Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) is a Japanese animated film that has become hugely popular. Its popularity has been spreading worldwide, driven not just by social media buzz but by the film's quality — a touching story paired with beautifully detailed animation throughout, leading viewers to call it "one of the must-see films of the year." In Japan, it topped the box office charts, and theaters remained packed from its release in August through November.
Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)
The production company has submitted Your Name for consideration at the 89th Academy Awards in 2017. It also won Best Animated Feature Film at the 49th Sitges Film Festival in Spain, held October 7–16, 2016. The film also ranked among the top 10 highest-grossing Japanese animated films of all time within just a few months of its release — proof of its massive success.
Your Name trailer
The film's director, Makoto Shinkai, is known for other notable works, such as The Garden of Words (2013). His signature style often features real-life locations as key scenes throughout his films, and Your Name is no exception. Today, we've gathered the real-life locations featured in the film so you can visit them yourself.
A touching story with beautifully detailed animation throughout
[wp_ad_camp_1]
13 Real-Life Locations That Inspired the Anime Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)
1. NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building
This building is used in the opening sunrise scene. It stands tall in Shibuya, Tokyo, and is one of the tallest buildings in Tokyo (240 meters). It has a clock installed at the top, making it the tallest clock tower in the world. The building is closed to the public and has no restaurants or attractions, so a photo from the outside is the best you can do when retracing this scene.
Address: Sendagaya, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo
Access: 1-minute walk from Shinanomachi Station
The opening sunrise scene
The NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building used in this scene
2. Pedestrian Bridge over Shinanomachi Station
This is the scene where Taki walks his senpai, Miki, to the station after their date and pauses before calling Mitsuha — a turning point in the story. Anyone wanting to recreate Taki's cool pose can stop here for a great photo.
Address: Minamimotomachi, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
Access: 1-minute walk from Shinanomachi Station
The scene where Taki walks his senior, Miki, to the station
The pedestrian bridge over Shinanomachi Station
3. The Red Stairs near Suga Shrine
These stairs are just a 10-minute walk from the pedestrian bridge at Shinanomachi Station. This is the scene where Taki and Mitsuha pass each other without recognizing one another — a scene that also appears on the film's poster. While you're there, it's also a good idea to stop by Suga Shrine to pay your respects.
Address: 5-6 Sugacho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
Access: 10-minute walk from Shinanomachi Station
The scene where Taki and Mitsuha pass each other without recognizing one another
The red stairs near Suga Shrine
[wp_ad_camp_2]
4. The Underpass in Shinjuku
Located at a busy intersection in Shinjuku, Tokyo's business district, this spot is known for its distinctive circular structure around the crossing. It appears in the first trailer for Your Name, set to the film's theme song. You can stop by here to take photos of the beautiful night lights.
Address: Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
Access: About 10 minutes from Shinjuku Station, or 3 minutes from Nishi-Shinjuku Station
This location appears in the first trailer for Your Name, set to its theme song
The underpass in Shinjuku
5. The National Art Center, Tokyo
This is Japan's largest national art museum. In the film, Taki goes on a date with Miki, having lunch at Brasserie Paul Bocuse Le Musée on the third floor, then walking through the art galleries afterward.
Besides retracing the protagonist's date, you can also enjoy the art on display here. The building itself has a striking design, and inside you'll find exhibition spaces, a gift shop, and restaurants.
Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, closed on Tuesdays
Address: 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato Ward, Tokyo. Tel: 03-5777-8600
Access: 1-minute walk from Nogizaka Station
The National Art Center, Tokyo
6. Starbucks Tsutaya Shibuya
This is where Taki goes on a date with Miki.
Hours: 6:30 AM–4:00 PM
Address: 150-0042 Shibuya, Tokyo
Access: JR Shibuya Station exit
The scene where Taki goes on a date with Miki
Starbucks Tsutaya Shibuya
7. Cafe La Bohéme
Taki works part-time at this upscale Italian restaurant — believed to be the Shinjuku Gyoenmae branch. If you want to take photos here, trying a meal is also a great idea — just be prepared to wait in line.
Hours: 11:30 AM–12:00 AM
Address: 160-0022 Shinjuku, Tokyo
Access: Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station
Taki's part-time job location
Cafe La Bohéme
8. Aogashima Island, Tokyo
This island served as the inspiration for Itomori, Mitsuha's hometown — the key location that allows Taki and Mitsuha to uncover the truth. It is also the setting for the film's climax, home to the shrine altar that lets Taki travel back in time to change the past before Itomori is struck by a meteor, and the very first place where the two meet.
The island was formed by an undersea volcanic eruption and lies south of Hachijojima. Its shape resembles a large crater, earning it the nickname "Japan's mysterious tropical island" due to how difficult it is to reach. It has a population of around 200 people and is rich in nature, surrounded by steep cliffs.
If you're planning to visit this location, keep in mind that it takes some effort to reach, as it is a remote island.
Access:
From Tokyo to Hachijojima, a domestic flight takes about 55 minutes (around ¥11,000), or you can take a ferry, which takes about 11 hours.
From Hachijojima to Aogashima:
1. The Toho Air Service helicopter takes about 20 minutes (around ¥11,210).
2. The Tokai Kisen ferry takes about 2 hours 30 minutes (around ¥2,790).
The inspiration for Itomori, Mitsuha's hometown
Aogashima Island, Tokyo
[wp_ad_camp_3]
9. Hida-Furukawa Station
Located on the outskirts of Gifu Prefecture, this is the station Taki and his friends use when setting out to search for Itomori, Mitsuha's hometown. Hida-Furukawa is a small, quiet town, but soon after Your Name was released, it became noticeably livelier as fans came to visit the film's locations. So don't be surprised if you see movie posters displayed around town.
Address: 8-22 Kanamori-machi, Furukawa-cho, Hida, Gifu Prefecture
Access: About 4 hours by train from Tokyo Station, or about 6 hours by bus from Shinjuku Station
The train station where Taki and his friends set out to find Itomori, Mitsuha's hometown
Hida-Furukawa Station
10. In Front of Hida-Furukawa Station
This is another spot where Taki talks with a taxi driver while searching for Itomori's sacred site.
The spot where Taki talks with a taxi driver
In front of Hida-Furukawa Station
11. Hida-Furukawa Town Library
A little further into town from the station, this library appears in the scene where Taki asks a librarian for information.
Many visitors now come here to take photos of this film location. Since photography isn't normally allowed, the library has set up a registration process for photos so that other users aren't disturbed. If you want to take pictures here, remember to register first.
Thanks to the film's huge popularity, the small town of Hida-Furukawa has become more well known, and the town has since organized promotional tourism activities.
Where Taki asks a librarian for information
Hida-Furukawa Town Library
12. Hida-Sannogu Hie Shrine, Gifu Prefecture
This is the site of the Sanno Matsuri, one of Japan's three great festivals, held every year on April 14–15 with traditional performances and rituals. The shrine is also believed to bless visitors with family safety, so if you visit, don't forget to pray for your family's wellbeing.
Hida-Sannogu Hie Shrine served as the inspiration for the Miyamizu Shrine in Itomori, Mitsuha's family shrine in the film. It's also used as a symbol of the town. In the story, Mitsuha's grandmother tends the shrine, and Mitsuha and her younger sister must take part in rituals passed down since ancient times. The film also features the Takayama Festival, one of the shrine's own events, as part of its story.
Address: 156 Shiroyama, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
Access: About 25 minutes from JR Takayama Station
The Miyamizu family shrine
Hida-Sannogu Hie Shrine, Gifu Prefecture
13. Lake Suwa
This is another key scene that serves as a symbol of Itomori — the place Taki sees while in Mitsuha's body, which he later sketches from memory to track down the truth about the town. Located in the heart of Nagano Prefecture, it is the largest lake in the prefecture, with a shoreline of about 15.9 kilometers.
One of the most popular activities here is watching the summer fireworks festival over the lake, with fireworks displayed every night during the festival. Another winter highlight is a phenomenon called Omiwatari, meaning "the path of the gods" — a rare natural occurrence caused by the reaction between the lake's ice and dropping night temperatures, which creates loud cracking ridges resembling small mountain ranges of ice.
Address: Suwa, Nagano Prefecture
Access: About 5 minutes from JR Kamisuwa Station
The place Taki sees while in Mitsuha's body, which he later sketches to search for the truth about the town
Lake Suwa
If you're a fan of Your Name (Kimi no Na wa), these real-life locations are worth adding to your next trip to Japan.