The anime “true tears” broadcast in 2008 is a coming-of-age romance work depicted with the Shiroyama district of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture as its main stage. This work, handled by P.A.WORKS, has captivated many fans by carefully depicting the beautiful scenery and culture of a real region. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of the charm of Nanto City, which served as the stage for “true tears,” and the highlights of pilgrimage to sacred sites.
“true tears” – A Masterpiece Anime from Toyama
“true tears” is an original television anime produced by P.A.WORKS, an animation production company headquartered in the Shiroyama district of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. All 13 episodes were broadcast from January to March 2008, and it received high praise as a school-based work that delicately depicted the romantic entanglements of six young men and women at a rural high school.
Characteristics and Appeal of the Work
The greatest characteristic of this work is that it faithfully recreates the townscape and scenery of the actual Shiroyama district in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. The work rooted in the region was made possible precisely because the production company P.A.WORKS has its headquarters locally.
The story revolves around the protagonist Shinichiro Nakakami and three heroines (Hiromi Yuasa, Noe Ishidou, and Aiko Ando) in a youth love story. The snow-covered mountains, traditional townscape, and delicate psychological depictions of the characters have captured viewers’ hearts, and more than 15 years after its broadcast, it continues to be loved by many fans.
Toyama Prefecture Nanto City – The Stage of “true tears”
Overview of Nanto City
Nanto City was born in 2004 (Heisei 16) from the merger of eight towns and villages (Shiroyama Town, Hira Village, Kamihira Village, Toka Village, Inami Town, Inokuchi Village, Fukuno Town, and Fukumitsu Town). Approximately 80% of its land area consists of forests, with rapids such as the Shogawa and Oyabe Rivers flowing through, making it a region blessed with abundant nature.
Home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Gassho-zukuri Village of Gokayama,” Nanto City, where traditional crafts and festivals preserve unique culture, provides an ideal environment as an anime stage.
Shiroyama District – Main Stage
The Shiroyama district, the main stage of “true tears,” is an area in Nanto City where particularly traditional townscapes remain. Known for its Hikiyama Festival, Shiroyama prospered as a silk textile production center in the past and currently preserves historical townscapes carefully.
In the work, the townscape of Shiroyama is beautifully depicted with the changing of seasons, adding depth to the story. The crisp air as winter approaches and the beauty of snowy landscapes are important elements that shape the work’s worldview.
Complete Guide to Sacred Site Pilgrimage Spots
Area Around Zentokuji Temple
Zentokuji Temple Gate
The temple gate of Zentokuji, a symbolic landmark of Shiroyama, appears in important scenes within the work. The magnificent gate conveys the architectural style of the Edo period to the present day and is an essential must-see spot for sacred site pilgrimage.
Vicinity of Zentokuji Temple Gate
The scenery of stone-paved roads around the gate and traditional houses are strongly reminiscent of the work’s atmosphere. Especially the snowy landscape in winter allows you to enjoy the exact scene from the anime.
Zentokuji Temple Front Intersection
An intersection that characters in the work pass through in their daily lives. It still retains traces of its former appearance and has become a poignant spot for fans.
Zentokuji Hall
The hall adjacent to Zentokuji Temple is also depicted in the work. Functioning as a center of the community, it is a place where you can feel the lives of Shiroyama residents.
Shiroyama Townscape
The entire Shiroyama district serves as the stage for the work, and simply walking through the town allows you to immerse yourself in the work’s worldview. The sight of traditional townhouses lining the streets, slopes, and distant mountains is precisely the world of “true tears.”
In winter, snow accumulates, allowing you to experience the scenes depicted in the work more faithfully. The townscape of Shiroyama shows different faces depending on the time of visit, offering new discoveries each time you visit.
Goba Slope
Goba Slope, a distinctive slope in the Shiroyama district, appears in scenes where characters climb and descend the slope, such as scenes of going to and from school. The townscape of Shiroyama visible while climbing the slope evokes memorable scenes from the anime.
Goba Shimo Bridge
Goba Shimo Bridge, which spans a river flowing through Shiroyama, is one of the sacred site pilgrimage spots. The scenery seen from the bridge and the atmosphere at the base of the bridge are carefully recreated within the work.
A-Coop Nanto Cefre (Nanto Store)
“A-Coop Nanto Cefre,” which served as the model for the supermarket that appears in the work, is an actual store that supports the lives of local residents. It appears in the work as the stage for daily scenes and plays a role in realistically depicting the lives of characters.
Fukumitsu Townscape
In addition to the Shiroyama district, the townscape of Fukumitsu district in Nanto City is also depicted in the work. Fukumitsu has a different atmosphere from Shiroyama, adding diversity to the work.
Other Spots Outside Nanto City
The work also features buildings not found in Shiroyama. The imagawayaki shop where Aiko works, the fountain in the park, and the shopping mall (Pavole) are modeled after actual buildings in Takaoka City and Himi City and other areas of Toyama Prefecture. Fans aiming for complete sacred site pilgrimage can experience the work’s world more deeply by also visiting these surrounding cities.
P.A.WORKS – Symbol of Locally-Based Anime Company
Reasons for Headquartering in Nanto City
P.A.WORKS is an animation production company headquartered in Shiroyama, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. In an anime industry prone to Tokyo concentration, the company has continued to produce high-quality works while maintaining a base in a regional location, and has been featured in media as a symbol of local revitalization.
Representative Works and Relationship with Nanto City
Since “true tears,” P.A.WORKS has handled works set in Toyama Prefecture and Nanto City. Works such as “Hanasaku Iroha” and “Sakura Quest” that leverage regional charm have become characteristics of the company.
“Koi Tabi～True Tours Nanto～” – Sequel Project
Work Overview
“Koi Tabi～True Tours Nanto～” is an original short animation set in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. With the team members who handled “true tears” gathering once again, it depicts three original love stories alongside the beautiful nature, land, and culture of various areas in Nanto City.
Relationship with “true tears”
The main production staff, cast, and artists include members who worked on “true tears,” and while inheriting the work’s worldview, new stories unfold. It is highly valued by “true tears” fans as a work through which they can rediscover the charm of Nanto City.
How to Watch
“Koi Tabi～True Tours Nanto～” can be viewed on the Nanto City Tourism Association’s official website “Ani-Tabi Nanto.” Despite being a short work, it is carefully crafted to take advantage of the characteristics of each area in Nanto City and is ideal as a preview before going on a sacred site pilgrimage.
15th Anniversary Memorial Project
Wrapped Bus “World Heritage Bus”
In 2023, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of “true tears” broadcast, a special wrap was applied to the “World Heritage Bus” connecting Takaoka Station with the World Heritage site, Gokayama, and Shirakawa-go. Narration at the bus stop by Ayahi Takagaki, who voiced Noe Ishidou, was also implemented and became a major topic of discussion among fans.
This wrapped bus can also be utilized as a means of transportation for sacred site pilgrimage, making the journey itself part of the special experience of the work.
Memorial Exhibition Event
A memorial exhibition was held with the title “true tears 15 Years of Sincerity’s Footprints～An Anime Born in Toyama and Nurtured in Toyama～.” The exhibition content reviewing the work’s history became poignant for long-time fans.
Access and Practical Guide for Sacred Site Pilgrimage
How to Access
By Train
- Get off at “Shiroyama Station” on the JR Shiroyama Line, accessible to major spots on foot
- Special express bus “World Heritage Bus” from Kanazawa Station toward Shiroyama area
- Approximately one hour from Takaoka Station by JR Shiroyama Line
By Car
- Approximately 15 minutes from “Fukumitsu IC” on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway to Shiroyama district
- Approximately 30 minutes from “Tonami IC” on the Hokuriku Expressway
How to Enjoy the Pilgrimage
Different Appearances by Season
Nanto City, the setting for the work, shows beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons. Particularly the snowy landscape in winter is the time when the work’s atmosphere can be felt most deeply. The cool air in April also provides an experience that matches the work’s worldview.
Photography Pointers
Many fans enjoy sacred site pilgrimage by photographing from the same angles as scenes in the work. Saving screenshots of anime scenes in advance makes comparisons at the site smoother.
Consideration for the Region
Shiroyama is a region where people actually live. Do not forget to be considerate of residents and refrain from trespassing on private property or speaking loudly. Sacred site pilgrimage is made possible by the understanding and cooperation of the residents.
Utilizing “Ani-Tabi Nanto”
The “Ani-Tabi Nanto” official website operated by the Nanto City Tourism Association provides detailed information about sacred sites, including “true tears.”
Site Features
- Search by “Work”: Search sacred sites by work
- Search by “Area”: Find spots by region
- Search by category: Search by purpose
- Work introduction: Detailed information on each work
When planning sacred site pilgrimage, utilizing this site makes efficient route planning possible.
Culture and Tourism of Nanto City
World Heritage Gassho-zukuri Village of Gokayama
Nanto City is home to the Gassho-zukuri Village of Gokayama, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By visiting in conjunction with the sacred site pilgrimage of “true tears,” you can better understand the cultural depth of Nanto City.
Shiroyama Hikiyama Festival
The Shiroyama Hikiyama Festival, held every May, is a traditional event with a history of over 300 years. The sight of gorgeous hikiyama floats parading through town is spectacular, and many fans visit during this period.
Regional Cuisine
Nanto City offers abundant regional cuisine. Japanese sweets from Shiroyama, taro dishes from Fukumitsu, and tofu from Gokayama can all be enjoyed alongside the sacred site pilgrimage.
Fan Community and Continuing Sacred Sites
Sacred Sites Lasting Over 15 Years
“true tears,” which aired in 2008, remains a sacred site continuously visited by fans more than 15 years later. This is made possible because of the high quality of the work and good relationships with the region.
Contribution to Regional Revitalization
Fans visiting Nanto City through the work also contribute to the local economy. By establishing good relationships between P.A.WORKS, Nanto City, and fans, it has become a model case of sustainable anime tourism.
Information Sharing on SNS
Currently, many fans share their sacred site pilgrimage experiences on SNS. Searching with hashtags such as “#聖地巡礼” “#アニメイベント” “#truetears” allows you to find the latest sacred site information and pilgrimage records from other fans.
Conclusion: The Bond Woven by “true tears” and Nanto City
The relationship between “true tears” and Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture transcends the simple relationship of anime stage and filming location, being bound by a deep connection. Because P.A.WORKS, as a locally rooted production company, carefully depicted the charm of the region, the work is loved by many fans and continues to create new fans more than 15 years later.
The beautiful nature of Nanto City centered on Shiroyama district, traditional townscape, and the lives of its people are important elements that add depth to the story. With places like Zentokuji Temple Gate, Goba Slope, and the Shiroyama townscape—actual locations that merge with the work’s world—fans can have a special experience.
Through related works such as “Koi Tabi～True Tours Nanto～” and the development of the 15th anniversary memorial project, the world of “true tears” continues to expand. New initiatives connecting fans and the region, such as the wrapping of the World Heritage Bus and narration, continue to be implemented.
When planning sacred site pilgrimage, utilize the official “Ani-Tabi Nanto” website and organize an efficient route using features such as searching by work or by area. Nanto City, showing different faces throughout the four seasons, allows you to discover different charms depending on when you visit.
As a city where P.A.WORKS headquarters is located and has handled other works such as “Sakura Quest” and “Hanasaku Iroha,” Nanto City demonstrates an ideal model of coexistence between anime and the region. By not forgetting consideration for the region and respecting efforts by the production committee and tourism association, experiencing the work’s world leads to sustainable sacred site pilgrimage.
Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, the stage of “true tears,” warmly welcomes all fans who love the work. The experience of immersing yourself in the work’s world while gazing at snow-covered mountains and listening to the famous song “Reflectia” will surely become an unforgettable memory.
