Grave of the Fireflies
Isao Takahata's film for Studio Ghibli (1988), based on Akiyuki Nosaka's semi-autobiographical story: in the final months of World War II, siblings Seita and Setsuko try to survive after the firebombing of Kobe. Takahata grounded the story in real places around Kobe and Nishinomiya, such as Niteko Pond.
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Sannomiya Station (Kobe)the opening scene
location
The great Kobe station where the film opens: a starving Seita collapses against a pillar. The frame of the tragedy the story tells in flashback.
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Niteko Pondthe shelter pond
location
The Nishinomiya pond beside which Seita and Setsuko set up their shelter after leaving their aunt's home. Takahata set much of the film here to avoid clashing with Nosaka's real memories.
Source & evidence
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Shukugawa (Nishinomiya)the cherry river
location
The Shukugawa river and district, which the siblings reach by Hankyū train from Kobe. Its cherry-lined banks are one of the film's recognizable landscapes.
Source & evidence
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