Screen Pilgrimage Real places behind anime and film, across Japan

TV drama · 2021

Reach Beyond the Blue Sky — filming locations

7 places you can visit, in Tokyo, Gunma, Saitama. 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

Edo Castle (East Gardens)

Tokyo Start here

The castle the drama's hero serves the last shogun in, and where the surrender was negotiated. The gardens are open; the palace is not.

Getting there
Takebashi Stn · 6 min walk
Before you go
  • Do not enter private property
  • Keep your voice down
  • Very crowded — expect queues
  • Closed on Mondays
Sources
青天を衝け

Sakuradamon Gate

Tokyo

The castle gate where Ii Naosuke was assassinated in the snow, the event that begins the drama's era.

Getting there
Sakuradamon Stn · At the station
Before you go
  • Keep your voice down
  • Very crowded — expect queues
  • Watch for traffic — do not step into the road
Sources
桜田門外の変 · 青天を衝け

Tomioka Silk Mill

Gunma

The 1872 state filature Shibusawa set up, the first modern factory in the country and the drama's proudest build.

Getting there
Joshu-Tomioka Stn (Joshin Railway) · 11 min walk
Before you go
  • Admission fee required
  • Follow the on-site guards' instructions
  • Very crowded — expect queues
Sources
青天を衝け

Former Shibusawa Residence

Saitama

The Fukaya farmhouse Shibusawa was born in, where the drama's first episodes are set.

Getting there
Bus from Fukaya Stn · 5 min walk
Before you go
  • Keep your voice down
  • No photography indoors
  • Few buses — check your return time before you go
Sources
渋沢栄一 · 青天を衝け

Yokohama Archives of History

Kanagawa

The archive on the 1854 treaty site, holding the record of the opening that sends Shibusawa abroad.

Getting there
Nihon-odori Stn (Minatomirai Line) · 2 min walk
Before you go
  • Admission fee required
  • Keep quiet indoors
  • No photography indoors
Sources
青天を衝け

Kaneiji

Tokyo

The Ueno temple where Yoshinobu withdrew in 1868, the retreat Shibusawa returns from France to find.

Getting there
Uguisudani Stn (JR Yamanote Line) · 5 min walk
Before you go
  • Worshippers come first
  • Keep your voice down
Sources
青天を衝け

Osaka Castle

Osaka

The Osaka the drama's finance and trade chapters move through after the Restoration.

Getting there
Morinomiya Stn (JR Osaka Loop Line) · 11 min walk
Before you go
  • Admission fee required
  • Very crowded — expect queues
  • No tripods or selfie sticks
Sources
青天を衝け

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