Your Name Tokyo Pilgrimage Route — Shinjuku to Suga Shrine Walking Guide

Route Overview

Makoto Shinkai's Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) turned several Tokyo locations into must-visit destinations for anime fans worldwide. This walking route covers the film's key Tokyo scenes in a single half-day loop. Total distance: approximately 5 km. Estimated time: 3 to 4 hours including photo stops.

The route runs from Shinjuku Station through Yotsuya to the Suga Shrine staircase, finishing near Yotsuya-Sanchome Station. You can walk the entire route or hop on the metro between stops.

Stop 1: Shinjuku Station South Exit and the Pedestrian Overpass

The Scene

The Shinjuku Station south exit pedestrian overpass appears multiple times in the film. Taki crosses it on his way to his part-time job, with the NTT Docomo Tower visible in the background. The overpass is also where Taki and Mitsuha pass each other without realizing it.

Practical Details

Exit Shinjuku Station via the South Exit (南口) or the New South Exit (新南口). The overpass connects the station to Busta Shinjuku, the highway bus terminal. Mornings before 9 AM are quietest for unobstructed photos. Face south to get the Docomo Tower framed behind you, matching the film's angle.

Stop 2: Shinanomachi Station Area

The Scene

Shinanomachi Station on the JR Sobu Line appears as Taki's local station. The pedestrian bridge over the tracks and the surrounding residential streets are rendered almost identically in the film.

Practical Details

From Shinjuku, take the JR Sobu Line one stop east to Shinanomachi (3 minutes, covered by Suica/Pasmo). Alternatively, it is a pleasant 15-minute walk through Shinjuku Gyoen's northern edge. Stand on the platform's east end for the best angle matching the film.

Stop 3: Yotsuya-Sanchome Intersection

The Scene

The area around Yotsuya-Sanchome Station features in several transitional shots as Taki walks through central Tokyo. The intersection and surrounding streets have a quieter, more residential feel compared to Shinjuku's chaos.

Practical Details

Walk northeast from Shinanomachi along Gaien-Higashi-dori toward Yotsuya-Sanchome. This 10-minute walk passes several background locations from the film. Keep your reference screenshots handy as many of the matching spots are easy to miss at street level.

Stop 4: Suga Shrine Staircase — The Climax Location

The Scene

This is the iconic finale location. Taki and Mitsuha, having forgotten each other's names, pass on the staircase and turn around to ask, "What's your name?" The red handrail, the narrow stone steps, and the view down toward the street are instantly recognizable to any fan.

Practical Details

From Yotsuya-Sanchome Station, walk north along the residential streets for about 8 minutes. The staircase is at the south entrance to Suga Shrine (須賀神社), tucked between houses. The GPS coordinates are approximately 35.6876N, 139.7192E.

• Best photo time: Early morning (before 9 AM) or late afternoon for golden light matching the film's sunset tones
• Weekdays are much less crowded than weekends
• The staircase is in a residential neighborhood — keep your voice down and do not block residents
• Visit the shrine itself at the top of the stairs; it sells Your Name-themed ema (prayer plaques)

Stop 5: Hida and Suwa — The Rural Itomori Locations

Beyond Tokyo

While this guide focuses on the Tokyo route, serious fans should also visit the locations that inspired the fictional town of Itomori. Two areas contributed to the setting:

• Hida-Furukawa (Gifu Prefecture): The Hida-Furukawa train station appears as Itomori's station. The town library interior and Keta-Wakamiya Shrine inspired the shrine where Mitsuha performs her kuchikamizake ritual.
• Lake Suwa (Nagano Prefecture): The large caldera lake inspired Itomori's lake. The surrounding mountain scenery and shrine culture contributed to the film's atmosphere.

Both locations are reachable from Tokyo in a long day trip or, more comfortably, as an overnight excursion. See our separate Hida-Suwa route guide for full details.

Transportation Tips for the Tokyo Route

• A Suica or Pasmo IC card is all you need for the metro and JR segments
• The entire route is walkable in about 90 minutes without stops
• Combine this route with a visit to Shinjuku Gyoen (Garden of Words, also by Shinkai) for a double Shinkai pilgrimage
• Carry a portable charger — you will take many comparison photos

When to Go

The film's most iconic Tokyo scenes are set in autumn and late summer. For the closest match to the film's lighting and atmosphere, visit between September and November. However, the route is enjoyable year-round. Avoid Japanese public holidays and Golden Week when all Tokyo locations become extremely crowded.