Anime “Your Lie in April” Pilgrimage Course!

“Your Lie in April” is a story about a pianist and a violinist in middle school who grow while resonating with each other.

The poignant love story stirs emotions. The pilgrimage to their significant locations takes place in Nerima.

Let’s explore the feelings of these two characters in Nerima.

The Setting of “Your Lie in April” is the Anime Town “Nerima”

Nerima has come to be known as an “anime town” because many famous manga artists live there, and it is home to Toei Tokyo Studio and Toei Animation Museum, which have deep connections to anime.

Especially around Oizumigakuen Station, the image of “Galaxy Express 999” is prominently featured, with spots in the station where you can take pictures with character conductors and departure melodies that are theme songs, making it clear that you’ve arrived in an anime town the moment you step off the train.

Upon exiting the ticket gates, you’ll come to a plaza called “Oizumi Anime Gate,” which is dotted with statues and panels of anime characters related to Nerima Ward. Notable manga associated with the area include “Galaxy Express 999,” “Tomorrow’s Joe,” “Urusei Yatsura,” and “Astro Boy.”

“Your Lie in April,” said to be set in Nerima, includes many rare spots such as back alleys known only to locals, places used only in image sketches for merchandise, and stores said to model Miyazono Kaori’s house.

The pilgrimage starts at Toei Oedo Line’s “Hikarigaoka Station.” From there, we’ll introduce a course that goes down five stations towards Hoya, transferring to the Seibu Ikebukuro Line at Nerima Station.

Hikarigaoka, Where Kaori Was Hospitalized

The Toei Oedo Line’s “Hikarigaoka Station” is located at the center of Hikarigaoka housing complex. It’s a densely populated area of Nerima Ward, directly connected to large commercial facilities. Located in the northern part of Nerima Ward, close to the borders of Itabashi Ward and Wako City in Saitama Prefecture, it becomes lively with many families and couples on weekends.

In episode 5, the hospital where Kaori is admitted appears, said to be “Nerima Hikarigaoka Hospital.” This hospital is adjacent to “Tokyo Metropolitan Hikarigaoka Park,” a spot where you can see cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring. Although this “Tokyo Metropolitan Hikarigaoka Park” does not appear in the show, it occasionally features in merchandise. When visiting “Nerima Hikarigaoka Hospital,” it’s recommended to take a stroll around the park as well.

For example, there is an image sketch on clear files and notebook covers featuring Kousei playing the keyboard and Kaori playing the violin against a backdrop of a large chimney and cherry blossoms in full bloom. Standing on the vast lawn of Hikarigaoka Park, you can envision the two of them performing serenely.

“TOWA HALL,” Where Performances Often Take Place, is “Nerima Culture Center”

When you exit the north exit of Seibu Ikebukuro Line’s “Nerima Station,” you’ll find a plaza and stairs leading to the “Nerima Culture Center.” Surrounded by “Nerima Ichou Namiki Green Space” and “Heisei Tsutsuji Park,” the area around the “Nerima Culture Center” is lush with greenery, giving a refreshing impression that makes it hard to believe it’s part of the 23 wards of Tokyo.

This “Nerima Culture Center” is said to be the model for “TOWA HALL,” which appears in episode 4. The facility has appeared since episode 1, and its high level of reproduction has become a talking point.

Adjacent to the “Nerima Culture Center” is “Heisei Tsutsuji Park,” said to be the park where Kousei meets Kaori in episode 1.

The scene where Kaori plays the keyboard on top of playground equipment with children. The playground equipment Kaori was on doesn’t actually exist, but every spring, the “Tsutsuji Festival” is held here. “Heisei Tsutsuji Park” is home to 600 varieties and 10,000 azaleas, making it a great place to recall the meeting of Kaori and Kousei while admiring the azaleas during the festival.

The Scene of Chasing the Black Cat: Shakujii Park

“Shakujii Park” is about a 7-minute walk from Seibu Ikebukuro Line’s “Shakujii Park Station.” The park centers around two ponds, “Sanpoji Pond” and “Shakujii Pond.” At “Shakujii Pond,” you can enjoy boating, and there are walking courses and an athletic square. Birdwatching is also possible, making it a popular spot for dates on weekends.

The location used in episode 1, where Kaori chases and searches for a black cat, is said to be modeled around “Shakujii Park.” The back alleys of residential areas, the park the black cat entered, the cherry blossoms, and the bench the black cat sat on are all said to recreate Shakujii Park and its surroundings.

Additionally, along Shakujii River, which flows near the neighboring station “Nerima Takanodai Station,” cherry blossom trees are scattered. This area is known as “Shakujii River Cherry Blossom Viewing Road,” stretching to the front of the Minamidanaka housing complex near Shakujii Park Station. It’s said to be the place where Kaori and Kousei accidentally met in episode 2.

If it’s cherry blossom season, instead of getting off at Shakujii Park Station, get off at Nerima Takanodai Station and walk along the Cherry Blossom Viewing Road towards Shakujii Park Station. The walk is about 1.3 km, so it won’t take too long. You can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms while visiting the pilgrimage sites.

Various Scenes Feature Oizumi Gakuen Station Area

When you get off at “Oizumi Gakuen Station,” as mentioned earlier, the north exit area is bustling as an anime town. Heading north from the north exit, you will find Gakuen Street, a gentle uphill slope lined with cherry blossom trees that form a beautiful tunnel of flowers in spring, stretching about 3 km.

The scene where Kousei calls Kaori at night saying, “I’ll visit you again,” is said to be in front of “Oizumi Junior High School” along Gakuen Street. The new character, Nagi Aiza, introduced from episode 15, also appears along this street.

The cake shop where Kousei bought get-well sweets for Kaori is also on this street. The animal hospital where Kousei rushed to save the black cat is modeled after “Oizumi Coco Animal Hospital,” located opposite Oizumi Junior High School. Gakuen Street has many pilgrimage sites for “Your Lie in April,” which will surely move fans deeply.

The Café Where the Protagonists Ate Caramel Waffles: La Primeur

The café where the two protagonists ate caramel waffles in episode 3 is said to be modeled after “La Primeur.” This café and cake shop also serves light meals during lunch. The waffles the two ate are a limited menu item available from 2 PM, so if you want to eat the same thing, make sure to time your visit accordingly. In the scene, Kousei played the piano inside the shop, but in reality, there is a fireplace.

This café is also famous for its unique service where they serve coffee in a cup that matches the customer’s image.

La Primeur’s opening hours are 11 AM to 7:30 PM for the shop and 11 AM to 5 PM for the café, with last orders at 4:30 PM. The shop offers not only eat-in but also cakes, baked goods, and bread for takeout. The nearest station is Oizumi Gakuen Station, about a 15-minute walk from the south exit (1.3 km). The café is closed on Tuesdays (with irregular holidays).

The Patisserie Where Kousei Bought Canelés: Patisserie Kamitani

The cake shop where Kousei buys canelés for Kaori’s visit in episode 15 is said to be modeled after “Patisserie Kamitani.” When “Your Lie in April” was a hot topic, they sold canelés on weekends, but they have since stopped selling them.

The pastry chef at “Patisserie Kamitani” has experience as a chef at “Patisserie Kihachi,” making “Patisserie Kamitani” a well-known local shop. Their madeleines, made with locally sourced blueberries, make great souvenirs. Other popular items include the “Nerima Miso Madeleine,” made with miso from Kojiya Saburoemon, the only miso brewery in the 23 wards. Be sure to visit during your pilgrimage.

“Patisserie Kamitani” is open from 10 AM to 7 PM and is closed on Mondays (with occasional irregular holidays). It is located about a 5-minute walk from the north exit of Oizumi Gakuen Station.

The Burger Shop Where Tsubaki and Her Senior Had a Date: Butcher’s Table

In episode 6, Tsubaki and her senior go on a date at a burger shop, modeled after “Butcher’s Table.” This place is famous for its American-sized burgers and sandwiches.

In the scene, a drink as big as Tsubaki’s face appears, and in reality, ordering a drink at this shop will get you a similarly big size. The popular burger is the “American Special Burger,” which features two juicy patties. Enjoy the burger while thinking of Tsubaki and her senior.

Butcher’s Table is open from 11 AM to 3:30 PM and 6 PM to 10 PM. It is closed on Mondays and is about a 9-minute walk from the north exit of Oizumi Gakuen Station.

A nearby railroad crossing at Higashi Oizumi 4-chome is also considered a sacred site.

MAP