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】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
Uniqlo releasing first-ever Pokémon T-shirts inspired by Trading Card Game artwork【Photos】
Japanese model shuns perfect beauty, says she just wants to be “f*****g REAL”
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
10 of our absolute favorite places to spend a day in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
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
Tokyo’s giant Gundam statue dismantled in anime-like scene that’s warming the hearts of fans
Studio Ghibli images go viral for perfectly depicting the life of a housewife
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