Did you like Your Name? Here is your bucket list in Japan!

The first thing that catches the eye when watching a Makoto Shinkai production is the setting in which the heroes evolve. There is a deep love of Tokyo, and in general of Japanese landscapes, in the art of Makoto Shinkai. The colours, the efforts put to make it the most realistic possible, and even the sound design simply transport you to a real-life Tokyo, Gujo, or any other location that the director took inspiration from. Many years after its grand debut, Your Name is still deeply loved and many of us watch it while daydreaming of touring these incredibly good-looking places. Well, search no more, we’ve compiled our favourite real-life Your Name places for you, but be careful – spoilers ahead!

The most obvious: the stairs where Taki and Mitsuha finally meet

The most important scene of the movie ends it – usually with us shedding a few (a lot of) tears – and is, of course, the most popular real-life location of them all. When the hype was at its highest, you would have to patiently wait for your turn if you hoped to take a picture there. It’s a bit calmer now but you will eventually meet cosplayers or other Your Name fans on your way to the stairs. They are a little bit far away from any major tourist spots but it’s a great chance to visit some residential areas of Tokyo and see how the city looks without its tourists. Another bonus point: you can find a lovely shrine just next to the stairs!

Address: 〒160-0018 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Sugacho, 5

The cutest: the restaurant where Taki works

Even though the setting of the restaurant is slightly different in real life, the interior is almost perfectly the same and you will get an “I’m in Your Name” feeling as soon as you enter it. Located 20 mins by foot from the stairs, and near the entrance of Shinjuku Parc, it is a perfect stop when wanting to combine the two in one day! The restaurant might have a fancy feeling but this Italian franchise is affordable for lunch or even a snack. If you visit to take a souvenir photo, we recommend you try it out.

Address: 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 1 Chome−1−7 1F・2F Cosmo Shinjuku Gyoen Biru

The most practical: central Shinjuku!

Near Shinjuku Station, you will find the landmark O-Guard. Between a large tunnel going under the railway and the Seibu Shinjuku train station, you can spot the building that use to bear a LABI sign. It was taken down in 2020 and made the news for quite some time… It was there for so long, and so representative of the neighbourhood that its disappearance was an event.

If the LABI sign doesn’t exist anymore, the building is still quite impressive and stands as a landmark in the area. From there, you can explore Kabuki-Cho, Golden Gai, or just wander in the gigantic Shinjuku Station – which is also an attraction. Also featured in the movie: Shinjuku Station central entrance in Lumine 2! But be careful, it is easily one of the busiest places in the city so it can get overwhelming.

Address: 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome-30-1

The most impressive: the romantic yet sad encounter between Mitsuha and Taki

Before they meet at the Sugacho staircase, Mitsuha and Taki cross paths on the Shintoshin Pedestrian bridge, not far from Takarazuka University. You will easily guess that a simple pedestrian bridge was not particularly suited to become a tourist spot and that must be why Shinkai picked it: it’s a perfect symbol of everyday life in Tokyo, a bridge we might all cross, where we might walk on the same path of a soulmate.

The landscape of this neighbourhood is so typical of central urban Tokyo, that it makes a perfect night-time photo. We recommend going after the sun sets to try and experience the nightlife of this business area of Tokyo.

Address: 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, 12 Nishishinjuku, Shintoshin Pedestrian Bridge (Shintoshin Hodokyo)

The countryside city with a tragic fate: Lake Suwa

If the city where Mitsuha lives is blown away at some point in the movie, the real-life location that inspired it is still there! Lake Suwa is the largest lake in Nagano Prefecture, and like in the movie, the complex of shrines around it is really important in the local folklore. Even though the Lake is located in what you could call the “deep Japanese countryside”, there are quite a few sightseeing sites in Suwa city! The summer fireworks are particularly enjoyed by teenagers in the region, you could also take a boat to approach geysers or simply wander in the local museums.

Address: 〒393-0052 Nagano, Suwa District, Shimosuwa

The location that actually met a tragic fate: Aogashima

Do you fancy visiting some Tokyo islands? It is not a well-known fact but a part of Tokyo is distributed through islands located to the south of the capital – the very south. 200 years ago, on Aogashima, a class-C volcano erupted and created a round crater on the island – a wound in the earth so large that it makes almost the total of the island's surface.

Aogashima is reputed for its luscious forests, its population of only 200 people, and its untouched nature. A jewel of Tokyo city that deserves the boat or helicopter trip.

Address: 〒100-1701 Tokyo, Aogashima

The holy place lost in the woods

In Gifu Prefecture, head to Hida Sannogu Hie Shrine to discover the Miyamizu Shrine. You will spot the same location where Mitsuha and her little sister performed a traditional and religious dance in this secluded sanctuary. Gifu Prefecture has a lot of nature to offer and even if the visit can seem a little bit off-path, it is still close to Takayama City!

There is something magical to the landscape around this shrine that inspired the very one where Mitsuha performs rites in the movie. Must-see.

Address: 〒506-0822 Gifu, Takayama, 156 Shiroyama

There are many more scenes from the movie that you could compare side to side with the real-life Tokyo or Japanese countryside (and still, be mesmerized by the level of details put into drawing them!) and we focused on the most important ones today, but wait…

Bonus! Did you also like Weathering with you? Well, here you go!

Most of Weathering with you action is set inside Tokyo, so it makes touring way easier, but maybe a little less dreamy. To go back into the movie atmosphere, try the Tenka Ippin ramen franchise near the Godzilla statue in Kabuki-cho – it is a really good ramen restaurant too! You can start there and walk a few more minutes to take a glimpse at the Cocoon Tower, near the JR station. Then, you can explore the internationally famous Shibuya crossing but Odaiba and Ikebukuro are other possibilities!

This is just a sneak peek… Interested? Tell us! We would gladly continue this list with other great touring spots in Japan to live your Makoto Shinkai dreams. Our team is also here for you if you need to double-check your itinerary! Don’t hesitate to book an online consultation with us if needed.