Kei Sanbe's thriller (manga 2012-2016, A-1 Pictures anime in 2016): Satoru Fujinuma, able to leap back in time just before a tragedy, is sent to 1988 to prevent the kidnapping of his classmate Kayo. The childhood half of the story portrays the author's native Tomakomai, with its paper-mill chimneys and snowy winters.
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Tomakomai Science Center — Satoru and Kayo's outingthe outing with Kayo
location
The science museum Satoru takes Kayo to on the weekend before the fateful day, their best shared memory. The stuffed bear at the entrance, which appears in the series, was brought back here because of its popularity. There is a corner dedicated to the series on the ground floor, and its main draw today is the backup unit of the Soviet Mir space station.
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Misono Elementary School — model for Satoru's schoolschool model
model / inspiration
It is the model for Mikoto Elementary, the school Satoru attends in 1988. In reality it lacks the gate seen in the series, but it does have the playground equipment made of tyres. It is a working school: view it only from outside, without disturbing anyone.
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Midorigaoka Park Observation Deckthe view of the city
location
The panorama of Tomakomai with the paper mill chimneys shown in the series can be seen from this free observation deck in Midorigaoka Park. From its 55.6 m altitude you can see the city and Mt Tarumae. Closed on Mondays in winter.
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Tomakomai Paper Mill (Ōji Chimneys)the series' skyline
location
The roughly 200-metre red-and-white chimneys of the Ōji Paper mill, the city's symbol, appear again and again in the series' landscapes. They can be seen from almost anywhere in Tomakomai, including the Midorigaoka Park observation deck. The mill itself cannot be visited.
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Tomakomai StationSatoru's town
location
The station of Satoru's home town appears only for a moment, in shots of the city. It is the natural starting point for touring the locations, which are spread out: the tourist office in the Friend building next to the station displays a shikishi signed by the author, Kei Sanbe, and rents out bicycles.
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