Anime Pilgrimage in and around Fukuoka
Introduction
The Japanese word “Seichi-Junrei” is rarely used to mean religious pilgrimage anymore. Now, it refers to trips to anime or manga locations. This term has become a buzzword and is often seen and heard in the context of tourism. Seichi-Junrei has significantly promoted the tourism industry. As anime and manga become increasingly popular internationally, more people are coming from overseas for Seichi-Junrei.
Seichi-Junrei in and around Fukuoka
If you are in Fukuoka or plan to visit and have an interest in anime and manga, you should visit the anime spots mentioned below. There are several Seichi locations in and around Fukuoka, so I would like to introduce them to you, along with some nearby sightseeing spots.
Attack on Titan
It is a manga about people struggling against giants attacking them for unknown reasons. Hita City, Oita Prefecture, is the hometown of the author Hajime Isayama. The city has used his manga to boost the local economy. First, it built a bronze statue in front of Oyama Dam, the large dam in the city. The statue depicts three characters in their childhood looking up at the wall of the dam. This scene mirrors an image from the manga or anime, where people look up at the face of a giant appearing over the high guard wall.
At the Oyama ‘michinoeki’ roadside station in Hita (near Oyama Dam), you can visit the small-scale Attack on Titan museum, which displays miniature figures and original artwork.
One Piece
As part of the restoration projects for Kumamoto, which was heavily damaged by major earthquakes in 2016, Kumamoto City, with the aid of the author of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda, has built ten bronze statues of the popular characters. The first statue built is of the leading character Luffy, located in the front yard of Kumamoto Prefectural Hall.
The other nine statues have been built in various locations across Kumamoto Prefecture. The tenth statue was completed in July 2022. Kumamoto Prefecture expects to generate 2.7 billion yen in tourist income annually from these statues
Reiji Matsumoto
He is the manga author of ‘The Galaxy Express 999’ and ‘Space Battleship Yamato.’ His stylish depictions of his own science fiction worlds attract many manga fans. Kokura, Kitakyushu City, is his birthplace. Statues of his popular manga and anime characters are placed in Kokura Station.
As the town where many manga artists, including Reiji Matsumoto and Tsukasa Hojo (the author of ‘City Hunter’), lived, Kokura uses the manga industry for economic promotion. It built the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum, where you can learn about the life history of Reiji Matsumoto and see many original pictures drawn by authors related to the town. It is located in the ‘AruAru City’ building next to Kokura Station
Demon Slayer
Kamado Shrine in Dazaifu is well known as a Seichi for Demon Slayer fans. Any city can become a Seichi with a small connection. This shrine is considered a Seichi because its name and Kanji characters are the same as those of the main character, Tanjiro Kamado. Many fans visit this shrine and draw manga characters on Ema boards. This shrine is also known as a place to view cherry blossoms in spring and red leaves in autumn123.
Evangelion
The last Evangelion movie (EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME) features Ube-Shinkawa Station in the ending scene. Ube City is the hometown of the director, Hideaki Anno. Due to this movie, many visitors from outside the city come all the way to this small, ordinary station
Sketchbook -full colors-
Mt. Shioji, Futsukaichi Station, Former Shime Coal-mine Shaft, Tenjin…
It is an anime set in locations associated with Fukuoka. It did not air in Fukuoka, and even people in Fukuoka are not familiar with this anime. It is about a girl who attends senior high school (modeled after Dazaifu High School) and spends happy times with the art club members. Nothing dramatic happens; it just depicts everyday life. It is a ‘slice of life’ anime (Nichijo-Kei).
This anime was broadcast in 2007, when the term ‘Seichi Junrei’ was not commonly used or considered important to the tourism industry. It is said that Saginomiya, the setting of LAKI STA in 2008, gave rise to the Seichi Junrei craze
Zomie Land Saga
Zombie Land Saga is an anime set in Saga Prefecture. Seven young girls, who are actually zombies, work hard to make their group known to the world. In the episodes, many well-known places in Saga are featured. This anime was a big hit, and Saga Prefecture has leveraged its success to promote the region. Many products in Saga collaborate with the anime, using images of the characters as eye-catchers. Now, many manholes featuring pictures of characters from the anime are installed all over Saga Prefecture to attract fans.
Other Seichi
1 Karatsu: Yuri on Ice
2 Gotou Islands: Barakamon
3 Hitoyoshi: Natsume’s Book of Friends（Natume Yujin Cyo）
4 Momohi :Sazae-san