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Mada nai, yo!
Scratching another off the list of anime pilgrimages, I headed out to Chichibu today. In part I was hoping to catch a little break from the heat, but no luck there – despite its mountain setting it felt even hotter in Chichibu than Tokyo for some reason. But I’ve also wanted to visit Chichibu for a while because it’s known as quite a pretty area, and because it’s the setting for AnoHana. If you stick to the non limited-express you can get all the way out there for ¥950 so it’s always been a tempting option for a day trip.
It’s quite clear from the moment you arrive in town (though I already knew) that Chichibu had adopted AnoHana as its signature attraction in a big way. And judging by the number of weekday pilgrims I saw, the AnoHana mystique is definitely thriving. You’re greeted with Menma sake and Anaru soda as soon as you step off the Seibu Chichibu Line train, and the series is proudly on display everywhere you look (though sharing space this week with Seibu’s “Attack on Chichibu” promotion). Last summer huge crowds descended on the town for its “AnoHana Summer Matsuri“. It’s cynical, sure – its always cynical when a group of old men and women who generally wouldn’t walk across the street to piss on an anime fan if they were on fire decide to cash in. But due to its unusually heartfelt nature, this one seems to have actually resonated with the folks in Chichibu to a certain extent.
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I get it. Not to rehash the points I raised when I reviewed the AnoHana movie, but this anime is visceral in a way few are. In terms of a potent, gut-level emotional reaction, there are very few that can match it for me. I love Cross Game and Tsuritama probably even slightly more than AnoHana but I don’t think it would impact me quite as much to see the locations (indeed, I did see many Tsuritama spots on Enoshima).
I managed to catch up to quite a few series settings, despite my back reducing my stamina for long walks a bit (Chichibu town is pretty spread out). I never did find the Secret Base (not even the cafe based on it) but among others I did find were the Chichibu Bridge and Chichibu Jinja. And then of course there’s Jourinji, the “Hide and Seek Temple” that plays such a major role in the story. This was the most emotional for me, by far. It’s a small, beautiful old temple (one of the 34-temple pilgrimage route in Chichibu) set in a residential neighborhood, unassuming until you see it up close and it really hits home that it’s as familiar as your back yard.
I wandered the grounds, looked at the carvings and the AnoHana-themed Ema, dropped my coin in the box and prayed. This is one of the rare temples where you can ring the main temple bell, so of course I did that – and I waited till no one was about and shouted “Mada nai, yo!” What the priest (and any unseen pilgrims) thought of that I can’t say. But the feeling of melancholy it sparked in me was really powerful, surprisingly so. Perhaps that final scene was playing itself in my head, the sense of not wanting something to end but knowing it has to, and I was thinking not just of my day trip but my stay in Japan as well.
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![Anohana the Movie -66[2]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1tw-iXohtvM/U-OP76F_3LI/AAAAAAAFEX4/bQURHdVnz9U/s1600-h/Anohana%252520the%252520Movie%252520-66%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "Anohana the Movie -66[2]") |
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elianthos80
August 7, 2014 at 3:08 pmAw Enzo :,).
AnoHana is one series that left me with very mixed feelings unfortunately but other than the source itself I think everyone can relate at least a bit about the peculiar emotional pull of something viscerally dear or close to us… or the melancholy of parting.
Love the temple photos. Thanks for sharing them.
Nadavu
August 7, 2014 at 7:11 pmWell, I'm definitely visiting there, but I don't think I'll have the courage to actually yell anything out loud (unless it's an 大声大会).
Is your stay in Japan nearing its end, Enzo?
leongsh
August 7, 2014 at 10:20 pmI think it was some time near the start of October 2012 that he went to Tokyo for the programme. I recall it was just a few days before I went for my Tokyo trip in early October 2012. The programme gives you up to 2 years. Thus, he will be leaving soon – probably end-September 2014. That said, I'll be in Japan in early October 2014 for a week =P
admin
August 7, 2014 at 11:33 pmI have until January to find a job (or a wife) with a visa attached.
pocarisweat88
August 8, 2014 at 2:59 amFind yourself a wife Enzo. I believe in you! :p
Ronbb
August 8, 2014 at 4:28 amYup…find a wife, Enzo :-).
elianthos80
August 8, 2014 at 1:13 pmJanuary? Ehehe. Be your hardworking charming terrier self Enzocchi 8D.
Who knows a nice lady over there is gonna find you first. To quote a golden oldie, Man Chases A Girl (Until She Catches Him). Ike ike! :p.
Ronbb
August 9, 2014 at 4:28 amHow about by January, you will find a job with a visa attached AND a wife :-).
admin
August 9, 2014 at 5:47 amI'll be a kept man, sure.
whemleh
August 7, 2014 at 11:37 pmI feel like not having as much anime to cover during the week has opened up more opportunities for you to make posts like this one. I think I like it.
I also always find it kind of amazing that places you see in anime like Jourinji here are actually real-life locations. You watch anime like Anohana and then it's like "Yes. Our country actually looks like that."
admin
August 7, 2014 at 11:42 pmActually, no – it's just because it's summer break.
Ronbb
August 8, 2014 at 4:30 amI'm just amazed by how anime/manga is embedded in everyday's life — it's definitely part of the culture. Hope that you're not experiencing too much back pain. Take care!
admin
August 8, 2014 at 5:09 amThe one that still calls out to me is retracing Takaki's train journey from 5 CM per Second. It's not cheap and it takes three hours even with no blizzard, and Iwafune is hardly a compelling destination at the end of the trip. But somehow, I really want to do it.
Nadavu
August 8, 2014 at 11:05 amOh, I'm so doing that. And by God, I'll get to Tanegashima as well. Ordered my flight ticket this morning 😀
admin
August 8, 2014 at 12:44 pmI think that one is a test of just how much of a fan you are. Three hours of relatively boring scenery on puddle-jumper local trains to get a place you'd never ordinarily go to, with nothing to see. But…
Ronbb
August 9, 2014 at 4:25 amOh God, Enzo, that will be a bittersweet experience and reminiscence of the most bittersweet and beautiful part of 5 CM Per Second…! Honestly, my heart was so drawn to it…from Takaki planning his trip, drawing out the route, getting stuck on the train, finally meeting up with Akari, to parting with her…and the train scene was so beautiful. In fact, everything about 5 CM Per Second was so beautiful.