"Encouragement of Mountain" is an anime in which cute girls become mountain girls and enjoy mountain climbing. Broadly speaking, it may be categorized as a bishoujo anime, but it is also quite popular, with Hanno City, where "Encouragement of Mountain" is set, fully backing it. Here we will introduce the sacred places of "Encouragement of Mountain".
[Encouragement of Climb pilgrimage] Aoi and friends live in Hanno City
The protagonist of "Encouragement of Climb," Aoi Yukimura, and her friends live in Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture. Hanno City fully supports "Encouragement of Climb" and has even created a pilgrimage map for the series.
By following the "Encouragement of Climb" pilgrimage map created by Hanno City, you can visit all the places Aoi and her friends walked. While it may not be available at all times, you can obtain the pilgrimage map on the Hanno City website or at the Hanno City Community Center.
[Encouragement of Climb pilgrimage] Aoi and Hinata's playground, Kannonji Temple
Kanonji Temple, which Aoi and Hinata often visit after school, is also located in Hanno City. Aoi seems to like Kannonji Temple very much, as she also showed it around when Honoka came to visit in Hanno City.
[Yama no Susume pilgrimage] Hanno River and Wariiwa Bridge
Hanno River and Wariiwa Bridge, which appear relatively frequently in the series, are also located in Hanno City. Wariiwa Bridge is difficult to pronounce, but it's simply pronounced "Waru-iwabashi."
Hanno Riverside is a popular spot in Hanno City, attracting many visitors, regardless of its status as a sacred site for the anime series Encouragement of Climb.
[Encouragement of Climb Pilgrimage] Is there a Super Yamako?
In Encouragement of Climb, the Super Yamako that supports the residents' lives actually exists as Super Yaoko. Asking locals, "Where is Yamako?" won't work, so be careful not to get confused.
[Yama no Susume pilgrimage] The high school Aoi and her friends attend
The high school Aoi and her friends attend is called "Seibo Gakuen." This is the place where tours of the school building were once held for fans of "Encouragement of Climb." Of course, it's usually difficult to enter, but it's a place where you can particularly feel the presence of Aoi and Hinata.
【Encouragement of Climb Pilgrimage】Hanno Ginza Shopping Street
Hanno Ginza Shopping Street, where Aoi and her friends pass by on their way home from school, is also located in Hanno City. As Aoi becomes closer to her classmates in the third season, it seems she'll likely spend more time hanging out at the Hanno Ginza Shopping Arcade before heading home.
[Yama no Susume pilgrimage] Hanno Central District Administrative Center
The library Aoi attends is modeled after the Hanno Central District Administrative Center. Fans of "Encouragement of Climb" will also find a pilgrimage notebook for the series, so be sure to check it out.
Aoi decided to take up mountain climbing at Hinata's invitation, but if she hadn't reunited with Hinata in high school, she probably would have spent her time alone in the library without making any friends.
【Encouragement of Climb Pilgrimage】Nōnin-ji Temple
Nōnin-ji Temple, which appears briefly in "Encouragement of Climb," is also located in Hanno City. Nonin-ji Temple is pronounced "Noujinji," and the garden is believed to have been built during the Momoyama period. It has great historical value and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 most famous gardens.
[Encouragement of Climb Pilgrimage] Central Park
Central Park, located at the foot of Mount Tenran, is home to the athletic equipment where Kokona used to play, as well as the jungle gym where Aoi fell from the top as a child, causing her trauma. In spring, it's a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms.
【Yama no Susume Pilgrimage】Tenranyama
When you think of "Yama no Susume," you think of Tenranyama. Mount Tenran is the first mountain Aoi and Hinata climb together after their reunion, and it's actually more of a climb than a small hill.
However, without stamina, you'll end up exhausted like Aoi in the beginning, so it's a good idea to have some stamina. The view of Hanno City from the top of Mt. Tenran is spectacular.
[Encouragement of Climb Pilgrimage] Kokona's Great Hanno Adventure Map!
Kokonona is probably the cutest character in Encouragement of Climb. While preferences vary, many people will agree that Kokonona is the cutest. And in episode 20 of the second season, it was adorable to see Kokona put on her new shoes and go on an adventure around Hanno by herself.
Perhaps because Kokona was so adorable in the second season, the Hanno City government published the "Kokona's Great Hanno Adventure Map," which shows the Hanno exploration route Kokona took in episode 20. This is a must-see pilgrimage for Kokona fans.
[Encouragement of Climb Pilgrimage] Akebono Children's Forest Park
In episode 20 of the second season, Kokona's destination was Akebono Children's Forest Park. This park has a deep connection with the famous author Tove Jansson, and is home to a cute house that looks like it could come straight out of Moomin.
Tove Jansson is the author of "Moomin," and while reading the picture book at the house in the park, Kokona thought, "It really feels like I'm in the world of the story."
【Encouragement of Climb pilgrimage】Recommendations for Pilgrimage
The fun part of a pilgrimage to sacred sites is that you can experience firsthand the scenery the characters have traveled through. It's also great that even seemingly unrelated shops sell character goods. Some of them even sell rare goods that can only be purchased at that particular location.
Many of the votive plaques at shrines and temples were drawn by fans of the series, and it's fascinating to look at each one and see what other fans are thinking. Fans often interact with each other and become friends at sacred sites, so it's fun to make a pilgrimage to a sacred land for that kind of fun.
[Encouragement of Climb Pilgrimage] Summary
In "Encouragement of Climb," the pilgrimage centers around Hanno City, where Aoi and her friends live, but the mountains that Aoi and her friends climb are also considered sacred sites, making it a work with an impressive number of sacred sites.
Speaking of sacred sites in Encouragement of Climb, Mount Fuji is also a sacred site. With even more mountains to climb in the third season, the number of sacred sites is likely to increase. Perhaps Takasaki City in Gunma Prefecture, where Honoka lives, will also appear and become a sacred site for Encouragement of Climb.
