The setting of Kamisama Kiss! I went to Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture [Pilgrimage to sacred place]

I visited Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, the setting of the popular shojo manga Kamisama Kiss by Julietta Suzuki!

 

 

 

What is Kamisama Kiss?

 

Kamisama Kiss is a shojo manga that was serialized in the shojo manga magazine “Hana to Yume” from 2008 to 2016.

 

In October 2012, it was adapted into its first TV anime. Later, a second season was aired in January 2015.

 

In 2015, it was adapted for the stage, and has been widely developed in the media and loved for a long time.

 

 

What is Kawagoe like?

 

Kawagoe, the setting of Kamisama Kiss, is called Koedo Kawagoe (Little Edo Kawagoe) and still retains its Edo-era style of warehouses and streetscapes.

 

In particular, many people may know the name of Kashiya Yokocho and Hikawa Shrine, a match-making shrine.

 

Kawagoe is such a well-known tourist destination with easy access from the city center, and can be reached in about 30 minutes from Ikebukuro.

 

Kawagoe, which is not so far from the city center but is lined with good old townscapes, is a place where you can enjoy an extraordinary experience, such as eating and sightseeing as well as pilgrimages to sacred places.

 

 

How to get to Kawagoe

There are several ways to get to Kawagoe from Tokyo Station, but we recommend taking the Marunouchi Line to Ikebukuro and then the Tobu Tojo Line.

 

It is easy to change trains, and you will arrive at Kawagoe in 49 minutes, which is the fastest of all the ways.

 

The cost is 670-yen for one way (Marunouchi Line: 200 yen, Tobu Tojo Line: 470 yen).

 

Kawagoe Station sells a one-day free pass for 400 yen that allows you to enjoy sightseeing in the city at a reasonable price, so you can enjoy sightseeing and eating as you like without the burden of transportation costs.

 

 

Spots in Kawagoe that appear in Kamisama Kiss

Kawagoe Prefectural High School

 

This is the Kawagoe Prefectural High School, the model for Ujigami High School where Nanami, Tomoe, Mizuki, and Kurama usually go.

 

It is located a little far from the station, but it is an impressive spot in Kamisama Kiss, so please be sure to visit there!

 

 

Fujimi Yagura Ruins in Ontake Shrine

 

Fujimi Yagura Ruins (Remains of the Guard Tower of Kawagoe Castle) in Ontake Shrine, which served as the model for Mikage Shrine, offer a good view of the entire Kawagoe area.

 

Unfortunately, it is now designated as a dangerous area, and a “Danger” sign was attached in front of the stairs overgrown with trees.

 

 

Kashiya Yokocho

 

Kashiya Yokocho, which was the model for Ayakashi’s world, is a small alley located about 15 minutes on foot from Kawagoe and Honkawagoe Stations.

 

Due to a fire in 2015, the place that was modeled does not remain as it was, but you can still feel the good old atmosphere.

 

It’s famous for selling long Fugashi (dried wheat gluten snack)!

 

The place is built like an old shopping street and is very quiet.

 

 

The Kawagoe Castle Nakanomonhori Ruins

 

In the first episode of the second season of anime, Nanami and Tomoe were waiting for the bus at this very spot!

 

It was the scene where the fight broke out between Tomoe, who became overprotective of Nanami because he was worried about her, and Nanami, who wanted to do her best on her own.

 

 

 

Found a location with the same angle as this scene!

 

The same angle seems to be a little off to the left of the entrance.

 

There is no actual bus stop, but you can feel as if you were Nanami.

 

It faces the street of Kawagoe City Hall, but I didn’t see any other people there, probably because it is not a well-known place.

 

 

Kawagoe First Avenue

 

Kawagoe First Avenue is a place that has appeared many times when commuting to school or visiting the outside world.

 

It is a perfect match with the warehouse-styled streetscape.

 

It also appears in the opening movie of Kamisama Kiss Season 2.

 

 

 

This building with a distinctive green roof is the former Saitama Resona Bank, which is reflected behind Tomoe in opening movie.

 

It is not currently in use, but it is one of the most famous buildings in Kawagoe.

 

 

 

The very building in the background is the Time Bell Tower.

 

It must be flying pretty high considering its surprising height.

 

 

 

Time Bell Tower was also mentioned in the scene in episode 6 where Nanami and Himemiko of the Swamp are eating Imo Koi*.

 

* Imo Koi means sweet potato buns. There is a store nearby that sells Imo Koi for eating and walking around, and they were sold for 180 yen each.

 

 

Hayashiya

 

Hayashiya, the model for the sweet shop, is an eel restaurant which is famous locally for its delicious taste.

 

It is one of the regular courses for Nanami and Himemiko of the Swamp.

 

It is Nanami’s favorite restaurant and the first one she entered when she and Tomoe came looking for Kotaro in the episode 3 of the first season.

 

 

 

It seems you can even dine at the same table, and it seems some people actually ate at this table. I wish I had too!

 

Regardless of weekdays or holidays, there is always a long line of people waiting in line until lunch time ends at 2:30 pm.

 

I guess I’ll just have to be prepared and get there early when I go…

 

 

Honkawagoe Station East Exit

 

Honkawagoe Station is the sacred site that served as the model for the station where Nanami, troubled by her feelings for Tomoe, lived when she returned home from gods’ conference.

 

The scenery in front of the station in Kawagoe is also beautifully recreated.

 

Further ahead, there are many places you have seen before, including a bus stop, which will surely raise your spirits.

 

 

 

This scene is modeled after the Crea Mall shopping street near Kawagoe Station.

 

If you actually go there, you will see that many of the places look familiar, although some of the stores have changed. It’s so exciting!

 

 

Kita-in Temple

 

Kita-in Temple is one of the places where Nanami and Himemiko of the Swamp went around dressed in kimonos.

 

The location featured in the anime is the exterior view from the main entrance of Kita-in, where some people took pictures imitating their poses.

 

In Kawagoe, there are kimono rental stores all over the city, and you can rent a kimono for about 3,000 yen per person.

 

There are also many stores that will even dress you if you come empty-handed on the day of your visit, so we recommend making the kimono pilgrimage on the spur of the moment!

 

 

Kawagoe Kumano Shrine

 

This is the shrine where Nanami and Himemiko of the Swamp prayed for their health with foot pressure points.

 

There are many people who pray for their health by doing the same foot pressure points as Nanami and the other two while holding their shoes in their hands.

 

I tried it myself, but it hurt actually… I could understand why Nanami was in pain…

 

Kumano Shrine is blessed with good luck and marriage, so it might be a good idea to make a wish while making a pilgrimage to the holy place.

 

*Kumano Shrine is located in front of Kawagoe First Avenue, where the bell of time is located, so be careful not to miss it.

 

 

Kawagoe is full of Kamisama Kiss!

 

At Kumano Shrine, one of the holy places, there was a display of works created by local high school students introducing Kawagoe as a holy place!

 

The Kamisama Kiss was also carefully put together, and I couldn’t help but take a picture of it. lol

 

 

 

For lunch, I avoided the crowded Kawagoe First Avenue even after lunchtime and had a set meal of pickled bonito (950 yen) at Daikoku Restaurant located a little off the beaten path.

 

It is a small restaurant, but offers a set meal with rice, which is rare in this area.

 

Surprisingly, there are many udon restaurants, and it is rare to find a place where you can eat rice.

 

 

 

In addition, the Kamisama Kiss stamp was available as the 88th spot for “Anime Tourism,” which was done in collaboration with Club Tourism.

 

Although our pilgrimage to the holy places was after the anime had finished airing, we were so excited to see all the places where we could feel Kamisama Kiss! I want to go back there again taking time.

 

Kawagoe City’s official website has a special page for the Kamisama Kiss locality tour.

 

The areas introduced here are also listed, so if you are interested, please take a look at this page as well!

 

 

© Julietta Suzuki / Hakusensha, Kamisama Kiss Production Committee