[Update: Part 2 is done!]

In May 2017, and then again in July 2017, I made two separate trips to Kyoto, Japan. Among other reasons to be there, one priority was to visit specific locations in Kyoto and Uji (both cities which are part of Kyoto Prefecture) which were used as models for/appeared in the Hibike! Euphonium series. In this post, I explore most of the major locations that can be found in the series, explain how I traveled to these locations, and highlight things to look out for. I decided to make this post as I had a lot of fun during the trips, so I wanted to share my experiences. Also, it might help anyone planning on visiting Kyoto/Uji in future.

Before I begin, there are a few credits to be given. This post by Michael was pretty much the inspiration for my own trips to Kyoto/Uji. His other post on Kyoto Station was also helpful. Also, this website managed by Seki (セキ) provides a comprehensive map of all locations that can be found in the anime, and was the main guide I used for my planning. Finally, ye_bi_su’s posts (seasons 1 and 2) also provides a map of all the locations, in addition to many (perfect, if I might add) shot-for-shot comparisons between the anime and real life. I also have to thank the friends who accompanied me on two of the times that I visited Uji (thank you for accommodating my trashiness!).

Also, there might be spoilery stuff in here, so be warned.

Let’s begin!

Kyoto City

Kyoto Concert Hall

Kyoto Concert Hall appears in the show as the location of Kitauji Middle School’s and Kitauji High School’s prefectural-level competitions. It’s most easily accessed by taking the Subway Karasuma Line, and getting off at Kitayama station (station number K03).

Just follow the signs at the subway station. There are also signs after exiting the station.

That’s about it. Not much to do in the vicinity, but I recommend the Kyoto Botanical Gardens next door. If you’re there around mid-July to end-August, you should be in time for sunflower season. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see Italian Whites there, which I didn’t. I guess I was too early in the season, as there weren’t that many sunflowers in bloom when I was there.

July 17, 2017.

Kyoto Station Building (Kyoto Eki Biru)

Kyoto Station Building is where Kitauji High School performed at in S02E08. The building is connected to other parts of the station, and the entire station is huge (and very easy to get lost in). There are 2 main entrances to the station: the Hachijo (八条) gate and the Central/Chuo (中央) gate. The easiest way to tell which gate you’re at is that the Central gate is the one facing Kyoto Tower. Enter the Central gate and you’ll be in Kyoto Station Building.

JR train lines Central entrance.

The performance space is on the seventh floor of the Kyoto Station Building. Upon entering the building via the Central gate, there will be a set of escalators on the right which you can take all the way to the highest floor, where there is a rooftop garden. Take it to the seventh floor though and you’ll see the performance stage.

View from the top floor.



Several flights of stairs from the 7th floor to the rooftop garden.

Stage.



The stairs also function as audience seats.

Also, when facing the stage, there are some stairs on the right. Go down those stairs and you’ll be in a long corridor. Turn right and walk along the corridor, and you’ll end up at the waiting area the school bands were at in the Eki Biru concert episode.

Corridor.

Love the green wall that matches Kitauji’s performance uniform.

Stairs at the end of the corridor.

Special light show for the 20th anniversary of Kyoto Station Building.

That’s about it for Kyoto station. The station itself has plenty of shops and malls around, there’s lots to explore there. Some recommendations are the Ramen Street and the Skyway tunnel on the tenth floor.

Shijo (四条) Street

This street is located in the main shopping district of Kyoto city. It appears briefly in Kakedasu Monaka (the OVA from season 1).





Getting to Uji

Uji city is in the south of Kyoto Prefecture. The easiest way to get there is to take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto station, which leaves from either platforms 8, 9, or 10. It takes about 27 minutes (on a normal train) to get to the JR Uji Station, and costs 240 yen. At certain times there will be express trains that skip certain stops and will get you to Uji station faster (I always use hyperdia.com for train information in Japan). However, if you want to visit other locations besides those around Uji station, you can choose to take the Keihan Railway lines, which offers the Uji/Fushimi 1-Day Ticket* (only available until March 31st, 2018). This gives you unlimited train rides on the Keihan Railway in a specified free ride area for a day. Within Uji, there’s the Keihan Uji Line which is the line that Kumiko and friends use in the show. (Keihan and JR are basically just operators of different train lines.)

*The link gives a description of the free ride area. The price ranges from 600 yen (if you buy it within the free ride area) to 1000 yen (if you purchase it outside the free ride area).

I’ll group the locations according to the Keihan train stops.

Fushimi-Inari Station

The station, which is part of the Keihan Main Line, is located in the Fushimi ward of Kyoto city. From S01E13, we learn that this is the stop where Sapphire Midori boards the train on her commute to school. You can tell from the striking red pillars in the background of that shot in the episode.





Fushimi-Inari –> Chushojima Station

Chushojima station is also part of the Fushimi ward. This isn’t a show location, but when I was there in May I managed to make it in time for the Keihan Railway collaboration with season 2 of Hibike! Euphonium. One aspect of the collaboration was having standees of the Kitauji quartet on display at four stations along the Keihan Uji Line.

Chushojima station standee (May 2017).

Also, at Chushojima, you have to change to the Keihan Uji Line from the Keihan Main Line.



Hibike! Euphonium train headers as part of the collaboration.

Uji City

Chushojima –> Rokujizo Station

Rokujizo station is somewhat at the border between Kyoto city and Uji city. The station is also closest to where the fictional Kitauji High School is located. The actual high school that Kitauji is modeled after is closer to Obaku/Mimurodo station. However, the characters are sometimes shown walking along the streets near Rokujizo station.



“Ah, Midori forgot to press the button!”





Rokujizo station standee (May 2017).

From the station exit, turn right and walk up the sloped path. Then cross the Yamashina River via a bridge. Turn left and keep walking alongside the river. There are signs pointing the way to the JR Rokujizo Station and Rokujizo Subway Station, which is the correct direction to head towards.

JR Rokujizo station.

Walk pass the station and turn left into an underpass. Shortly after there will be a large junction between streets number 36 and 7 (some of the streets here have numbers for names, which is convenient for navigation). Continuing along street 36, you’ll eventually come to an intersection. Make a right turn, and you should see a street with this sign:

Ogurayama Shoutengai (Ogurayama Shopping Street).

Walking along this street, eventually you’ll come across the tea fields that are shown in certain episodes of the show.





That’s about it for Rokujizo. I retraced my steps back to the station, and then boarded the train to the next stop, Kowata.



Keihan Rokujizo Station platform (May 2017): Advertisement for the Kyoani shop.

Keihan Rokujizo Station platform (July 2017): Advertisement for Kyoani’s upcoming fan event plus the relocation of the Kyoani shop.



Keihan train.

Rokujizo –> Kowata Station

Kowata (or Kohata, if you’re taking the JR trains) is the location of the Kyoto Animation shop! It’s also near the MacDonald’s that appears in the show as “F Burger”.



Keihan Kowata Station platform (May 2017): Advertisement for the Kyoani shop.

Upon exiting the station, you should see this building a short distance to the right.

The second floor used to be the Kyoani shop until they moved in June 2017. The third floor houses Kyoto Animation studios, but it’s authorised access only. To get to the current Kyoani shop, turn left instead of right from the station exit. Continue walking in that direction and eventually you’ll see the shop on your left (will talk more about the shop in the next post).

Kyoani & Do Shop!

From the shop, continue walking along that same street until you reach an intersection (between streets 243 and 7). Turn left, and the MacDonald’s is a short walk ahead.





Additionally, Kyoto Animation has yet another building for its studios. I didn’t walk there, but the building is visible from Kohata station if you take the JR trains.

And that’s about all for Kowata. Next stop, Obaku!

Kowata –> Obaku Station

There are a few sites to visit in Obaku. In the series, Obaku is where Hazuki boards/gets off from the train. It’s also where the bakery, which sells the “hotdog-on-a-stick” that Shuichi and Hazuki eat, is located. In real life, Obaku is also near to the high school (Todo High School) used as a model for Kitauji High School. In fact, the neighbourhood (Hatoyama/Hadoyama) surrounding the school is often depicted in the show.

Obaku station standee (May 2017).

When you exit the station, head left and Nakaji bakery is just a short walk away. The inside of the shop is decorated with lots of fanart.





The next destination is Hatoyama/Hadoyama, the estate where Todo High School is located. From the Obaku station exit, turn right and continue walking until you reach the intersection. From there, turn right into street number 7 and continue walking. You should pass the JR Obaku Station on your right. Continue until the next intersection, at which you should turn left. Proceed until you see a playground on your right, and then turn right. You’ll eventually come across a 7-Eleven on the left. It’s used as the model for the “24 Party” convenience store that appears in the show.



Sadly, there are no instrument gacha machines here.



“Three second rule!”

Be prepared for another long walk towards the high school. To get there, continue along the same direction past the 7-Eleven. At the first intersection you come across, turn left. Continue straight and you should see these flight of stairs:



“You need tea snacks for a study party.”

Climbing up those stairs will get you to the Hatoyama/Hadoyama housing estate. After climbing the stairs, turn right and head in that direction. At the second intersection you should see these…stone cubes?



From Kakedasu Monaka.



A million missed calls from Reina.

Back track to the first intersection. At the intersection, you’ll see a familiar looking lamppost…



It’s found in the promotional poster for the upcoming “Hibike! Euphonium ~Todoketai Melody~” recap movie.

Turn right into that other street and continue onwards.

Follow Hazuki!

You’ll come across a playground on your right, and a square-faced clock. Carry on forward.

To the right of this shot is where the Italian Whites were in S02E06. Of course, there weren’t any flowers there when I visited. Carry on.

There’ll be some benches on the left. After a bit more walking you should come across another playground on the right. This playground (Hadoyama Third Children’s Playground) appears numerous times in the show as the Kitauji students like to hang out there after school/band practice.

“Midori-chan, cheer up!”

“Kaori-senpai, please don’t give up! It’s your last competition!”





At the end of the path, there’ll be a flight of stairs. Climb it, and to the right there will be a bicycle parking lot. Continue along the path and you’ll end up at the entrance of Todo High School.



The sloped path towards the school.





When I went to the Hadoyama/Hatoyama area, it was on a Sunday afternoon and so the area was very quiet. I didn’t hang around for long though (I was afraid I would look too suspicious if I did). After taking few photos of the school gate, I retraced my steps back to Obaku station.

Obaku –> Mimurodo

The main purpose of going to Mimurodo is to visit a certain bridge (I don’t know what else to call it?) spanning the Uji river. Under this bridge is where Kumiko and Asuka sat while Asuka performed her euphonium solo in S02E09. Another interesting place you can visit there is 幸栄堂 (Koueidou), a wagashi shop that was the model for 幸富堂 (Koufudou), the shop that sells Asuka’s mother’s favourite kuri manjuu. The shop itself doesn’t appear in the show, but it’s still worth a visit for all the fanart the shop owner has displayed inside. The kuri manjuu is worth a try as well.

To get to Koueidou, exit the station and turn left. When you see a supermarket on your left, there should be an intersection shortly after, at which you should turn right. The shop is just a short walk in.





To get to the Uji river from the station, turn right at the station exit. Walk along that street all the way until you reach a flight of stairs. At this point you should be able to hear the river already, so just climb the stairs and the Uji river will be in sight! The bridge is to the right, while the Keihan Uji Station and Uji bridge are to the left.



The path towards the bridge.





And now we’re done with Mimurodo! Time to head to Uji, or rather, the city centre. It’s the busiest and most touristy part of Uji city.

Mimurodo –> Uji

This part of Uji is where Kumiko, Reina, Shuichi, and Aoi (and probably other Kitauji Band members) live, and thus is the setting for many scenes in the series. Amongst the landmarks that feature prominently are the Uji bridge, the Keihan Uji Station, the JR Uji Station, the Agata shrine, the Uji shrine, Daikichiyama, and the “Kumiko bench”. The Uji river also appears in many scenes. There’s plenty of ground to cover in this area. Unfortunately, I was unable to visit Amagase Dam, the Uji Cultural Center (used as a practice venue in S01E11, also the site of the epic solo showdown between Kaori and Reina), or Yamashiro Park (where the pool from S02E02, and park from S01E05 are), since these are further away from the train station.

I fell in love with the place ever since I first visited it. The sound of the river flowing, the smell of roasting tea, the sight of the numerous bridges dotting the landscape, it’s all so beautiful. Also, it’s probably the only place on Earth where you can find that many Hibike! Euphonium posters put up (I have to admit I got very excited whenever I spotted one).

It’s a pretty short walk from Mimurodo to Uji Station, so I simply walked along the Uji river to the Uji bridge.

Keihan Uji Station



More tea fields, located behind the Keihan Uji Station.

Back side of Keihan Uji Station.



Front side of Keihan Uji Station.

The fourth and final standee from the collaboration, signed by Takeda Ayano, author of the novels (May 2017)!









Near the station is the Uji bridge, and also the pedestrian crossing that appears in one of my favourite scenes.

In the background is Tsuen tea, the oldest tea shop in Japan (and the world?).

“Her smile was even more mysterious than the mysterious steps…”

Uji Bridge Area



I took this photo because I saw the fisherman in the river, and it somehow turned out to be a pretty decent matching shot.



This small indent is found in the middle of the bridge, and supposedly was used by fishermen in the old days.



View from Uji bridge, facing Tachibanajima and Tounoshima (the two islands in the middle of the river).

View from Uji bridge, facing the JR Nara Line railway.

Umakunaritai, umakunaritai, umakunaritai!!! (Yet another favourite scene)





A prominent willow tree is found on this end of the bridge. From this end, the road splits into five. Road 241 heads back in the direction that Mimurodo is in, although on the opposite side of the Uji river. Continuing along street number 7 would lead you to the JR Uji Station. A giant torii stands over Agata dori (street number 3), which leads to Agata shrine. In between Agata dori and street 7 is street number 15, a shopping street where you can find famous tea houses like Tsujiri and Nakamura Tokichi. Finally, there’s the Byoudouin Omotesando (street number 248) that leads to the UNESCO World Heritage site that is Byoudouin. This last street tends to be the most crowded with tourists, and it is also lined with many tea shops (including yet another Nakamura Tokichi).



Agata dori entrance.

Byoudouin dori.

JR Uji Station

To get there, walk along street number 7 (the largest street at that 5-way intersection). It’s probably a 5 to 10 minute walk there. Alternatively, you can walk along street number 15 (which is between street number 7 and Agata dori), which I recommend because there are more shops to check out along the way. When the tea shop Nakamura Tokichi comes into view (pictured below), take the right turn and the station will be up ahead.

Nakamura Tokichi. It has amazing matcha desserts, by the way.



The station is designed to look like Byoudouin’s Phoenix Hall.



I dub this the “Hazuki postbox”. It’s shaped like a tea jar, which I find really cute.

Next to the station is a Tourist Information Centre. I highly recommend paying it a visit – there’s a Kumiko standee signed by Takeda Ayano, and a Hibike! poster.

Ajirogi no michi (Ajirogi Path)

Ajirogi no michi can be accessed via Byoudouin dori. There are actually two entrances to the path. The first (and probably my favourite, since less people enter this way) is a small opening to your left when you’re walking along Byoudouin dori from Uji bridge. This opening is found right after the Nakamura Tokichi tea house.



These shots were taken as I was exiting Ajirogi no michi.

From this opening, a short distance away is the Tachibana bridge. Crossing it would lead you to Tachibanajima.





Tachibana bridge.

The second opening is much easier to navigate. At the end of Byoudouin dori is a three-way road split. Take the leftmost path, and eventually there will be a flight of stairs. Climb it and you’ll be on Ajirogi no michi.



How I would love to visit Uji in Spring…

Continuing along Ajirogi no michi (walking away from Uji bridge), you’ll soon come across Kumiko’s bench.

The red Asagiri bridge, which connects Tachibanajima to the other side of the Uji river, is visible in the background.



“Geh.”



View of the “Kumiko bench” from Tachibanajima.

Walk pass the bench and you’ll pass by more tea houses. There’s another Uji Tourist Information Center here, which I also recommend everyone to visit. There’s free water/tea, and a Hibike! standee and posters on display. There’s also a notebook for fans to write messages in (more on that in my next post).

At the end of Ajirogi no michi you’ll come across the Kisen bridge which appears in the fireworks festival episode (S02E01). Right next to the bridge is the “Kumiko postbox” (S02E13).

Kumiko postbox. Tounojima is visible in the background (with its characteristic 13-storey pagoda/tower, hence its name [Tou = pagoda/tower]).









You can see the spot where Reina and Kumiko sat at during the fireworks festival. It’s a lot smaller and harder to reach than I imagined. Plus with all the tourists around I wasn’t going to attempt climbing down there.





Kumiko’s Home

From Ajirogi no michi, upon reaching the Kisen bridge, take the path on the right. After a while there should be a car park on the right. Opposite that car park, on the other side of the road, is the apartment that Kumiko lives in…



…which doesn’t exist in real life (at least not in the same location).

Agata Shrine

Agata shrine can be accessed from walking along Agata dori after crossing the Uji bridge. It can also be accessed by walking along the same road passing by “Kumiko’s house” (street number 3). Taking the latter route would take you pass the south entrance of Byoudouin. It’s a few minutes’ worth of walking away, and you’ll know it’s the correct intersection when you see two rows of lanterns to your right. Take this right turn to reach the shrine entrance.



Hope to come back here someday when it’s the Agata Festival.

Tounoshima (Tou island), Tachibanajima (Tachibana island)

These are two islands located in the middle of the Uji river. The islands are also called Uji park, I think. They’re accessible from Ajirogi no michi via the Kisen bridge (which leads you to Tounoshima), or the Tachibana bridge (which leads you to Tachibanajima). Tachibanajima is also accessible from the other side of the river, via the Asagiri bridge. The two islands themselves are also connected by another bridge (I know, there are a lot of bridges).





View of Tachibanajima island from Ajirogi no michi. I chanced across this saxophonist sitting at the same spot where Shuichi practised in the anime. The mountain in the background is Daikichiyama. If you look closely enough you can spot the lookout point (refer to the next photo).

The islands don’t really feature much in the show, mostly appearing in the background. Their most prominent appearance comes during the fireworks festival, when food and game stalls were set up on them. Even without the festival though, it’s still pleasant to walk on the islands.

On Tounojima is a cage filled with cormorants. They’re used for cormorant fishing between July and September every year. You can pay to board one of the fishing boats and observe the fishing. Fun fact: this cage makes an appearance in the Rikka novels.

Statue of Ukifune and Prince Niou-no-miya (from the Tale of Genji) next to the Asagiri bridge.

Miryu Bridge

After crossing the Asagiri bridge from Tachibanajima, turn right and head towards yet another bridge.



The 13-storey pagoda on Tounojima is visible in the distance.

Uji Shrine

Crossing the Asagiri bridge from Tachibanajima, a red torii comes into view. This is the entrance to the Uji Shrine. Before entering the shrine though, if you turn left upon getting off the bridge, there’s a little structure with a path leading out to the river, which seems like a boat dock.

“I won’t let you badmouth Taki-sensei”.



Kumiko sometimes walks along this street that leads to Uji Shrine. Caddisflies were a problem in May, not so much in July.





The Uji Shrine is the regular meeting place of Reina and Kumiko whenever they go on one of their “dates”.



“Yukatas aren’t as airy as they say.”







“Why do I have to bring my euphonium along?”



“Let’s climb up Daikichiyama”.

Sawarabi no michi (Sawarabi Path), Ujigami Shrine, Daikichiyama

Time to head up the mountain! This part was definitely the highlight for me. I climbed up there twice during my visits, both times during the evening (around 5 to 6 pm). The first time I couldn’t stay until nightfall because my phone was out of battery and I didn’t want to walk down the mountain without a light source (there are no lamps along the path). The second time I made sure to keep my phone alive, and stayed at the lookout point until dark.

Anyway, to get to Daikichiyama from Uji Shrine, head left after climbing up those stairs in the previous picture. You’ll exit the shrine and enter a path called Sawarabi no michi. Head right.

Buttokusan (the alternate name of Daikichiyama) 1.3 km ahead.

The red torii of the “more grown-up” Ujigami shrine.











Take a right here to begin the ascent.





The hike itself is a series of straight paths with about 5 or 6 turns along the way. It’s not too steep of a climb (but I wouldn’t recommend wearing heeled sandals). You’ll pretty much know when you reach the lookout point, it’s hard to miss. The climb takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

Reaching the lookout point.



Both times I climbed Daikichiyama were during the weekends, and both times there were other Hibike! fans sitting at the lookout point.



The view from the lookout point is stunning as expected (my camera does not do it justice).



Alone at last!



Waiting for the sky to darken and the lights to come on.



“Reina”.



“Can playing the trumpet make you special?”













The lights are mostly at the Uji bridge side. The Byoudouin side is rather dark. I stayed at the lookout point until about 8 pm. The walk down the mountain was extremely dark without the flashlight from my phone. It’s crazy to think that Reina and Kumiko went up and down the mountain with their instruments in this kind of darkness.

And that pretty much covers all the locations I visited during my time in Kyoto. It’s the first time I’ve done this sort of anime “pilgrimage” (the Japanese call it 聖地巡礼 –seichijunrei- a term typically used to describe religious pilgrimages but are recently used to describe visits to locations that appear in anime/dramas/novels). I plan to write another post detailing the places in Kyoto and Uji city I visited that don’t appear in the anime but are still worth visiting if you’re a Hibike! fan [Update: you can read it here]. Thanks for reading, and I’d love to read any thoughts you have about the trip/this post.