“true tears” and Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture: Complete Guide to Sacred Site Pilgrimage – The Stage of Johana and 15 Years of Footprints
“true tears,” an anime broadcast in 2008, is a youth romance work centered on the Johana district of Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture. Produced by P.A.WORKS, this work has captivated many fans by carefully depicting the beautiful landscapes and culture of a real region. This article provides a detailed explanation of the charm of Nanto City, which was the stage for “true tears,” and highlights of sacred site pilgrimage.
“true tears” – A Masterpiece Anime from Toyama
“true tears” is an original television animation produced by P.A.WORKS, an animation production company headquartered in Johana, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. All 13 episodes aired from January to March 2008, and the work received high acclaim as a school-based romantic comedy that delicately depicted the romantic relationships of six men and women at a rural high school.
Characteristics and Appeal of the Work
The greatest characteristic of this work is that it faithfully reproduces the townscape and scenery of the real Johana district in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. Because the production company P.A.WORKS has its headquarters in the local area, it was able to create work rooted in the community, which shines through.
The story unfolds around the protagonist Shinichiro Nakagami and three heroines (Hiromi Yuasa, Noe Ishidō, and Aiko Andō). The snowy mountains, traditional townscape, and delicate psychological descriptions of the characters capture viewers’ hearts, and even more than 15 years after the broadcast, the work continues to be beloved by many fans.
Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture – The Stage of “true tears”
Overview of Nanto City
Nanto City was born in 2004 (Heisei 16) through the merger of eight towns and villages (Johana Town, Taira Village, Kamihira Village, Toga Village, Inami Town, Inokuchi Village, Fukuno Town, and Fukumitsu Town). With approximately 80% of its area covered in forest and rapid-flowing rivers such as the Shogawa and Oyabe rivers, it is a region blessed with abundant nature.
With the world heritage site “Gassho-zukuri Farmhouses of Gokayama,” Nanto City retains distinctive culture including traditional crafts and festivals, providing an ideal environment as an anime stage.
Johana District – The Main Stage
The Johana district, which was the main stage of “true tears,” is an area of Nanto City where traditional townscape is particularly well-preserved. Known for the Hikiyama Festival, Johana flourished as a silk-weaving production area in the past and still carefully preserves its historical townscape today.
In the work, the townscape of Johana is beautifully depicted with the changing of seasons, adding depth to the story. The crisp air as winter approaches and the beauty of snow scenery are important elements that form the work’s worldview.
Complete Guide to Sacred Site Pilgrimage Spots
Zentokuji Temple Area
Zentokuji Temple Gate
The mountain gate of Zentokuji Temple, a symbolic presence in Johana, appears in important scenes within the work. This magnificent gate conveys the architectural style of the Edo period to the present day and is a must-see spot for sacred site pilgrimage.
Near Zentokuji Temple Gate
The scenery of stone-paved roads and traditional houses surrounding the gate retains the atmosphere of the work vividly. Especially in winter with its snow scenery, you can enjoy a landscape exactly as depicted in the anime.
Zentokuji Temple Intersection
An intersection through which the characters pass in their daily lives as depicted in the work. It still retains traces of those days and is a poignant spot for fans.
Zentokuji Hall
The hall adjacent to Zentokuji Temple is also depicted within the work. Functioning as the center of community activities, it is a place where you can feel the lives of Johana’s people.
Johana Townscape
The entire Johana 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 traditional townhouses lining the streets, the slopes, and the distant mountains visible beyond are exactly the world of “true tears.”
In winter, snow falls, allowing you to experience the scenery depicted in the work more faithfully. The Johana townscape, which shows different expressions depending on the time of visit, offers new discoveries with each visit.
Gobosan Slope
Gobosan Slope, a characteristic slope in the Johana district, appears in scenes such as characters commuting to and from school within the work. The view of Johana’s townscape from climbing the slope evokes memorable scenes from the anime.
Goboshita Bridge
Goboshita Bridge, which spans the river flowing through Johana, is also one of the sacred site pilgrimage spots. The scenery seen from the bridge and the atmosphere at the bridge’s base have been carefully reproduced within the work.
A COOP Nanto Sefleur (Nanto Store)
“A COOP Nanto Sefleur,” which served as a model for the supermarket that appears in the work, is a real store that supports local residents’ lives. Appearing in the work as the stage of everyday scenes, it plays a role in realistically depicting the characters’ daily lives.
Fukumitsu Townscape
In addition to Johana district, the townscape of Fukumitsu district in Nanto City is also depicted within the work. Fukumitsu has a different atmosphere from Johana, adding diversity to the work.
Other Spots Outside Nanto City
The work also features buildings not found in Johana. The dorayaki shop where Aiko works, the park fountain, shopping mall (Pavorè), and other settings are modeled after real buildings within Toyama Prefecture such as in Takaoka City and Himi City. Fans seeking complete sacred site pilgrimage can experience the work’s world more deeply by visiting these neighboring cities as well.
P.A.WORKS – A Symbol of Regionally-Based Anime Companies
Reasons for Headquarters Location in Nanto City
P.A.WORKS is an animation production company headquartered in Johana, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. In an anime industry where production tends to concentrate in Tokyo, the company has been featured in media as a symbol of regional revitalization by maintaining its base in a regional location while continuously producing high-quality works.
Representative Works and Relationship with Nanto City
Following “true tears,” P.A.WORKS has produced works set in Toyama Prefecture and Nanto City. Works such as “Hanasaku Iroha” and “Sakura Quest” that leverage regional charm have become characteristic of the company.
“Koitabi ~True Tours Nanto~” – Sequel Project
Work Overview
“Koitabi ~True Tours Nanto~” is an original short animation set in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. The staff members who worked on “true tears” have reunited to depict three original love stories alongside the beautiful nature, geography, and culture of various areas of 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, it develops new stories. It has been highly evaluated by “true tears” fans as a work through which the charm of Nanto City can be rediscovered.
How to Watch
“Koitabi ~True Tours Nanto~” can be viewed on the official website of Nanto City Tourism Association, “Anime Tabi Nanto.” Despite being a short work, it is carefully crafted to take advantage of the characteristics of various areas of Nanto City and is ideal as preparation before sacred site pilgrimage.
15th Anniversary Commemoration Project
Wrapped Bus “World Heritage Bus”
In 2023, in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of “true tears” broadcast, a special wrap was applied to the “World Heritage Bus” connecting Takaoka Station with the World Heritage Sites, Gokayama, and Shirakawa-go. Voice narration at bus stops by Ayahi Takagaki, who voiced Noe Ishidō, was also implemented, becoming 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 work experience in this special project.
Commemorative Exhibition Event
A commemorative exhibition was also held titled “true tears 15 Years of Sincere Footprints ~An Anime Born and Nurtured in Toyama~.” The exhibition content reviewing the work’s history was deeply moving for longtime fans.
Access and Practical Guide for Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Access Methods
By Train
- JR Johana Line to “Johana Station,” then accessible to major spots on foot
- Express bus “World Heritage Bus” from Kanazawa Station toward Johana area
- Approximately 1 hour from Takaoka Station via JR Johana Line
By Car
- Approximately 15 minutes from “Fukumitsu IC” on Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway to Johana district
- Approximately 30 minutes from “Tonami IC” on Hokuriku Expressway
How to Enjoy the Pilgrimage
Different Expressions by Season
Nanto City, the stage of the work, displays beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons. Especially the snow scenery of winter is the time when you can feel the work’s atmosphere most vividly. The crisp air in April also matches the work’s worldview for an aligned experience.
Photography Tips
In sacred site pilgrimage, many fans enjoy photography from the same angles as scenes within the work. Saving screenshots of anime scenes in advance makes on-site comparison smooth.
Consideration for the Region
Johana is a region where people actually live. Do not forget to show consideration to residents, and refrain from trespassing on private property or speaking loudly. Sacred site pilgrimage is made possible through the understanding and cooperation of community members.
Utilizing “Anime Tabi Nanto”
The official “Anime Tabi Nanto” website operated by Nanto City Tourism Association provides detailed information about sacred sites for “true tears” and other works.
Site Features
- Find by “Work”: Search sacred sites by work
- Find by “Area”: Search spots by region
- Find by Category: Search according to purpose
- Work Introduction: Detailed information about each work
When planning sacred site pilgrimage, utilizing this website enables efficient route setting.
Culture and Tourism in Nanto City
World Heritage Gassho-zukuri Farmhouses of Gokayama
Nanto City has the Gassho-zukuri Farmhouses of Gokayama, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting it along with sacred site pilgrimage for “true tears” allows for a deeper understanding of Nanto City’s cultural depth.
Johana Hikiyama Festival
The Johana Hikiyama Festival, held in May each year, is a traditional event with over 300 years of history. The sight of magnificent floats parading through town is spectacular, and many fans visit during this period.
Regional Cuisine
Nanto City offers abundant regional cuisine. Johana’s Japanese sweets, Fukumitsu’s taro dishes, and Gokayama’s tofu allow you to enjoy local flavors along with sacred site pilgrimage.
Fan Community and Continuing Sacred Sites
Sacred Site Pilgrimage Continuing for 15+ Years
“true tears,” more than 15 years after its 2008 broadcast, remains a sacred site where fans continue to visit. This is realized because of the high quality of the work and the positive relationship with the region.
Contribution to Regional Revitalization
Fans visiting Nanto City through the work also contribute to the local economy. By building a positive relationship 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 hashtags like “#聖地巡礼,” “#アニメイベント,” “#truetears” allows you to find the latest sacred site information and pilgrimage records of other fans.
Conclusion: The Bond “true tears” Weaves with Nanto City
The relationship between “true tears” and Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, transcends the simple relationship of anime stage and filming location, bound by a deep connection. Because P.A.WORKS, as a production company rooted in the community, carefully depicted the region’s charm, the work is beloved by many fans and continues to create new fans even after 15 years. The work continues to grow through related works like “Koitabi ~True Tours Nanto~” and the development of the 15th anniversary commemoration project. New efforts connecting fans and the region such as wrapped buses with voice narration continue to be implemented.
When planning sacred site pilgrimage, utilize the official “Anime Tabi Nanto” website and build an efficient route using functions to search by work or by area. Nanto City, showing different expressions across the seasons, allows discovery of different charm depending on visit timing.
Nanto City, where P.A.WORKS’ headquarters is located and where other works such as “Sakura Quest” and “Hanasaku Iroha” have been produced, demonstrates an ideal model where anime and region coexist. By not forgetting consideration for the region and respecting the efforts of production committees and tourism associations, 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. Watching snow-covered mountains and listening to the famous song “Reflectia,” immersing yourself in the work’s world will surely become an unforgettable memory.
