10 Years of ‘Your Name’: A Fan Pilgrimage Guide To Hida-Furukawa—The IRL Itomori

Time to go book that trip to Japan.
by Andy Flores | September 22, 2026

The delicate clinking sound of glass chimes in the summer breeze. The calm flow of water in the nearby canal. The not-so-distant sound of the local train rattling towards the station. Welcome to Hida-Furukawa. This quaint mountain town in Gifu Prefecture is among the major visual inspirations for Itomori—a key fictional location in the beloved Makoto Shinkai film Your Name or Kimi no Na wa.

As the anime hit celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the entire town has gone full-on celebration mode and even brought out its mascot, Hidakuro-kun (the black cow Taki’s friends were gushing over in the movie), to take fans on a virtual tour across Hida-Furukawa’s top Your Name spots on social media.

『#君の名は。』公開10周年を記念して、ひだくろくんが飛騨市にあるモデル地を訪ねてきました。
第1回は飛騨古川駅！#聖地巡礼 #飛騨古川駅 pic.twitter.com/qJXQBa56BB

— 飛騨市「君の名は。」応援委員会 (@kimihida) September 3, 2026

But if you’re a huge fan yourself, there’s no better way to join in the fun than to take the ultimate pilgrimage to Mitsuha’s hometown. If you don’t know where to start, you’ve stumbled upon the right article, because we’re here to tell you exactly how to get there and, of course, let you in on all the spots you have to include in your itinerary.

 

How to Get to Hida-Furukawa

If you’re coming from the Philippines, the easiest way to get to Hida-Furukawa is by taking a Nagoya-bound flight from Manila.

Nagoya, in Aichi Prefecture, is located in the Chubu Region, a.k.a. Central Japan, and serves as the gateway to many other prefectures in the region, including Gifu, so making it your base for this fan pilgrimage is the most convenient way to go.

From Nagoya, you have three straightforward ways to get to Hida-Furukawa: by car, by train, or by bus; however, taking the bus then the train is the easiest, most cost-efficient, and most comfortable option.

 

By Bus + Train

Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center > Takayama Nohi Bus Center > Hida-Furukawa

• 3 hr 15 min travel time
• Pros: Comfortable, scenic, cost-efficient
• Con: Longer travel time

Take a highway bus from the Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center, located right at Nagoya Station, to the Nohi Bus Center in Takayama, another historic city in Gifu known for its well-preserved Edo-period buildings.

The trip takes about three hours. That might seem a bit long, but there’s a 10-minute rest stop midway through the trip, so you can stretch out a bit or grab a snack. Also, the scenic mountain views during the ride are stunning—take them all in.

Once you’ve arrived at Nohi Bus Center, walk towards JR Takayama Station (it’s right next to the bus terminal), where you will purchase your tickets to and from Hida-Furukawa. Since seats on the Limited Express Train sell out quickly and trains run hourly, it’s best to buy round-trip tickets as soon as you arrive.

From Takayama Station, the trip to Hida-Furukawa takes about 15 minutes.

 

Fare Cost Breakdown (Roundtrip):

• Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center-Takayama Nohi Bus Center – JPY 3,600
• Takayama-Hida-Furukawa Limited Express Train – JPY 1,800
• Hida-Furukawa-Takayama Limited Express Train – JPY 1,800
• Takayama Nohi Bus Center-Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center – JPY 3,600

TOTAL: JPY 10,800 (approximately PHP 4,400)

 

 

Exclusively By Train

Nagoya > Gifu > Mino-Ota > Gero > Takayama > Hida-Furukawa

• 2 hr 40 min travel time
• Pros: Fastest, scenic, comfortable
• Cons: More expensive; transfers can be confusing, and you might miss your train

From Nagoya Station, take the JR Hida Limited Express Train to Takayama. Many trips run this route, and they vary in the number of stops. Taking the Limited Express train ensures that you’ll stop at fewer stations.

Keep in mind, though, that navigating the train system can be extremely confusing, especially for first-timers, and you might chance upon a train that will require you to transfer eventually. Keep tabs on each station you arrive at.

From Takayama Station, take another Limited Express Train to Hida-Furukawa if you didn’t catch the direct train.

 

Fare Cost Breakdown (Roundtrip):

• Nagoya-Takayama (via JR Hida Limited Express Train) – JPY 5,610
• Takayama-Hida-Furukawa Limited Express Train – JPY 1,800
• Hida-Furukawa-Takayama Limited Express Train – JPY 1,800
• Takayama-Nagoya (via JR Hida Limited Express Train) – JPY 5,610

TOTAL: JPY 14,820 (approximately PHP 5,950)

 

Exclusively By Bus

Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center > Takayama Nohi Bus Center > Hida-Furukawa Ekimae

• 3 hr 40 min travel time
• Pros: Cheapest, scenic, comfortable
• Con: Longest travel time

If you are going exclusively by bus, the main con is the longest travel time, including stops and transfers. However, if you’re concerned about cost, this is the most budget-friendly option.

Just as with the first option, take a highway bus from the Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center in Nagoya Station to the Nohi Bus Center in Takayama. From the Nohi Bus Center in Takayama, take a bus to Hida-Furukawa Ekimae. This trip adds an additional 40 minutes to the 3-hour trip from Nagoya to Takayama.

 

Fare Cost Breakdown (Roundtrip):

• Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center-Takayama Nohi Bus Center – JPY 3,600
• Takayama Nohi Bus Center-Hida-Furukawa Ekimae – JPY 380
• Hida-Furukawa Ekimae-Takayama Nohi Bus Center – JPY 380
• Takayama Nohi Bus Center-Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center – JPY 3,600

TOTAL: JPY 7,960 (approximately PHP 3,200)

 

 

By Car

Take National Route 41

• 2 hr 50 min travel time
• Pros: Fast, comfortable, no transfers
• Con: Expensive

This isn’t a top recommendation because it’s expensive, but it’s another quick way to get to Hida-Furukawa from Nagoya without the confusion of taking trains. It’s also your best bet if mobility is a concern.

If you’re going by car, you can book a rental or a direct transfer service. Prices highly vary, and toll fees apply.

 

Your Name-related spots in Hida-Furukawa

So you’re finally in Hida-Furukawa—what’s next? It’s time to hit all the Your Name-related places in town! Follow the footsteps of Taki and his friends by adding these places to your itinerary:

Hida-Furukawa Station

8 Furukawachō Kanamorichō, Hida, Gifu 509-4225, Japan

As soon as you arrive at Hida-Furukawa via train, you will have already ticked a box on your must-visit list: Hida-Furukawa Station. To manage your expectations, though, this is a pretty small station, and Hidakuro-kun isn’t always around to welcome guests.

 

Hida-Furukawa Taxi Stand

This spot is right outside the station. If your timing’s right, there will be a taxi waiting at the stand when you arrive.

 

Hida-Furukawa Pedestrian Overpass

Located on the opposite side of the station, this is where you can get a perfect view of trains arriving and departing from Hida-Furukawa Station, just like in the anime!

 

Miyagawa Ochiai Bus Stop

Ochiai, Miwagawacho, Hida, Gifu 509-4415, Japan

This bus stop is no longer operational and isn’t as accessible as the other spots on this list, but Your Name fans still frequent it, so the shelter still stands today. There’s even a guestbook corner where fans can leave a note.

The easiest way to get here is by taking a taxi from Hida-Furukawa Station. It’s a 20-minute drive north of the station.

Alternatively, you may take a JR Tamayama Line train bound for Toyama from Hida-Furukawa Station and alight at Tsunogawa Station (after about 13 minutes). It’s then a 5-minute walk, crossing the Miyagawa River via Kawai Bridge.

 

Hida City Library

2-22 Furukawacho Honmachi, Hida, Gifu 509-4232, Japan
*Closed on Mondays and the last Friday of each month

Situated in central Hida-Furukawa, this library—about a 5-minute walk from Hida-Furukawa Station—is where Taki discovered the doomed fate of the people of Itomori. In real life, it’s a public library where locals spend time reading and studying. It also provides free Wi-Fi access. If you’d like to take photos here, make sure to get permission from the front desk first.

 

Keta Wakamiya Shrine

1297 Furukawacho Kamikita, Hida, Gifu 509-4212, Japan

Also known as Sugimoto-sama to locals, the Keta Wakamiya Shrine is highly regarded in Hida-Furukawa. It’s among the shrines in town involved in the legendary Furukawa Festival—one of the three main “naked festivals” in Japan and has been inscribed since 2016 on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. This shrine is a 13-minute walk northeast of Hida-Furukawa Station.

 

Ajidokoro Furukawa

11-3 Furukawacho Ichinomachi, Hida, Gifu 509-4234, Japan

Sink your teeth into Ajidokoro Furukawa’s gohei-mochi (grilled rice cake with miso), the savory snack Taki’s friends enjoyed during their visit to Hida. This store (just a 7-minute walk from Hida-Furukawa Station) is believed to have inspired the shop that appeared in the anime movie. Its menu includes the celebrated Hida beef steak and has vegan- and Halal-friendly options, too.

 

Hida-Furukawa Sakura Gift Shop

2-20 Furukawacho Sannomachi, Hida, Gifu 509-4236, Japan
*Closed on Thursdays

In the film, Mitsuha makes a braided cord. This traditional craft is called kumihimo, and you can try it at Sakura Gift Shop for JPY 2,200. The store also offers an assortment of Kimi no Na wa goods, such as Mitsuha’s red hair tie, the jar that contained the kuchikamizake Mitsuha and her sister Yotsuha prepared, and Hidakuro-kun merch.

 

Getting Around Hida-Furukawa

Walking is a great way to explore the little town of Hida-Furukawa, but it can be time-consuming, so consider renting a bicycle to get around more efficiently. You may rent a bike at the Hida Furukawa Festival Exhibition Hall for JPY 300 per hour, or JPY 1,000 per day. Rental cut-off time is 3 PM daily.

For visitors with mobility issues, Medix Taxi (Miyagawa branch) provides a chartered taxi service for about 8,550 yen per 90 minutes.

 

Hida Furukawa Festival Exhibition Hall
14-5 Furukawacho Ichinomachi, Hida, Gifu 509-4232, Japan
okosidaiko.com

 

Medix Taxi
joyful-taxi.com

 

Is A Day in Hida-Furukawa Enough To Cover All The Spots Featured In Your Name?

While it is possible to take a day trip to Hida-Furukawa, it might not be enough for you to tick all the spots in your Kimi no Na wa itinerary, especially if you wish to fully enjoy each stop. But if you really have just one day to explore the town, you can maximize your visit by prioritizing the spots or activities you’d like to see or try.

Taking the train to Hida-Furukawa will instantly give you three sites to check out—the station, the taxi stand, and the overpass. From here, you’ll have to decide whether you’ll go for the kumihimo experience (which takes at least an hour, provided that there’s no queue and you learn the craft fast) or just hit the other spots within the next few hours.

Keep in mind that you’ll also have to consider the time of your return trip to Takayama. If you miss the train, chances are, getting another ticket will be tricky. Be extra mindful of your schedule if you’re taking a day trip.

 

Hida-Furukawa Travel Tips

• Make it a point to stop by the Tourist Information Center at Hida-Furukawa Station when you arrive. They have countless resources to help make your fan pilgrimage easier. The staff is also always happy to assist tourists with their needs.
• One of the best times to visit Hida-Furukawa is around the Furukawa Festival, or Furukawa Matsuri. Held from April 19 to 20 every year, this government-designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property is composed of two parts: The Okoshi-Daiko (rousing drum) parade and the sparkling “Yatai” or festival floats parade.
• If you’re up for a unique activity in the area, join the “Moving of the Seto Canal Carp” event, where locals and tourists alike come together to transfer the picturesque Seto Canal’s koi fish to their temporary winter home. This takes place in late November each year. For the 2026 schedule, click here.
• In addition to Your Name merch, be sure to pick up locally made candles from Mishima Japanese Candleshop. Specializing in Wa-rousoku (Japanese candles), this shop has been in business for over two centuries and is best known for crafting slow-burning and breeze-resistant candles.
• If you’re considering spending the night in Hida-Furukawa, there’s no better place to stay and experience the locals’ hospitality than Yatsusankan. A ryokan that has been welcoming guests since the 1850s, it is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property.

 

Other spots to include in your Kimi no Na wa pilgrimage in Japan

Can’t make the trip to Hida-Furukawa just yet? No worries! There are many other spots featured in the film that you can visit in real life. And the best part is, most of them are located right in Tokyo.

 

Suga Shrine Stairs

The iconic stairs in Tokyo where Mitsuha and Taki cross paths in the present.

Google Maps Pin

 

Café La Bohème Shinjuku Gyoen

The café where Taki works.

Google Maps Pin

 

Tokyo City View Roppongi Hills

The first stop of Taki and Miss Okudera’s date.

Google Maps Pin

 

National Art Center

Where Taki saw an exhibition on Hida, easily recognizing the town of Itomori.

Google Maps Pin

 

Salon de Thé ROND

A futuristic-looking café within the National Art Center where Taki and Miss Okudera had lunch during their date.

Google Maps Pin

 

Lake Suwa

A lake in the Kiso Mountains of Nagano that inspired Lake Itomori.

Google Maps Pin

 

Nagoya Station

Where the adventure of Taki and friends began (make sure to try the city’s famous miso katsu!).

Google Maps Pin

 

And this completes our ultimate fan pilgrimage guide to Hida-Furukawa and other spots featured in Your Name. If you found this article helpful for your trip planning, let us know in the comments! For now, it’s time to rewatch the movie and listen to the soundtrack by Radwimps on repeat.

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