Naoko Yamada's film (Kyoto Animation, 2016), adapting Yoshitoki Ōima's manga. Shōya Ishida tries, in high school, to atone for the cruel bullying he inflicted in elementary school on Shōko Nishimiya, a deaf girl. It is a story about guilt, communication and the possibility of forgiveness. Ōima is a native of Ōgaki (Gifu), the 'city of water', and transferred its streets, bridges over the Suimon canal and parks into the film so faithfully that they can be walked one by one.
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Former Ibikawa Bridgeopening scene
A former iron railway bridge over the Ibi River, now a pedestrian walkway and a Nationally Important Cultural Property. It is the setting for the opening scene: Shōya, standing on the railing, stares into the void until a bursting firework brings him back. (Coordinate approximate, by the bridge's address.)
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Midori Bridge (Four Seasons Plaza)central spot
Midori-bashi, over the Suimon canal in Four Seasons Plaza (Shiki no Hiroba), is the single most important place in the work: here Shōya, Shōko and their friends gather, and Shōko feeds bread to the canal's large koi. The same park holds the waterfall tunnel where Shōko feeds pigeons. It appears on manga covers. (Coordinate approximate, by address.)
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Ōgaki Park & Castlepark scenes
The park beside Ōgaki Castle appears several times: it is where Shōya looks after his niece Maria and later comes to the aid of Yuzuru, Shōko's little sister. The coming-of-age ceremony scene is also set here. A serene park at the foot of the restored castle.
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Ōgaki Stationthe reunion
Ōgaki's main station, the city's transport hub, is seen several times in the film, notably when the group meets up to go looking for Sahara, Shōko's old friend. The covered shopping arcade leading from the station also appears repeatedly.
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Ōgaki shopping arcadeShōko's ponytail
The covered shopping arcade in central Ōgaki is where Shōko appears wearing a ponytail. The roofed arcade, typical of mid-sized Japanese cities, is reproduced with its shopfronts and lanterns. (Coordinate approximate, by address.)
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Ōgaki Municipal Hospitalthe climax
The hospital where Shōya is admitted after falling from a balcony while saving Shōko at the film's climax. One of the film's most tense moments. (Coordinate approximate, by address.)
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Yōrō Park (Reversible Destiny) & Yōrō Fallsthe day trip
Shōya, Shōko and Yuzuru take a day trip to Yōrō Park, south of Ōgaki. The outing unfolds at the 'Site of Reversible Destiny' (Yōrō Tenmei Hantenchi), an art-park of tilted, disorienting landscapes, beside the famous Yōrō Falls. (Coordinate of the art park; the falls are about a kilometre away.)
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Gifu Stationthrough Gifu
Gifu Station, in the prefectural capital, appears in the film as a transit point from Ōgaki. Its plaza with the golden statue of Oda Nobunaga is a recognizable backdrop of the area.