SHIMOTSUI - Ride Electric Bicycle on Kaze no Michi (Wind Road) - Cycling road to the town of Ancien and the Magic Tablet (Hirune Hime)
This
fantasy/near-future SciFi film is set in Shimotsui, a small port town located
in the south of Kurashiki. You can see how the town is like in the trailer.
Now, Anime pilgrimages is
quite popular in Japan. So, if you would like to see the scenery in Ancien and the Magic Tablet, why don’t
you come to Simotsui to visit the spots featured in the movie? Here is the recommended route.
It is a Japanese site, but you can see a route map on the bottom.
Shimotsui,
located in the south of Kurashiki, is an old port town once flourished from mid
18th century to early 20th century. There is a mountain called Mt. Washu nearby.
From there, you can overlook Seto-Ohashi Bridge, connecting the main island and
Shikoku, and a beautiful sunset. Mt Washu is selected to“100 best sunsets in
Japan”.
Sunset from Mt. Washu
Shimotsui is a bit distant from JR Kojima
station. You can get there by regular bus service, but I would recommend going
there by bike on “Kaze no Michi” cycling road. You can hire an electric bicycle
at Tourist information in JR Kojima station, or Kojima Industry Promotion Center,
at 500 yen for a day. (It must be returned by 5 pm)
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Kaze no Michi (Road of Wind)
This 6.3 km long path, from Kojima to
Shimotsui village, used to be a railroad track, and now it is a cyclists’ and
pedestrians’ path.The old stations still remain along the road.
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Kojima is known as a “jeans town”. Of course electric bicycles have denim pattern.
Some parts of the path are uphill, but you can
go up easily on an electric bicycle. If you have never ridden on it, it would be
a good opportunity. It is quite fun.
OK. Shall we go?
The first part of the path is flat and
unpaved. The old train electric towers remain along the road.
You will reach the first station, Bizen
Akasaka, within 1 km.
Now the road
paved, and slightly uphill. Soon you will reach Kotoura station. There is a
small park-like space around there with a stunning view of the Seto inland sea
in front.
Keep going up the hill. Now the electric
power helps you a lot. The Great Seto Bridge (Seto Ohashi) and Shimotsui
township will come into view. From here, you can make a side trip up to Mt.
Washu observatory. Obviously it is uphill, but don’t worry. Now you really can feel
the power of an electric bicycle.
Going down unpaved road for a while…
And you’ll arrive at Shimotsui station!
Old train cars are preserved at Shimotsui
station by a preservation society.
Some of the train cars will move to a nearby
hotel called Shimoden Hotel,
and will be renovated to be used as a café this summer.
Now, lets’ go to Shimotsui going through a
seaside road.
Octopus pots. Shimotsui is famous for
octopus.
Fisherman’s lounge?
Enjoy the great view along the way.
Shimotsui is an old quiet port town.
And always cats are around in a port town.
Then let’s visit the spots used for Ancien and the Magic Tablet. The first
spot is Yohashira Shrine. You need to climb many steps, but on top of the
stairs, the hard work will pay off .
Going through narrow alleys…
Tatsuchinouranimashimasu Shirine. Wow, long
name.
Kokone got home through this shrine in the
movie.
Tanoura-Kou Mae Bus stop. Kokone met her
childhood friend Morio again here.
I saw Ancien and the Magic Tablet at the preview in Kojima. Because of
this location, most of the audience are local people, so they got excited when
the scenery of Simotsui was on the screen. I heard somebody murmured:
“I have never gazed at the scenery since I always quickly go through by car.”
There may not be anything special
in this small town, but in these ordinary scenery, a certain kind of charms may be
exist. More things can be found if you go slowly, like biking or walking
around. Exploring the alleys would be fun. They are very narrow and the houses are very
close, so please just make sure not to disturb the resident, and respect
their privacy, then enjoy your small adventure!
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