The real-life locations of Anohana can be found in the whole of Chichibu city. It is a mid-sized city in Saitama prefecture, easily reachable with a one-hour train ride into the mountains starting from Tokyo. Unfortunately, it’s not a JR-operated train, so as a tourist, you have to buy a ticket rather than using your JR rail pass.
Before introducing the locations, let’s see what the anime is all about. ‘Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day?’, one of the most viewed anime, was produced by A-1 Pictures and aired in Fuji TV’s noitamina block between April and June 2011. In a group of six childhood friends, one of them, Menma, suddenly dies in an accident.
Years after the incident, the leader of the group, Jinta Yadomi, sees the ghost of an older-looking Menma before him and asks to have a wish granted, claiming that she cannot pass it on into the afterlife until it is fulfilled.
At first, he only tries to help her minimally because he thinks he is hallucinating. However, things get complicated when his friends accuse him of not being able to get over the death of Menma. But as things progress, we can realize that Jinta is not the only person in the group who is having trouble letting go of the past.
Touring The Real-Life Anohana
In this article, you will see the various real-life spots of the anime Anohana. Through this article, you will be able to plan your journey and prepare yourself. Six real-life locations were identified:
- Chichibu and Seibu Chichibu Stations
- Chichibu Bridge
- Jisshōzan Jōrin-ji Temple
- Chichibu Daiichi Junior High School
- Bamba Shopping District
- Keyaki Park
- Hitsujiyama Park
- Chichibu Shrine
Train Stations
Both Chichibu Station and Seibu-Chichibu Station are part of the real-life locations of Anohana and we can see some of the spots around the stations featured in the anime.
Address Seibu-Chichibu Station: 1-chōme-16 Nosakamachi, Chichibu, Saitama 368-0033, Japan
Chichibu Bridges
The Chichibu Bridges appeared several times as one of the real-life locations of Anohana in the main part and opening of the series. It is one of the most prominent spots in ‘Anohana’. The bridge is a 12-minute walk from the west of Onohara Station. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t stand on the railings of the bridge like Menma as it is dangerous.
Address: Japan, 〒368-0056 Saitama, Chichibu, 国道299号線
Jisshōzan Jōrin-ji Temple
Jorin-ji Temple is located in a residential area north of Chichibu. In the animation, the main characters used to play here when they were children. This is also the place where they reunited and patched up their broken friendship. Why not try visiting one of the greatest real-life locations of Anohana and recreate the scenes?
Close-up of the bench; mikehattsu.blogspot.com
Address: 21-3 Sakuragimachi, Chichibu, Saitama 368-0025, Japan
Did you know that Anohana is among the top 50 best-rated anime according to the Bayesian Estimate? Check the other 49 best-rated anime right away!
Chichibu Daiichi Junior High School
It is the high school that Jintan and his friend Anaru attend. It’s not a high school in real life; it serves as a public institute of early secondary education. The design of the building is identical to that of the series, hence it is one of the real-life locations of Anohana in Chichibu City.
Address: 9-22 Takinouemachi, Chichibu, Saitama 368-0012, Japan
Bamba Shopping District
If you wish to buy some stuff while visiting the real-life locations of AnoHana, the Bamba Shopping District is the right place. It’s located between Ohanabatake station and Chichibu station. Some stores sell souvenirs from Chichibu here, as well as regional crafts.
Another important factor is that fans of “Anohana” can discover posters of their favourite characters throughout the Bamba Shopping District. We recommend taking a walk around this area.
Keyaki Park
Just behind the Jorin-ji temple, there is a park, Keyoki Park. There you will find the bench on which Jinta sat during the third episode. As you can see both spots below are almost identical
Hitsujiyama Park
The outside of Chichibu City, on top of a small hill, is a park called Hitsujiyama Park. This is the location where Menma stood among a field of Broccolini blossoms in the second episode of the anime. The southern part of the park is actually full of intricately patterned fields of brilliant moss pink. If you take the stairs to the top of the hill, you can also see the city from above.
Chichibu Shrine
The first deity and creator of the universe, Amanenominakanonushi-no-kami, lives at the Chichibu Shrine, which is also the resting place of Prince Chichibu, the second son of Emperor Taish. This shrine wasn’t as frequently depicted in the series as Jorin-ji Temple. The city’s spiritual hub, though, is Chichibu Shrine.
Is ‘Anohana The Flower We Saw That Day’ worth watching?
The anime is emotional, nostalgic, well-animated, and inspiring. The first few episodes are not super but somehow you find yourself caught up in the characters, their interpersonal interactions, and their story. If you love sad stories, you will be satisfied; Anohana for sure exceeded.
Little spoiled; It’s heartbreaking and depressive at the end. Although it contained light humour which blended everything perfectly, it is a very sad story but with a great message to the viewers, encouraging them to keep strong bonds between friends and family
Every single person has experienced a loss of some kind, and I think this anime is just spot on when it addresses the aftermath, the passage of time, and human relations. Watch the anime and you won’t regret it. It is one of the best anime series you will have to watch.
After touring the real-life locations of Anohana, you might be interested in visiting the Bungo Stray Dogs spots in real life too. Discover these amazing sites just here.
Other Real-life Spots of Anohana
The spot where Poppo sits
In the opening of the anime, there is a port where Poppo sits, it’s a 15-minute walk from the Seibu station. It’s a must-go spot.
Alley where Yukiatsu simply runs past Jintan
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