In Depth Stories

“Orange” – Manga Series and Movie Set in Matsumoto

About

A Sci-Fi romantic story by manga artist and Matsumoto resident Ichigo Takano
4,800,000 copies sold in nine countries
Nominated as one of Goodreads Choice Awards’ Best Graphics & Novels and also for an Eisner Award

“Orange” tells the story of two high school students who receive letters from their future selves attempting to prevent a tragedy. The plot deals with themes of friendship, romance, and loss. Following the release of a live-action film in 2015, an animated TV series and an animated film “Orange: Future” were released in 2016. When you visit Matsumoto, you can see the setting of “Orange” for yourself.



See the official “Orange” websites below (Japanese only).
Ichigo Takano’s “Orange” Official Site
Ichigo Takano Official Site

Locations Tour

Introducing all of the notable spots that appear in the comic books, movie, and anime.

Those familiar with the story will quickly recognize the following 10 locations, but even if you’re not already familiar with them, they are notable spots in their own right.

Location 1: The Metoba River’s Nakanohashi Bridge

Letters 3, 8, and 9
Connecting Nawate Street and the Nakamachi Shopping Street Area, the bridge gives you a scenic view of the river, shops lining the bank, and mountains in the distance. Enjoy the view while eating a taiyaki (fish-shaped pancake with custard or other filling) just like the characters in book 1. The shop Furusato, located on Nawate Street, sells the wiener taiyaki eaten in the film. In book 2, characters visit the bridge dressed in summer kimono called yukata during Matsumoto’s Bon Bon Dance Festival. This scene is also included in the movie.

Location 2: The Metoba River’s Saiwaibashi Bridge

Just a little further downstream of the Nakanohashi Bridge, this bridge leads straight to the next spot, Location 3: Yohashira Shrine. In the movie, the characters purchase bread from a bakery and eat it on the bridge.

Location 3: Yohashira Shrine

Letter 8
Literally meaning “four pillars”, the name Yohashira was derived from the existence of four gods within the shrine. A shrine with so many deities gathered in one place is rare even in Japan. Thus, this shrine is known as a place where wishes can be granted, and the protagonists come to make a wish here as well in book 2. They return here to make a promise here in book 6.
A number of festivals are held on or near this shrine’s grounds throughout the year. See our Events page for further details.

Location 4: Nakamachi Storehouse Kurassic-kan

Letter 7
The students can be found discussing their New Year’s plans in front of the traditional storehouse Kurassic-kan in book 4.

Location 5: Fukashi Shrine

Letter 18
Built in 1339, the shrine is painted an inviting shade of bright orange. A number of festivals take place here throughout the year, and in book 5, the shrine serves as a rendezvous point for the students.

Location 6: Hanadokei (flower clock) Park in front of the Matsumoto PARCO

Letters 4 and 8
Encircled by buildings on all sides, this quiet park has a fountain area where people can play in the summer. In the manga, it serves as a meet up point for the characters.

Location 7: Agata-no-mori Park

Letters 2 and 8
The background for the covers of books 1 and 2, this sprawling forested park is the setting for a number of important discussions between characters both in the books and the movie. You should also check out the Former High School Memorial Hall.

Location 8: Joyama Park

In the spring, you can stroll along cherry blossom lined trails like in the movie. You can also have a picnic here like two of the characters do in book 2.

Location 9: Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure

The symbol of Matsumoto, the castle not only makes an appearance in the story, but appears on the cover of book four. Climb the ancient steps of one of the oldest castles in Japan.

Location 10: Mt. Kobo Tomb

Letter 20
In the springtime, the hill is decorated with cherry blossoms against a backdrop of the snow-capped Japan Alps. In the manga, one of the final scenes involving a time capsule plays out at this location.

How to Find These Locations


To make the locations easier to find, Matsumoto City and the Matsumoto Tourism & Convention Association partnered to create an Orange location guide map in Japanese.

The Japanese website and app Butai Meguri also make finding locations even easier.