Have any of you heard of the anime *The Eccentric Family*?
"The Eccentric Family" is an anime adaptation of a novel by Tomihiko Morimi.
In this story, tengu and tanuki take on human form and appear in various locations throughout Kyoto.
Famous Kyoto landmarks appear in the story, including several well-known sites such as Shimogamo Shrine and Togetsukyo Bridge.
So, in this post, I’d like to introduce some “holy sites” in Kyoto where you can meet characters like Yasaburō and Yashirō from *The Family at the Top of the World*.
■ What is the plot of *The Family at the Top of the World*?
"The Eccentric Family" depicts the life of a raccoon dog that blends into human society every day.
This work was adapted into an anime set in Kyoto in 2013, and a second season was released in 2017.
Here, let's start by taking a look at the synopsis of *The Eccentric Family*.
Synopsis released from the official website
The protagonist of the story is "Yasaburō," a male tanuki who lives at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto.
He was the third son of the Shimogamo family, a distinguished lineage among tanuki, but his father, Soichiro, had been turned into tanuki hot pot by humans.
Yasaburō wanted to live each day as he pleased, using the ability he inherited from his father to transform into anything—including humans—but reality didn’t turn out quite that way.
Yasaburō found himself drawn into one conflict after another—from the feud with his rivals, the Iikawa family, to the turmoil surrounding the “Friday Club,” a secret society responsible for his father’s capture.
■A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of *The Eccentric Family* in Kyoto: 1. “Kyoto Tower”
Outline
The Kyoto Tower looks just like a candle.
The opening sequence of *The Family at the Top of the World* begins at JR Kyoto Station.
Meanwhile, Yasaburō, the third son of the Shimogamo family, is running all over Kyoto.
Maybe the Kyoto Tower is actually a tanuki in disguise, too!? Who knows…
Kyoto Tower" is explained in detail.
Kyoto Tower, a landmark in Kyoto standing 131 meters tall.
Kyoto Tower is located in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and is visible right from the station.
If you climb up here, you'll find an observation deck and a restaurant offering a 360-degree view of Kyoto's shrines and cityscape.
I would love to climb it when I come to Kyoto on my pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Address
721-1 Higashishioji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number
075-361-3215
How to access
About 2 minutes walk from JR "Kyoto Station".
○Official homepage
Related Articles
■A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of *The Eccentric Family* in Kyoto, Part 2: “Shimogamo Shrine”
Outline
"Shimogamo Shrine," which is also listed as a World Heritage Site.
This is the location of Tadasu Forest, where Yazarō, the protagonist of *The Family at the Top of the World*, and his family live.
The story features four raccoon dog brothers and includes real-life locations such as Shimogamo Shrine and Tadasu Forest.
Shimogamo Shrine" is explained in detail.
Shimogamo Shrine, located in Shimogamo Izumigawa-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.
The official name of this shrine is Kamo-mioya Shrine, and legend has it that it was built around the 7th year of Emperor Sujin’s reign.
It is three times the size of the Tokyo Dome and is mentioned in works such as *The Tale of Genji* and *The Pillow Book*.
Two of the shrine buildings are designated as National Treasures, and 31 are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
Address
59 Shimogamo-Izumigawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number
075-781-0010
How to access
Take city bus No. 4 from JR Kyoto Station to "Shimogamo-jinja-mae".
○Official homepage
https://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/
Related Articles
https://kyotreat.jp/post-1489/
■ The "Eccentric Family" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 3: "Kamo River Delta"
Outline
As soon as you step off the train, you'll see the beautiful Kamogawa River flowing through the city.
The Kamo River is formed by the Takano and Kamo Rivers, and the Kamo River Delta located there is a famous tourist destination.
The Kamogawa Delta is where Yasarō drank that night after learning of his father’s death.
There's also a scene at the beginning where the character runs across Demachibashi Bridge—that's nearby, too.
○Detailed explanation of "Kamogawa Delta
The Kamogawa Delta, located near Demachiyanagi Station in Kyoto.
This is a popular tourist spot visited by many people, including families with children and couples.
It is said that it was given this name because it resembles the Greek letter Δ (delta).
Address
Tanaka Shimogamo-Miyagawacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
How to access
Approx. 5 minutes walk from Kawaramachi-Imadegawa bus stop by city bus.
■The "Eccentric Family" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 4: "Rokkaku-do"
Outline
The "Rokkaku-dō" is the important venue where the tanuki from *The Family at the Top of the World* hold their meetings.
In Episode 9 of *The Ecstatic Family*, titled “Kaisei, the Daughter of Iikawa,” this is the location where the Giemon election took place.
After Soichiro, the father of the Shimogamo family, passed away, Yaichiro and Ebikawa held an election here to decide who would become the leader of the raccoon dog world.
This place is famous as the birthplace of the Ikenobo school of flower arrangement.
The “Navel Stone” at Rokkakudo—maybe it’s actually a tanuki in disguise…
○ A Detailed Explanation of “Rokkakudo”
"Shunzan Chōhō-ji Temple" is affectionately known as Rokkaku-dō.
This site was founded by Prince Shōtoku in the second year of Emperor Yōmei’s reign (587).
If you take a look at the building, you'll see that, as its name suggests, its hexagonal shape is its defining feature.
This place is said to be the birthplace of ikebana, and a member of the Ikenobo family serves as the head priest here.
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/
Related Articles
https://kyotreat.jp/post-2263/
■The Ectatic Family’s Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 5: “Demachi Masugata Shopping Street”
Outline
The Demachi Masugata Shopping Street appears numerous times in the first season of *The Eccentric Family*.
This place is located just past Demachibashi Bridge.
This shopping district appeared in scenes such as when Yasarō and Professor Akadama were heading home.
Yasaburō was disguised as a young girl and was out shopping.
When you see the fish sculpture, it might look familiar to you.
By the way, I hear that the fried chicken shop is actually based on a real restaurant.
○Detailed explanation of "Demachi Masugata Shotengai
The Demachi Masugata Shopping Street, located in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
This is a shopping district lined with many stores.
It's also famous as a pilgrimage site for fans of the *Tamako Market* anime.
Address
229 Seiryu-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number
075-241-1571
How to access
About an 8-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway
○Official homepage
■ The "Eccentric Family" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 6: "Rokudō Chinō-ji"
Outline
The “Well Leading to the Underworld,” located behind the main hall of Rokudō Chinjōji Temple, is where Yajirō—the protagonist’s older brother—had been hiding in the form of a frog.
Many people have started visiting this site to vent their worries and frustrations—things they can’t share with others.
Learn more about "Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple".
"Rikudō Chin'ō-ji," built in the 3rd year of the Jōwa era (836).
This is a temple of the Kennin-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, located in Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City.
In the neighborhood, it is affectionately known as “Rokudō,” and is famous for a well where, according to legend, Ono no Takamura—a court noble of the Heian period—passed between this world and the next.
There is also a wooden seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai, designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Address
595 Komatsu-cho, 4-chome, Shijo-sagaru, Yamatooji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number
075-561-4129
How to access
About 5 minutes walk from Kiyomizu-michi bus stop by city bus.
○Official homepage
■The Eccentric Family’s Kyoto Pilgrimage to the Film Locations, Part 7: “Toriyasa”
Outline
A short walk from Shijo-Kawara, along the Kamo River, is a restaurant called Toriyasan.
This place appears in *The Family at the Top of the World* as a restaurant called “Sensuiro.”
He makes his appearance during a scene where the raccoon dogs who gathered for the Nise-Uemon election are having a party with the members of the Friday Club and making a racket.
○ A Detailed Explanation of “Toriyasan”
Toriyasan is a traditional Japanese restaurant specializing in mizutaki.
Mizutaki has become a famous local dish that has been passed down for over 200 generations.
It's located a short walk south of Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, and with its open-air dining areas, it has a relaxed atmosphere.
If you want to enjoy a meal while thinking about *The Eccentric Family*, I highly recommend this place.
We are currently closed, so please check our website before visiting.
Address
136 Saito-cho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-351-0555
How to access
About a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
■ "The Eccentric Family" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 8: "Akizuki Bridge"
Outline
"Akizuki Bridge," located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
This place is known as a sacred site for the anime *Uchoten Family*, and it’s where, in Episode 2, Yaichiro—who had transformed into a tiger—and Kinkaku and Ginkaku—who had transformed into maneki-neko—faced off.
○ A Detailed Explanation of “Akizuki Bridge”
"Akizuki Bridge" is a small bridge located along Reizen Street.
Located right next to the Iikawa Power Plant, this bridge isn’t very well known, but it has become a popular spot among fans as a sacred site from the anime *Uchoten Family*.
Address
Shogoin Rengezo-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
How to access
About a 10-minute walk from the “Kyoto City Hall” city bus stop
■ "The Eccentric Family" Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 9: "Tanigaya-san Fudō-in"
Outline
Tanigaya-san Fudō-in is located a 20-minute walk from Ichijōji Station.
This place appears in the anime as "Tanuki Valley Fudo," the home of Tosen, the mother of Yasaburo and the others.
○ A Detailed Explanation of “Tanigaya-san Fudō-in”
Tanigaya-san Fudō-in Temple, famous for its prayers for traffic safety, protection from misfortune, and prevention of cancer.
Located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, it is also known as a training ground because it is home to Musashi Falls, where Miyamoto Musashi trained.
Address
Ichijōji Matsubara-chō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City
Phone number
075-722-0025
How to access
A 20-minute walk from Ichijōji Station on the Eizan Electric Railway
○Official homepage
Related Articles
■The Eccentric Family’s Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 10: “Atago Shrine”
Outline
Atago Shrine, located in Ukyo Ward, is known as a sacred site for fans of *The Eccentric Family*.
It serves as the head office for 900 companies nationwide.
At the summit of Mount Atago stands Atago Shrine, where a clash took place between Takayama Yakushi-bo and Kurama Tengu.
○ A Detailed Explanation of “Atago Shrine”
Atago Shrine is famous as a shrine known for its miraculous powers in warding off fires and preventing them.
Locals affectionately call it "Atago-san."
Address
1 Saga Atago-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-861-0658
How to access
Get off at the "Kiyotaki" stop on the Kyoto Bus, then walk for about 90 to 120 minutes
○Official homepage
■ Summary
How was it?
In this post, I’ve compiled a list of locations in Kyoto featured in *The Eccentric Family*.
In *The Eccentric Family*, tanuki appear in various forms throughout Kyoto.
Even the Kyoto Tower and the Heso-ishi, which we see every day, might actually be tanuki in disguise.
Be sure to visit the sacred sites in Kyoto featured in this article.
Related PostRelated Articles
A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of *Nurarihyon's Grandson: The Thousand-Year Demon Capital* in Kyoto! List [Summary]
"Nurarihyon's Grandson," a Japanese manga by Hiroshi Shiibashi. Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2008, it features yokai as its theme […]
Have you heard of “Minced Meat and Rice” in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto? Is it true that it’s incredibly popular even though it only has one item on the menu?
Have you heard of “Hikuniku to Kome,” a famous hamburger steak restaurant in Tokyo? “Hikuniku to Kome” is a popular restaurant in Tokyo, and in 2022 […]
A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of "Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha" in Kyoto! List [Summary]
Are you familiar with “Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha,” a romance set in Kyoto that unfolds as a Japanese-style fantasy […]
What Kind of Place Is Blue Bottle Coffee? Let’s Enjoy Their Famous Coffee in a Traditional Kyoto Townhouse
Do you know about “Blue Bottle Coffee,” located near Keage Station? The first Blue Bottle Coffee shop in the Kansai region has opened in Kyoto […]
A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of "Holmes of Kyoto Teramachi Sanjo"! List [Summary]
Have you heard of the anime *Holmes of Kyoto Teramachi Sanjo*? *Holmes of Kyoto Teramachi Sanjo* is based on Mai Mochizuki’s […]