Why Visit Hida and Suwa?

While the Tokyo locations from Your Name are convenient half-day stops, the countryside locations that inspired Itomori are where the film's emotional heart lives. Hida-Furukawa in Gifu Prefecture and Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture provided the visual and cultural foundation for Mitsuha's rural hometown. Visiting both requires more planning but rewards you with quieter, more immersive experiences.

Getting to Hida-Furukawa

From Tokyo

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya (about 1 hour 40 minutes), then transfer to the JR Hida Wide View limited express to Hida-Furukawa (about 2 hours 45 minutes). Total journey time is roughly 4.5 hours one-way. A JR Pass covers the entire route.

From Takayama

If you are already in the Takayama area, Hida-Furukawa is just one stop north on the JR Takayama Line (15 minutes, about ¥240). Many travelers combine Takayama's old town with a Hida-Furukawa side trip.

Key Locations in Hida-Furukawa

Hida-Furukawa Station

The station building and platform closely match Itomori's train station in the film. Stand on the platform facing the mountains for the signature angle. The station is small and photogenic — you can capture good comparison shots within 10 minutes of arrival.

Hida City Library

The interior of the town library inspired the scene where Taki researches the comet disaster. The building is a short walk from the station. Please be respectful of other visitors and keep photography quiet.

Keta-Wakamiya Shrine

This Shinto shrine contributed to the design of Miyamizu Shrine in the film, where Mitsuha serves as a shrine maiden. The torii gate, stone steps, and surrounding cedar trees are worth the 15-minute walk from the town center. The shrine is free to visit and typically uncrowded.

Getting to Lake Suwa

From Tokyo

Take the JR Chuo Line limited express Azusa from Shinjuku to Kami-Suwa Station (about 2 hours 15 minutes, around ¥4,000 one-way). The train runs along a scenic mountain route. Lake Suwa is a 10-minute walk from the station.

From Hida-Furukawa

There is no direct connection. The most practical route is Hida-Furukawa to Nagoya (JR Hida), then Nagoya to Shiojiri (JR Shinano), then Shiojiri to Kami-Suwa (JR Chuo). Total: about 4 to 5 hours. Consider visiting on separate days.

Lake Suwa Highlights

Lake Suwa is a large natural lake that inspired the caldera lake near Itomori. Walk along the lakeside promenade for the best views. In autumn, the surrounding mountains turn red and gold, closely matching the film's palette. Suwa Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines, sits near the lake and adds spiritual depth to the visit.

Where to Eat

Hida-Furukawa and Takayama

  • Hida Croquette (飛騨コロッケ): A local street snack made with Hida beef. Sold at multiple shops along Furukawa's old canal district for around ¥200 to ¥300 each. Crispy outside, rich and savory inside.
  • Hida Beef (飛騨牛): One of Japan's top wagyu brands. Available as steak, sushi on rice crackers, or grilled skewers at Takayama's morning market and Furukawa's restaurants. Budget ¥2,000 to ¥5,000 for a proper hida beef meal.
  • Hourai Sake (蓬莱): Brewed locally by Watanabe Brewery in Hida-Furukawa. The kuchikamizake ritual in the film references sake culture. Visit the brewery shop to sample and purchase bottles. A 300ml bottle starts around ¥500.

Lake Suwa Area

  • Shinshu Soba: Nagano Prefecture is famous for buckwheat noodles. Several soba restaurants near Kami-Suwa Station serve fresh handmade noodles for ¥800 to ¥1,200.
  • Local Onsen Eggs and Snacks: The Suwa lakeside has small vendors selling soft-boiled eggs and mochi.

Accommodation

Hida-Furukawa / Takayama

  • Budget: Guesthouses and hostels in Takayama from ¥3,000 per night. Hida-Furukawa has fewer options but some minshuku (family-run inns) from ¥4,500.
  • Mid-range: Business hotels in Takayama Station area from ¥6,000 to ¥9,000.
  • Splurge: Traditional ryokan with onsen in Hida-Furukawa or Takayama's Okuhida area from ¥15,000. These offer multi-course kaiseki dinners featuring hida beef.

Lake Suwa

  • Budget: Business hotels near Kami-Suwa Station from ¥5,000.
  • Mid-range: Lakeside hotels with onsen from ¥8,000 to ¥12,000. Suwa is a historic hot spring town with many onsen-equipped accommodations.
  • Day-use onsen: If not staying overnight, several public baths along the lakeside charge ¥600 to ¥800 for a soak.

Planning Tips

  • A JR Pass covers all trains to both Hida-Furukawa and Lake Suwa, making it very cost-effective for a multi-day trip
  • Hida-Furukawa is best combined with Takayama (15 minutes away) for a 2-day trip
  • Visit Hida-Furukawa's morning market (every morning, 6 AM to noon) for local produce and crafts
  • Autumn (October to November) gives the best match to the film's visual palette
  • English signage is limited outside stations — download offline maps and translation apps before you go