Detective Conan: A Pilgrimage to the Kyoto Locations Featured in "The Crimson Love Song" and "The Crossroads of the Labyrinth"! List [Summary]

The two *Detective Conan* movies set in Kyoto are *A Crimson Love Letter* and *Crossroads in the Labyrinth*.

Both *A Crimson Love Song* and *Crossroads in the Labyrinth* feature many famous locations in Kyoto, so you’ll definitely want to go on a pilgrimage to these spots, right?

So, in this article, I’d like to compile a list of the Kyoto locations featured in the Detective Conan films *The Crimson Love Song* and *The Crossroads of the Labyrinth*.

Be sure to compare the real locations with the anime.

■ What is the plot of *Detective Conan: The Crimson Love Song*?

Detective Conan: "The Crimson Love Song" is a movie released in 2017 and is the 21st installment in the Detective Conan theatrical film series.

This story features the Hyakunin Isshu and numerous sacred sites in Kyoto.

Heiji Hattori and Kazuha Toyama also appear in the story, so there might—or might not—be a scene or two that makes your heart skip a beat…

First, let’s take a look at the plot summary of *Detective Conan: The Scarlet Love Song*.

Synopsis released from the official website

An explosion occurs at a television station in Osaka where a press conference for a competitive karuta tournament is being held.

Detective Heiji Hattori was left behind inside, and it was Conan who rescued his childhood friend, Kazuha. In the midst of the commotion, Momiji Ooka appeared, insisting she was Heiji’s fiancée.

○Explain in a little more detail

Kogoro Mouri is at Nippon TV in Osaka to participate in a talk show.

Ran and Conan are there as well, and Heiji Hattori’s childhood friend, Kazuha Toyama, joins them.

This has drawn attention to the fact that the studio has a traditional Hyakunin Isshu set.

Mikiko, the president of the Karuta Club, is a friend of Kazuha’s and had come to the recording session for the Satsuki Cup.

In the hallway of that studio, Ooka Momiji and Hattori bump into each other, marking a fateful reunion, though Hattori doesn’t seem to quite remember who she is.

However, Ooka Momiji was moved, saying, “My future husband…,” and Hattori looked surprised.

Just then, a threatening letter claiming that a bomb had been planted at the TV station arrived, forcing everyone to evacuate.

However, in an effort to protect the traditional Hyakunin Isshu, Mirai-ko went back to retrieve it, but an explosion occurred, and she was injured.

Since Hattori and Kazuha were too slow to escape, they head for the rooftop.

Just then, Conan rushed to the rescue on his skateboard.

He skillfully uses his suspenders to lower Hattori and Kazuha to safety, but as the flames approach, Conan is the only one left behind.

After some trial and error, Conan decided to take a gamble: he used his skateboard to spin the large antenna around and then jumped into the river.

However, just as he was about to fall short, Hattori skillfully caught Conan.

So, everything turned out all right.

Meanwhile, Mikiko was injured while trying to protect the Hyakunin Isshu.

I was diagnosed with a fracture at the hospital, so I won't be able to compete in the Satsuki Cup.

Mirai is worried that if she doesn't perform well, the Karuta Club at Kaibo Academy will be disbanded, so she asks Kazuha to compete in her place.

Of course, Kazuha had no tournament experience, but when Ooka Momiji challenged Hattori to a match with Hattori’s life on the line, she decided to enter the tournament.

And then, leading up to the karuta tournament, the most skilled member of the Satsuki-kai was murdered, and a series of incidents occurred…

■ What is the plot of *Detective Conan: The Crossroads in the Labyrinth*?

Detective Conan: The Crossroads in the Labyrinth is a movie released in 2003 and is the seventh film in the Detective Conan movie series.

In this story, Heiji Hattori plays an active role in solving the case, and numerous iconic locations in Kyoto make an appearance.

First, let's take a look at the synopsis of *Detective Conan: The Crossroads in the Labyrinth*.

Synopsis released from the official website

Members of the "Genji Hotaru" gang—which targets only antique artworks—are being killed one after another.

Meanwhile, Conan had traveled to Kyoto with Kogoro, Ran, and the others to search for a sacred Buddhist statue that had been stolen eight years earlier.

Eventually, Conan, suspicious of the Genji Fireflies, begins investigating the matter alongside high school detective Heiji Hattori.

○Explain in a little more detail

A series of murders has occurred in which five members of “Genji Hotaru,” a theft ring specializing in antique art, were killed one after another in Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo.

Heiji Hattori, intrigued by the case, went undercover in Kyoto.

It was also the temple where, as a child, Hattori had fallen in love at first sight with a girl singing “Yome Sanroku Kaku Tako Nishiki.”

Heiji, who is searching for that girl, picked up a beautiful, sparkling crystal ball, and I hear he still carries it with him to this day, cherishing it as a memento of his first love.

Upon learning this, her childhood friend Kazuha found herself in a complicated state of mind.

Kogoro Mouri was asked by the head priest of Sannō-ji Temple to solve the mystery of a secret Buddha statue that had been stolen long ago.

After that incident, Ran and Conan also came to Kyoto, and upon learning that “Genji Hotaru” was the one who stole this secret Buddha statue, they teamed up with Hattori to solve the case.

■ Are there many pilgrimage sites in Kyoto for *Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth*?

Both *Crimson Love Song* and *Crossroads in the Labyrinth* are *Detective Conan* theatrical films, and both are set in Kyoto.

That’s why there are so many places where you can go on a pilgrimage to sacred sites! ♪

Be sure to visit the "Detective Conan" locations when you're sightseeing.

■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 1: "Saga Arashiyama Bunka-kan"

Outline

Did Ooka Momiji ever expect that Toyama Kazuha would make it this far?

In a way, it feels like a battle among women over Heiji Hattori, doesn't it…?

The model for Satsukido—where Ooka Momiji and Toyama Kazuha face off in the Hyakunin Isshu finals—is the Saga Arashiyama Bunka-kan.

The area was filled with beautiful autumn foliage, creating such a lovely atmosphere, didn't it?

When the movie was released in 2017, the venue was known as the former Kokura Hyakunin Isshu Hall, Shigure-den, but it was renovated and renamed the Saga Arashiyama Bunka-kan in 2018.

○ A Detailed Explanation of the “Saga Arashiyama Bunka-kan”

The Saga Arashiyama Bunka-kan, operated by the Kokura Hyakunin Isshu Cultural Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation.

Located in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, this museum exhibits art associated with Kyoto, such as Japanese paintings and the *Hyakunin Isshu*.

The magnificent 120-tatami-mat grand hall is adorned with numerous Japanese paintings, and you’re sure to be awestruck by Japanese art.

Address

11 Sagatenryuji Mugino-Baba-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Phone number

075-882-1111

How to access

About a 14-minute walk from "Saga-Arashiyama Station" on the San'in Main Line (Sagano Line)

■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 2: "Togetsukyo Bridge"

Outline

"Togetsukyo ~Thinking of You~" by Mai Kuraki, the ending theme for *Karakurenai no Koika*.

As the title suggests, the Togetsukyo Bridge makes an appearance.

Mai Kuraki's singing voice is beautiful, and the video features the atmospheric Togetsukyo Bridge in Kyoto, which perfectly complements her voice.

As Ran walked among the couples strolling through the streets of Kyoto, she looked at Shinichi with a wistful expression… but the way she noticed Conan at the Togetsukyo Bridge and smiled was truly touching, wasn’t it?

It became a major talking point because the song was said to go so well with the Togetsukyo Bridge.

○Detailed explanation of "Watarigatsukibashi Bridge

The 155-meter-long Togetsukyo Bridge, which spans the Katsura River, offers views of the river and the mountains of Sagano, creating a truly beautiful scene.

This spot is also famous as one of the most iconic landmarks of Saga-Arashiyama, which was immortalized in a poem by Emperor Kameyama; it is said that the bridge was built by the monk Dōshō during the Jōwa era (834–848),

You can enjoy the many different facets of Togetsukyo Bridge—cherry blossoms in spring, autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter—all in the same place.

Address

Saga Nakanojima-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Phone number

075-343-0548

How to access

About a 2-minute walk from "Arashiyama Station" on the Keifuku Electric Railway (Randen)

○Official homepage

https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=8&tourism_id=2682

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■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 3: "Enkō-ji"

Outline

In the ending sequence of *Karako no Kouta*, we see scenes of Kyoto, don't we?

In that ending scene, the grounds of "Enkō-ji" are shown.

The camera pans across the beautiful scenery of Enkō-ji Temple, including Ōkyo’s Bamboo Grove, the Ten Oxen Garden, the Jizō statue, and the water basin.

The Garden of the Ten Oxen is based on the “Ten Oxen” paintings, which depict a herdsboy driving cattle, and is famous as a strolling garden with a pond and springs built in the early modern period.

Around fall, the scenery of the autumn foliage—just like something out of a movie—is sure to be breathtaking.

○ A Detailed Explanation of “Enkō-ji”

Enkō-ji, a temple of the Rinzai Zen Nanzen-ji school located in Ichijō-ji, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, was founded in 1601 by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

It is very famous as a spot for autumn foliage, where you can enjoy the fiery red leaves.

A cute little Jizō statue buried in the autumn foliage also appears in the movie, so be sure to keep an eye out for it.

Places like the “Ten Oxen Garden”—a picture-frame garden—are as beautiful as a painting, and visitors can enjoy their ever-changing scenery throughout the four seasons.

Address

13 Ichijōji Kotani-chō, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Phone number

075-781-8025

How to access

About a 17-minute walk from the "Ichijōji" stop on the Eizan Electric Railway

○Official homepage

https://www.enkouji.jp/

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■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 4: "Tofukuji Temple"

Outline

Several locations featured in the end credits of *Karakurenai no Kouta* are shown, but among them, “Tofukuji Temple” is particularly famous for its autumn foliage.

About 2,000 maple trees are planted on the temple grounds, and visitors can enjoy a magnificent view when autumn arrives.

Also, in the movie *Crossroads of the Labyrinth*, a temple called “Gyokuryū-ji” appears.

This is the temple where Hattori and the culprit fight at the end of the movie.

Although this temple does not actually exist in Kyoto, it is said to be modeled after Ninnaji and Tofukuji.

○ A Detailed Explanation of “Tōfuku-ji”

"Tofukuji," the head temple of the Tofukuji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, located in Honmachi 15-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City.

It is said to have been founded by Enni in 1236.

This is a large temple complex with 25 sub-temples, and it houses Important Cultural Properties, National Treasures, and National Scenic Spots.

Be sure to take a look around and see the Sanmon Gate (a designated cultural property), the Song Dynasty edition of the *Taiping Yulan*, the colored silk painting of Master Wuzhun, Jōraku-an, the Zen Hall, the Engetsu Bridge, the colored silk painting of the Three Buddhas of Shakyamuni, the wooden seated statue of Jizō Bosatsu, and the garden.

Address

15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Phone number

075-561-0087

How to access

About a 10-minute walk from "Tofukuji Station" on the JR Nara Line

○Official homepage

https://tofukuji.jp/

■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 5: "Tenryū-ji"

Outline

In the ending sequence of *Karakurenai no Kouta*, where scenes of autumn foliage are shown, “Tenryū-ji” appears in some of these scenes.

The peak season for autumn foliage is generally said to be from mid-November to early December, and if you visit during this time, you’ll be able to enjoy a crimson landscape that looks like a scene from a movie.

This historic temple, which has stood for 680 years, is registered as a World Heritage Site as a cultural asset of the ancient capital of Kyoto, so be sure to visit and compare it to the movie.

○ A Detailed Explanation of “Tenryū-ji”

"Tenryū-ji," the head temple of the Tenryū-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, located in Mugi-no-Baba-chō, Saga Tenryū-ji, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto City.

This temple, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was founded in 1345.

While the autumn foliage is certainly beautiful, the site also houses many Important Cultural Properties—including gardens designated as National Special Places of Scenic Beauty, as well as a colored silk painting of National Master Musō, a colored silk painting of the Bodhisattva Kannon, and a wooden seated statue of Shakyamuni Buddha—so please be sure to explore them all.

Address

68 Sagano-baba-cho, Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Phone number

075-881-1235

○Official homepage

https://www.tenryuji.com/

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■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 6: "Benkei Stone"

Outline

"Benkei Stone," which stands quietly in a corner of the townscape at the Crossroads of the Labyrinth, has made its appearance.

Conan and Heiji stopped by here to look for clues in the case, didn't they?

The Benkei Stone is located in the space beneath the stairs, and the stairs and the surrounding scenery are depicted with remarkable realism.

This is also the spot—Benkei-ishi—where I met Inspector Ayakoji, who was accompanied by a squirrel.

○ A Detailed Explanation of “Benkei Stone”

This area is located in Benkeiishi-cho, east of Sanjo Fuyacho in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City; the name of the stone is the origin of the address.

Benkei lived in Sanjo Kyogoku, further east than this spot, when he was a child, and it is said that this “Benkei Stone” was the stone he loved; it is said to have been moved to the Takadate area of Oshu after his death.

Address

245-1 Yamazaki-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

How to access

About a 5-minute walk from "Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station" on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line

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■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 7: "Gojo Ohashi Bridge"

Outline

"Gojo Ohashi," the bridge where Conan and Heiji meet in a scene from the movie *The Crossroads in the Labyrinth*.

This place is about a 15-minute walk from Yōgen-in, which appears in a movie.

There's a scene where Conan is struggling to find any clues in nature when Heiji approaches from behind.

It was really cool when Conan stood on the railing, wasn't it?

It is famous as the sacred site where Heiji and Conan met up.

○ A Detailed Explanation of “Gojo Ohashi Bridge”

This bridge spans the Kamo River in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and has a total length of 67 meters.

You can see the Kamogawa River and Higashiyama Ward, and enjoy views of the mountains.

According to legend, Minamoto no Yoshitsune—known as Ushiwakamaru—and Benkei met on this Gojo Bridge at the end of the Heian period.

If you walk west across the bridge, you'll find a statue of Ushiwakamaru and Benkei in the midst of a battle. It's small and charming, so be sure to take a look while you're there.

Address

798 Toshimachi, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

How to access

About a 3-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on the Keihan Railway

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■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 8: "Sōjōga-dani Fudō-dō"

Outline

Midway through the movie *The Crossroads in the Labyrinth*, Heiji and Conan set out into Mount Kurama.

Heiji was attacked by the culprit with a bow and arrow, but Conan noticed just in the nick of time, so nothing serious happened.

There's also a scene where Heiji and Conan chase after the suspect, who is fleeing on a motorcycle, at high speed on their own motorcycles.

It was the head priest of Kurama-ji Temple, Gaya Fudō-dō, who came here to investigate this Yoshitsune-dō.

By the way, the illustration of the stairs at Kurama-dera Temple was also used as the model for the poster for *Crossroads in the Labyrinth*.

○ A Detailed Explanation of “Sōjōga-dani Fudō-dō”

If you climb Mount Kurama in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, you’ll find Kurama-dera Temple.

Further in from here is the “Sōshōga-dani Fudō-dō.”

This site is surrounded by a forest and features two halls: the Yoshitsune-dō, which enshrines Minamoto no Yoshitsune—known as Ushiwakamaru—and the Fudō-dō, which enshrines a statue of Fudō Myōō said to have been carved by the Great Master Dengyō.

It is said that this is where Ushiwakamaru and the Kurama Tengu met, and it serves as the inspiration for the Noh play “Kurama Tengu.”

Address

Kurama Honmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Phone number

075-741-2003

How to access

A 5-minute walk from Kurama Station on the Eizan Electric Railway

○Official homepage

https://www.yoritomo-japan.com/nara-kyoto/kuramadera/kuramadera-fudo.html

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■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 9: "Bukko-ji Temple"

Outline

"Bukko-ji Temple," located southeast of Shijo-Karasuma.

Conan, Heiji, and Ran visit the Crossroads of the Labyrinth to uncover the truth behind the incident.

In the movie, a stone monument marking the site of Gyokuryu-ji Temple appears near Bukko-ji Temple, but this is a fictional temple, and unfortunately, the actual site seems to be a parking lot now…

Therefore, if you’re planning a pilgrimage to the sacred sites at the Crossroads of the Labyrinth, we recommend visiting Bukko-ji Temple.

○ A Detailed Explanation of “Bukko-ji Temple”

"Bukko-ji," the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Bukko-ji School, located in Shinkaicho, Takakura-dori, Bukko-ji-sagaru, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City.

This place was built by Shinran in 1320.

Although Bukō-ji is sometimes written as “Bukō-ji,” the official spelling is 佛光寺.

This site features numerous highlights, including a wooden standing statue of Prince Shōtoku, a colored ink painting on paper depicting the lineage of the Ichiryū school, and a wooden standing statue of Amida Buddha—all designated as Important Cultural Properties.

Address

397 Shinkaicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Phone number

075-341-3321

How to access

About a 2-minute walk from "Shijo Station"

○Official homepage

https://www.bukkoji.or.jp/

■ "Karakurenai no Koiuta: Crossroads of the Labyrinth" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 10: "Rokkaku-do"

Outline

In the middle of *The Crossroads of the Labyrinth*, after Conan and Heiji reunite with the Junior Detective League, Genta gets lost and they go looking for him, right?

I think there was a scene where Genta got lost and was waiting there, feeling lonely.

The place where Genta was waiting was the “Rokkaku-do.”

○ A Detailed Explanation of “Rokkakudo”

Rokkaku-dō was founded by Prince Shōtoku in the second year of Emperor Yōmei’s reign (587).

As the name suggests, its defining feature is its hexagonal shape.

It is said that the Rokkaku-do was built to pray for the purification of the six sense organs—the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind—so that the six human desires (worldly passions) might be eliminated and one might attain perfection.

Address

248 Dōmae-chō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Phone number

075-221-2686

How to access

About a 3-minute walk from "Karasuma-Oike Station"

○Official homepage

https://www.ikenobo.jp/rokkakudo/

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■ Summary

How was it?

In this post, I’ve compiled a list of locations in Kyoto to visit from the Detective Conan films *The Crimson Love Song* and *The Crossroads of the Labyrinth*.

There are many tourist attractions in Kyoto, but visiting them as "holy sites" from anime offers a whole new kind of fun.

Since the two *Detective Conan* movies are set entirely in Kyoto—not just at famous temples, but also at all the locations where Conan and his friends travel along the Tōjō Line to solve their cases—you’ll probably recognize many of the places.

Be sure to visit these sacred sites.