Whisper of the Heart Off the Map Pilgrimage by Local Bus

Its globe-shaped design is instantly recognizable to anyone who has seen the movie. This is where the tour begins. Stop here first and take your opening shot — your first step into the world of the film.

Beyond the guardrail, the rooftops and townscape spread out just as they appear in the film. Stand in the same spot and take in the view she saw every day.

The quiet grounds surrounded by trees, the stone steps, the small shrine building — when you compare them to the film, the match is striking. Sit on those same stone steps and let the memory of that scene come back to you.

Among fans, it is said to be a possible model for the "Hill in the Sky" that appears in the film. Many feel that the view from the top of the steps, where the monument stands, echoes that iconic scene. These days the trees have grown thick and the view is mostly hidden — but posing for a photo with the monument is a must for any devoted fan. "Could this be the place?" — that sense of wonder is part of what makes a pilgrimage worth taking.

With a large tree planted at its center, the rotary carries the quiet atmosphere of the movie. The coffee shop "Jashumon," believed to be the inspiration for Chikyuya, closed in 2012 and can no longer be entered — but the tree in the rotary still stands, just as it always has. At the far end of the rotary is "Noah Yogashiten," a small bakery where fans have left a notebook known as the "Mimi-Suma Note." If it happens to be open on the day of your visit, it is well worth stopping in.

Where it takes you is part of the surprise. At the end of the ride, two hidden spots await — places that echo scenes straight from the film. The locations are revealed on the day only. Curious? Send us a message.

Tama Center sits at the heart of Tama New Town — the setting of the Ghibli film "Pom Poko." Sanrio Puroland is just a short walk from the station, so there is plenty to enjoy after the tour. Getting to Shinjuku or Shibuya from here is easy and convenient.