Screen Pilgrimage Real places behind anime and film, across Japan

TV drama · 2024

Dear Radiance — filming locations

7 places you can visit, in Shiga, Kyoto, Fukui. Every entry gives the nearest station, how long the walk is, and what to mind when you get there.

Open on the map

Many of these are shrines, schools and people’s streets. Read the conduct note before you go.

Locations · 7

Ishiyamadera Temple

Shiga Start here

Where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have begun the Tale of Genji, watching the moon over the lake.

Getting there
Ishiyamadera Stn · 13 min walk
Before you go
  • Admission fee required
  • Worshippers come first
  • Very crowded — expect queues
Sources
石山寺 · 光る君へ

Mimurotoji Temple

Kyoto

A temple in Uji, where the last chapters of the Genji are set; its hydrangea garden fills in June.

Getting there
Mimurodo Stn · 18 min walk
Before you go
  • Admission fee required
  • Worshippers come first
  • Very crowded — expect queues
Sources
光る君へ

Nashinoki Shrine

Kyoto

A shrine beside the old imperial palace grounds the drama's court scenes are set in.

Getting there
Jingu-marutamachi Stn · 13 min walk
Before you go
  • Worshippers come first
  • Keep your voice down
  • Residential area — people live here
Sources
光る君へ

Takefu Central Park

Fukui

Echizen, where Murasaki Shikibu spent a year with her father — the park keeps her memorial.

Getting there
Takefu Stn · 21 min walk
Before you go
  • Keep your voice down
  • Watch for traffic — do not step into the road
Sources
武生中央公園 · 光る君へ

Warp Station Edo

Ibaraki

NHK's open-air period set in Ibaraki, where much of the drama's Heian street life was filmed. Open to visitors.

Getting there
Mirai-daira Stn + 20 min by bus · 5 min walk
Before you go
  • Admission fee required
  • Remote — a car or long bus ride is needed
  • Closed on Mondays
  • Few buses — check your return time before you go
Sources
ワープステーション江戸

Oharano Shrine

Kyoto

The Fujiwara clan shrine west of Kyoto, on the ground the drama's court politics move over.

Getting there
Bus from Mukomachi Stn · 8 min walk
Before you go
  • Worshippers come first
  • Keep your voice down
  • Few buses — check your return time before you go
Sources
光る君へ

Gankeiji

Kyoto

The Yamashina temple where Emperor Kazan was tricked into taking vows in 986 — the coup the drama's court turns on.

Getting there
Misasagi Stn (Kyoto Subway Tozai Line) · 13 min walk
Before you go
  • Worshippers come first
  • Keep your voice down
  • Residential area — people live here
Sources
光る君へ

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