Have you ever wondered about the place your favorite anime is based on? The popular anime “Erased” take place in Hokkaido prefecture’s fourth largest city, Tomakomai. Let’s take a look at all the real-life locations that Satoru Fujinuma and his friends hang out at in the anime!
Tomakomai Municipal Misono Elementary School
After Satoru is sent back into the past by his “revival” ability, he revisits his hometown elementary school which is based after Tomakomai Municipal Misono Elementary School. As you can see it looks quite similar to the building used in the anime.
Inside the school grounds, you can see the playground where Satoru and his friends play together. This scene also shows up in the opening as well. Although you can’t actually enter the school grounds, it could be fun to compare the similarities from the outside!
Shinichijo-doori Shotengai
Shinichijo-doori Shotengai is a shopping street in Tomakomai which also appears in the anime in episode four. As you can see, it still looks the same to this day! There are various shops on this street, as well as small landmarks you can stop by or enjoy looking at while passing through.
Tomakomai City Technology Center
Perhaps the most interesting place to visit of all the local landmarks is the Tomakomai City Technology Center that makes its appearance in episode four and seven.
One particularly striking scene from the anime is the one in which Satoru proclaims, “He’s my friend!” to Kayo while pointing at this bear statue.
Although this bear was originally displayed in the Technology Center, it was actually donated to the Tomakomai City Art Museum thanks to the popularity of Erased and even has a little plaque talking about its role in the anime!
This display containing a vacuum tube television from the 1940s is exactly as it was in the anime. It just so happens that there is an amateur radio broadcasting club held by the Technology Center right across from the display.
Spot Information
- Facility name: Tomakomai City Technology Center
- Address: 3 Chome-1-12 Asahimachi, Tomakomai, Hokkaido 053-0018
- Access: A 20-min walk from JR Tomakomai Station
- Hour of Operation: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Mondays off, year-end holidays Dec 29 to Jan 3)
The Riverside Near Taiseicho 2-Chome
Another spot you won’t want to miss visiting while in the area is the gazebo on the riverside near Taiseicho 2-chome in Tomakomai. This location is where Satoru and his friends often gather after school. Since the events of Erased during Satoru’s childhood mostly take place in winter, you may want to come during that time to take a picture that resembles the scenes from the anime!
Check out this map curated by the city to find even more local spots from the anime to visit!
http://www.tomakomai-kanko.jp/map/roke_bokumachi.html
We hope you enjoyed this look into the local charm of the areas used in the Erased anime. If you get the chance, please visit them in person when you come to Japan!
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