So I just got back from my pre-anniversary trip to Nagano, and between the incredible
food and sake, and even more amazing people and culture, it reaffirms what I tell friends
who ask me about coming to Japan.
If at all possible, you should spend more time outside of Tokyo than in it.
And if you don’t believe me, I know some anime that can back up my argument.
Konnichiwa snitches, I’m B, this is Brotakuza, and these are 5 beautiful anime about life
outside the big city of Tokyo.
At #5, Silver Spoon.
After the main character, Yuugo, fails the entrance exam for the high school of his choice,
he makes a drastic change and decides to enroll at a school in the countryside of Hokkaido
where he encounters the strenuous task of agricultural life while working on a farm.
This is a beloved slice-of-life comedy with a lot of heart and great character development.
And it’s fitting that Hokkaido is the setting, as this part of the country is known for providing
premium food products, particularly dairy products, to the rest of Japan, although it
would be worth your while to make the trip and get a taste of their wide-ranging cuisine
at the source.
With the original manga written by Hiromu Arakawa, who you may remember as the author
of Fullmetal Alchemist, I promise you’ll love these characters, and this 2-season anime
might even leave a long-lasting impression.
At #4, Non Non Biyori.
This anime takes place in Saitama prefecture, just north of Tokyo, in a very small town
with only one school and only one class.
The class consists of five girls who find companionship in their isolation from the
big city, providing some lighthearted slice-of-life enjoyment.
The real-life school itself, located near Ogawamachi Station, can be visited since its
no longer in use, and you can see for yourself just how accurately it was recreated for TV.
At #3, Barakamon.
In this anime, a young, talented calligrapher named Handa, who also happens to be a little
too self-absorbed, is exiled from Tokyo to the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture by
his father after punching a critic who gave his work a less-than stellar review.
While the real-life location that by which this anime was inspired doesn’t offer too
much to look at, although the beaches and nature are worth a trip alone, it’s what
the small town represents that is key to the story.
Even in the dead of a 95-degree summer, there is a certain coldness to Tokyo that can really
get to you and get you caught up in its fast-paced, harsh impersonality.
But when you explore other areas outside the metropolis, you discover a simplicity and
honesty that reveals this country’s true beauty.
And over time, Handa finds that same beauty in the locals, particularly in his interactions
with the young first-grader Naru.
These encounters alone make this a must-watch.
At #2, the tearjerker classic Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day.
If you somehow missed this one, add it to the top of your watch list right now.
The main character is basically a hikikomori, which is essentially a full-time shut-in,
after losing touch with his closest friends when one of the members of the group dies
unexpectedly.
The group is then forced back together to help their dead friend, Menma’s soul, move
on.
Now you might be asking at this point why would I get inspired by such a heart-wrenching
anime?
Well this story, also taking place in Saitama prefecture, in a mid-sized town called Chichibu,
makes for a pretty scenic trip actually, and visiting the locations will only deepen your
connection to these extremely well-rounded characters.
At #1, Sound Euphonium.
If you’re a tourist planning on making a trip to Japan, Kyoto should already be on
your list of hotspots to visit, and if you’re an anime fan then it should be a given that
you should visit the home of the recent tragedy-stricken studio that provided us with so many works
of art.
This anime in particular I believe speaks to the spirit of KyoAni more than ever, as
it touches on dealing with the past while pushing to overcome adversity and achieve
a better future.
This inspiring anime was itself inspired by Uji, a charming town in Kyoto Prefecture with
a rich history and scenery that will absolutely take your breath away.
Well those were my picks, and I hope that you guys give these a watch.
Let me know which small-town anime you would suggest in the comments below.
I will be back very shortly.
But until then…
Sayonara, suckas!