Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) Real Locations in Tokyo and Hida

Your Name (Kimi no Na wa), Makoto Shinkai's 2016 animated masterpiece, became one of the highest-grossing anime films of all time—and it owes much of its visual magic to real locations scattered across Tokyo and the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. Pilgrimages to the Your Name real locations have become a phenomenon, with fans traveling thousands of kilometers to stand in the exact spots where Taki and Mitsuha's parallel lives intersected. From the iconic steps of Suga Shrine to the quiet mountain town that inspired Itomori, this guide tells you exactly where to go and what to expect.

Tokyo Locations: Taki's World

The most famous location from the film is the Suga Shrine staircase in Shinjuku, where Taki and Mitsuha finally recognize each other in the closing scene. These 24 stone steps leading up to a modest Shinto shrine became an instant pilgrimage site after the film's release. You can find Suga Shrine just a 5-minute walk from Yotsuya-Sanchome Station on the Marunouchi Line. The view from the top of the stairs, with Tokyo's skyline visible behind the torii gate, is strikingly close to the film's depiction.

The Yotsuya area features prominently throughout the film. Taki's apartment building is modeled on a real residential building near Yotsuya Station, and the surrounding neighborhood's narrow streets and overhead train lines appear in multiple scenes. The Shinjuku skyline shots, including the distinctive Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower and the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building, are also directly referenced in the film's backgrounds.

Hida and the Itomori Inspiration

Mitsuha's hometown of Itomori is a fictional composite inspired by several real locations in Gifu Prefecture. Hida City (formerly Furukawa) is considered the primary model, with its traditional sake breweries, historic machiya townhouses, and mountain scenery closely matching the film's depiction. The town's winding streets and cedar walls appear repeatedly in scenes showing Mitsuha's daily life.

The crater lake at the center of the Itomori story is believed to be inspired by Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture, which has a similarly dramatic appearance and local mythology about celestial objects. Hida's Kamikouchi valley and the surrounding Japan Alps also contributed to the film's sweeping landscape sequences. The Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) in nearby Takayama offers traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses that echo the rural architecture seen in the film.

Complete List of Confirmed Locations

• Suga Shrine stairs, Shinjuku — the most iconic scene in the film
• Yotsuya neighborhood — Taki's apartment and street scenes
• Shinjuku Station south exit area — café and shopping scenes
• Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, Shinjuku — visible in skyline shots
• Hida City (Furukawa), Gifu — primary model for Itomori town
• Hida Folk Village, Takayama — traditional farmhouse architecture
• Lake Suwa, Nagano — inspiration for the Itomori crater lake
• Gifu City street near Nagara River — rural road scene inspiration

Planning Your Your Name Pilgrimage

A practical Your Name pilgrimage can be done in two or three days. Spend day one in Tokyo covering Suga Shrine, the Yotsuya neighborhood, and Shinjuku. Day two, take the Hida Express from Nagoya (about 2.5 hours, reserved seats around 3,000-4,000 yen) to Hida-Furukawa or Takayama. The Hida Folk Village is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5 PM and charges 700 yen admission.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, as the Hida region's mountain scenery matches the film's visual palette most closely. Carry a printed or digital map showing the exact filming reference spots — the Makoto Shinkai official site and fan-made 'seichi junrei' guides list GPS coordinates for the key locations. Arrive at Suga Shrine early morning on weekdays to have the steps mostly to yourself for photos.