1About Suzume & Its Pilgrimage Locations
Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari) was released on November 11, 2022, and earned 14.79 billion yen at the box office. The protagonist Suzume Iwato, a 17-year-old high school girl from Kyushu, encounters a mysterious young man named Souta Munakata who searches for doors. When the white cat Daijin turns Souta into a small three-legged chair, Suzume must journey across Japan with chair-Souta to close magical "disaster doors" appearing at abandoned ruins.
What sets this pilgrimage apart from other Shinkai films is that every location corresponds to a site of past major disasters in Japan. Kyushu (floods), Kobe (Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, 1995), Tokyo (Great Kanto Earthquake, 1923), and Tohoku (Great East Japan Earthquake, 2011). This is the first major Shinkai film to directly address the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
Over 25+ pilgrimage spots across 7 prefectures. Visiting all in one trip is impracticalโmost fans visit by region. This article organizes them in the order Suzume travels.
2Miyazaki (Suzume's Hometown)START
The story begins in the fictional "Kadonami Town" in Kyushu, widely believed to be modeled after Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture. This is confirmed by GPS scenes in the film showing Suzume's phone location, regional dialect cues, and the Kyushu-wide weather forecast scenes.
The port where Suzume rides her bicycle past in the morning, encountering Souta for the first time. This is a historic port in central Nichinan with a retro atmosphere that closely matches the film.
- Location
- Aburatsu, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture
- Access
- 10-min walk from JR Aburatsu Station (Nichinan Line)
A coastal park overlooking the Pacific. The cliff and seaside views closely resemble the film's depictions of Suzume's home area. The Nichinan Coast offers stunning vistas.
- Location
- Hirano, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture
- Access
- 10-min drive from JR Aburatsu Station
3Oita (The Abandoned Hot Spring Town)2nd
The opening scene's abandoned hot spring town is a composite of two real locations:
The circular train shed featured in the film's posters and key visuals. Often the first location identified by fans on social media. Used from 1934 to 1971 to house steam locomotives, this is now a Nationally Designated Tangible Cultural Property. The Bungo-Mori Roundhouse Museum is nearby.
- Location
- Iwamuro, Kusu Town, Kusu District, Oita Prefecture
- Access
- 10-min walk from JR Bungo-Mori Station (Kyudai Main Line)
The atmospheric model for the abandoned hot spring town. In reality, it is not abandoned but an active traditional hot spring resort. The cobblestone slope lined with red lanterns and old inns matches the opening scenes perfectly. Also known as a filming location for the classic Japanese movie series Otoko wa Tsurai yo.
- Location
- Yunohira, Yufuin Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture
- Access
- 20-min walk or bus from JR Yunohira Station (Kyudai Main Line)
4Ehime (Ferry Arrival & 18 Souta Chairs)3rd
After leaving Kyushu by ferry, Suzume arrives in Ehime. The key locations are in Yawatahama and Ozu cities. Notably, local governments have placed replicas of the famous three-legged chair throughout the cities (18 in total), making it a fun scavenger hunt for visitors.
The port where Suzume arrives by ferry from Oita's Saganoseki. The port views are reproduced almost identically. The Kyushu-Shikoku Ferry connects Kyushu and Shikoku here.
- Location
- Okishinden, Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture
- Access
- 15-min walk from JR Yawatahama Station
Ozu City features chair replicas placed throughout the town. Walking from the shopping district past JR Iyo-Ozu Station to Ozu Castle while finding chairs is the standard pilgrimage course. Iyo-Ozu Station is also famous for steam locomotive (SL) train runs.
- Location
- Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture
- Chair Installations
- 18 chairs total in Ozu & Yawatahama (city maps available)
- Access
- JR Iyo-Ozu Station (Yosan Line)
5Hyogo / Kobe (Abandoned Theme Park)4th
After meeting snack bar owner Rumi Ninomiya, Suzume crosses from Shikoku to Kobe via the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The film's "abandoned theme park" is fictional, but several real locations served as inspiration.
A small amusement park inside Kobe Fruit and Flower Park. Model for the Ferris wheel and coaster in the film's "Kobe Yume no Kuni" scene. Free entrance, attractions paid separately.
- Location
- Kami-Osawa, Osawacho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access
- 30 min by car from Kobe Sannomiya (via toll road)
The Kobe night view glimpsed from the amusement park. This is one of Japan's Three Great Night Views, with the city lights spreading out below. The view Suzume saw at the night-time amusement park is said to be inspired by this spot.
- Location
- Mayasan-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access
- Maya View Line (cable car + ropeway) to summit
The bridge Suzume crosses in Rumi's car. Connecting Awaji Island and Kobe, this is one of the world's longest suspension bridges (3,911 m total length).
- Location
- Higashi-Maiko-cho, Tarumi-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Viewpoint
- Maiko Marine Promenade (paid observation deck inside the bridge)
6Tokyo (Hijiribashi Bridge & Ochanomizu)5th
Suzume takes the Shinkansen to Tokyo, where she heads to Souta's apartment in Ochanomizu. This is where the story's climax begins.
The signature Tokyo pilgrimage spot for Suzume. From Hijiribashi, you can see a miraculous three-way intersection: JR Sobu Line, Chuo Line, and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. In the film, this is where the worm (the source of disasters) emerges. The actual scene features a Marunouchi Line train.
- Location
- Boundary between Kanda-Surugadai (Chiyoda) and Yushima (Bunkyo), Tokyo
- Access
- JR / Tokyo Metro Ochanomizu Station, Hijiribashi Exit
- Best Photo
- From the bridge looking downโcatching 3 trains simultaneously is the ultimate shot
The hospital where Souta's grandfather Hitsujiro Munakata is admitted. This is an actual operating university hospital within walking distance of Ochanomizu Station.
- Location
- 3-1-3 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
- Access
- 5-min walk from JR Ochanomizu Station
- Note
- Active hospitalโprioritize patients' comfort
The spot where Suzume returns from the underground world, walking battered and alone. Famous as a cherry blossom viewing area along the Imperial Palace moat, offering tranquility amid Tokyo's bustle.
- Location
- Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Access
- 5-min walk from Tokyo Metro Kudanshita Station
7Miyagi & Iwate (The Story's Destination)GOAL
๐ Important Fact
At the Morioka Forum stage greeting, Director Makoto Shinkai explicitly stated "Suzume's hometown is conceptualized as Iwate Prefecture" and that he directly depicted the Sanriku Railway's Origasa Station (in Yamada Town). While the film mixes scenery from both Miyagi and Iwate, the spiritual "hometown" of this work is the Sanriku coast of Tohoku, affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011.
The roadside station appearing in scenes where Suzume eats in the car. Famous for seafood ramen and Sanriku specialty products. The bread Suzume eats in the film is said to be the station's signature peanut cream sandwich.
- Location
- Mishima, Motoyoshi-cho, Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture
- Access
- Right off the Sanriku Expressway "Oya Kaigan IC"
The small unmanned station near the story's climax. The original station was destroyed by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and was rebuilt 1 km north in 2019. As a symbol of recovery, the station holds a special pilgrimage notebook where many fans have left messages and drawings. Visiting this place carries deep emotional weight.
- Location
- Origasa, Yamada Town, Shimohei District, Iwate Prefecture
- Access
- Sanriku Railway Rias Line "Origasa Station"
- Note
- Pilgrimage notebook on site (caretakers provide replacement notebooks when filled)
8Disasters & Pilgrimage Mindset
What makes Suzume unique among Shinkai's films is that every pilgrimage location is also a site of past major disasters. This is a deliberate choice by Director Shinkai, making the film "a requiem for Japan as a nation".
๐๏ธ The Disaster-Location Connection
Yunohira / Oita area โ Past flood disasters
Ehime / Kobe area โ Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (1995)
Tokyo / Kanto region โ Great Kanto Earthquake (1923)
Miyagi & Iwate / Sanriku coast โ Great East Japan Earthquake (2011)
When visiting these locations, this pilgrimage carries meaning beyond tourism. You'll encounter the warmth of locals at recovered streets, relocated stations, and roadside marketsโnot just "anime locations," but the history, community, and ongoing recovery of these places. Please approach with respect and gratitude.
9Etiquette & Awareness
๐ Please Read Before Visiting
- Juntendo Hospital is an active medical facility. Maximum consideration for patients and staff. Exterior only, brief visits. No interior entry or photography.
- Origasa Station is a small unmanned station serving local residents. Avoid loud voices or extended stays. Treat the pilgrimage notebook with care.
- The Bungo-Mori Roundhouse is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Graffiti and damage to historic structures are strictly prohibited.
- Yunohira Onsen is an active hot spring town. Respect overnight guests and inn staff. No trespassing on private property.
- The 18 chairs in Ozu and Yawatahama are a local hospitality gesture. Sitting/photographing is fine, but respect shopkeepers and residents.
- Hijiribashi area is busy with car, bike, and pedestrian traffic. Avoid extended monopolization or tripod use blocking others.
- When visiting Tohoku disaster areas, remember these are "living recovery sites," not tourist attractionsโapproach with respect.
- Take your trash with youโlittering is strictly prohibited.
๐จ Accommodations Across the Journey
A cross-Japan pilgrimage is best done region by region:
๐ช Summary
The Suzume pilgrimage is a cross-Japan epic journey. Visiting everything in one trip isn't realisticโmost fans visit region by region.
For beginners, start with Hijiribashi and Juntendo Hospital in Tokyo. Once familiar, try the 18 chair hunt across Ehime (officially organized, easy to access). Eventually, complete your journey at Sanriku Railway Origasa Stationโthe spiritual destination of the film.
As Director Shinkai stated, "Suzume's hometown is conceptualized as Iwate." This work's core is a requiem for the Great East Japan Earthquake. Through this pilgrimage, encounter Japan's history of disasters and recovery, and let your journey deepen your respect for the land and its people.
โ Back to Shinkai Pilgrimage Map