JOURNEY TO GENSOKYO - Visiting Shimo-Suwa in Central Japan

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  • Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
  • They say that if Gensokyo was a real place, this is where it would be.
    Come with me on this unique journey to Shimo-Suwa, a town in Central Japan which has ties to a popular Japanese video game series known as the Touhou Project.
    Filmed in Shimo-Suwa, Japan on August 24th, 2017.
    Want to see more? Support via Patreon.
    / lunarspotlightmedia
    Follow via Twitter: @LunarSpotlight and @GensokyoRadio
    (I'm not sure who "they" are, but it was compelling enough to make me make the trip and spend many hours putting this together for you. I hope you enjoy it.)

КОМЕНТАРІ • 197

  • @totallyalpharius507
    @totallyalpharius507 2 роки тому +638

    For the more affluent Touhou enthusiasts, I'd also recommend a trip to the Moon.

    • @kon4153
      @kon4153 2 роки тому +5

      For extreme touhou fans you can go to hell

    • @comradecockatoo3558
      @comradecockatoo3558 2 роки тому +105

      Last time that happened, a big war started.

    • @odinlavaloon8767
      @odinlavaloon8767 2 роки тому +4

      XD

    • @sleepy_boi7552
      @sleepy_boi7552 2 роки тому +9

      @@comradecockatoo3558 just grab some ground or anything from alcatraz
      last time anything came in contact with the moon it made the place safe

    • @Lemuel928
      @Lemuel928 Рік тому +2

      Hotel Lunar wasn’t built in the Outside World Moon yet..

  • @MiekuahProductions
    @MiekuahProductions 6 років тому +505

    Gensokyo if its not isolated by The Great Hakurei Border

    • @edwardiscoclubber1336
      @edwardiscoclubber1336 2 роки тому +43

      Reimu caught slackin

    • @darassylmoniakam
      @darassylmoniakam 2 роки тому +11

      you wouldn't have a good time if you cross that grat border

    • @samcheer_7711
      @samcheer_7711 Рік тому +5

      @@darassylmoniakam eaten by rumia 0.00069 milisecond later after entering gensokyo

  • @stringstorm
    @stringstorm 4 роки тому +105

    This is Gensokyo after the epic yoki genocide

  • @samuffert
    @samuffert 3 роки тому +199

    Pretty sure getting lost in gensokyo is part of the experience, both in lore and in real life

    • @Itz_Sophia19
      @Itz_Sophia19 2 роки тому +18

      Well getting lost in the bamboo forest itself will be easy lmao
      (Not for me tho)

    • @sandarnwe7130
      @sandarnwe7130 2 роки тому +2

      Good luck finding your way back if you got lost there

  • @makhz
    @makhz 5 років тому +160

    you are a true Touhou fan, take your like

  • @forhisneutralspecialhewiel2295
    @forhisneutralspecialhewiel2295 2 роки тому +114

    This is one of the things I love the most about Touhou. The fact this mystical, fairy tale place is actually located in our real world, deep in the mountains of Japan, instead of being an alternate dimension or timeline like other fictional worlds do, is absolutely fascinating to me.

  • @kitheangelartist8359
    @kitheangelartist8359 5 років тому +219

    Touhou Fans where you at?
    Also i saw a shrine. REIMU WHERE THE FRICK ARE YOU LEMME DONATE MONEY TO YOUUU

    • @timeforgottenprince8271
      @timeforgottenprince8271 4 роки тому +22

      Same, I would donate money if I could.

    • @vriskyfairy
      @vriskyfairy 3 роки тому +7

      Im as broke as her so

    • @ailius1520
      @ailius1520 3 роки тому +38

      Weird fan theory: but I think ZUN has a canonical location for the Hakerei shrine picked out. In one of the books Reimu finds a bottle of modern sake which somebody had donated to the outside world side of the shrine. My personal guess is ZUN himself made a similar pilgrimage to this one, left the bottle at the site, and wrote about Reimu finding it.
      Ofcourse if he told the fans where exactly the spot is some poor shrine somewhere will get inundated with fans. (Not sure how the clergy would feel about that - what's the difference between a fan and a worshipper anyway? Plus, Ikai is a place in Shinto.)

    • @Itz_Sophia19
      @Itz_Sophia19 2 роки тому +1

      Lol same

    • @khidorahian
      @khidorahian 2 роки тому

      @@ailius1520 where was this story written?

  • @exaltdragon
    @exaltdragon 7 років тому +480

    Definitely it's a good stop if you are a touhou fan in Japan... many touhou inspirations in the town. One that you might have missed is that there a prominent Wakasagi-fishing spot in the lake itself, on the south eastern side near the piers where the swan boats dock. The lake itself is therefore probably the inspiration of the misty lake. I wonder if ZUN directly created the Wakasagihime character inspired by the fishing spot. Another one is the geyser centre near the lake. There is a magnificent blowhole at the back of the geyser centre that is probably the inspiration for the Dark Blowhole and the path into the underground for subterranean animism, or the hisoutensoku's kappa engineering.
    For me, it's definitely a must-go if you like the earlier era of touhou from touhou 9-12, although you can find many other seeming inspirations for parts of the other games. There's also more documentation for any pilgrimage on nico nico douga which I found many years ago before I went on mine, any potential tourists should have a look there.

    • @lunarspotlightmedia
      @lunarspotlightmedia  7 років тому +47

      I was able to get some photos of the lake from the higher vantage point I had. If the fishing spot was on the south side, it might have been a little difficult to get to from the north side where Shimo-suwa is. Anyway, I'm glad to have contributed my knowledge (in English, no less) for anyone interested in a similar trip.

    • @oni2662
      @oni2662 5 років тому +13

      Have those pilgrimage documentation? I would like to know

    • @darassylmoniakam
      @darassylmoniakam 2 роки тому +2

      it just looks like a kyoto lookalike, nothing great

  • @madbikes
    @madbikes 6 років тому +254

    Suwako Moriya (洩矢諏訪子) (6:20) is located at Okaya City, the next town west of Shimo-Suwa. A short walk from Okaya Station will take you to the Moriya Shrine (洩矢神社), where Suwako is derived from.

    • @oni2662
      @oni2662 5 років тому +25

      What about the Hakurei Shrine?

    • @PragmaticAntithesis
      @PragmaticAntithesis 5 років тому +60

      @@oni2662 Unfortunately, the Hakurei Shrine is fictitious.

    • @Random-Ten
      @Random-Ten 4 роки тому +75

      Andrew Smith it’s actually based on a shrine that collapsed due to an earthquake

    • @joannamysluk8623
      @joannamysluk8623 4 роки тому +38

      @@PragmaticAntithesis *_GODDAMMIT MORIYA SHRINE..._*

    • @alexnime3303
      @alexnime3303 4 роки тому +3

      ua-cam.com/video/kXD0RZUTwOo/v-deo.html

  • @EvyDevy
    @EvyDevy 5 років тому +157

    Dang, this was so beautiful. I can finally see how ZUN and many other content creators in Japan get inspired for their creations. Being on a train while viewing this looks incredible.

    • @IdkAlcohol
      @IdkAlcohol Рік тому +1

      The train you we're riding will end up in a gap portal soon

  • @euphony5552
    @euphony5552 4 роки тому +49

    Lmao you even have the ZUN hat

  • @therealkoishikomeji9260
    @therealkoishikomeji9260 6 років тому +471

    No killer faeries?
    I don't think that's Gensokyo

    • @sharkronical
      @sharkronical 2 роки тому +27

      --no under aged fairies?--
      --I don't think that's Gensokyo--

    • @Itz_Sophia19
      @Itz_Sophia19 2 роки тому +5

      Lol

    • @brothdian
      @brothdian 2 роки тому +7

      This is gensokyo without the hakurei barrier so no fairies sadly

  • @waterhorse928
    @waterhorse928 2 роки тому +35

    Everytime I imagine going to Japan to see touhou stuff I get so excited I literally have a small panic attack.

  • @flouerchajld5038
    @flouerchajld5038 6 років тому +183

    Touhou fans unite

  • @lain7758
    @lain7758 Рік тому +4

    >casually noclips out of reality in Shimo-Suwa
    December 30th, 2002: the Honest Men incident

  • @cYsmixMusic
    @cYsmixMusic 7 років тому +77

    Love this. Looks like a lot of fun. And I totally heard FATES in there! Good jorb!

    • @lunarspotlightmedia
      @lunarspotlightmedia  7 років тому +5

      cYsmix Indeed! I tried to take the original idea behind FATES and applied it to this video... a land far away, with a slight sense of nostalgia.

  • @neutralwarlord
    @neutralwarlord 4 роки тому +15

    Gensokyo is Planet Earth the fact that there are people with amazing talents, weird names and more

  • @EvilMagnitude
    @EvilMagnitude 7 років тому +84

    You've done a great job narrating and editing this. It feels like a Discovery Channel production. Nice work!

  • @HouraisanShijuushichi
    @HouraisanShijuushichi 3 роки тому +52

    we need yukari to gap us to gensokyo

  • @SaigyoujiYuyuko
    @SaigyoujiYuyuko 4 роки тому +18

    This video brings me so much joy.

  • @ellolired3994
    @ellolired3994 2 роки тому +9

    Visiting this place with my friends has now become one of my top wishes

  • @sarukahntomii
    @sarukahntomii 3 роки тому +35

    Where's the youkais?
    And the onis?
    And the human Village?
    *WHERE'S RIN SATSUKI-*

    • @izon2036
      @izon2036 Рік тому +4

      Inside the invisible barrier ofc

    • @lain7758
      @lain7758 Рік тому +2

      Hood Kotohime asking the real question

  • @hatenayousei
    @hatenayousei 2 роки тому +8

    the touhou drawings on those wooden things (sorry, I don't know how to spell it) are really cute!

  • @Jayiousity
    @Jayiousity 2 роки тому +8

    Just found this video on a whim and decided to check it out, was not disappointed. I do plan on visiting Gensokyo or just japan in general with a few of my friends (or just my lonesome) but because of current events i can't really leave the country and have to make a new passport since my old one expired.

  • @jdxanadu872
    @jdxanadu872 7 років тому +55

    This makes me really want my trip to Japan to come sooner. I want to visit Shimosuwa so badly.

    • @Itz_Sophia19
      @Itz_Sophia19 2 роки тому +2

      True! I already live in East-Asia but I've been out of my country o n c e so far

  • @Batzalko
    @Batzalko 3 роки тому +14

    It's The Gensokyo the gods were pretty much okay with...

  • @abdulhafiz8798
    @abdulhafiz8798 3 роки тому +15

    I love this documentary, thanks for the video.

  • @moved_...
    @moved_... 3 роки тому +4

    Every yokai gangster until a grunt with red glasses appeares

  • @riceballhero
    @riceballhero 4 роки тому +19

    日本の風景に興味を持ってくれて嬉しいな😁

  • @AltraHapi
    @AltraHapi Рік тому +1

    This place is apart of my go to list now whenever I visit Japan in my lifetime

  • @TouhouFan
    @TouhouFan 2 роки тому +5

    Glad the real word did a reference to Touhou

  • @ninfreak
    @ninfreak 7 років тому +38

    what a nice idea for a video and very well executed :)
    This strengthened my wish to visit Japan once again even further. Maybe I'll do this journey too :3

    • @lunarspotlightmedia
      @lunarspotlightmedia  7 років тому +9

      ninfreak Thanks! Obviously things change over time, but if this video helps in making such a trip easier, I'm happy with that.

    • @ninfreak
      @ninfreak 7 років тому +3

      Channel Lunar Maybe the way to get there will change (different train lines, etc), but you gave a good impression of the destination and thus an inspiration for travelers. If possible, I'd love to see more of such content on your channel in the future.

  • @cappuccino5460
    @cappuccino5460 7 років тому +58

    I hope take a selfie with reimu, cirno,Marisa kirisame,sakuya izayoi and many characters 😊😊😊😊😊😁

  • @betapsyrainn
    @betapsyrainn 3 роки тому +15

    Gensokyo is real woww

  • @4AEMRR
    @4AEMRR 7 років тому +25

    PLEASE KEEP DOING THESE! I LOVE THEM!

  • @noireel5977
    @noireel5977 3 роки тому +5

    best documentary video ever

  • @OatmealGrillBlazer
    @OatmealGrillBlazer 3 роки тому +5

    this needs to get more views

  • @jeanegreene374
    @jeanegreene374 6 років тому +12

    This is awesome

  • @Kirisame312
    @Kirisame312 2 роки тому +3

    Thanks for sharing your trip! What a beautiful location.

  • @hatenayousei
    @hatenayousei 2 роки тому +8

    now that I know this place exists, I really want to go there. it looks really nice. I need to learn more japanese

  • @Derk_Mage
    @Derk_Mage Рік тому +3

    The Shimo-Suwa shrine was the shrine that Suwako used before going to Gensokyo

  • @phonggun
    @phonggun 2 роки тому +2

    Only 1 video, man you need to make more of this

  • @scouttengu
    @scouttengu 2 роки тому +6

    Next, visit the youkai mountain!

  • @INSAne_DrUNkard
    @INSAne_DrUNkard 7 років тому +21

    Absolutely Beautiful~❤

  • @slayerofdarknssdmt9697
    @slayerofdarknssdmt9697 4 роки тому +22

    So I've been thinking if the hakurei boarder is destroyed what happens to this city
    Is everyone and everything gonna phase into each other and make a huge amiba of a city with 2 to 3 people inside of 1 mutated body
    Or is it gonna blow everything up in a huge explosion of wood stone concrete and paper with ominous blood puddles here and there

  • @hatenayousei
    @hatenayousei 2 роки тому +12

    this was really well-made! I'd love to see more! even though you haven't uploaded in years, I'll subscribe just in case (:

  • @nasanierulastname2997
    @nasanierulastname2997 3 роки тому +6

    2:00 I’ve always wanted an excuse to take the Takao-Nagano local, and it looks like Gensokyo is my excuse! But I might have to plan a few days in advance…

  • @marchosiass
    @marchosiass 3 роки тому +7

    I believe in the Moriya Shrine Supremacy!

  • @hyes1534
    @hyes1534 3 роки тому +8

    Can't wait to see reimu XD

  • @Luckwaive
    @Luckwaive 2 роки тому +4

    Let's fucking go time to cross the Hakurei border and get eaten by Rumia within five minutes!!!

  • @sosvanburito3000
    @sosvanburito3000 2 роки тому +2

    This is pretty well done.

  • @DoomsayerStudios
    @DoomsayerStudios 2 роки тому +2

    I kinda want to go there just for the real-life Hakurei shrine. I'm a huge Touhou fan, and Reimu is my favorite character.

  • @gugalaxy7772
    @gugalaxy7772 11 місяців тому

    Gonna do it next year.

  • @shinara8582
    @shinara8582 2 роки тому +2

    Amazing!

  • @captaindookey
    @captaindookey 6 років тому +12

    Neat...i got a bit of inspiration from this

  • @exaltdragon
    @exaltdragon 7 років тому +41

    4:55 WHAT is that NECK man? Are you a rokurokubi?

  • @Ellesiumss
    @Ellesiumss 2 роки тому +4

    Legends says that there's woman that can open portals somewhere in gensokyo.

    • @foppypoof5195
      @foppypoof5195 2 роки тому

      It’s all fun and games until you see the moon has a giant eyeball for some reason (KKHTA reference)

  • @2012sulaiman
    @2012sulaiman 10 місяців тому

    I was there last may 2023 highly recommend nice place for touhou inspiration.

  • @rotzloffel
    @rotzloffel 3 роки тому +1

    this is honestly cool and interesting

  • @sebygz
    @sebygz 2 роки тому +2

    *night*
    normal people: wow look green moon

  • @ydk1k253
    @ydk1k253 2 роки тому +1

    wholesome

  • @francoiscarriere790
    @francoiscarriere790 2 роки тому +2

    Well. I visited a few Index/Railgun places in Tokyo. I guess it would be time to go there. Thanks for the vid :-)

  • @ThePurpleRain
    @ThePurpleRain 3 роки тому +9

    I thought there will be a new incident in gensokyo again😂

  • @moonsvc
    @moonsvc 4 роки тому +25

    7:15 why do i hear boss music?

  • @FillarAccount
    @FillarAccount 4 місяці тому

    Omg they even made Gensokyo In touhou to real life!! This just shows how Touhou affects the world...

  • @Itz_Sophia19
    @Itz_Sophia19 2 роки тому +4

    YES! TOUHOU BEING REAL CONFIRMED!

  • @touhoufan9163
    @touhoufan9163 4 роки тому +4

    Where is SDM (Scarlet devil mansion)

  • @bjfifi
    @bjfifi 5 років тому +15

    Touhou project

  • @sergitoogame2091
    @sergitoogame2091 3 роки тому +3

    Reimu y Marisa

  • @untitled_username
    @untitled_username 2 роки тому

    underrated

  • @ThanhThanh-pu1sy
    @ThanhThanh-pu1sy 3 роки тому +2

    If reimu live in Shimo-suwa while im was in here im know where she is hakurei shrine

  • @Someone_FN
    @Someone_FN 2 роки тому +8

    cool, now visit Nevada for madness

    • @TheLugiaSong
      @TheLugiaSong Рік тому +1

      There seems to be a surprising overlap of Touhou and Madness fans.

  • @annatar125
    @annatar125 2 роки тому +1

    Sad that this doesn't have more views

  • @akifarid9157
    @akifarid9157 4 роки тому +8

    I searched for the hakurei shrine and found 1 in shimohatanokawa, i checked the road view and found pathway, is that maybe the Hakurei shrine? (Why am I replying to a 3-year old video...)

  • @lesbnamedalex
    @lesbnamedalex 2 роки тому

    GENSOKYOOOOOOOO

  • @sergitoogame2091
    @sergitoogame2091 3 роки тому +6

    cirno

  • @okuu_utsuho
    @okuu_utsuho 3 роки тому +4

    Now I want to go there with a briefcase of cash just to donate to a certain shrine with a maiden that wants donations 😂. Nah just kidding. I really want to go there for other reasons not just for Touhou.

  • @flandrescarletdevil5844
    @flandrescarletdevil5844 3 роки тому +5

    ...Luckily there's no Youkai in this GENSOKYO because if there were...good luck with Scary Hags, and Lolis

  • @tanostrelok2323
    @tanostrelok2323 7 років тому +3

    Nice video pal!

  • @CheesePizzaOSU
    @CheesePizzaOSU 2 роки тому +4

    how do i go to the moon?

    • @geeseispluralforgoose
      @geeseispluralforgoose Рік тому

      Take the rocket with the scarlet mansion group to the moon (documented in aya’s bohemian archive in japanese red)
      If you appear in a timely manner sakuya might kidnap you and bring you along as emergency feed. You’ll make it to the moon alive (until you are to be eaten) to retain meat freshness.

  • @StrawberryFrog-y9p
    @StrawberryFrog-y9p 2 роки тому +1

    Tell Reimu I said Hi!

  • @vividlantern8854
    @vividlantern8854 3 роки тому

    0:11 Kabukicho?

  • @ListersHatsune
    @ListersHatsune 6 років тому +2

    Well, I'll be going on a pilgrimage there at some point. Is there a place there I can camp?

  • @ian09dbz
    @ian09dbz 2 роки тому +3

    where the fuck is the scarlet devil mansion

    • @Xanthopathy
      @Xanthopathy 2 роки тому

      somewhere in Romania probably

  • @littleface7060
    @littleface7060 Рік тому +3

    Touhou Mecca
    Touhou Mecca

    • @kapi_yakumo
      @kapi_yakumo Рік тому

      All touhou fans must go to pilgrimage ⛩️

  • @PuckishAngeI
    @PuckishAngeI 2 роки тому +1

    A pilgrimage site

  • @koibenji2171
    @koibenji2171 6 років тому +4

    Yo ire ahi

  • @shrochrome
    @shrochrome 3 роки тому +4

    Lol i think this would be funnier if he doesn't know Touhou and just go there

  • @virgo7945
    @virgo7945 5 років тому +18

    did ya even miss Harkuei reimu shrine?(reply;no,like:yes)

  • @naidesurin
    @naidesurin 3 роки тому +4

    can you donate to the shrine please

  • @Ogrimen
    @Ogrimen 3 місяці тому

    Touhou In Real Life

  • @Yakumo_Yukari17
    @Yakumo_Yukari17 Рік тому

    Where yoki

  • @kiritolightning
    @kiritolightning 3 роки тому +1

    you should have look for yukari so she can gap you around to tour

  • @ApocalypseLunas
    @ApocalypseLunas 4 роки тому +5

    Anyone in 2020?

  • @gamistix9554
    @gamistix9554 3 роки тому +1

    5:42

  • @Luso1221
    @Luso1221 7 років тому +1

    I liked the music in this vid, is it available somewhere in youtube?

  • @AJD558
    @AJD558 2 роки тому +1

    Gensokyo?? Real??

  • @yanastase
    @yanastase 2 роки тому +3

    Meh no danmaku
    No nuclear bird
    No stupid ice fairies
    i dont think its gensokyo

  • @MedsieLovr
    @MedsieLovr 2 роки тому

    I live in it

  • @norbertojr.sabaduquia8128
    @norbertojr.sabaduquia8128 3 роки тому

    where are the youkais???