Anime fans visiting Japan now have even more reason to explore outside Tokyo, as Skip and Loafer highlighted the real-life locations that inspired Mitsumi Iwakura’s hometown.
Specifically, a special Alternate Reality (AR) event is happening now in Suzu City, Japan. There, fans can take photos with the series’ cast in various tourist spots in and around the city.
Suzu City is the inspiration for Mitsumi’s hometown, and it’s quite a long trek from Tokyo, the biggest city in Japan.
Skip and Loafer: Where Is Mitsumi’s Hometown?
Skip and Loafer's first episode follows Mitsumi’s first school day in Tokyo, which is a major departure from her hometown. After all, Mitsumi is from a remote town in a far-off prefecture.
It was revealed that Mitsumi grew up in a town located in Ishikawa Prefecture. This prefecture is on the opposite side of Tokyo and is separated from the metropolis by large mountains.
While the prefectural capital of Kanazawa is a sizeable city with over 400,000 residents, Mitsumi’s hometown is off in the outskirts of the prefecture.
While it’s not named, her hometown was revealed to be based on Suzu City, which is on the northernmost tip of the prefecture. As of 2021, the city has an estimated population of only 13,000.
Interestingly, Skip and Loafer isn’t the only anime of the season that’s set in Ishikawa Prefecture.
That’s because Insomniacs After School is also set there, but in Nanao City instead, where it also got a special promotional event.
RELATED: Here’s Where You Can Read the Skip and Loafer Manga Online
Special AR Event at Skip and Loafer Real-Life Locations
To promote both the show and tourism in the city, a special AR event was announced that puts the spotlight on five scenic spots throughout the city.
Aside from highlighting each spot, the event also puts the spotlight on various activities and food that tourists can enjoy in those locations.
And as a treat for fans of the show, each of the five spots features a QR code that lets fans take photos with the series’ characters, including Mitsumi, Shima, Mika, Yuzuki, and Makoto.
Anime promotional events in various Japanese cities are becoming increasingly popular as they’re a way to push tourism in the cities.
Some shows are even funded in part by these cities to help promote these areas.
Skip and Loafer will continue with Episode 10, which will be released next week on Crunchyroll.
Discover the latest anime news and info by following us on Twitter @epicstreamanime.
READ NEXT: Warm and Cozy Anime Like Skip and Loafer
Source: Skip and Loafer Twitter account
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!