Anime in Kumamoto

The first statue (installed on 30 November 2018), in front of the prefectural government. In the project's story, the Straw Hat crew lands in the "Land of Hi" (Kumamoto), sees the damage from the 2016 earthquake, and Luffy orders each of them to help the recovery with their own speciality; they promise to meet again here.

The ship's doctor (installed on 7 November 2020) came to the Kumamoto zoo and botanical garden, whose animal enclosures were damaged in the earthquake. He looks after the animals that had to be evacuated to zoos outside the prefecture and brings smiles to the children who visit.

The swordsman (installed on 22 January 2022) stands in Ōzu's central park, a town with a strong kendo tradition whose dōjō, where children trained, was damaged in the earthquake. He trains with them in the plaza to build a town that will not give in to earthquakes.

The navigator (installed on 31 July 2021) came to Nishihara, where the earthquake damaged whole hamlets and rebuilding the community is the challenge. Recalling her own experience in Cocoyasi Village, she sends winds of encouragement to the windmills, the village's damaged symbol, and to all its communities.

The sniper (installed on 8 December 2019) stands in front of Aso Station. He came to the city whose vast grasslands, its residents' pride, were badly damaged, and helps regenerate them with his "green" power tools.

The cook (installed on 7 December 2019) came to Mashiki, which suffered two earthquakes of intensity 7 and lost its school-lunch centre. Using local produce, he makes warm meals for the health and smiles of the town's children.

The archaeologist (installed on 9 October 2021) stands at the former Aso campus of Tōkai University, now the core of the KIOKU earthquake museum, which passes on the damage and lessons of the quake. As a storyteller of history, she helps preserve its memory. The museum is open 9:00–17:00 and closed on Mondays.

The shipwright (installed on 21 November 2020) came to Takamori, whose Minamiaso Railway, the way to get to hospital and school, was cut. Like his master Tom, who built the Sea Train, he swings his hammer at the terminal station for the reopening of the whole line, which came in July 2023.

The musician (installed on 8 November 2020) came to Mifune, where the earthquake damaged its music university and many homes. With songs of encouragement alongside the music students, and his jokes, he supports the residents' emotional recovery.

The helmsman (installed on 23 July 2022) came to Uto, where a new city hall is being built after the earthquake damage. With his back to the Ariake Sea, he watches over the residents and steers the recovery.

The Hisatsu Orange Railway station the characters use to get to school; in the series it is called 'Mishiki Station'. Ashikita displays series panels and original art at the station.

Ashikita's public high school served as the model for 'Umino High School' that Hina and her breakwater-club friends attend.

Tsurukiyama fishing port and its breakwater (teibō) are the series' central setting: the place where the club gathers to fish day after day.

A real fishing tackle shop in Ashikita that served as the model for the 'Takohige-ya' shop in the series, where the club buys its gear.

The gateway to 'Natsume country': the station of the Kuma-valley onsen town appears in the series and gathers the pilgrimage information, with corners devoted to Nyanko-sensei.

The little shrine wrapped in a sacred grove on a Sagara hill is one of the series' most recognisable settings: its tree tunnel and steps appear in openings and episodes, and the village signposts it as an official location. (Approximate coordinate by address.)

The stone walls and riverside meadows of the old Sagara clan castle evoke the settings where Natsume strolls and talks with spirits; the grounds are a National Historic Site overlooking the old town.

The old blacksmiths' street, with its wooden houses, sake breweries and century-old tea shops, distils the atmosphere of the quiet town where Natsume's life with the Fujiwaras unfolds.

A Kumamoto park with the grave of the historical Musashi, said to have been buried in his armour. It does not appear in the manga, but it is one of the stops on the Musashi trail that Vagabond fans follow.