K-ON!

Introducing the pilgrimage spots for "K-ON!"! What is the model for Sakuragaoka High School?

The term "pilgrimage" has become so prevalent in anime that it's become a staple in almost every genre. Of course, "K-ON!" boasts numerous pilgrimage spots. If Sakuragaoka High School, where Hirasawa Yui and her friends attend, is modeled after a real school, it's not uncommon to be deeply moved by the fact that everything from the commute route to the train station they regularly use and even the most ordinary scenery are identical to those in the series. So, what kind of places are there for "K-ON!" pilgrimage spots?

Introducing the sacred sites that served as the setting for K-ON!♪

Since "K-ON!" is an anime produced by Kyoto Animation, the characters use actual buildings and landscapes from Kyoto and Shiga as models.

Kyoto is a popular tourist destination, attracting many international visitors. Some of them are so excited about the Japanese anime "K-ON!" that they visit its sacred sites and take photos. Even now, after the series has ended, the elementary school that served as the model for Sakuragaoka High School, where Hirasawa Yui and her friends attend, continues to attract many visitors, proving that the series remains beloved even after all this time.

We've compiled a list of the many "K-ON!" sacred sites, so if you're planning a trip to Kyoto or Shiga, why not use this as a reference and make a pilgrimage to the sacred sites?

The Former Toyosato Elementary School, the Model for Sakuragaoka High School, where Hirasawa Yui and her friends attended

"K-ON!" When talking about sacred grounds for the anime, one place you can't leave out is the former Toyosato Elementary School, which served as the model for Sakuragaoka High School, where Hirasawa Yui and her friends attend.

https://twitter.com/nodokanophoto/status/903802780791406592

Designed by architect Vories, the building is known as "the best elementary school in the Orient," and in 2013 it was designated a national tangible cultural property. The campus is open to the public, and the light music club's blackboard is filled with fans' notes and even their own personal items, helping to create the anime atmosphere.

https://twitter.com/11922911Rinngo/status/900415995554144256

The facility is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on weekends and holidays. With advance reservations, you can even rent a room for band practice. Many fans still make pilgrimages to the site, so why not consider making a stop as part of your Kyoto or Shiga sightseeing tour?

You'll also find Shugakuin Station, which appears frequently in the series!

Shugakuin Station, located on the Hiei Electric Railway's Hiei Main Branch, frequently appears in the opening credits of "K-ON!" and in the school commute scenes within the series.

Many fans will be reminded of this station when they see the "Beware of Railroad Crossing" sign at the railroad crossing near the station.

Source: K-ON! Episode 1

Yui Hirasawa and her friends use this historic station, which opened in 1925. Viewing it from various angles will surely bring to mind events and interactions from the anime.

"McDonald's Kitashirakawa" is actually a "K-ON!" sanctuary!?

Source: K-ON!! Episode 2

K-ON! depicts scenes that are typical of high school girls, like chatting at a fast food restaurant after school.

The fast food restaurant depicted in episodes 1 and 10 of season 1 was modeled after the McDonald's Kitashirakawa branch. While the interior is slightly different, the exterior is identical to the one featured in "K-ON!", so you'll want to snap a photo.

If you're feeling tired from your pilgrimage, this might be a good place to take a break.

The Kamo River Riverbank also appears in "Tamako Market"!

Source: K-ON! Episode 1

In the opening scene of the first season of "K-ON!", Yui Hirasawa, Mio Akiyama, Ritsu Tainaka, and Tsumugi Kotobuki are shown crossing stepping stones. This scene is set on the Kamo River.

While it may be more commonly known as the Kamo River, the confluence of the Takano River, flowing from the northeast, and the Kamo River, flowing from the northwest, is called the Kamo River Delta, and the river downstream is actually called Kamo River. The Kamo River is a famous Kyoto tourist spot, but if you venture a little further, you'll find yourself at the "K-ON!" holy land, so if you have time, be sure to check it out.

The stairs the members jumped are located at Kyoto University of Art and Design!

Source: K-ON! Episode 1

The scene in the opening credits where Yui Hirasawa and the other three jump down the stairs is sure to be memorable for many viewers.

The stairs are located on the grounds of Kyoto University of Art and Design, and the sight is just as impressive as the one in the video.

https://twitter.com/atmostokyoTOUR/status/905683181470236672

While you'll want to jump like the girls and recreate the scene, please refrain from doing so, as real-life stairs and steep slopes pose a risk of serious injury if you jump. Furthermore, not only the stairs but the building itself is enveloped in a stylish atmosphere, and even if you're not on a pilgrimage, you'll undoubtedly be tempted to explore every corner of the facility.

"Nanzenji Aqueduct," featured in the opening video

"K-ON!" Among the many facilities and buildings featured in the opening video for the first season of "K-ON!", the Nanzenji Suirokaku Aqueduct is particularly atmospheric.

Source: K-ON! Episode 1

Fans making the pilgrimage were also seen striking the same poses as the four members of After School Tea Time, proving the popularity of the site. Since this spot is popular with tourists, be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time trying to capture the exact scene shown in the video.

Matsugasaki Bridge, the bridge the four characters casually cross

Source: K-ON! Episode 1

In the opening scene of the first season, Hirasawa Yui and her friends are running across the bridge. It may seem like an ordinary scene, but the bridge they're running across is called "Matsugasaki Bridge," and even the surrounding buildings and scenery are perfectly preserved.

https://twitter.com/zobonn/status/763192988461703168

The area around the bridge is frequently depicted in the series, so if you walk along the route Hirasawa Yui and her friends take to school, you'll likely see them running energetically. While many may think it's just an ordinary road, actually following the route that After School Tea Time walked will help you see the characters' perspectives. This kind of enjoyment is also part of the joy of a pilgrimage, so if you have the time, I highly recommend you make the trip.

Sanjo Shopping Arcade, where Hirasawa Yui and her friends bought their musical instruments

Source: K-ON! Episode 12

"K-ON!" is a story that depicts the heartwarming daily lives of a light music club, but in the story, the members also play instruments and demonstrate their band activities.

Source: K-ON! Episode 2

Instruments are essential, and before Yui Hirasawa and her friends can begin their light music club life, they decide to visit the music store run by Tsumugi Kotobuki's family.

https://twitter.com/suhr_22898/status/948093167575842816

The model for this piece was the musical instrument store "JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store" located in the Sanjo Meitengai shopping arcade.

Source: K-ON! Episode 2

The store layout is different from in the show, but it would be great to get the same model instruments the girls purchased in the same place.

Kyoto, where Hirasawa Yui and her friends visited on their school trip

Source: K-ON!! Episode 4

Yui Hirasawa, Mio Akiyama, Ritsu Tainaka, and Tsumugi Kotobuki are on a school trip to Kyoto. The first thing they notice upon exiting Kyoto Station is Kyoto Tower.

Source: K-ON!! Episode 4

They also visited the Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji temples, and while sightseeing, they made it a rule to speak in Kansai dialect. However, I remember how the group seemed to get bored halfway through.

Source: K-ON!! Episode 4

Also, at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, known for being frequented by many students preparing for university entrance exams, Yui Hirasawa and Ritsu Tainaka once sought blessings by petting a cow.

Since Hirasawa Yui and the others appeared in locations known as famous tourist spots, visiting those locations will surely fill you with excitement at the possibility of encountering the four of them someday.

Which sacred sites appeared in the movie?

Source: K-ON! The Movie

In the film "K-ON! The Movie," the five members of After School Tea Time travel to England, where they visit tourist spots including Big Ben.

Big Ben is a well-known tourist attraction, and fireworks are often displayed there during events like Christmas and the end of the year. If you time your visit right, you'll be in for an unexpectedly moving experience.

https://twitter.com/Nayuza11/status/564250448933048320

The five guests stayed at the Hotel Ibis London Earl's Court, and they also visited other famous landmarks, such as Gloucester Road Tube Station, Chelsea Street, and Westminster Bridge. Walking through London's streets, you'll see many of the facilities and scenery featured in "K-ON! The Movie," so it's definitely worth a visit.

Summary

So, what do you think of these K-ON! pilgrimage spots? Because the series is set in Kyoto and Shiga, these locations are relatively accessible. Even if you've never been on a pilgrimage before, these are highly recommended as a first step. Be sure to check them out!

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