Do you guys know the anime "K-ON!"?
"K-ON!" was originally a four-panel manga series by manga artist Kaki Furai, which was adapted into a TV anime series starting in 2009.
This story depicts the laughter and tears of youth in the Light Music Club at Sakuragaoka Private Girls' High School.
"K-On!" sparked a social craze for light music, didn't it?
The story of this light music club (After School Tea Time) unfolds with the five members: Yui, Mio, Rittchan, Mugichan, and Azunyan.
Believe it or not, that anime is set in “Kyoto”!
So, in this post, I’d like to put together a list of must-visit “K-ON!” pilgrimage spots in Kyoto for fans of the series.
■ What is the plot of "K-ON!"?
First things first! Let's take a look at the synopsis.
Synopsis released from the official website
Yui Hirasawa, Mio Akiyama, Ritsu Tainaka, and Tsumugi Kotobuki—the four members of the Light Music Club—are about to attend their opening ceremony as high school seniors.
It’s that time of year when new students are deciding which clubs to join, and the members of the Light Music Club—along with second-year student Azusa Nakano, who decided to join the club after seeing last year’s welcome concert—are once again working hard to recruit new members…
○Explain in a little more detail
In the anime "K-ON!," Yui Hirasawa, Mio Akiyama, Ritsu Tainaka, and Tsumugi Kotobuki—students at Sakuragaoka Private Girls' High School—form a four-member band and begin activities in the Light Music Club, which is on the verge of being disbanded.
Then, when I entered my sophomore year of high school, Azusa Nakano, a freshman, joined the group as a new member, and the story unfolds through music as the five of us move forward together.
By the way, After School Tea Time (HTT) was formed with Yui on lead guitar and vocals, Mio on bass and vocals, Ritta on drums, Mugi on keyboards, and Azunyan on rhythm guitar.
■K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to the Series' Locations 1: "Shugakuin Station"
Outline
"Shugakuin Station," which appears in the opening sequence of the first season of "K-ON!"
With buildings and scenery—such as vending machines, flower beds, 7-Eleven stores, and train ticket gates—that are identical to the backgrounds featured in the anime, it’s a popular destination for anime pilgrimages.
There’s even a “Caution: Railroad Crossing” sign, which will make you feel as if you’re watching the opening sequence.
Also, in Episode 1, “Club Disbanded!,” when Yui-chan is rushing to school and Mugi-chan is trying to get through the ticket gate, that scene takes place at Shugakuin Station.
Be sure to take your time and compare it with the anime!
○ Detailed Explanation of “Shugakuin Station”
Shugakuin Station opened in 1925 (Taishō 14) in Yamahata Ichichō Tamachi, Sakyō Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
This is a station on the Eizan Electric Railway's Eizan Main Line, and
Shisen-do
・Enkō-ji Temple
・Shugakuin Imperial Villa
・Kimei-in
・Hakun Inari Shrine
Since these and other attractions are within walking distance, it might be a good idea to do some sightseeing while you're there.
Address
14-1 Yamahata Ichichō Tamachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City
Phone number
075-781-7664
How to access
Get off at "Shugakuin Station" on the Eizan Electric Railway
○Official homepage
https://eizandensha.co.jp/guide/station/shugakuin.html
■ K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to the Series' Locations, Part 2: "Nanzen-ji Temple"
Outline
In the opening sequence of the first season of *K-On!*, Nanzen-ji Temple appears in the scene where Yui, Mio, Ritsu, and Tsugi are all together.
That brick building is really impressive, isn't it?
Apparently, this structure—which is 93 meters long, 4 meters wide, and has a 2.5-meter-wide waterway—features an arch design that carries as much as 2 metric tons of water per second.
Since the Lake Biwa Canal runs above the Aqueduct, one of its charms is being able to enjoy the sound of the babbling water and the natural beauty of the Higashiyama Mountains.
It might be fun to take a photo while striking the same pose as in *K-ON!*.
○Detailed explanation of "Nanzenji Temple
Located in Nanzen-ji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, this is the head temple of the Nanzen-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.
It was founded in the 4th year of the Shōō era, and its principal image is Shakyamuni Buddha.
It is Japan’s first imperial Zen temple and is considered one of the most prestigious Zen temples.
Be sure to take a look at the temple’s Important Cultural Properties, National Treasures, and National Scenic Spots, such as the draft of Emperor Kameyama’s imperial prayer for Zenrin-ji Temple, the Abbot’s Quarters Garden, and the Sanmon Gate.
Address
Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number
075-771-0365
How to access
Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Keage Station on the Subway Tozai Line
○Official homepage
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■ K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to the Series' Locations, Part 3: "Kizugawa Cycling Road"
Outline
The Kizugawa Cycling Path in Yawata appears in the opening sequence of *K-ON!*.
Here, there are plenty of scenes featuring Deyui, Mio, Rittchan, and Mugichan having fun riding their bikes.
Kyoto Animation's legendary anime *CLANNAD AFTER STORY* is also associated with this area as a "holy site."
○ A Detailed Guide to the “Kizugawa Cycling Trail”
The “Kizugawa Cycling Road,” officially known as the Kyoto-Yawata-Kizu Bicycle Path, is a 45-kilometer cycling route that connects Kizugawa City to Arashiyama in Kyoto City.
Since it connects to the area where Kyoto’s three rivers—the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu—converge, it has become a popular cycling route in the Kansai region.
Since there aren't that many ups and downs, it's a great activity for parents and children to enjoy together.
Address
Kizu-Kumomura, Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture
How to access
About a 15-minute drive from the Sonobe Interchange on the Kyoto Jukan Expressway
○Official homepage
https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/doroke/bic-kidu.html
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■K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to the Series' Locations, Part 4: "Kyoto Station"
Outline
Kyoto Station, which appears as the destination for the school trip in Episode 4 of Season 2.
From the platform where you get off the Shinkansen, the view matches the actual scenery, including the Kyoto Station Building and Kyoto Tower.
Kyoto Station seems to be frequently used as a setting in TV dramas and anime.
Learn more about "Kyoto Station".
Kyoto Station, located in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, is a place visited by many people every day.
Kyoto Station, which was completed in 1997, has been featured in many scenes in anime, movies, and TV dramas.
Speaking of Kyoto Animation,
The sound of the sound of the sound of the sound of the sound of the sound of the sound of the sound!
・Free!
Violet Evergarden
Euphonium Euphonium
Since it has appeared in various places, it might be a familiar spot to you.
An official store for Kyoto Animation—the studio behind such popular anime series—will open soon inside “ASTY Kyoto,” located at the Hachijo Exit of Kyoto Station.
The store is called “Kyoto Station ASTY Kyoto KyoAni Goods Store,” and it will begin selling original KyoAni merchandise on August 4, 2023, as a limited-time operation running through January 2024.
In addition to *K-ON!*, it looks like there will be plenty of other exhibitions to enjoy, including *MUNTO*, *Sound! Euphonium*, *A Silent Voice*, *AIR*, *Violet Evergarden*, and *Tsuru-ne*.
Address
Higashishiokoji Kamado-cho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
0570-00-2486
How to access
Directly connected to JR "Kyoto Station"
○Official homepage
https://www.jr-odekake.net/eki/premises?id=0610116
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■ K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 5: “Kitano Tenmangu Shrine”
Outline
In Episode 4, Yui and her friends visited "Kitano Tenmangu" while on their school trip.
This shrine is famous for its beautiful autumn foliage, and it also features the "Stroke the Cow" statue that appeared in an anime.
Since it’s said that petting a “petting cow” on the head makes you smarter, Yui-chan and Ritsu-chan were petting it like crazy, weren’t they…?
At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, cows are revered as messengers of the gods.
The torii gate also looked just like the one in the anime, and since the deity enshrined there is famous as the god of learning, the ema were covered with wishes for exam success and illustrations from *K-ON!*.
I suppose it’s famous as a “K-ON!” pilgrimage site, after all.
○ A Detailed Guide to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
"Kitano Tenmangu" is the head shrine of the approximately 12,000 Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines across Japan.
This famous shrine, located in Kamigyō Ward, Kyoto City, enshrines Lord Sugawara no Michizane as its principal deity.
Locally, it is affectionately known as “Tenjin-san” or “Kitano-san,” and has a long history dating back to its founding in 947.
Lord Sugawara no Michizane is revered as the god of learning because he was an accomplished scholar and statesman during the Heian period.
For this reason, many students taking entrance exams visit every year to pray for success.
Address
Bakuro-cho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-461-0005
How to access
Just a short walk from the "Kitano Tenmangu-mae" bus stop
○Official homepage
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■ K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to the Series' Locations, Part 6: "Kinkaku-ji"
Outline
"Kinkaku-ji," a temple visited by many people.
It's popular not only in Japan but also attracts many tourists from overseas, doesn't it?
"K-ON!" has many fans overseas, and plenty of people visit Kinkaku-ji as part of their pilgrimage to the show's locations.
Kinkaku-ji is the place Yui and her friends visited in Episode 4.
It was particularly memorable when Ritchan started a game where she spoke only in the Kansai dialect, and Mugi-chan gave a fluent explanation of Kinkaku-ji in that dialect.
Mugi-chan said, “You know, Kinkaku-ji—it burned down in Showa 25, so what stands there now is…” She spoke fluent Kansai dialect, and her satisfied smile was so cute, wasn’t it?
There are many scenes in which the members drink tea and engage in other activities that are quintessentially Kyoto.
○Detailed explanation of the "Golden Pavilion".
Although this temple is commonly known as “Kinkaku-ji,” its official name is Rokuon-ji.
Rokuon-ji is a temple of the Rinzai School’s Shōkoku-ji branch located in Kinkaku-ji-chō, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, and is one of the sub-temples of Shōkoku-ji.
Because the reliquary hall, the “Golden Pavilion,” is particularly famous, the temple has come to be affectionately known as “Kinkaku-ji.”
It was founded in 1397 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
There are many cultural treasures here, including a wooden standing statue of Fudō Myōō, the wall paintings in the Great Study Hall, and a colored portrait of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu on silk, so please be sure to take a look.
Address
1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number
075-461-0013
How to access
Get off at the "Kinkakuji-michi" bus stop; it's about a 2-minute walk from there.
○Official homepage
https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/kinkakuji/
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■ K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to the Series' Locations, Part 7: "JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store"
Outline
The JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store is the shop where the characters went to buy musical instruments in the second season of *K-On!*.
The store is bustling with students taking piano and other music lessons, as well as customers coming in to buy sheet music.
With displays from *K-ON!* and all, you can really tell this is a pilgrimage site.
○ A Detailed Guide to “JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store”
The JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store, located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City.
This store sells a wide variety of instruments, ranging from wind instruments such as trumpets, clarinets, and saxophones to string instruments such as violins.
JEUGIA operates in Osaka, Shiga Prefecture, and Kyoto, where it attracts students through its Yamaha Music Schools and sells musical instruments and CDs.
Address
11 Ishibashi-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Basement Level 1
Phone number
075-254-3700
How to access
About a 5-minute walk from "Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station" on the Tozai Subway Line
○Official homepage
https://www.jeugia.co.jp/hall_4.html
■ K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 8: “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwata-yama”
Outline
"Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwata-yama," located in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
This place is located very close to the famous tourist attraction, the Togetsukyo Bridge.
In Episode 4 of *K-On!*, Yui and the others paid a visit.
The anime featured some breathtaking scenery, and this spot truly does offer a great view—you can see the Kyoto Tower and the cityscape of Kyoto.
○ A Detailed Guide to “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwata-yama”
As the name suggests, this is a place where you can see lots of monkeys.
There are more than 120 Japanese macaques, and you can feed these wild monkeys.
The park is teeming with nature, and you’re sure to have a wonderful time with the Japanese macaques while enjoying the ever-changing scenery of Arashiyama throughout the four seasons.
Also, since the trail to this point is an easy hike, we recommend wearing sneakers.
From the rest area at an elevation of 160 meters, you can take in a panoramic view of Kyoto City—the scenery is absolutely stunning.
Address
61 Arashiyama Nakao-shita-cho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-872-0950
How to access
About a 5-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Electric Railway
○Official homepage
■ K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to the Series' Locations, Part 9: "Kamogawa Delta"
Outline
"Kamogawa Delta," located in Demachiyanagi, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
This place is also a popular pilgrimage spot for fans of *K-ON!*.
In the opening scene of *Kamogawa Delta*, there’s a scene where Yui, Mio, Ritchan, and Mugichan are having fun hopping from rock to rock.
○Detailed explanation of "Kamogawa Delta
The Kamogawa Delta, located near Demachiyanagi Station in Kyoto, is
The spot where the Takano and Kamo Rivers converge is bustling with students, families, and couples.
It is said that it was given this name because it resembles the Greek letter Δ (delta).
Not only can you enjoy the ever-changing scenery of the Kamogawa River throughout the seasons, but if you’re lucky, you might even spot some ducks or herons.
Address
Tanaka Shimogamo-Miyagawacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
How to access
Approx. 5 minutes walk from Kawaramachi-Imadegawa bus stop by city bus.
■ K-ON! Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 10: “Kyoto University of Art and Design”
Outline
Kyoto University of Art and Design, located on Shirakawa-dori in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.
The grand staircase at the entrance to this university is featured in the opening theme song for the first season of "K-ON!," "Cagayake GIRLS!"
There was a scene where Yui-chan and the other three members ran down the stairs and jumped, wasn't there?
The school building and staircases are quite spacious, which really gives it that Kyoto University of Art and Design vibe.
○ A Detailed Overview of “Kyoto University of Art and Design”
Kyoto University of Art and Design, often referred to as KUA, is a private university in Japan located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.
Until March 2020, the university was known as Kyoto University of Art and Design, but it is now called Kyoto University of the Arts and has a large student body.
Address
2-116 Kitashirakawa Uriyama-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-791-9122
■ Summary
How was it?
In this post, I’ve compiled a list of the “K-On!” pilgrimage spots in Kyoto.
Since *K-ON!* features many scenes set in Kyoto, if you visit places like the Golden Pavilion, Nanzen-ji Temple, and Kyoto Station, you’ll be able to experience scenery that looks just like the anime.
Please feel free to use this as a guide for your pilgrimage to these sacred sites.
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