Anime in Gunma

A caldera lake at the summit of Mount Haruna, around 1,080 m. It is the series' 'Lake Akina', the start of the legendary downhill Takumi races and a meeting point for the teams. Its snowy winter scenery appears in key moments.

Prefectural Route 33, linking Ikaho onsen with Lake Haruna, is the road that inspires the Akina downhill; its five consecutive hairpins are the corners Takumi masters with his cup-of-water technique. (Coordinate approximate, a point on the route.)

One of the 'Three Mountains of Jōmō', home course of the Akagi RedSuns led by the Takahashi brothers. Stretches of the Gunma road climbing the mountain appear in numerous episodes as the Akagi touge.

A jagged, rocky mountain, another of the 'Three Mountains of Jōmō' and home course of the Myōgi Night Kids. Its winding roads are the setting of several races in the series. (Coordinate approximate, of the massif.)

A mountain pass between Gunma and Nagano, famous for its brick arch bridges (the 'glasses bridge'). It is the home course of Impact Blue, the duo of Mako and Sayuki who challenge Takumi in one of the most memorable duels.

A hot-spring town at the foot of Mount Haruna, in Shibukawa, anchoring the area where Takumi lives and works and delivers his family shop's tofu at dawn. Its famous stone staircase roots the series in the real Gunma. (Coordinate approximate, of the town.)

Renowned for its highly acidic water and extraordinary therapeutic properties. Its undisputed symbol is the "Yubatake" (hot water field), where spring water flows through historic wooden cooling chutes. In the series climax, Lucius is inspired by the perfect communal layout of this hot spring town and the traditional Yumomi ritual (stirring water with wooden paddles) to design a grand Roman thermal resort.

Founded in 1691 in the mountains of Gunma, this is the oldest surviving wooden hot-spring inn (ryokan) in Japan. Its Genroku-style main building features elegant Romanesque arched windows and exudes mystical beauty. The peace of its healing waters and traditional architecture inspire Lucius about the value of bathing as preventive medicine and spiritual rest.

The Tōbu station from which Kimari and Shirase set off towards their southern dream. Its white-gabled façade appears from episode one, and it now greets fans with series panels.

The azalea park on the shore of Jōnuma pond stages key walks and talks of the quartet: the waterside bench where Kimari and Shirase seal their promise is a mandatory pilgrimage stop.

Sekizenkan Ryokan — Shima Onsen, Gunma