Kanazawa, in Ishikawa Prefecture, is the real-world setting of Love Live! Hasunosora Girls’ Academy School Idol Club. For anyone wondering where to go or which scenes each location appears in, here’s a guide to 8 pilgrimage spots the author has personally visited, organized by area so you can pair them efficiently with regular Kanazawa sightseeing.
Note: This guide covers locations photographed up through April 2025. Some spots are not yet included.
Kanazawa Station
The towering Tsuzumi-mon Gate in front of Kanazawa Station was designed around the concept of “offering an umbrella to those stepping off the train” — a symbol of the city’s hospitality. It’s lit up at night, taking on a completely different look from its daytime appearance.
In the story, this is the station where Kaho Hinoshita boards the bus to Hasunosora Academy in Episode 1 — the very starting point of the series. It’s also repeatedly depicted as a live concert venue throughout the story, making it one of the most important recurring locations. Many fans begin their pilgrimage right here, at the literal gateway to Kanazawa.
Kanazawa Gamers (near Kanazawa Station)
Just steps from Tsuzumi-mon Gate is Kanazawa Gamers, stocked with Hasunosora merchandise and life-size character panels — a must-stop for any fan. The store often sets up special birthday displays for whichever member’s birthday is coming up, so even just walking past gives you a sense of who’s currently in the spotlight.
Omicho Market
Known affectionately as “Kanazawa’s kitchen,” Omicho Market has over 300 years of history. It’s said to have taken its current form after a series of fires between 1690 and 1721 led to the market being consolidated at this location.
In the story, this is where Sayaka Murano and Tsuzuri Yugiri come to help out at the market — a quiet, everyday scene that captures the warmth of daily life rooted in Kanazawa. Walking through the market today, you can feel that same lively atmosphere the scene conveys.
Ippukuya (inside Omicho Market)
Ippukuya, which also appears in the story, is a popular spot for Kanazawa oden. The shop displays location posters, autographed cast cards, and a notebook where fans can freely leave messages, making it something of a fan hub in its own right. It’s a great two-for-one stop where you can pilgrimage and enjoy Kanazawa’s food culture at the same time.
Kanazawa Castle
Kanazawa Castle’s construction began in earnest in 1583 (Tensho 11), when Maeda Toshiie took up residence there.
The story depicts Ishikawa Bridge, the Gyokusen-inmaru Garden, and the castle park’s open lawns. Shinmaru Plaza within Kanazawa Castle Park in particular is the setting for a scene where Kaho Hinoshita and Kozue Otomune practice together — a moment that captures the everyday rhythm of the club’s rehearsals. It’s a great stop for history lovers and fans alike.
Kenrokuen Garden
One of Japan’s three great gardens, Kenrokuen was built over many generations by successive lords of the Kaga domain. Located in the heart of Kanazawa, it offers beautiful scenery across all four seasons.
The story depicts the area around Kotoji-toro, the stone lantern that serves as the garden’s iconic symbol — one of the easier spots to identify. A winter-themed card illustration even shows the lantern blanketed in snow, so visiting during snowfall lets you recreate almost the exact same composition. Since Kenrokuen sits right next to Kanazawa Castle, it’s best visited together with it.
Kazuemachi Chaya District
One of the “Three Chaya Districts of Kanazawa,” alongside Higashi Chaya and Nishi Chaya, Kazuemachi is about an 11-minute walk from Kanazawa Station and is known for its narrower alleyways compared to the other two districts.
The stone-paved path along the Asano River, lined with willow trees, appears repeatedly as a backdrop in the story. It offers a quieter, more subdued atmosphere for a stroll — a nice contrast to the livelier Higashi Chaya District.
Higashi Chaya District
The most popular of Kanazawa’s three chaya districts, Higashi Chaya draws large crowds of tourists. If you want photos without the crowds, early morning is your best bet.
The rows of teahouse buildings dating back to the Edo period appear in the series’ opening animation and lyric videos, embodying the atmospheric, nostalgic mood that defines Hasunosora. Visiting around 6 a.m. often means having the street almost entirely to yourself — ideal if you want to recreate the show’s visual style exactly.
Utatsuyama Park Lookout
This lookout in Utatsuyama Park offers a sweeping view over the city of Kanazawa, with benches where you can spread out a picnic lunch on a clear day.
This spot appeared as early as the series’ teaser visuals, and has since been used in the main key visual and the official social media header — making it something of a symbol for the entire Hasunosora project. It’s repeatedly shown in the story as a scenic overlook, offering both the view and the pilgrimage experience in one place — a fitting spot to end a day of touring.
Kenmin Sports & Recreation Plaza
A bit removed from central Kanazawa, Kenmin Sports & Recreation Plaza is about a 10-minute walk from Nishi-Kanazawa Station. Home to the only ice rink in Ishikawa Prefecture, this facility is the real-world model for the ice rink Sayaka Murano has attended since she was young.
Inside, you’ll find a panel of Sayaka, related merchandise, photo displays, and a notebook anyone can write in — drawing fans not just from Japan but from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, and beyond. Since it’s a facility used daily by local residents, please be considerate of others while visiting.
Ishikawa Prefectural Library
A little outside the city center, the Ishikawa Prefectural Library is another pilgrimage spot worth including. Known for its distinctive circular interior, the library also appears as the venue for one of the series’ live concert scenes — and part of the fun is matching up the library’s real layout with the card illustrations set there.
Summary
Kanazawa, the setting of Love Live! Hasunosora Girls’ Academy School Idol Club, is home to countless famous sightseeing spots — Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya District, and more — that double as pilgrimage locations. Being able to enjoy both sightseeing and pilgrimage at once is part of what makes this series so appealing.
A suggested efficient pilgrimage route:
- Kanazawa Station (Tsuzumi-mon Gate, Kanazawa Gamers)
- Omicho Market (lunch at Ippukuya)
- Kanazawa Castle → Kenrokuen (adjacent, so easy to combine)
- Kazuemachi Chaya District → Higashi Chaya District (under a 5-minute walk apart)
- Utatsuyama Park (best viewed in the evening)
- Kenmin Sports & Recreation Plaza (Nishi-Kanazawa area)
- Ishikawa Prefectural Library
If you visit Kanazawa, be sure to enjoy the pilgrimage!
Information is current as of April 2025. Facility details are subject to change, so please check for the latest information before visiting.
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