Anime Hyouka Pilgrimage Introducing the Sacred Sites in Hida-Takayama!

Anime and movie fans often visit real-life locations that serve as the settings or have significant connections to their favorite works, such as novels and films. This practice is known as a “pilgrimage.”

In this article, we’ll introduce the sacred sites in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, related to the anime “Hyouka,” which is based on a novel by Honobu Yonezawa.

Please use this as a reference when you visit the sacred sites of “Hyouka.”

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What is “Hyouka”?

“Hyouka” is the debut work of novelist Honobu Yonezawa, who hails from Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, and was published in 2001.

The story is a refreshing and bittersweet school mystery about the protagonist, Houtarou Oreki, who ends up joining the Classic Literature Club by chance and solves various mysteries hidden in everyday life with his curious heroine, Eru Chitanda, and their friends.

The series, including “Hyouka,” “The Fool’s End Roll,” “The Kudryavka Sequence,” and “The Doll That Took a Detour,” is collectively known as the “Classic Literature Club Series.”

In 2012, Kyoto Animation adapted it into a 22-episode anime, depicting Takayama City as the model for the setting “Kamiyama City.” A live-action movie adaptation was also made in 2017.

Takayama City, the setting of Hyouka, has been selected for six consecutive years from 2018 to 2023 as one of the “88 Anime Pilgrimage Sites to Visit in Japan” by the Anime Tourism Association. Many fans still visit for pilgrimages.

Hyouka 1｜ANI-BRIDGE

Hyouka 2｜ANI-BRIDGE

“Old Town”｜A Popular Tourist Spot for Strolling

Takayama City’s famous tourist spot is its old town.

Lined with traditional sake breweries, craft shops, and stores selling the local specialty “mitarashi dango” (sweet soy sauce-glazed rice dumplings), it’s a great place to enjoy a stroll.

The impressive wooden buildings and scenery, built from the late Edo period to the Meiji period, are designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the government.

In the anime, the old town of Kamisannomachi appears at the beginning of episode 10.

“Kajibashi Bridge”｜Notable for its Two Distinctive Statues!

“Kajibashi Bridge,” which spans the Miyagawa River in central Takayama, appears in the opening and episode 18.

The distinctive feature is the two statues, “Tenaga” and “Ashinaga,” sitting on the left and right railings.

These statues were installed during the bridge’s renovation, completed in 1982.

Their humorous appearance has a charm that makes you want to take a picture.

The “Kajibashi Intersection” west of Kajibashi Bridge also appears in episodes 1, 4, 10, and 18.

“Miyagawa Morning Market Street”｜A Daily Morning Market!

The “Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market” is held daily on this street, selling seasonal vegetables, fruits, and folk crafts.

It appears in the opening, and scenes of Houtarou and his friends spending time on the riverside steps are depicted.

Near the area shown in the above photo of Miyagawa Morning Market Street, a pedestrian bridge “Yukishinbashi” was completed in 2020.

Therefore, some details, like the pole in front of the steps where Satoshi stood in the opening, are slightly different from the anime.

“Yayoibashi Bridge”｜Is the Cut of Kajibashi Bridge in the Anime from Here?

Yayoibashi Bridge is located north of Kajibashi Bridge along Miyagawa Morning Market Street. It appears in the opening, episode 11, and episode 18.

The small bridge near Yayoibashi, where Houtarou and his friends crossed in the opening, has already been removed, with only the stairs remaining as a relic.

Also, the cut of Kajibashi Bridge in the opening is probably viewed from this Yayoibashi Bridge.

If you want to photograph Kajibashi Bridge from the same angle as in the anime, it might be helpful to bring a telephoto lens since it’s some distance away.

“Honmachi Street”｜A Row of Unique and Attractive Shops

Crossing Kajibashi Bridge to the west, you’ll find Honmachi Street, lined with unique shops running north and south.

It appears in episodes 1, 5, and 10, showing Houtarou and Satoshi commuting to and from school.

Honmachi Street also features an eye-catching beckoning cat statue that appears in the opening.

In front of the beckoning cat statue on Honmachi Street is the Hida Takayama Antenna Shop “Marutto Plaza.”

Inside the store, there’s an interaction corner for “Hyouka” with posters and a guestbook where visiting fans can leave messages.

They also sell “Hyouka” merchandise, such as clear files, making it a must-visit spot for those on a pilgrimage.

In addition to the Kajibashi Parking Lot seen in episode 11, Honmachi Street also has a signboard featuring Eru, the main character, which blends well with the everyday life of the area, bringing the world of “Hyouka” to life.

Takayama City Library “Kanshoukan”｜Stylish Western-Style Architecture

In episode 18, Eru and Houtarou visit the “Kamiyama City Library” to do some research. The model for this library is Takayama City Library “Kanshoukan.”

The Kanshoukan, modeled after the Western-style Kanshou School building built in the Meiji era, opened in 2004.

Note that you need to apply at the reception desk if you want to take photos inside the library.

Interestingly, Yonezawa wrote the third book in the Classic Literature Club series, “The Kudryavka Sequence,” at this library. While writing a cooking scene, he researched Hida’s local cuisine right on the spot to incorporate it into the story.

In addition to appearing as a setting in the series, this library has a significant connection to the works. (From an article in Gifu Shimbun, March 4, 2022)

“Hie Shrine”｜Also a Sacred Site for “Your Name”?

The Hie Shrine, where Eru and Houtarou went for their first shrine visit of the year, is the model for the Arakusu Shrine in the anime.

It appears in the opening and in episode 20, which depicts the New Year’s visit.

This shrine is known for the Spring Takayama Festival (Sanno Festival) held on April 14 and 15 every year, and for its beautiful autumn foliage with vibrant maple and ginkgo leaves.

Interestingly, it is also one of the sacred sites featured in Makoto Shinkai’s 2016 film “Your Name.”

Since it’s a bit away from the city center, it’s recommended to use a rental bicycle or other transportation to visit.

“Ipponsugi Hakusan Shrine”｜The Model for the Shrine in Front of Houtarou’s House

The Ipponsugi Hakusan Shrine is the model for the Kamiyama Shrine in front of Houtarou’s house, which appears in episode 2.

The “Yatate Sugi,” an estimated 1,200-year-old cedar tree on the shrine grounds, is a designated natural monument of the prefecture.

Since it’s located a bit off the main road in a residential area, it might be slightly difficult to find.

“Kissako Katsute”｜A Calm Moment in a Traditional Atmosphere

The “Kissako Katsute” tea shop, a renovated traditional townhouse about 160 years old, is the model for the “Kissa Hifumi” that Houtarou visits with Senior Irisu in episodes 10 and 11.

Located in the old town area, the interior of this Japanese-style modern tea shop exudes a calm atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing break.

It’s no wonder that the mature and sophisticated Senior Irisu frequents this place in the series.

The shop has seating on the first and second floors, and the tatami room on the first floor closely resembles the seats where the two characters sat in the series.

In addition to matcha, which Senior Irisu is believed to have ordered, you can enjoy warabi mochi and Japanese-style parfaits.

There are also guestbooks and “Hyouka” manga available.

“Bagpipe”｜A Quiet and Relaxed Time

Near the Ikadabashi Bridge over the Miyagawa River is the charming tea shop “Bagpipe.”

It serves as the model for the “Pineapple Sandwich” café where Houtarou is asked for a favor by Eru in episodes 2 and 3.

Both the exterior and interior of the shop are depicted exactly as they appear in the series.

Inside, the shop features antique-style furniture and several old clocks on the walls.

As mentioned in the original work, one of the reasons Houtarou likes this place is because you can spend a quiet and relaxed time here.

In addition to the whipped cream-laden “Vienna Cocoa” ordered by Eru and the coffee likely ordered by Houtarou, you can also enjoy fresh juice and homemade cakes.

The seats where Houtarou and Eru sat in the series are on the right side near the road when you enter. Sunlight through the windows gently illuminates the table.

This popular spot for fans is also a place of relaxation for locals. If you’re lucky enough to sit in the same seat as Houtarou and Eru, consider yourself fortunate!

“Garyu Sakura”｜Magical Cherry Blossoms That Color the Sky

The “Garyu Sakura,” a national natural monument located in Ichinomiya Town, Takayama City, appears in episode 22.

This giant Edo Higan cherry tree, standing about 20 meters tall with a branch spread of about 30 meters and over 1100 years old, is named for its trunk, which is bent to resemble a reclining dragon.

It typically begins to bloom in early April, offering a fantastical sight just like in the anime.

“Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine & Hida Ikibina Festival”｜A Festive Celebration Heralding Spring

The Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine and the “Hida Ikibina Festival,” held annually on April 3rd, are the models for the “Minashi Shrine” and the Ikibina Festival that Houtarou and Eru participate in during episode 22.

The Hida Ikibina Festival has been held since 1952 to pray for the development of agriculture and sericulture and the happiness of women. One of the highlights is the “Ikibina Procession,” where nine unmarried women from the region dress up as members of the court, including the emperor, empress, right and left ministers, and court ladies, and parade through the town in a colorful display.

In the anime, Eru plays the role of the empress, and Houtarou acts as the umbrella bearer.

Enjoy the World of “Hyouka”!

In this article, we introduced the sacred sites of “Hyouka” located in Takayama City.

These spots are full of charm that can’t be fully conveyed through words, so be sure to visit them in person and enjoy the world of “Hyouka.”

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