"HELLO WORLD," released on September 20, 2019.
Director Tomohiko Ito is best known for *Your Name.*, but his first feature-length animated film was *HELLO WORLD*.
The story is set in Kyoto and features many iconic locations.
So, in this post, I’d like to compile a list of the locations featured in *HELLO WORLD* in Kyoto.
■What is the plot of *HELLO WORLD*?
The story unfolds within a limited circle of characters, including the protagonist, Katagaki Naomi, her future self, Katagaki Naomi, and the heroine, Ichigō Ruri.
Let’s start by taking a look at the plot of *Hello World*.
Synopsis released from the official website
Kyoto, 2027. Naomichi, a shy high school boy, meets Naomi—his future self from ten years in the future. Naomi tells Naomi that he will become romantically involved with his classmate Ruri, and that Ruri will later lose her life in an accident. Naomi struggles to change the future to save Ruri’s life, and in doing so, he comes to learn about Naomi’s true purpose and the secrets of the world.
■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage: 1. "Kyoto Tower"
Outline
When it comes to buildings that are perfect for a movie set in Kyoto, the Kyoto Tower is definitely the one.
Anyone who has seen Kyoto Tower in a movie will feel as if they’ve stepped right into the world of the film when they visit the actual location.
Around 2019, when the movie was released, merchandise such as collectible figures had already started appearing.
Kyoto Tower" is explained in detail.
Kyoto Tower, a landmark in Kyoto standing 131 meters tall.
The tower is 131 meters tall because the city’s population at that time was 1.31 million.
Kyoto Tower is located in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and is visible right from the station.
Kyoto Tower was completed in December 1964 and was built in the motif of a lighthouse illuminating the sea-less city of Kyoto.
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
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■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 2: "The Grand Staircase at Kyoto Station"
Outline
The grand staircase at Kyoto Station makes a final appearance in *HELLO WORLD*.
Here, you can watch the battle scene between the protagonist and the enemy wearing a fox mask.
These stairs are located on top of the Kyoto Station Building,
Euphonium Euphonium
・The Quintessential Quintuplets
・My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
It appears as a sacred site in many anime series, among others.
Since many people visit every day, we recommend arriving early in the morning.
○ A Detailed Explanation of the "Kyoto Station Grand Staircase"
There is a grand staircase at Kyoto Station, located in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
There are many buildings in this area, including tourist attractions, hotels, and shopping centers, so I recommend taking a stroll around the station before you start sightseeing.
By the way, the grand staircase in the Kyoto Station Building has 171 steps, which means you’ll be climbing 30 meters.
Depending on the season, the stairs are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.
Address
Kyoto Station Building, 901 Higashi Shiokoji-cho, Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
How to access
Around JR "Kyoto Station
○Official homepage
https://www.jr-odekake.net/eki/premises?id=0610116
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■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 3: "Kyoto City Minami Library"
Outline
The Kyoto City Minami Library appears in a scene about five minutes into the film.
It's located about a 10-minute walk south from Kyoto Station along Takeda Street.
This is the library Naomi stopped by on her way home from school, and she’s reading a book inside.
On the way back from the library, a mysterious aurora appeared, and a crow flew in and carried the book away.
○ Detailed Information on the "Kyoto City Minami Library"
This library is easily accessible from Kujo Station on the subway and offers excellent transportation access.
It opened in 1981 as the Minami Library.
The library holds a collection of approximately 60,000 volumes, and anyone can access the materials and books.
Address
5-5 Higashikujo Minamiyamanocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-691-6888
How to access
About a 5-minute walk from Kujo Station on the subway
○Official homepage
https://www2.kyotocitylib.jp/%E5%8D%97%E5%9B%B3%E6%9B%B8%E9%A4%A8
■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 4: "Nijo Station (JR Sagano Line)"
Outline
She also appears in the scene where Naomi meets him at Nijo Station on the JR Sagano Line.
It's amazing how accurately the pillars and buildings—including the exits and entrances of Nijo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line—have been depicted.
Just being here makes me feel like I've stepped into the world of a movie.
○ Detailed Information on "Nijo Station (JR Sagano Line)"
Nijo Station is a station operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and the Kyoto Municipal Subway, located in Toganocho, Nishinokyo, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
Address
Nishinokyo Higashitoganocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
0570-00-2486
How to access
Just a short walk from Nijo Station on the JR Sagano Line
■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 5: "Tō-ji"
Outline
The "Tōji" temple is featured in the key visual for "HELLO WORLD."
The South Gate of Tō-ji Temple is shown here, giving it a distinctly Kyoto feel.
○Detailed explanation of "Toji" temple.
When it comes to iconic temples in Minami Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, "Tō-ji" is the one to mention.
Tō-ji Temple is home to numerous National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, including the Kondo and Daishido.
The cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn foliage are spectacular.
The famous "five-story pagoda," in particular, is the tallest wooden structure in Japan at 54.8 meters.
Address
1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
How to access
Approx. 15 minutes walk from JR "Kyoto Station".
○Official homepage
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https://kyotreat.jp/post-2893/
■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 6: "Asagiri Bridge"
Outline
"Asagiri Bridge" is the scene where Ruri asks Naomi to protect her from a lightning strike.
This area of Uji is famous for its matcha, and visitors can enjoy sweets such as matcha soft-serve ice cream.
○ A Detailed Explanation of "Asagiri Bridge"
Asagiri Bridge is a bridge spanning the Uji River; it was built in 1972.
It is 74 meters long, and Uji Shrine is located nearby.
The contrast between the vermilion railing and the Uji River is truly beautiful.
Address
Uji Asagiri Bridge, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
How to access
About a 10-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line
■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 7: "Fushimi Inari Station"
Outline
"Fushimi Inari Station" is the setting for the scene where Naomi runs toward the ticket gate.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is located right nearby, where you can see the beautiful and magical red torii gates.
○ Detailed Information on "Fushimi-Inari Station"
Fushimi-Inari Station is located in Fukakusa-Inari-Gozen-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
Address
Fukakusa Inari Gozen-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
0570-00-2486
How to access
Just a short walk from JR Fushimi-Inari Station
■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 8: "Horikawa High School"
Outline
In *HELLO WORLD*, Horikawa High School appears as "Nishiki High School."
Nishiki High School is where Naomi and her friends attend.
Also, be sure to check out the faithful recreations of road signs, utility poles, and the roads themselves.
○ A Detailed Overview of "Horikawa High School"
Kyoto Municipal Horikawa High School is located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
It was founded in 1908.
This high school offers several academic programs and has a history spanning over 100 years.
Since many students are still attending classes, please be considerate of others when visiting.
Address
622-2 Shibo Horikawa-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-211-5351
How to access
About a 10-minute walk from Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai Line
○Official homepage
https://cms.edu.city.kyoto.jp/weblog/index.php?id=300605
■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites, Part 9: "Kyoto University"
Outline
While "HELLO WORLD" features numerous recreations of Kyoto's streetscapes, the exterior of Kyoto University also makes an appearance.
The gates of Kyoto University have been recreated here, so if you’d like to see the same view, be sure to walk through them.
Learn more about Kyoto University
The University of Tokyo is known as one of the most selective universities.
Kyoto University is located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and is known as a national university in Japan.
Founded in 1897, it is said to be Japan’s second-oldest university.
Address
36-1 Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-753-7531
○Official homepage
■HELLO WORLD's Kyoto Pilgrimage: Part 10. "The Former Main Building of the Kyoto Prefectural Government"
Outline
The Former Main Building of the Kyoto Prefectural Government is the Kyoto Prefectural Government office located in Kamigyo Ward.
In *HELLO WORLD*, it appeared as the "Kyoto History Project Center," which houses Altara's facilities.
Completed in 1904, the historic building has been designated an Important Cultural Property.
If you'd like to see the self-repairing system "Altaira with the Fox Mask," please do come by.
○ Detailed Explanation of the "Former Main Building of the Kyoto Prefectural Government"
The former main building of the Kyoto Prefectural Government, known as Japan’s oldest government building still in use.
This location is about a 10-minute walk from Maruta Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, and Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital (the model for Kyoto Central General Hospital, where the group was hospitalized) is also nearby.
Address
Yabunouchi-cho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-414-5435
How to access
About a 10-minute walk from Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line
○Official homepage
https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/qhonkan/
■ Summary
How was it?
In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the locations featured in *HELLO WORLD* in Kyoto.
In addition to the famous Kyoto Tower and the grand staircase at the station, various other locations—such as Kyoto University and the former main building of the Kyoto Prefectural Government—appear as iconic spots in the series.
Why not take your time and explore the area?
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