I visited Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, the location for the anime Bungo Stray Dogs! [anime pilgrimage]

Bungo Stray Dogs is an action anime where the character uses superpowers named after historical novelists’ works and their pseudonyms.

 

I went to Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, the location of this anime, which has aired up to its third season and the fourth season is scheduled to air in January 2023!

 

 

 

What kind of place is Yokohama?

 

In the SUUMO (real estate website) “Cities people want to live 2021 (Kanto area)”, Yokohama, the prefectural capital of Kanagawa, is the No.1 city for four years in a row.

 

There is a famous story “When people from Yokohama are asked where they’re from, they usually say Yokohama instead of Kanagawa Prefecture”.

 

In addition to Yokohama station, there are several huge concert halls and shopping malls (For exp. Minatomirai, China town). It is a great place to live but also a great place for sightseeing and otaku activities.

 

 

How to get to Yokohama Station

 

There are several routes from Tokyo Station: 25 min by JR Tokaido Line, 30 min by JR Yokosuka Line, and 41 min by JR Keihintouhokunegishi Line.

 

There is no need for transit when using the JR Tokaido Line and can reach Yokohama in 26min, so it is the most recommended route.

 

In addition to Tokyo Station, you can reach Yokohama in less than an hour from the main stations such as Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Shinagawa.

 

 

Anime pilgrimage sites for Bungo Stray Dogs

Around Yokohama Station

• Yokohama Station JR East Exit Passage

 

 

 

 

• Yokohama Station West Exit Fifth Avenue

 

These are daily scenes from episodes 8 and 9.

 

Since it is close to the station, there are many places for shopping.

 

Both sites are 1~2min from the ticket gate but it will take longer if you get out from a different gate so be careful.

 

 

Around Sakuragicho Station

Sakuragicho Station, where the Ferris Wheel,the Land Mark Tower, and Pacifico Yokohama are located, is one station (5min) away from Yokohama Station.

 

 

• Yokohama Museum of Art

 

This is where Dazai visited at the end of episode 24. It was an impressive scene, with Dazai unusually revealing his heart.

 

It was under construction when I visited the place, but it was still magnificent seeing the building from the outside.

 

 

• Yokohama Cosmo World

 

Same as in the anime, Yokohama Cosmo World is a great place to have a date.

 

They also have Cup Noddle Museum, Manyo-Club, and AEON Cinema nearby, so you can spend a whole day around Sakuragicho.

 

Tidbit:

Cosmo World is the amusement park where Shinichi got drugged and turned into a small boy in the live-action Detective Conan: Shinichi Kudo’s Written Challenge.

 

 

• Circle Walk

 

The opening and the ending movie for Bungo Stray Dogs are famous for their high quality.

 

Especially the animation for this Circle Walk is stunning, and it depicts the details of its unique shape.

 

 

Sakuragicho – Kannai

You can reach Kannai from Sakuragicho by train, but it’s not too far to walk (Yokohama to Sakuragicho is within walking distance too).

 

There are other sites along the way, so it will be fun to walk from Sakuragicho to Kannai and save money! (Eating delicious foods at the China Town in Kannai is super fun too)

 

 

• Red Brick Warehouse

 

Red Brick Warehouse, one of the famous tourist sites, is located 20min on foot from Sakuramachi Station.

 

There are many daily events hosted and the site is illuminated in winter and many families and couples come to see it.

 

There are no Crapes sold in Kitchen cars, but you can get one in a cafe in the warehouse so don’t forget to try it out.

 

 

• Elephant’s Nose Park

 

It was used in a casual scene for Dazai’s meeting spot, but it is a very cool scene and this is one of my favorite scenes.

 

There are relatively few people around this site, so it is the perfect place to relax and chill.

 

However, you will have to walk a little from the station so it might not be a good idea to use it as a meeting spot.

 

 

Yamashita Rinkosen Promenade

 

This is a scene in the ending where Dazai, Nakajima, and Akutagawa are in.

 

It’s rare to see all three of them together in one place, so it is a scene you don’t want to miss.

 

It is hard to see in the ending movie, but the background is the ocean, so it is a great place to take a photo.

 

 

• Osanbashi Pier

 

 

This is a popular scene of Akutagawa.

 

It is a great scene showing Akutagawa’s chill expression, and Osanbashi is matching perfectly with its wooden structure. It is a perfect place to relax seeing the sunset.

 

Osanbashi is also used as a location for several dramas, so some of you might have seen this place.

 

 

• Fronf of Hikawa Maru in Yamashita Park

 

In episode 31, the spotlight is on the main character, Nakajima.

 

Nakajima had an opportunity to face his past, and many parents and children are depicted as a metaphor in this scene.

 

 

• Guardian of Water Square in Yamashita Park

 

This scene is depicted under the episode title and is a great scene where the three forces met each other and the viewers recognized the power balance.

 

This scene seems peculiar, but the next scene will be very shocking.

 

 

Shopping Street

 

This place is the Shopping Street that was depicted in the anime several times.

 

The picture taken is with less greenery and it was a little different from the anime, but there are many nice shops and it is a perfect street to enjoy shopping.

 

 

Near Kannai Station

Now we are very close to the station, so how about having Chinese food to satisfy your stomach?

 

Let’s head to Kannai Station while taking a rest on the way.

 

 

• Yokohama China Town

 

 

 

For many people, Chinatown comes up to mind when talking about Yokohama. Of course, it is in Bungo Stray Dogs as well.

 

As we compare it, we can see how high the animation quality is.

 

There are many places to see in Chinatown and we can also walk and eat, so it is a perfect place to explore.

 

 

• Yokohama Stadium

 

The last will be Yokohama Stadium so-called Hamasuta.

 

Many baseball fans come to see the games during the season here, and occasionally there is a food stand and events outside the stadium.

 

If you’re a fan, going shopping in the shop in Hamasuta is highly recommended.

 

 

Yokohama, the city you could feel Bungo Stray Dogs

Today we showed Yokohama, the anime pilgrimage for Bungo Stray Dogs.

 

Yokohama is the location for this title, and the city’s Culture and Tourism Bureau cooperates with the anime, so we could see many famous sites depicted in the anime.

 

There were also many collaboration events in the city such as stamp rallies in the Yokohama city subway at the time of the animation broadcasted.

 

The animation quality is very high, so it is very fun when you find the exact same angle as it was depicted in the anime.

 

There are also sightseeing spots included in the locations, so it is also fun to just watch and visit the sightseeing spots.

 

This time we started from Yokohama, but if you want to do shopping in Yokohama, I recommend the Sekiuchi → Sakuragicho → Yokohama route to avoid carrying your shopping bags.

 

There are still many places that appeared in Bungo Stray Dogs that I could not introduce this time, so make sure you explore the city if you want to know more about the anime!

 

 

© Kafka Asagiri, Sango Harukawa / Kadokawa / 2019 Bungo Stray Dogs Production Committee