Screen Pilgrimage Real places behind anime and film, across Japan

TV drama · 2009

Tenchijin — filming locations

4 places you can visit, in Niigata, Yamagata, Kanagawa. 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 · 4

Kasugayama Castle Ruins

Niigata Start here

Uesugi Kenshin's mountain stronghold, where the drama's hero grew up in service.

Getting there
Kasugayama Stn · 42 min walk
Before you go
  • A real trail — wear shoes you can climb in
  • Remote — a car or long bus ride is needed
  • Keep your voice down
Sources
天地人 (NHK大河ドラマ)

Yonezawa Castle Ruins

Yamagata

Where the Uesugi moved after Sekigahara, and where the drama's hero governed. The shrine in the moat holds Kenshin.

Getting there
Yonezawa Stn + 10 min by bus · 3 min walk
Before you go
  • Keep your voice down
  • Worshippers come first
  • Very crowded — expect queues
Sources
米沢城

Odawara Castle

Kanagawa

The Hojo stronghold besieged in 1590, the campaign that pulls Kanetsugu's Uesugi into Hideyoshi's order.

Getting there
Odawara Stn (JR Tokaido Main Line) · 9 min walk
Before you go
  • Admission fee required
  • Very crowded — expect queues
  • Narrow passage — do not stop to shoot
Sources
天地人 (NHK大河ドラマ)

Tsuruga Castle

Fukushima

The Aizu castle the Uesugi held before Sekigahara, the move that provoked Ieyasu's northern campaign.

Getting there
Nishi-Wakamatsu Stn (JR Tadami Line) · 23 min walk
Before you go
  • Admission fee required
  • Very crowded — expect queues
  • Narrow passage — do not stop to shoot
Sources
天地人 (NHK大河ドラマ)

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