“Hibi wa Suguredemo Meshi Umashi” Tokyo Pilgrimage Guide | Complete Coverage of the Work’s Settings
“Hibi wa Suguredomo Meshi Umashi” is beloved by many fans as a work depicting small joys found in daily life and delicious meals. This article provides detailed introductions to the sacred sites within Tokyo that served as settings for the work, and shares key points and ways to enjoy actually making the pilgrimage.
What is “Hibi wa Suguredomo Meshi Umashi”
“Hibi wa Suguredomo Meshi Umashi” 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 the protagonist visits are modeled after real locations, making “sacred site pilgrimages” popular among fans.
The work’s appeal lies in helping us rediscover the happiness of “delicious meals” found in ordinary daily life. The dishes that appear are often modeled after menus from actual establishments, and by actually visiting them after reading the work, you can experience the work’s world more deeply.
Major Sacred Sites in Tokyo
Sacred Sites in the Shinjuku Area
Shinjuku is one of the important settings in “Hibi wa Suguredomo Meshi Umashi.” Many important scenes in the work are depicted here, including restaurants the protagonist stops by after work and meeting places with friends.
Around Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Station is a frequently appearing location in the work. Each of the East, West, and South exits has distinctive scenes, with the scene of walking through the crowds at the East Exit being particularly memorable. The complex structure of the station interior and the appearance of underground passages are also depicted in detail.
Around Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai
Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho serves as the setting for scenes where the protagonist quietly enjoys meals alone. The atmosphere of small restaurants lining narrow alleys matches the work’s worldview perfectly. When actually visiting, the evening to nighttime 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 unfolding here.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
The Shibuya Scramble Crossing, which also appears in the work’s opening scene, is depicted as a place symbolizing Tokyo. The depiction of people crossing and the surrounding buildings is extremely detailed, offering the pleasure of comparing it with the actual scenery during pilgrimage.
Around Dogenzaka
The Dogenzaka area has scattered establishments that served as models for small cafes and set meal restaurants the protagonist frequently visits. Climbing the slope while searching for scenery that appeared in the work is also one of the joys of pilgrimage.
Sacred Sites in the Ikebukuro Area
Ikebukuro appears as an important setting from the middle of the work onward. It’s often depicted as the protagonist’s living area, with many everyday scenes appearing.
Around Sunshine City
Sunshine City and its surroundings are depicted as places the protagonist visits on holidays. Scenes of enjoying shopping and meals are memorable, and you can actually follow the same route.
Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park
Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park is where important conversation scenes unfold in the work. Scenes of sitting on benches and talking remain in many fans’ memories. The park’s atmosphere and the arrangement of surrounding buildings are faithfully depicted.
Sacred Sites in the Shimokitazawa Area
Shimokitazawa serves as the setting for particularly memorable episodes in the work, with its atmosphere as a subculture town adding color to the work’s world.
Shopping Streets Around Shimokitazawa Station
The maze-like shopping streets are depicted as places where the protagonist makes new culinary discoveries. The unique atmosphere of vintage clothing stores, general goods shops, and small restaurants lining up forms the work’s worldview.
North Exit Shopping Street
The North Exit Shopping Street has several establishments that served as models for unique restaurants appearing in the work. There’s the pleasure of finding the prototypes of curry shops, ramen shops, and cafes that the protagonist found “delicious.”
Sacred Sites in the Kichijoji Area
Kichijoji is depicted in the work as an ideal living space, being a regular on most-desirable-place-to-live rankings.
Inokashira Park
Inokashira Park is depicted as one of the most beautiful sceneries in the work. The park’s appearance showing different expressions through the four seasons is depicted overlapping with the protagonist’s emotions, and it’s recommended to visit in different seasons during pilgrimage.
Kichijoji Sun Road Shopping Street
Sun Road Shopping Street appears as a place where the protagonist does daily shopping. The bustle of the arcade street and the various shops lining up are depicted in detail, and actually walking through it allows you to feel as if you’ve entered the work’s world.
Touring Restaurants Appearing in the Work
The greatest appeal of “Hibi wa Suguredomo Meshi Umashi” is its delicious meal scenes. By actually visiting the restaurants that served as models for the work, you can have the same experience as the protagonist.
Set Meal Restaurants and Diners
Numerous set meal restaurants and diners appear in the work. The various set meals the protagonist enjoys as “extraordinary within the ordinary” stimulate readers’ appetites. Within Tokyo, there are multiple establishments that served as models for set meal restaurants appearing in the work, and you can actually order the same menu items.
Points for Touring Set Meal Restaurants
- Lunch hours get crowded, so shifting the time slightly is recommended
- Check menus appearing in the work beforehand
- Sitting at counter seats brings you closer to the work’s atmosphere
- Conversations with shop owners and regular customers are also important elements of the work, so enjoy while observing manners
Ramen Shops
Scenes of the protagonist visiting ramen shops late at night remain in many fans’ impressions. The depictions of rising steam and expressions of soup flavor are very realistic.
Within Tokyo, there are several establishments that served as models for ramen shops appearing in the work. Particularly in the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro areas, there are many shops open until late at night, and visiting during the same time period as in the work provides deeper immersion.
Cafes and Coffee Shops
The work features many cafe scenes 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 Touring
- Order drinks and desserts that appeared in the work
- Check the position of seats where the protagonist sat
- Observe the interior atmosphere and decorations
- Bring the work along and reread the same scenes
Izakaya and Bars
Izakaya and bars visited after work are also important settings in the work. Many scenes of interaction with colleagues and friends are depicted, expressing deepening human relationships.
In Tokyo’s entertainment districts, izakaya that served as models for the work are scattered. Various ways of enjoying are depicted, from scenes of drinking quietly alone at the counter to spending time cheerfully with companions.
Planning and Preparation for Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Advance planning and preparation are important for conducting an efficient and fulfilling sacred site pilgrimage.
How to Create a Pilgrimage Route
Divide by Area
Since sacred sites within Tokyo are scattered over a wide area, it’s difficult to cover everything in one day. It’s recommended to organize routes by area and spread the pilgrimage over multiple days.
For example, dividing into “Shinjuku-Shibuya Area,” “Ikebukuro-Kichijoji Area,” “Shimokitazawa-Sangenjaya Area” allows for efficient movement.
Tour Chronologically
There’s also the method of visiting sacred sites in order of appearance, following the work’s story development. Since you can relive the story’s flow, your understanding of the work deepens.
Tour by Theme
There’s also the method of deciding on a theme like “restaurant tour” or “scenery spot tour” for pilgrimage. Particularly for restaurant tours, you need to organize schedules considering meal times.
Belongings Checklist
List items for comfortably enjoying sacred site pilgrimage.
Essential Items
- The work itself (digital version is also acceptable)
- Smartphone (map app, camera function)
- Mobile battery
- Transportation IC card
- Cash (small establishments may not accept cashless payment)
- Drinks
- Notebook and pen
Convenient Items to Have
- Notebook or stamp book for sacred site pilgrimage
- Camera (if you want to do serious photography besides smartphone)
- Folding umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Eco bag (convenient for purchasing goods)
Manners During Visits
Observing manners is very important when enjoying sacred site pilgrimage.
Manners at Restaurants
- Always order something (avoid entering solely for photography purposes)
- Avoid staying long during busy times
- Get permission from staff for interior photography
- Be considerate not to disturb other customers
- When posting on SNS, be mindful of the establishment’s business in comments
Manners in Public Places
- Photograph in locations that don’t obstruct passage
- Don’t enter private property without permission
- Don’t make loud noises
- Always take your trash with you
- Be careful about noise in residential areas
Ways to Enjoy Sacred Site Pilgrimage by Season
Since “Hibi wa Suguredomo Meshi Umashi” beautifully depicts scenery through the four seasons, there are different ways to enjoy pilgrimage depending on the season.
Spring Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Spring is depicted with memorable scenes as cherry blossom season. At locations that are sacred sites and also famous cherry blossom spots, like Inokashira Park and Shinjuku Gyoen, you can experience the work’s world together with full-bloom cherry blossoms.
Spring Recommended Points
- Prioritize visiting sacred sites of scenes featuring cherry blossoms
- Reread the work while flower viewing
- Check restaurants offering spring-limited menus
- Long walking movements are comfortable as it’s getting warmer
Summer Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Summer features scenes of summer festivals and fireworks displays in the work. Pilgrimage combined with summer events held throughout the city is also recommended.
Summer Recommended Points
- Visit outdoor spots during cool hours like early morning or after evening
- Tour sacred sites of scenes featuring cold drinks and shaved ice
- Visit during summer festival and fireworks display periods
- Take proper measures against heatstroke
Autumn Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Autumn is an important season in the work as the beautiful season of autumn foliage. You can actually experience scenes depicting autumn foliage in parks and street trees.
Autumn Recommended Points
- Visit sacred sites that are famous autumn foliage spots
- Tour restaurants of scenes featuring autumn delicacies
- Long-distance walking is comfortable due to pleasant climate
- Enjoy beautiful twilight scenery
Winter Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Winter is the season when many warm meal scenes appear in the work. You can enjoy pilgrimage together with Tokyo’s night views with beautiful illuminations.
Winter Recommended Points
- Prioritize visiting restaurants of scenes featuring warm cuisine
- Visit sacred sites that are illumination spots at night
- Take proper cold weather measures
- Enjoy the special atmosphere of the year-end and New Year period
How to Record Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Introduce methods for preserving memories of sacred site pilgrimage.
Photography Tips
By photographing from the same angle as scenes in the work, you can create comparison images.
Photography Points
- Using the work’s frames and scene photos as reference, search for the same composition
- Matching the time of day and weather with the work brings you closer to the atmosphere
- Arrange work and actual photos side-by-side in before/after format
- As fixed-point observation, photograph the same location in different seasons
Creating a Pilgrimage Notebook
Creating a notebook recording visited places and impressions increases the pleasure of looking back later.
Content to Record
- Visit date and time
- Place name and address
- Corresponding scene in the work
- Impressions from actually visiting
- Impressions of the taste of food eaten
- Notes on places to visit next time
Sharing on SNS
By sharing pilgrimage experiences on SNS, you can interact with other fans.
SNS Posting Points
- Use hashtags
- Be mindful of spoilers in captions
- Make content that doesn’t interfere with establishments’ or locations’ business
- Also refer to other fans’ posts
- Carefully judge disclosure of location information
Trivia for Enjoying Sacred Site Pilgrimage More Deeply
Understanding the Work’s Historical Background
By understanding the historical background in which “Hibi wa Suguredomo Meshi Umashi” was depicted, sacred site pilgrimage becomes deeper. By comparing Tokyo as depicted in the work with current Tokyo, you can feel the city’s changes.
Following the Author’s Research Routes
By tracing places the author actually visited for research, you can feel the behind-the-scenes of work creation. By checking author interviews and official information, you can learn episodes from research times.
Interaction with Local People
By interacting with local people at places that have become sacred sites, you can discover regional charms not depicted in the work. There may be new discoveries from conversations with regular customers and shop owners.
Access Information and Transportation
Summarize transportation information for efficiently touring sacred sites within Tokyo.
Using Trains and Subways
Since Tokyo has a developed train and subway network, most sacred sites can be accessed by public transportation.
Recommended Tickets
- Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket: Unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro lines for 24 hours
- Toei Marugoto Kippu: One-day unlimited rides on Toei Subway, Toei Bus, Toden, and Nippori-Toneri Liner
- JR Tokyo Free Kippu: One-day unlimited rides in JR East’s Tokyo suburban area
Walking Movement
When sacred sites are close to each other, walking movement is also recommended. By walking while slowly observing streetscapes appearing in the work, there are new discoveries.
Benefits of Walking Movement
- Can discover detailed scenery depicted in the work
- Possibility of accidentally finding new sacred sites
- Can make pilgrimage at your own pace
- Healthy as it’s also exercise
Using Rental Bicycles
Depending on the area, efficient movement is possible by using rental bicycles. Particularly in areas like Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji, bicycle movement is convenient.
Tokyo Sightseeing to Enjoy Together with Sacred Site Pilgrimage
By also enjoying Tokyo’s tourist spots together with sacred site pilgrimage, your trip becomes more fulfilling.
Art Museums and Museums
By visiting art museums and museums appearing in the work, you can relive the protagonist’s perspective. Tokyo has numerous art museums and museums, with substantial special exhibitions.
Shopping Spots
Actually enjoying shopping in shopping areas appearing in the work is also recommended. There’s also the pleasure of searching for the same items the protagonist purchased.
Night View Spots
By visiting night view spots appearing in the work, you can relive romantic scenes. Standard night view spots like Tokyo Tower and Skytree also appear as sacred sites.
Summary: Taste the Work’s World More Deeply Through Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Sacred site pilgrimage of “Hibi wa Suguredomo Meshi Umashi” in Tokyo provides special experiences that cannot be obtained just by reading the work. By actually following the paths the protagonist walked, tasting the same meals, and viewing the same scenery, your understanding of and attachment to the work deepens.
Through sacred site pilgrimage, you can also discover new charms of the city of Tokyo. By actually experiencing the messages the work conveys—small joys in daily life, the pleasure of delicious meals, encounters with people—your own daily life will also become richer.
Please enjoy a fun sacred site pilgrimage journey without forgetting to observe manners and be considerate of local people. Interaction among fans who love the work is also one of the great appeals of sacred site pilgrimage.
I hope this article serves as a reference for your “Hibi wa Suguredomo Meshi Umashi” sacred site pilgrimage. Please spend special time walking through Tokyo’s streets while immersed in the work’s world.
