In Hirosaki, the "Sacred Pilgrimage", which goes around the places that appear in the manga "Flying Witch", is now secretly popular, and it is trying to attract new tourists.

The same manga set in Aomori and Hirosaki began serialization in "Separate Volume Shonen Magazine" (Kodansha) in 2012, and there are 4 previously published single comics. From April of this year, anime started on Nippon TV, Aomori Broadcasting, etc., and voices such as "comfort" and "healed" are increasing on the Internet, and the popularity is increasing.

A story about high school girl Makoto Kobata moving from Yokohama to a relative's house in Hirosaki to train as a witch. In the work, various parts of Hirosaki are drawn in the background of the scene, and among the fans, images comparing the original and actual photos are summarized on the net, photos of wrapping cars and bus stops with illustrations are uploaded, etc. You can see it doing.

Kotaro Takanashi (49 years old), who came to the sacred place pilgrimage from Ibaraki/Oarai, said, “This is my first visit to Hirosaki. One day stay, Hirosaki Park, apple park, school road for the protagonists and a resting place for a walk. I went around the Azumaya etc. I used." “I'm glad I was able to experience a slow time unlike in the city,” says Takanashi. "I couldn't go around this time alone, so I'd like to go to the Neputa Festival next time."

According to Takanashi, there are fans who use Google Street View and others to identify scenes that appear in manga and anime, and fans who actually visit the site and take pictures. "Some of the works may be used as a background by reversing the actual place. When I find such a place, I am very happy."

Daigo Shirato of Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Association said, “Inquiries about pilgrimage to sacred places are increasing. I feel that the number of tourists who are holy pilgrimage purposes is increasing using SNS such as Twitter. It will be distributed soon. We are planning to revise the existing stage tour map to anime illustrations, and we would like to add the stages that have increased due to animation.”