Anime Pilgrimage · Kyushu

Natsume's Book of Friends Anime Pilgrimage Guide

🏅 Selected for the 2026 edition of “Japanese Anime Tourism 88-Spots” (Anime Tourism Association)📍 2 places
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About

About

The story of Takashi Natsume, a boy who can see yokai, as he returns the names written in the "Book of Friends" left by his grandmother to the yokai. The Hitoyoshi-Kuma region of Kumamoto and other areas are selected for the 88 Anime Spots, with model locations for the series scattered across a basin surrounded by mountains.

Official site of the work ↗
Places

Places to visit

Places introduced by local governments, tourism associations or the work’s official channels.

  1. 1

    Tengu Bridge

    📍 Hitoyoshi-Kuma region, Kumamoto

    A bridge introduced as one of the model locations for the Natsume's Book of Friends anime scattered across the Hitoyoshi-Kuma region.

    ⚠️ The surrounding roads are used by local residents. Watch out for cars and do not park on the street.

  2. 2

    Matsutani Rice Terraces Observation Point

    📍 Hitoyoshi-Kuma region, Kumamoto

    An observation point over rice terraces, introduced as one of the model locations for the Natsume's Book of Friends anime scattered across the Hitoyoshi-Kuma region.

    ⚠️ The terraces are precious farmland. Do not enter the paddies or the paths between them; enjoy the view from the observation point.

Etiquette

Pilgrimage etiquette

  • ✓Many model locations are in farming villages or on local roads. Do not enter fields or private property, and do not park on the street.
  • ✓Remember that these are places where people live, and visit quietly.
Tips

Tips

  • •The spots are spread over a wide area, so a car or rental car is convenient.
  • •Check the "Natsume's Book of Friends x Kumamoto" special site on Kumamoto Prefecture's official tourism website for information on the model locations before you go.
Anime Pilgrimage

More anime spots in Kyushu

🎬 7 places

KanColle: Kantai Collection

Tohoku・Tokyo & Around・Kansai・Chugoku & Shikoku・Kyushu ・ Mutsu, Aomori・Wakamatsucho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa (Keikyu Yokosuka-chuo Station)・Yokosuka, Kanagawa

A browser game in which you collect "Kanmusu" (ship girls), characters inspired by naval vessels, and organize them into fleets; it has also been adapted into anime. The 88 Anime Spots selection includes the port cities of Mutsu (Ominato) in Aomori, Yokosuka in Kanagawa, Maizuru in Kyoto, Kure in Hiroshima and Sasebo in Nagasaki.

🎬 6 places

5 Centimeters per Second

Tokyo & Around・Kyushu ・ Tochigi City, Tochigi・Iwafune, Tochigi City, Tochigi・Gotokuji, Setagaya, Tokyo

Makoto Shinkai's anime film told in three short stories about the time and distance that separate a boy and a girl. The 88 Anime Spots selection includes three places where the story is set: Tochigi City in Tochigi Prefecture, Setagaya in Tokyo, and Tanegashima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.

🎬 2 places

BULLBUSTER

Kyushu ・ Asano, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka・Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka

A robot anime about a young engineer seconded to a pest control company who battles giant beasts with his own robot while struggling with costs. Kitakyushu, Fukuoka is selected for the 88 Anime Spots, and places around the city, starting with Ainoshima Island, served as models for the setting.

🎬 1 place

IRODUKU: The World in Colors

Kyushu ・ Nagasaki City, Nagasaki

The story of a high school girl who cannot see colors, is sent by magic into Nagasaki's past, and changes alongside the friends she meets there. Nagasaki City in Nagasaki, where the story is set, is selected for the 88 Anime Spots.

🎬 4 places

The Colors Within

Kyushu ・ Minamiyamatemachi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki・Sasebo, Nagasaki・Goto, Nagasaki (Hisakajima Island)

An original animated film directed by Naoko Yamada about Totsuko, a high school girl who sees people as colors, who forms a band with her classmate Kimi and a boy named Rui. Nagasaki, Sasebo, Goto and Shinkamigoto in Nagasaki Prefecture, which served as models for the film, are selected for the 88 Anime Spots.

🎬 4 places

Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion

Kyushu ・ Mitsushimamachi, Tsushima, Nagasaki・Komoda, Izuharamachi, Tsushima, Nagasaki・Izuharamachi, Tsushima, Nagasaki

A historical action series set on Tsushima in the Kamakura period, depicting a samurai exiled to the island and the people who live there. Tsushima in Nagasaki, the setting of the story, is selected for the 88 Anime Spots.

Places are based on information from local governments, tourism associations, official sources of each work and the Anime Tourism Association. Limited-time collaborations, prices and opening hours are not listed — please check each official site before you go.

Sources

Checked: 2026-10-14