Byousoku 5cm Real Life Pictures – Spring Edition
Remember the Byousoku 5cm Real Life Pictures post I did last year while in Japan? I decided not to miss doing a Spring Edition as it was the main season the whole film was set in. After all, how often do you get to see the blooming of Sakura trees?
Thankfully, due to having done one of these trips last year, getting around was much easier and quicker this time, with one exception (will get to that later). Armed with my iPod Touch filled with the maps of each location, camera and a couple of energy bars, I left the hostel together with double into the direction of Shinjuku. There, we embarked on the journey of reminiscence.
We had originally wanted to visit Nogi station and Iwafune station, which was northwards of Ikebukuro, but after realizing how much time and expensive it was to travel there, we had to unfortunately skip it (1hr 45 mins just to get to Iwafune station, which the trains run at an hourly interval. Ticket cost for one way: 2500 yen. Transit Information). If I did visit Iwafune station, I’d have to leave at 10 in the morning and will only return 3 in the afternoon…
I shall follow the format of the “Byousoku 5cm Real Life Pictures” Post I did last year, hence saving time in thinking how to present these pictures to you.
| 5. |
| Timestamp - 00:50:05/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 3rd, Byousoku 5cm 「秒速５センチメートル」 |
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| Real Life (Summer 2007) |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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| 6. |
| Timestamp - 00:49:56/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 3rd, Byousoku 5cm 「秒速５センチメートル」 |
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| Real Life |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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| 7. |
| Timestamp - 00:57:06/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 3rd, Byousoku 5cm 「秒速５センチメートル」 |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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| 2. |
| Timestamp - 00:50:30/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 3rd, Byousoku 5cm 「秒速５センチメートル」 |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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This building is called Shinjuku Sumitomo Building 「新宿住友ビル」
| 4. |
| Timestamp - 00:50:13/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 3rd, Byousoku 5cm 「秒速５センチメートル」 |
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| Timestamp - 00:58:50/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 3rd, Byousoku 5cm 「秒速５センチメートル」 |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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I tried to imitate Takaki and get double to take a picture like how it would look like in the film itself. But double sucks at taking photos so you get a lousy photo as above ORZ
With that marker down as well, we headed towards Sangubashi station, where the more exciting parts of these journey is at – The places where Akari and Takaki spent their childhood at.
Remember I didn’t know how to get there during the last trip? I thought I had it down this time, but due to me writing down the wrong train line (It’s actually Odakyu and not Odawara), we couldn’t find where Sangubashi station is. Even asking the kawaii station lady by the counter didn’t help, as she told us to take the blue lines (which there wasn’t any Sangubashi on them). Eventually, we decided to take the Yamanote line down to Harajuku, and walk through Yoyogi park.
The red pin on the mark is the location of the sakura tree where Akari and Takaki kissed. I forgot to take a picture though… ORZ If only I could grab a cute girl and kiss her by the tree ^^;
| 11. |
| Timestamp - 00:09:48/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| 12. |
| Timestamp - 00:08:22/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| 13. |
| Timestamp - 00:00:22/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| 16. |
| Timestamp - 00:00:39/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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The walls and structure on the left have been cleared and now it’s under construction to make way for some building. Notice how that yellow motorbike is still at the same location as it was 6 months ago?!
Moving on, we headed to the two most importation train crossings in the whole film.
| 17. |
| Timestamp - 00:00:46/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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I originally wanted double to imitate Akari by jumping for a bit.. but I realized it would be stupid ^^; At least the construction vehicles in the same location at the film.
| 18. |
| Timestamp - 00:59:16/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 3rd, Byousoku 5cm 「秒速５センチメートル」 |
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| Real Life |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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Me imitating Takaki by walking towards the camera.
Akari, Takaki and Chobit the cat
Since I’d missed out visiting the temple where Akari and Takaki met Chobi the cat the previous trip, we headed down there for a couple of shots.
I don’t have my copy of Byousoku 5cm with me at the moment so I can’t take any screencaps of the film. Will get that done once I’m back in Singapore ^^;
| 19. |
| Timestamp - 00:07:17/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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| 20. |
| Timestamp - 00:07:12/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| 21. |
| Timestamp - 00:07:10/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| 22. |
| Timestamp - 00:07:07/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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| 23. |
| Timestamp - 00:06:58/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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Here’s where Akari and Takaki meets Chobi the Cat. This is a direct reference to Makoto Shinkai’s earlier film “She and the Cat”
| 24. |
| Timestamp - 00:06:54/01:02:45 |
| Chapter - 1st, Oukashou 「桜花抄」 |
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| Real Life (Spring 2008) |
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Post Thoughts
It’s almost funny how this film has impacted me the longest since time knoweth, that it is no surprise that it becomes a part of who you are. Even having visited these places for the second time, the same feeling of remniscene hits you back, with an added impact. You learn new things about each character. be it the sadness, unimaginable thoughts or even just the simple days of joys they (Akari and Takaki) shared.
It felt good to be there again. Phrases from the film keep running through my head, especially the prologue.
「ねえ」
「秒速５センチなんだって」
「えっ 何？」
「桜の花の落ちるスピード秒速５センチメートル」
A simple dish of reality.
Getting There
Here’s a note for any reader who wish to embark on this visit themselves. To get to Sangubashi station, take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku station (It’s not a JR line, and there’s a gate to transfer to there).
I wouldn’t mind visiting these places yet again, and also the remainder which I have yet to visit. It would probably be nice to visit during Winter. Especially when there’s snow on the ground.
Misc
^ Finger licking good!
Just a picture of a cat we saw along the streets. And oh, I managed to get the hard cover copy of the novel :)
Related Posts:
Byousoku 5cm – Oukashou | Based in 1995?! <Link>
Collaborative Digital Subbed Release: Byousoku 5 Centimeter <Link>
Byousoku 5cm Real Life Pictures – Summer Edition 2007 <Link>
Other Links:
Byousoku 5cm Yahoo Map <Link>
Other posts that might interest you
I want your feedback!
Over the course of almost a year since this blog has started out, there has been ups and downs, favourite posts and such. I was looking though my stats page and I realized that my 10 Most Viewed Post are the most lackluster, shoddy written ones!
Click here to view the stats page.
^ Rin in her ‘dere dere’ mood :)
I never really asked, or you guys didn’t bother (J/K) to state what kind of post you’d like on this blog. It could be more figurine coverage, less anime reviews, more Tohsaka Rin (^___^) etc. I’ll then read thru the comments and decide on the ones I’m able to focus on. Of course, I won’t be able to please everybody as that would kill the site. Ultimately it would be me doing the contents but a little feedback or two gives me a general idea of what you guys feel.
Like what Bill Cosby said:
“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. “
Taken from dannychoo.com – Post name: Recommandation
Let’s all speak up! I do appreciate your feedback!
Mini Research on Japanese Design Schools (MRJDS)
I’ll need to take Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU) and Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) in the years to come.
The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (日本留学試験, Nihon Ryūgaku Shiken?); literally, “Japan Foreign Study Test”), more commonly referred to as simply the Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU), is a standardized test that began in 2002 as a replacement for both the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and the General Examination for Foreign Students, the latter of which is no longer administered. It has quickly become the standard admission test for non-Japanese students who are applying to study in Japan, either at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Source: Wikipedia <Link>
EJU is basically used as an admission test for us non-Japanese students.
I need to take JLPT as well as some schools do not recognize EJU as a standard admission test :/
Plans:
JLPT Level 3,4 next year (December)
EJU (Once I find out where I can take it over here)
Japanese Schools:
Tokyo Anime <Link>
Nippon Engineering College <Link>
Yoyogi Academy <Link>
These are all designing schools.
Website that shows the game related/anime related schools in Japan <Link>
Great post. I’ve been living in Sangubashi for 3 years :)
Nice!
Anime this day are getting much more realistic.
One of the best shows ever, and you capture the feel of the place well.
sorry to interrupt, is it just me or do i see “no image available” for the last few pics?
@kirai: Didn’t know you lived there! It’s seems like a lovely neighborhood!
@Rokku: That’s true. But I hope there aren’t any real life incidents that will mimic those in Higurashi, School Days etc.
@Hexlord: Thanks!
@gordon: Yup. “No image available” for the last few pictures. I’ll post them up in the morning or so.
wonderful entry!!! gotta show the hubs when he come back from work LOL
Can you PLEASE reupload the last pictures?
thanks!