Makoto Shinkai - an anime film director known for "Your name." and "Weathering with You". His works have attracted many fans with its detailed visual beauty and heartfelt story. In 2025, a live-action movie of "5 Centimeters per Second" is also scheduled to be released, and it is now attracting attention again. In this article, we will introduce attractions and information on sacred places, from Shinkai's masterpieces to hidden works.
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Who is Makoto Shinkai? The Charm and Common Theme of His Work
Makoto Shinkai's profile and representative works
Makoto Shinkai is an anime director and writer in Japan. After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Chuo University, he joined the game company Nihon Falcom, where he was in charge of producing game opening videos.
In 2002, his personal short anime "The Voice of a Distant Star" (ほしのこ) was highly praised and he began his activities as a filmmaker in earnest. After that, he released "The Place Promised in Our Early Days" (雲のむこう、約束の場所, 2004) and "5 Centimeters per Second" (秒速5センチメートル, 2007), gradually expanding his popularity.
In particular, 2016's "Your Name." was a huge hit that became a social phenomenon both domestically and internationally, and he quickly established himself as a world-class director. Since then, he has released a series of topical works such as "Weathering with You" (天気の子, 2019) and "Suzume" (すずめの戸締まり, 2022).
What is the Charm of Makoto Shinkai's Work?
The reason why Makoto Shinkai's work attracts many people is its unique visual expression and haunting story.
Artistic Beauty and Light Expression: Landscapes Depicting Emotions
The blue sky pierces, the sky is full of stars, and the raindrops are shimmering. In director Shinkai's work, the scenery itself speaks of emotion. The psychology of the characters is delicately expressed through the changes in the sky and clouds, the flickering of light, the monologue, and the music that continues to flow.
He has a strong commitment to light, supervises the shooting and composite himself, and makes full use of depth of field, effects processing, and color adjustment to depict "landscapes that are more beautiful than live-action photography".
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Modeled After a Real Place
Makoto Shinkai's works realistically depict landscapes from various parts of Japan. After the big hit of "Your Name.", the "pilgrimage to the holy place" that actually visits the anime stage has become widely known. By incorporating real buildings, signboards, mountains, and lakes from Tokyo, Gifu, and Miyazaki into the background, we create a narrative world that connects with reality.
The Story of "Encounter", "Distance", "Loss", and "Connection"
In Makoto Shinkai's works, "encounters" and "distances" between people are often depicted. The characters are separated in various ways, such as physical distance, time separation, and emotional misunderstandings, which creates a feeling of "loss".
However, Shinkai's works depict not only sadness. The "connection" of people who try to overcome such distances and losses, and the will to change their destiny with their own hands, are strongly depicted. In recent works, despite the background of disasters, there are often hopes that affirm the world and find meaning in life.
The Power of Theme Songs and Music
The music that is integrated with the story is also one of the major attractions of Shinkai's works. Starting with the collaboration with RADWIMPS, the theme song and accompaniment amplify the emotions of the characters and the atmosphere of the scene. The scene where music, video, and monologue merge can be said to be a "poem of sound and image" unique to Shinkai's work.
"Your Name." and "Weathering With You" and Other Blockbuster Works that Captivated the World
Your name. (2016)
Synopsis
Taki, a male high school student living in Tokyo, and Mitsuha, a female high school student living in a town deep in the mountains of Gifu. One day, a strange phenomenon suddenly occurred in which each other's bodies were swapped.
The two gradually became attracted to each other, but one day they stopped swapping, and Taki set out on a journey to find Mitsuha. However, there was an unexpected gap in "time".
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Voice actor and cast information
Taki Tachibana: Ryunosuke Kamiki
Mitsuha Miyamizu: Moe Kamishiraishi
Miki Okudera: Masami Nagasawa
Hitoha Miyamizu: Etsuko Ichihara
Katsuhiko Teshigawara: Ryo Narita
Sayaka Natori: Aoi Yuki
Why was "Your Name." Highly Praised Overseas?
"Your Name." was a worldwide hit and was released theatrically in many countries and regions.
One of the reasons for the highly-praised was the overwhelming sense of immersion due to the fusion of visual beauty and music. The beautifully illustrated landscapes, elements of Japan culture, and the emotional music by RADWIMPS captured people's hearts across language and cultural barriers.
It was not just a replacement story, but the addition of complex elements such as unexpected developments and timeline shifts deeply immersed the audience in the story. The intertwining of mystery elements and touching romance, and the fact that there are discoveries that you may not notice once you see them has also been a factor in creating repeat customers.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Where Was It Modeled After?
Stairs of Suga Shrine (5-chome Sukacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
It is said that the staircase was the impressive stage for the last scene. It is popular as a standard "sacred place" in Tokyo.
Hida Furukawa Station (8-chome Kanamori-cho, Furukawa Town, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture)
The station that Taki visits in search of Mitsuha. The station building and the surrounding cityscape are depicted as they are.
Lake Suwa (Lake Suwa Shore, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture)
Lake Itomori, which is an important stage in the work, is said to be modeled after Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture.
Weathering With You (2019)
Synopsis
Hodaka, a high school student who ran away from home and came to Tokyo, meets Hina, a girl with mysterious powers. Hina was a "100% sunny woman" and had the power to clear the sky just by praying. The two use their power to start an agency service, but they soon learn that the power comes at a great price.
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Voice actor and cast information
Hodaka Morishima: Daigo Torataro
Hina Amano: Nana Mori
Keisuke Suga: Shun Oguri
Natsumi Suga: Tsubasa Honda
Fumi Tachibana: Chieko Baisho
What is the Connection Between "Your Name." and "Weathering With You"?
In the middle of the story, the main characters of "Your Name." appear, Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyamizu, but it seems to be slightly different from the world of "Weathering With You" because the world they appeared in doesn't rain continuously. The two works are not completely the same world line, but are thought to have a relationship like a parallel world.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Where was It Modeled After?
Yoyogi Kaikan (1-35-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Because the scenery of the building where Hina gained the power of the weather shrine maiden is similar, it is considered a model place among fans. Unfortunately, it was demolished due to deterioration and cannot be seen anymore today.
Asahi Inari Shrine (Ohiro Asahi Building, 3-8-12, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
It is a place where many people think of it as a model because it is very similar to the shrine that appears in an important scene where Hina gains power.
Tabata Station South Exit (1-17-1 Higashi-Tabata, Kita-ku, Tokyo)
A place that seems to be the model for the slope that appears in the scene where Hotaka heads to Hina's house.
Suzume (2022)
Synopsis
One day, Suzume, a 17-year-old girl living in Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, meets Sota, a young man who is "looking for a door". Following him to the ruins in the mountains, Suzume finds an old door there.
In order to close the doors that are about to open one after another all over the country, Suzume and Sota go on a journey around Japan.
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Voice actor and cast information
Suzume Iwato: Nanoka Hara
Sota Munakata: Hokuto Matsumura
Tamaki Iwato: Eri Fukatsu
Minoru Okabe: Shota Someya
Rumi Ninomiya: Sari Ito
Chika Amabe: Kotone Hanase
Why Does "Suzume" Start in Miyazaki?
Since it is a story about Suzume traveling around Japan, director Shinkai wanted to start at the western edge of Japan. The reason why he chose Miyazaki Prefecture from several candidates is because Miyazaki is the hometown of Japan mythology.
The "Iwato" in the name of the main character, Suzume Iwato, is named after the legend of Ama-no-Iwato, and Miyazaki, which is deeply related to mythology, seems to have felt that it was suitable as the place where the story began.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Where Was It Modeled After?
Yuzu Port (2-7 Yuzu, Nichinan-shi, Miyazaki Prefecture)
The background of the school scene where Suzume meets Sota is said to be modeled after Yuzu Port in Miyazaki Prefecture.
Former Bungo Mori Engine Depot (242-7 Hozu, Kusu-cho, Kusu-gun, Oita Prefecture)
The stage of the important scene where Suzume first performs the "door lock". An impressive circular building that is also used for posters and key visuals.
Around Ochanomizu Station (2-6 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
One of the Tokyo stages that appears many times in the story. The scene where Suzume jumps out from the top of the Hijiri Bridge is especially impressive.
5 Centimeters per Second (2007)
Synopsis
"5 Centimeters per Second" is a series of anime series consisting of three short stories, "Oukasho", "Cosmonaut", and "5 Centimeters per Second". It depicts the lives of the main character, Takaki Tono, and his lover, Akari Shinohara, who continue to pass each other from multiple angles.
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Voice actor and cast information
Takaki Tono: Kenji Mizuhashi
Akari Shinohara: Yoshimi Kondo, Ayaka Onoue
Kanae Sumida: Remi Hanamura
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Where Was It Modeled After?
Odakyu Line Sangubashi No. 3 railroad crossing (5-58 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
The scene at the beginning of the first episode, where Akari breaks up with Takaki, is said to be modeled after this place.
Iwafune Station (Shizuka, Iwafune Town, Tochigi-shi, Tochigi Prefecture)
The scene where Takaki travels by train through the snow to meet Akari. The appearance of the platform and station building is realistically reproduced in the work.
Tanegashima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
It is thought to be the stage of the second episode "Cosmonaut". The depiction of the town where Hanae lives and the rocket launch also appears impressively.
Yoyogi railroad crossing (Yoyogi 1, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
In the last scene, the railroad crossing is considered to be the model for the scene where Takaki and Akari pass each other.
"5 Centimeters per Second" live-action movie will be released in October 2025
In October 2025, director Shinkai's masterpiece "5 Centimeters per Second" will return to the screens as a live-action film. The director is Yoshiyuki Okuyama, who is also attracting attention as a photographer and filmmaker. Fans are eagerly anticipating how the anime version's delicate worldview will be portrayed in the live-action. The lead role, Takaki Tono, has been decided to be Hokuto Matsumura (SixTONES), but the cast of Akari Shinohara has not been announced at this time (July 2025).
Check Out Notable Works other than Representative Works, such as "The Garden of Words".
In the early ~ mid-period works of director Shinkai, there are many "hidden masterpieces" that shine with quiet emotion and visual beauty.
The Garden of Words (2013)
Set in Shinjuku Gyoen, this story depicts the exchange of hearts between a high school student who aspires to become a shoemaker and a mysterious older woman. The depiction of rain and the Japanese poems of the Manyoshu were impressive, and the delicate psychological depiction and visual beauty were highly praised.
Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011)
An adventure fantasy about "Agartha" where you can reunite with the deceased. A story about growing up while facing the separation from people and the preciousness of life.
The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004)
Set in Japan, which was divided after the war, the bond between boys and girls who vowed to reunite, and youth science fiction intertwined with dreams and memories. As the first feature work, it is one of Makoto Shinkai's expressive powers that has expanded.
The Voice of a Distant Star (2002)
A short science fiction anime depicting the exchange of emails between boys and girls torn apart by space and the earth. This is the first theatrical release of almost all of Shinkai's personal productions.
Makoto Shinkai's works have carefully depicted beautiful landscapes and the misunderstandings and feelings that everyone has. From blockbusters to hidden gems, each one carries a different charm and message. Every work has the power to gently touch someone's memories and emotions at a moment's notice. If you have a work that you haven't seen yet, why not take this opportunity to pick it up?
👉 A Tokyo Holy Land Tour of Makoto Shinkai’s works, traveling around the film locations!【kkday】
👉 Purchase Blu-rays, soundtracks, and other items by Makoto Shinkai【Animate】
👉 Check out related goods for Makoto Shinkai's works【Yahoo! Shopping】
< References>
・Makoto Shinkai's work portal site https://www.shinkaiworks.com/
・Movie "Your Name." official website https://kiminona.com/
・Movie "Weathering With You" official website https://www.tenkinoko.com/
・Movie "Suzume" official website https://suzume-tojimari-movie.jp/
・Movie "Suzume" Interview with director Makoto Shinkai (unreleased episode) UMK TV Miyazaki https://www.umk.co.jp/udoki/shinkai.html
・Movie "5 Centimeters per Second" official website https://www.cwfilms.jp/5cm/
・Theatrical live-action movie "5 Centimeters per Second" https://5cm-movie.jp/
・If you know Makoto Shinkai, can you understand the essence of anime? Shueisha Shinsho Plus https://shinsho-plus.shueisha.co.jp/interview/doi_hikawa/21454
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