Studio Ghibli anime “Whisper of the Heart” sacred place! Introducing the spots that became the stage

Special feature on Keio Line "Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station".
Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station, located in the hilly area of ​​Tama City, Tokyo, is about 30 minutes from Shinjuku on the Keio Line and is a famous spot as a setting and filming location for various works.
This time, we'll be introducing the sacred place of the Studio Ghibli anime "Whisper of the Heart", which depicts the youth of Shizuku Tsukishima, a junior high school student who loves reading!

Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station is located in Tama New Town, which straddles Tokyo's Tama City, Inagi City, Hachioji City, and Machida City.
Development began in 1965 (Showa 40) to alleviate the housing shortage.
Since then, occupancy began in 1971 (Showa 46), and the area has continued to develop.
The name Seiseki Sakuragaoka comes from the fact that it was a sacred site where Emperor Meiji went rabbit hunting and deer hunting, and the area around the current station was a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.

In the movie, Shizuku and the mysterious cat Moon meet inside a train modeled after the Keio Line.
After that, Shizuku gets off at Suginomiya Station on the Keitama Line (the model is Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station on the Keio Line) and chases Moon, the cat she is interested in.
Since April 2012, the movie's theme song "Country Road" has been used as the approaching melody, as it is the setting for the movie.

The ticket gate that Shizuku uses in the movie is modeled after the west exit ticket gate of Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station on the Keio Line.
In addition, the platform and stairs are also used as models in the play.

By the way, Keio Line's ``Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station'' also appears in Studio Ghibli's ``Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pon Poko'', where raccoon dogs fight against humans to protect their home, Tama Hills.
In the movie, three elder raccoon dogs disguised as humans come from Shikoku, land on platform 1, and appear in a scene where they pass through the ticket gate.

Strictly speaking, ``Seishun no Post'' is not a sacred place, but a homage-like monument created by local volunteers and fans in April 2012.
The motif is the antique shop "Chikyuya" that appears in the movie.

"Youth Post" is not a regular mailbox.
This is a ``post that watches over your youth'' where you write your dreams and goals on a card and mail it.
Why not try mailing a card and empathize with the movie's main characters who are chasing their dreams?
The post says, ``When your dreams come true, please write down your report and mail it in again,'' so let's put your thoughts into making your dreams come true!
It's easy to stop by as it's right after exiting the west exit of Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station on the Keio Line and turning left.

The main character, Shizuku, gets off at Suginomiya Station on the Keitama Line (the model is Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station on the Keio Line) and appears on her way to the library where her father works.
In the movie, Shizuku walks toward "Irohazaka" which can be seen in the background.
Kasumigaseki Bridge spans the Okuri River and is about a 6-minute walk from Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station on the Keio Line.

A slope that descends south from Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station on the Keio Line, crosses the Oguri River, and ascends to the elevated area of ​​the city.
In the movie, it appears in scenes such as when Shizuku chases a cat (Moon) up the mountain.
When I actually climbed Irohazaka, I got the impression that the slope itself wasn't that steep.
However, be careful as there are quite a number of stairs that you will be using from time to time.
In the movie, there are sidewalks on both sides, but in reality Irohazaka is only on one side.
Where the sidewalk ends, you will have to go up the stairs.
It's a place with a lot of nature, so you might see cicadas and bees in the summer.
If you don't like insects, we recommend going in autumn or winter.

In the movie, it appears not in a park, but in the setting of the Suginomiya Library, where Shizuku's father works.
When I actually went to Irohazakazakura Park, it felt more like a plaza than a park with playground equipment.

It's located at the top of Irohazaka Hill, so you can get a panoramic view of the Seiseki Sakuragaoka area!

Stairs are often used impressively in movies.
It appears in scenes such as when Shizuku chases a cat (Moon) she met on the train and gets lost, and heads from the antique shop ``Chikyu-ya'' to the library.
It is also the model for the famous scene in which Shizuku runs down the mountain while imagining the story.
There are actually various types of stairs in various parts of Irohazaka.
It's fun to go with a couple or friends and walk around while talking, "Isn't this the staircase from that scene in the movie?"

In the movie, the main character, Shizuku, appears in a scene where her childhood friend Sugimura confesses her feelings.
During the Bunka era of the Edo period, Rinzo Konya Inoue, the head of Sekido at the time, solicited this work.
A shrine carpenter from Daisen (Isehara City, Kanagawa), Meiotaro Techu, was contracted to build it.
In June 1958, the main building of Konpira Shrine (Konpira Shrine) was destroyed by fire.
Later, due to the development of the area by Keio Teito Electric Railway (currently Keio Electric Railway), in 1966 (Showa 41) the current shrine building was moved approximately 60 meters northwest to its current location and rebuilt.
It was relocated in 1967 (Showa 42).
Konpira Shrine is located about a 15-minute walk from Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station.
When I actually went there, it was located in a residential area and gave a cute and small impression.
The shrine is located at the top of Iroha Hill.
When you pass through the torii gate, you will find a love fortune teller on the right!
The love fortune is an homage to the movie.
This is an original work commissioned by experts as part of a project to revitalize the city.
When you go on a pilgrimage to a sacred place, be sure to try drawing a love fortune slip!

In the movie, it appears as the location (secret location) where Seiji Amasawa proposes to Shizuku.
The scene where the night falls is beautiful and impressive.
It's located at the top of the stairs in the middle of Irohazaka, but unfortunately it's private property so you can't enter.
However, it is recommended that you just take a walk around the area, as you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of the movie.

In the movie, this is the place where Shizuku ends up looking for the cat Moon.
It is also the stage where the antique shop "Chikyuya" is located.
Sakuragaoka Rotary is located about a 20-minute walk up Irohazaka from Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station on the Keio Line.
There used to be a coffee shop in the area called Sakuragaoka Jashumon, which was the model for Chikyu-ya, but unfortunately it closed in 2012.
However, if you go to Sakuragaoka Rotary, you can still enjoy the atmosphere of the movie!

Although it is not a movie model or filming location, we will introduce shops and recommended spots where fans gather.
There will be shops decorated with goods related to the movie, as well as souvenirs and gourmet food!
Why not try it while remembering the movie?

This time we featured the Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station area and introduced anime pilgrimage spots.
Many of the spots are located in residential areas, so please be respectful and avoid talking loudly and trespassing on private property.
Seiji, whom the main character admires, was making violins, right?