Last Updated: 2024-12-21

Hoshizora No Memoria#

Hoshizora no Memoria visual novel IRL locations w/ tips about traveling to the IRL locations.

Google Map#

Otaru, Hokkaido#

Reccomended Itinerary#

Estimated length: 2 days to get all day and night shots

From the airport, there is a express line from Shin-Sapporo straight to Otaru, which is the last stop of the line. From there, a bike could be helpful, but in the winter it is too dangerous and most of the challenge is from the climb so this is not absolutely necessary. Start at the northern most point(1). I personally suggest starting here since this location will have the game start screen and the route ends on point 3 which has the game's climax CG. Finally, do not underestimate how quickly the sun goes down in Hokkaido in the winter.

Hostel

I would reccomend Little Barrel. It's a two star hostel, but there a "room" that has a bed, table, and curtain instead of a regular door. I had no complains and was very cheap, ~$25/night.

(!)Temiya Park#

Snowy

Getting a photo without fog could take some patience and requires buffer time in any trip plans.

Walking here

There's an unused railroads that has been turned into a pedestrian path that's nice to walk on. Also beware that Temiya Park is big and there's only one spot that is free of trees. The Google map's location pin is very specific so please pay special attention.

Otaru Inari Shrine#

This shrine is what most points to being the cannoncial shrine. However, in other CGs this shrine is possibly too small and the next shrine below could also be an inspiration, espcially since there's no red walls here but the next shrine does have red walls.

Mamori

Coming into the shrine from the front, then to the left there should be a path to a smaller shrine office. From there, ring the bell and a nice grandma should be able to help get goods from this shrine, which could be considered auxiliary goods of HoshiMemo.

Also note that the mamori seems to change over time, so it would be worth visiting each time if possible. Also when the grandma is there, she would generally give just a pre-written shrine stamp, but when the grandpa is there he can write it out himself. If you can get the written stamp, he generally asks to give whatever you can to the shrine in return.

(!)Otaru Station#

This station does not look exactly the same as the CG, but instead served as an inspiration.

Animex

There's a local anime store in Otaru that has partnered with Studio FAVORITE. There's many goods that is no longer availible online, but is still here. In particular, there's a photo card vending machine that I haven't seen any mention of online and please do post what the 3 secret photo cards are. The town is also very active in promotions via anime events. In 2024, I'm aware there was a Mea-tan party and a anime fest here.

Card Vending Machine

This takes 200 yen per picture card and there's two sections, one for Mare and one for Yume. There's also a few secret cards within each machine. I was able to get one secret from Yume and was given one secret by a fellow fan from Mare.

Music Box Kaimeiro

A fellow fan of HoshiMemo had commissioned a few music boxes which are sold in Otaru music box store called Kaimeiro. There's also a variety of other Anime and Studio Favorite music offered. The process requires you to choose a music machine and the kind of music box to hold the machine. There's also a variety of accessories to attach to the music box. Another customization option is to get a image printed onto the wooden boxes, this is not availible for the plastic boxes. However, this would require some time for the store to complete and will be shipped to you are a period of time. The staff members are used to overseas customers so don't be discouraged from getting your own music boxes.

Otaru Port#

As of Nov 2024, the main building in the Game CG is being torn down. During the trip, the demolition crane was moving, however in Google Street View as of summer of 2024, the building was intact.

However, there's other port locations, so a similar image to the CG can still be possible.

Otaru Canal#

Be sure to keep the building on the left size to get a more correct photo. The buildings won't match perfectly since it has been so long since the game's original release. Be sure to take your time as this is a popular spot, so my suggestion is to try to pre-frame the shot, then stand around where you want to take the shot until people clear out.

Mistakes

Here's some examples of what happens if you don't plan properly. First is a framing failure, second is shows just how busy it can get.

Otaru Music Box Museum#

This location is also more of a inspiration than a direct match. The middle image is from the 3rd floor and the second image is from the 2nd floor.

Nearby historic district

This museum is in the middle of historic district. Nearby, there a clock that runs on steam and just some beautiful sights at night.

(!)Sumiyoshi Shrine#

This shrine is the bigger and more central shrine, that another article has mentioned.

Festivals

There is a festival held here around July which would also fit the themes of the visual novel.

Momiji Bridge Slope#

(!)Asahi Observation Deck#

This location has the most CGs. If you have extra time, consider taking a break here and maybe even get some studying here.

Sakura Seasons

Sakura season for Otaru is generally around early May, but check online for the most accurate information. This also coincides with Golden Week which is a series of national holidays which can lead to higher ticket prices especially for the weekends and the days before and after the weekends. If possible try to travel just a single day extra past Golden Week to save money.

The sakuras for Otaru and the sakura up around Asahi Oberservation Deck also generally bloom one week apart leading to the two zones not overlapping for when they are in full bloom so it may be worth spending two weeks in Otaru.

(!)Around Asahi Observation Deck#

I would consider some more generic shots to be taken around the observation deck and simply imagine the characters infront of myself.

Winter time

In the winter time, car traffic is closed off, but there's still locals that would walk up this path. Moreover, there's a few pieces of art that gets covered up during winter, so pay attention to not distrub anything here. Because of this artwork to get the Game CG to match with the IRL photo, the other side of the deck has to be used and in post mirror the image.

Rest spots

Nearby, about a 10 minute walk, is a full cabin shelter that can help protect against the wind, but near summer time there's can be a few bugs.

Path to Asahi Deck

There's a path from the base of the mountain to Asahi Deck. From the base, the route starts roughly around Otaru Shiritsu Seiryo Junior High School, and ends at Asahi Deck. This path is more steep but also shorter so try to go downhill first and only when there is sunlight availible. When approaching Asahi Deck from the usual route, on your right should be a slight indent which leads to the alternate walking path.

Next Time

Visit Animex again for more photo cards
Get sakura blossom photo
Visit Sapporo for studio favorite's

Saitama#

(!)Saitama Municipal Youth Astronomical Museum#

The CG is from the inside of the astronomy building, so any room should be fine.

Tokyo University of Science Noda Campus#

This is from inside the campus, so I personally would not go there with my limited japanese to avoid trouble or any chance of trespassing. According to the blog, the campus was renovated which is why it looks different now.

Koichi#

(!)Cafe Faust#

Also according to the blog this spot was found by fans many years later. I would also consider the following CG to also be a part of the inside of the cafe given the context.