Welcome to Anime Land, Saitama!

Saitama Prefecture has places where are anime are set, and many places featured in anime and manga comics!
We’ll introduce three best well-known here.

"LuckyStar" & Washinomiya Shrine

	"Lucky Star" follows the carefree daily lives of four high school girls who don’t have boyfriends, in a 4 strip comic. Since the launch of the animated series in 2007, many people have visited Washimiya Town, to see the place that is the setting of the anime. The creator, Kagami Yoshimizu actually lives in that area, and the school, the path the girls take to school and local shops are all drawn in the town’s image. 　Particularly, Takanomiya Shrine, the home of the main characters Hiiragi sisters is modeled on Washinomiya Shrine, well known for being the oldest shrine in the Kanto region. Since the anime was aired, many fans have visited the shrine. 　Why don’t you walk around Washimiya Town, with the Lucky Star comic as your guide?
	Washinomiya Shrine is said to be the oldest shrine in the Kanto region of Japan. It has attracted many spiritual people from ancient days. 　Also, Kanto Kagura dance and music is said to have its origins here in the shrine’s Saibara Kagura dance and music. Washinomiya Shrine 　5 minute-walk from Washimiya Stn. on the Tobu-Isesaki Line →Map
	Many Lucky Star fans from across Japan attended the ceremony to present registered citizen papers to the Hiiragi household.

"Crayon Shinchan" & Kasukabe

	"Crayon shinchan" is a comic about the life of 5 year old kindergarten boy Shinnosuke Nohara and his family. It has been made into a long-running animated series. The main character Shin-chan and his family live in Kasukabe City and the city streets often feature in the comic and animated series. Recently a Crayon Shinchan themed amusement facility "Crayon Shinchan The Storm Called The Amusement Arcade The Buri Buri Cinema Studio" was opened in the newly built LaLa Garden KASUKABE shopping center. Check it out! LaLa Garden KASUKABE 　5 minete-walk from the West Exit of Kasukabe Stn. on the Tobu-Isesaki Line　→Map

	Kasukabe City is a garden city located in the east of Saitama Prefecture and is famous for traditional handicrafts such as Oshi-e Hagoita, paulownia chest etc. It is also well known for wisteria and jumbo kite flying.

"My Neighbor Totoro" & Sayama Hills

	"My neighbor Totoro"　tells the story of sisters Satsuki and Mei and their encounters with Totoro a creature that lives in the nearby forest. This film about interaction with nature was created by world famous director Hayao Miyazaki who lives in Tokorozawa City.
Various place names from the area around Sayama are featured in the film.The fields and rice paddies around the hills sprawling from Tokorozawa to Tokyo are the setting for this animated film and remain the same as they were long ago. It is a valuable place. To protect sayama’s natural assets the Totoro no Mori (Totoro Forest) is being acquired and preserved by the “Totoro Fund”. 　Why don’t you walk around Saitama’s nature where you might meet Totoro? First Section of Totoro no Mori (Totoro Forest) 　30minute-walk from Seibu-Kyujomae Stn. on the Seibu-Sayama Line　→Map

　"My neighbor Totoro"　tells the story of sisters Satsuki and Mei and their encounters with Totoro a creature that lives in the nearby forest. This film about interaction with nature was created by world famous director Hayao Miyazaki who lives in Tokorozawa City.

　Various place names from the area around Sayama are featured in the film.The fields and rice paddies around the hills sprawling from Tokorozawa to Tokyo are the setting for this animated film and remain the same as they were long ago. It is a valuable place. To protect sayama’s natural assets the Totoro no Mori (Totoro Forest) is being acquired and preserved by the “Totoro Fund”.
　Why don’t you walk around Saitama’s nature where you might meet Totoro?

First Section of Totoro no Mori (Totoro Forest)
　30minute-walk from Seibu-Kyujomae Stn. on the Seibu-Sayama Line　→Map

　　　"LuckyStar"＆Washinomiya Shrine
　　　"Crayon Shin-chan"＆Kasukabe
　　　"My Neighbor Totoro"＆Sayama Hills 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

２００８年１１月１５日～