There are many instances of anime successes rejuvenating tourism in some lesser-known parts of Japan, and one of those towns that benefitted from an anime boom is Iwami of Tottori Prefecture, the setting location for the hit anime series Free!.
Even now, two years since Free! first aired, fans are still flocking to Iwami to drink in the atmosphere of the town where their favorite characters “live.” A Japanese fan recently went the extra mile to combine some of the anime scenes and actual locations into a single frame, creating awesome 2.5-dimensional images that went viral and triggered the feels in fellow fans. Check them out after the break!
Iwami is a coastal town located at the north-easternmost part of Tottori Prefecture. Before Free!’s big break, visitors came to the town for its breathtaking views of mountains, natural rock formations, and of course, its beautiful beaches. Since the anime became popular, however, Iwami started seeing a new group of tourists who came forth to see the “hometown” of Haruka, Makoto, and the rest of the Free! gang.
▼ A poster featuring the anime’s leading characters welcomes visitors to Iwami.
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/633856597685440512Much of the background scenery in the anime was heavily based on actual places in Iwami, to the extent that a fan could literally crop out scenes in the anime and fit them right into their real-world locations!
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/633997863576453120
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/633989562595852288
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/634602083899969536
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/634604199146225664
▼ Free! fans, do you remember which scenes these places popped up in?
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/634102380422819840
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/634694478364721152
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/634603864486887424
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/633989024760205313
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/634696059533422592
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/634698587201384450
There are several ways to tour the town; on foot, by bus, by taxi, or you could simply rent a bicycle for just 500 yen (US$4.20) a day. The Iwami Tourism Association also has a few recommended cycling routes, among which the Free! Location Full Course covers ten locations featured in the anime.
▼ The blue dotted line indicates the full course, which covers 13.3 kilometers (8.3 miles) and takes about three and a half hours to complete (time estimated for cycling only).
▼ Even the keys to the rental bikes are decorated with character keychains!
https://twitter.com/momo_hiki29/status/634351731233591296For more information on Iwami, visit the Iwami Tourism Association homepage.
Source: Game Over
Images: Twitter/@momo_hiki29, Iwami Tourism Association
Iwami in Tottori Prefecture is now offering a Free!/High Speed! anime tie-in location map guide
Anime fans object to plan to plant cherry blossom trees at movie’s real-life location in Japan
Female anime fans swarm Tokyo convention site in massive numbers 【Photos】
Love Live! fan visits Mari’s room inside Awashima Hotel, finds anime details exist in real life!
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Blowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Man in Japan takes four parakeets hostage in attempt to force woman to meet with him
Japan law lets you claim reward for finding lost property, man may have scammed it over 60 times
Does this Dormy Inn near Mt. Fuji offer the best business hotel breakfast in all of Japan?
Studio Ghibli diorama boxes are much more beautiful than your elementary school art project【Pics】
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
The most awesome anime fan art is fan art that’s also traditional Japanese sweets【Photos】
Japanese netizens rank the top 10 cutest twins in anime history
Studio Ghibli images go viral for perfectly depicting the life of a housewife
Tokyo’s giant Gundam statue dismantled in anime-like scene that’s warming the hearts of fans
Got a collection of anime clear files? Then you need these super-cheap frames from Japan’s Nitori
Legendary manga creator Rumiko Takahashi gives Twitter tour of her home【Photos】
Top cosplayer Enako cosplays at Tokyo Game Show for SNK’s City of the Wolves【Photos】
Leave a Reply