Recently, the term "pilgrimage" has become more commonplace, and with the rise of media outlets featuring anime, the number of people making pilgrimages to the sacred sites of various anime series has likely increased. As an anime fan, I'm incredibly grateful for this. I believe that if anime contributes to local communities and stimulates the economy, the anime industry will become more active, leading to the creation of more great anime and the enjoyment we can all enjoy. I've also been on several pilgrimages. In this article, I'd like to share some tips on how to prepare for a pilgrimage and how to make it even more enjoyable.
All About Pilgrimages: Travel Preparation
Reviewing the Anime with Everyone Traveling
Before traveling, I recommend that everyone in your group review the anime. I personally try to watch every episode, unless it's a particularly long series. Otherwise, there will be a disparity in interest throughout the trip, and in the worst case scenario, you'll end up having to desperately explain things that everyone around you isn't particularly interested in. The problem here, and it's quite common, is that not everyone traveling with you is an anime fan, or the trip isn't solely about pilgrimages. It's possible that the people you're traveling with don't watch anime. This is a big deal. If pilgrimages aren't their main travel goal, they might not be able to go because they don't have enough time, or they might not be happy if you force them to. If you're traveling with someone, you want them to enjoy the sacred sites with a similar level of enthusiasm! To that end, first think about how to get them to watch anime.
How to Get Them to Watch Anime
If your companion isn't an anime fan, bring up the topic at every opportunity. Be straightforward and say things like, "That anime was moving," or "The story was amazing." Depending on your relationship, throwing curveballs at a guy will only increase the number of pitches you throw. Another option is to intentionally play anime when you hang out together. I don't know many men around me who are allergic to anime, so it's not a problem. If she watches it, she'll be a valuable companion on your pilgrimage. Even if she doesn't watch the anime, you can still gain sympathy by showing her your love for it. If your companion is a woman, try something different. Psychology says that finding three common grounds makes it easier to have a close conversation with the opposite sex. You could start by talking about entertainment, then moving on to voice actors, and then talking about anime. First, find something that leads you to anime, find a keyword that she likes, and empathize with her, then expand on that topic! I've never asked a member of the opposite sex to go on a pilgrimage, so I can't guarantee this method will work!
All About Pilgrimages: Travel Planning
Taking Control of Trip Planning
Depending on your relationship, the person who will be the organizer for your trip may already be decided. If not, volunteer to take on the role. This will give you an advantage and lead everyone on the pilgrimage. If the others aren't keen, you can always head out alone in the morning. To do this, a planner who can somewhat control things like hotel locations is ideal. Unless you're making a major mistake, being the planner won't be seen as a bad influence. If you're traveling by car, you only need to book a hotel.
Decide Where You Want to Go
Just as you have places you want to go, the people around you probably have places they want to go too, whether they're sacred sites or not. So, make sure to let everyone know that there are places you absolutely want to visit. You can even come up with reasons. Discussing these things and formulating a plan based on what you can and can't go to is one of the joys of a pilgrimage. If there's a place you really want to go to but it seems like it won't work out with the people around you, that's when you need to call in the hotel planner.
Keep it as Cheap as Possible
Hotel and transportation costs are often the biggest expense when traveling. Cheaper isn't necessarily better, but more expensive isn't necessarily better either. However, prices for the same hotel often vary depending on the site. This is where the organizer's skills come into play. Do your research thoroughly to ensure a better pilgrimage. Prices vary greatly depending on the price, rank, destination, and hotel room. Just as there's a difference between wastefulness and consumption, there's also a big difference between being frugal and being stingy.
Recommended Site 1: Trivago
I recommend Trivago when booking hotels. I book all my hotels through it. In Japan, prices are per person, but overseas, they're usually per room. It's easy to use, and since it's a comparison site, it's extremely easy to find the lowest price.
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Recommended Site ② Skyticket
This site covers all domestic and international flights and hotels, and is very easy to use even on a smartphone. You can easily search by price and rating. I often use this site to arrange my international flights.
Recommended Site 3: Sakura Travel
This is the site I use when I suddenly decide to go on a trip. I often use it when tickets are available for same-day purchase or when I have sudden plans. It specializes in domestic travel, so if you only travel domestically, you might want to register as a member here and earn points.
Everything About Pilgrimages: On-Site
Train Light Bags and Larger Bags
Some people carry around multiple items related to the anime they purchased at the pilgrimage site. They proudly wear anime T-shirts and carry multiple anime-related paper bags. I understand the sentiment, but I don't recommend it. It depends on the anime, but the city doesn't exist for the purpose of your pilgrimage. Think of the anime as the city. I don't want fans to significantly destroy the city's landscape just for the sake of their anime pilgrimage. If such incidents increase, leading to a decrease in other tourists and complaints from local residents, anime and city tie-ups may decrease. This could have an economic impact on the anime industry. It's important to keep your purchases in your bag as much as possible, blend into the local area, and enjoy your pilgrimage.
Think carefully when taking photos
Not all of the scenery featured in anime is a tourist spot. Local shops or elementary schools often serve as motifs. I understand the urge to take a photo immediately when seeing the same building, but if it's a private home, I understand the discomfort. If there's an anime sign there, you know it's given permission, but if you're not sure, you should refrain from taking photos as much as possible. Even if you do take a photo, uploading it to social media may cause inconvenience to the local residents. Don't be rash and consider the time, place, and occasion.
Everything About Pilgrimages: Final Thoughts
You shouldn't go overboard, but it would be a shame to hold back! This is a special trip. Enjoy the local area and revisit the anime.
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