Japan Anime Pilgrimage Tours #1, Hidden Gem Neighborhoods in Tokyo- Kitasenju, Arakawa River: Suburbs in Tokyo Worth Visiting

This hidden gem offers real-life locations from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and peaceful riverside views at Arakawa River. A must-visit for those exploring off-the-beaten-path Tokyo!

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16 Jan 2025 — 5 min read

Tokyo Real-Life Location of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time: Arakawa Riverside, Kitasenju

Introduction: A Hidden Gem in Tokyo for Anime and Nature Lovers

Kitasenju, located in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, is a lesser-known yet fascinating destination for travelers seeking unique experiences. While it may not have the fame of Mt. Fuji or Kamakura, Kitasenju offers a serene escape from the bustling city and is an ideal spot for fans of anime, particularly those inspired by The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

I visited this area as part of my personal anime pilgrimage. My main goal was to explore the locations featured in the movie, and though my time here was short, it left a lasting impression. Unfortunately, I couldn’t explore other parts of Adachi Ward or Kitasenju City due to my limited schedule, but I still wanted to share this hidden gem with you!

Why Visit Kitasenju?

If you're planning a trip to Tokyo and want to explore beyond the usual tourist neighborhoods, Kitasenju is perfect for you. It offers:

Anime Pilgrimage: As someone who loves The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, visiting its real-life settings was an emotional experience.
Natural Beauty: The Arakawa River provides stunning views and tranquility that you won’t find in central Tokyo.

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For me, this visit wasn’t just about sightseeing—it was about connecting with a story that had deeply moved me. If you’re an anime fan or simply looking for something off the beaten path in Tokyo, I highly recommend adding this place to your list.

How to get to Kitasenju and Arakawa Riverside
Photos of Arakawa Riverside
Comparing scenes from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time with reality

How to Get to Kitasenju and Arakawa Riverside

How to Get to Kitasenju

Take the subway to Kitasenju Station, which is about 30 minutes from central Tokyo locations like Shinjuku or Ginza.

While it might feel a bit far since most tourist spots are concentrated in central Tokyo, the tranquility you’ll experience here is worth it.

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Public transportation tip:

Use Apple Pay Suica for seamless payment at ticket gates.

I took the Tsukuba Express from the Asahi Beer Factory in Moriya, Ibaraki, to Kitasenju Station. Since I wasn’t coming from central Tokyo, this route made it easy to stop by Kitasenju and explore the Arakawa River on my way back to the city.

Visiting the Asahi Beer Factory in Moriya, Ibaraki, was also a fun and unique experience. I’ll share more details about my visit to the factory in a separate post soon and link it here once it’s ready!

How to Get to Arakawa Riverside From Kitasenju Station

From Kitasenju Station, it’s about a 15-minute walk to Arakawa Riverside.

I followed the directions to this location on Google Maps and used it as a guide to reach the Arakawa Riverside.

*residential streets on my way to the river*

On your way there, you’ll pass through quiet residential streets filled with Japanese charm.

*AI Candidate in Tokyo Governor Election. What's going on?*

Photos of Arakawa Riverside

After passing through the residential area and crossing a road, you’ll climb stairs that lead to the riverside.

Here’s what you’ll see when you reach the top:

When you go down closer to the riverbank, it’s even more beautiful:

It was truly peaceful here…

Locals were walking their dogs, skipping rope, or simply enjoying their leisure time.

Unlike some famous tourist spots where you often have to wait in long lines just for a photo (though those places have their own charm), this place felt like a perfect depiction of Japan’s quiet daily life—something I hadn’t expected when I initially came here just as a fan of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

For me, this was one of the highlights of my trip. The calmness of the riverside and the lack of crowds made it feel like I had discovered my own little corner of Tokyo.

Anime Pilgrimage: Comparing Scenes from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

As someone who visited specifically for anime pilgrimage purposes, seeing real-life locations from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time was an unforgettable experience. Here are some key spots:

Scene #1: Sunset over the Arakawa River.

*The real-life version. Does it look similar?*

The river was odorless even when standing right next to it, which was refreshing.

Scene #2: The riverside path where Chiaki and Makoto walked.

The exact path where Chiaki and Makoto had their moments—it felt surreal seeing it in person!

Considering how rainy it was during my trip (it was the start of Japan's rainy season), being able to visit on one of the rare sunny days felt like pure luck.

Other Highlights in Kitasenju (For Longer Visits)

While my visit focused on The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, there are many other attractions in Kitasenju that I hope to explore next time:

Adachi Fireworks Festival: Held annually in late July along the Arakawa River.
Historic Temples and Shrines: Visit Genchoji Temple or Senju Shrine for a glimpse into Edo-period history.
Traditional Shopping Streets: Explore Senju Ginza Shopping Street for local delicacies and souvenirs.

If you have more time than I did, these additional spots seem worth checking out!

I’ll wrap up this post with one of the most emotional scenes from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

*Someone please give them a time-leap refill*

Thank you for reading ☘️ I’ve just started this website, so it might still feel a bit rough around the edges—but if you subscribe, you can find more travel tips and hidden gems in future posts!