Hello! (哩賀/你好！in Taiwanese) I am Shisei, and I came to Japan to study abroad from Taiwan in April 2022. This time, I would like to introduce "Kappo Ryokan Obonai," a recommended place “Japanese inn” in Karumai Town, Iwate Prefecture, which is the sacred place of the manga "Haikyu!!," a work that greatly encouraged me to pursue my dream of studying in Japan.
By the way, do you know the Japanese manga "Haikyu!!"? I believe it is a well-known work, but first, I would like to briefly introduce the content and charm of the work for those who are not familiar with it. After that, I will introduce the most recommended place in the work's sacred site, "Kappo Ryokan Obonai." Let’s get started.
■What kind of work is the manga "Haikyu!!"?
The manga "Haikyu!!" is a "realistic" youth sports manga centered around high school volleyball. Therefore, there are no characters with superpowers or unrealistic skills. The original creator, Haruichi Furudate, is from Karumai Town in Iwate Prefecture and was a member of the volleyball club during middle and high school. This background allows for a very realistic portrayal of student life, the excitement of volleyball, and the dynamics during matches. Even those who have never experienced student life in Japan or participated in club activities can feel as if they are living the same student life as the characters. (This is the greatest charm of this work!) Furthermore, the composition during matches and the coolness of volleyball are carefully drawn, making it understandable even for those without prior sports knowledge.
■The Charm of the manga "Haikyu!!"
・You can experience something similar to the daily lives of the characters.
・Every character in the story is a protagonist (each has their own story).
・Perfectly executed visual guidance that makes you forget to breathe.
As I mentioned earlier, this work allows you to vicariously experience the daily lives of the characters while reading. During match scenes, you are completely immersed in the world of the story at 120%. The visual guidance using the ball, camera work, and the panel layout, everything is perfect. I have read various genres of manga, but none have moved me and captivated me as much as "Haikyu!!". If you are even slightly interested, I recommend reading the first volume. I believe that just reading the first volume will help you understand all the charms of this work that I wanted to share with you.
■What is Karumai Town in Iwate Prefecture like?
Karumai Town in Iwate Prefecture is a nature-rich area surrounded by mountains. The author Haruichi Furudate mentioned in a magazine interview that it is a "countryside where even trains do not run," and indeed, the only access to Karumai Town is by rental car or bus. Therefore, if someone knows nothing about "Haikyu!!," I think there are few tourists who would visit this place. However, as a result of "Haikyu!!" changing the atmosphere of Karumai Town, it has now become a town that many "Haikyu!!" fans visit every year.
★ For more details, please visit the official website ofKarumai Town, Iwate Prefecture.
■The most recommended place in Karumai Town: Kappou Ryokan Obonai, Kintaichi Onsen
The charm①: The young proprietress has a strong love for "Haikyu!!"
The charm②: The "Haikyu!!" room
The charm③: Excellent service
This ryokan is so famous that if you mention it is similar to "Kakesu-so," where the Karasuno High School volleyball team stayed during the Spring High School Volleyball National Championship (Volume 26, Chapter 230), fans of "Haikyu!!" will immediately recognize it! The exterior is old, and the entrance has a unique atmosphere, but inside is a very stylish ryokan with jazz music playing. Even those who are not familiar with "Haikyu!!" will likely fall in love with this place at first sight.
Moreover, the charming proprietress's love for "Haikyu!!" is remarkable. If you tell her that you are a "Haikyu!!" fan when making a reservation, you can receive a commemorative receipt with your favorite character's name in the addressee field and "Iwate Prefectural Tournament Expedition Training Fee" in the description field, complete with a Kakesu-so stamp. You can also be guided to the room known as the "Haikyu!! room." Once you step into the room, it's such a wonderful place that you'll want to live there forever!
During my recent trip to Karumai Town, I strongly felt the love and pride the locals have for Haikyu!! Among all the places I visited, the strongest love for Haikyu!! was felt at this ryokan. The food made with local ingredients was delicious, and soaking in the ryokan's hot spring (Onsen) left my skin smooth! Furthermore, don’t you think it’s simply the best to experience traditional Japanese hospitality? I was truly moved by my experience here, and I vowed to return to this place without fail.If my article has made you want to visit Kappo Ryokan Obonaiplease be sure to check out their website!
■ For those visiting Karumai Town for the first time, please contact “Tanaka Senpai”, who is knowledgeable about the area
I was able to meet with “Tanaka Senpai”, who is knowledgeable about Karumai Town, thanks to the proprietress of “Kappo Ryokan Obonai” reaching out to him. You can also contact him directly through X (Twitter), so if you have any questions about Karumai Town, please feel free to reach out! ※Please be polite when asking questions.
★X(Twitter): Karumaikyu~ (karumaikyu_819)
If you meet Tanaka Senpai, you can receive a Karumai Town MAP at the Karumai Information Center “Gathering Plaza.” Additionally, you can talk about Haikyu and get detailed information about Haikyu pilgrimage sites, as well as important points to note, so if you're interested, please search for him on X (Twitter)!
■Conclusion
This time, I introduced “Kappo Ryokan Obonai” located in Karumai Town, Iwate Prefecture, as a recommended place I found in Japan. How did you like it? Since I was young, I grew up watching Japanese anime such as “NARUTO,” “BLEACH,” and “ONE PIECE,” which are works from Weekly Shonen Jump. These stories depicted strong friendships among characters and their efforts to achieve their dreams, which made me long for life in Japan through these works. However, when I became a high school student, I got busy with university entrance exams and stopped reading manga and watching anime altogether. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while reviewing the works I used to read and watch, I came across the wonderful series “Haikyu!!” and once again began to yearn for life in Japan. There were times when the changes in daily life due to the pandemic made it hard for me to keep up, and I felt like I was falling apart, but encountering “Haikyu!!” allowed me to fulfill the dreams I had as a child. Therefore, this series is a treasure that changed my life. Have you ever encountered a work that changed your life or pushed you forward? The manga “Haikyu!!” and the pilgrimage spot in Karumai Town, Iwate Prefecture, that I introduced this time are truly wonderful places. You won't regret visiting, so if you're interested, please do check it out! Thank you for reading until the end.
※この記事の日本語版を読みたい方はコチラをご覧ください。※この記事は2023年08月10日に書かれたものを英語に翻訳した記事です。