counter brings you closer to the work’s atmosphere
- Conversations with shop owners and regular customers are important elements of the work, so enjoy them while respecting etiquette
Ramen Restaurants
Scenes of the protagonist visiting ramen shops late at night remain vivid in many fans’ memories. The depictions of rising steam and the expression of broth flavors are highly realistic.
Several ramen restaurants in Tokyo served as models for those featured in the work. Particularly in the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro areas, many restaurants stay open late, and visiting at the same times depicted in the work allows for deeper immersion.
Cafes and Coffee Shops
The work features numerous scenes set in cafes where the protagonist thinks alone or talks with friends. Various types of establishments are depicted, from retro coffee shops to modern cafes.
Ways to Enjoy Cafe Tours
- Order the drinks or desserts featured in the work
- Identify the seat positions where the protagonist sat
- Observe the shop’s interior atmosphere and decorations
- Bring the work and reread relevant scenes
Izakayas and Bars
Izakayas and bars visited after work are important settings in the work. Many scenes of interactions with coworkers and friends are depicted, expressing the deepening of relationships.
Various izakayas that served as models for the work are scattered throughout Tokyo’s entertainment districts. Different enjoyment styles are depicted, from quiet solo drinking at the counter to lively socializing with friends.
Planning and Preparation for Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Careful planning and preparation are important for conducting an efficient and fulfilling pilgrimage.
Creating a Pilgrimage Route
Dividing by Area
Sacred sites in Tokyo are scattered across a wide area, making it difficult to visit all in one day. Creating routes by area and dividing the pilgrimage across multiple days is recommended.
For example, organizing routes such as “Shinjuku and Shibuya area,” “Ikebukuro and Kichijoji area,” and “Shimokitazawa and Sangenjaya area” allows for efficient movement.
Pilgrimage in Chronological Order
Following the work’s story development and visiting sacred sites in order of appearance is another method. This allows you to re-experience the narrative flow, deepening your understanding of the work.
Pilgrimage by Theme
Choosing a theme such as “dining establishment tours” or “scenic spot tours” is another approach. Especially for dining establishment tours, you’ll need to schedule considering meal times.
Packing Checklist
Here are essential items for comfortable pilgrimage enjoyment.
Essential Items
- Work itself (digital version acceptable)
- Smartphone (map apps, camera function)
- Mobile battery
- Transportation IC card
- Cash (small establishments may not accept cashless payment)
- Drinks
- Notebook and pen
Convenient to Have
- Pilgrimage notebook or stamp book
- Camera (for serious photography beyond smartphone)
- Folding umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Eco bag (convenient for merchandise purchases)
Etiquette When Visiting
Observing proper etiquette is crucial to enjoyable pilgrimage experiences.
Manners in Restaurants
- Always order something (avoid entering just for photography)
- Don’t overstay during busy periods
- Ask staff permission before photographing interiors
- Be considerate of other patrons
- When posting on social media, use comments considerate of the establishment’s business
Manners in Public Spaces
- Photograph in locations not obstructing pedestrian traffic
- Don’t trespass on private property
- Avoid making loud noise
- Bring all trash home
- Be mindful of noise in residential areas
Seasonal Approaches to Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Since “Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious” beautifully depicts landscapes throughout the seasons, different seasonal approaches to pilgrimage exist.
Spring Pilgrimage
Spring is depicted in the work as cherry blossom season with memorable scenes. At sacred sites that are cherry blossom viewing spots, such as Inokashira Park and Shinjuku Gyoen, you can experience the work’s world alongside blooming cherry blossoms.
Spring Pilgrimage Highlights
- Prioritize visiting sacred sites where cherry blossoms appear
- Read through the work again while enjoying cherry blossoms
- Check restaurants offering spring-limited menus
- Warmer weather makes extended walking enjoyable
Summer Pilgrimage
Summer features summer festival and fireworks scenes in the work. Combining pilgrimage with summer events held throughout the city is also recommended.
Summer Pilgrimage Highlights
- Visit outdoor spots during cool early morning or evening hours
- Tour sacred sites featuring cold beverages or shaved ice
- Time visits with summer festivals and fireworks events
- Take thorough heat stroke precautions
Autumn Pilgrimage
Autumn is depicted as a season of beautiful autumn leaves, an important season in the work. You can experience scenes depicting park and street tree foliage in reality.
Autumn Pilgrimage Highlights
- Visit sacred sites known for autumn leaf viewing
- Tour restaurants featuring autumn flavors
- Pleasant weather makes extended walking comfortable
- Enjoy beautiful sunset views
Winter Pilgrimage
Winter is when the work depicts many warm meal scenes. You can enjoy pilgrimage alongside beautiful illuminations throughout Tokyo’s nightscape.
Winter Pilgrimage Highlights
- Prioritize restaurants featuring warm cuisine
- Visit illumination spots at night
- Take proper cold weather precautions
- Enjoy the special end-of-year atmosphere
Recording Your Pilgrimage
Methods for preserving pilgrimage memories are introduced here.
Photography Tips
Photographing scenes from the same angle as in the work creates comparison images.
Photography Points
- Use work panels or scene photos as reference for matching compositions
- Matching time of day and weather brings atmospheres closer
- Create before/after format comparisons
- Take timed observations of the same location across seasons
Creating a Pilgrimage Notebook
Recording visited locations and impressions in a notebook increases the enjoyment of looking back later.
What to Record
- Visit date and time
- Location name and address
- Corresponding work scene
- Impressions of actually visiting
- Opinions on meals eaten
- Notes about places to visit next
Sharing on Social Media
Sharing pilgrimage experiences on social media allows interaction with other fans.
Social Media Posting Tips
- Use hashtags effectively
- Write captions mindful of spoilers
- Ensure content doesn’t interfere with establishment operations
- Reference other fans’ posts
- Decide carefully about sharing location information
Deeper Knowledge to Enhance Pilgrimage Enjoyment
Understanding the Work’s Historical Context
Understanding the historical period depicted in “Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious” makes pilgrimage experiences richer. Comparing Tokyo as depicted in the work with present-day Tokyo allows you to feel the city’s changes.
Tracing the Author’s Research Routes
Retracing locations the author actually visited for research allows you to sense the behind-the-scenes of the work’s creation. Checking author interviews and official information reveals research-related episodes.
Interacting with Local People
Interacting with people from sacred site locations allows discovery of local attractions not depicted in the work. Conversations with regular patrons and shop owners may lead to new discoveries.
Access Information and Transportation
Transportation information for efficiently touring Tokyo’s sacred sites.
Using Trains and Subways
Tokyo’s extensive train and subway network makes most sacred sites accessible via public transportation.
Recommended Tickets
- Tokyo Metro 24-Hour Ticket: unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro lines for 24 hours
- Toei All-around Ticket: unlimited rides on Toei subway, buses, trams, and Nippori-Toneri Liner for one day
- JR Tokyo Free Ticket: unlimited rides on JR East Tokyo area for one day
Walking
Walking between nearby sacred sites is also recommended. Slowly observing streetscapes depicted in the work while walking allows new discoveries.
Advantages of Walking
- Discover fine details depicted in the work
- Potentially discover new sacred sites by chance
- Tour at your own pace
- Provides exercise and health benefits
Renting a Bicycle
Bicycle rental allows efficient travel in certain areas. Particularly in areas like Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji, cycling is convenient.
Enjoying Tokyo Sightseeing Alongside Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Combining sacred site pilgrimage with Tokyo tourism creates a richer trip overall.
Art Museums and Museums
Visiting art museums and museums featured in the work allows you to re-experience scenes from the protagonist’s perspective. Tokyo has numerous museums with enriched special exhibitions.
Shopping Spots
Enjoying actual shopping in areas featured in the work is also recommended. There’s joy in seeking items the protagonist purchased.
Night View Spots
Visiting night view spots featured in the work allows re-experiencing romantic scenes. Iconic night view spots like Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree also appear as sacred sites.
Conclusion: Deepening Enjoyment of the Work’s World Through Pilgrimage
The “Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious” Tokyo sacred site pilgrimage offers special experiences not gained from simply reading the work. Tracing the protagonist’s path, enjoying the same meals, and viewing the same scenery deepen understanding and affection for the work.
Through pilgrimage, you can discover new charms of Tokyo. Experiencing the small happinesses in daily life, joys of delicious meals, and encounters with people that the work conveys will enrich your own daily life.
Observing etiquette and remaining considerate of local communities, enjoy your pilgrimage journey. Interaction among fans who love the work is another major appeal of sacred site pilgrimage.
We hope this article helps with your “Daily Life May Pass, but Meals Are Delicious” pilgrimage. Spend special time walking through Tokyo’s streets while immersed in the work’s world.
