On October 12, 2025, the weather was light rain turning to cloudy. Today I went to Uji, the sacred place of the anime "Sound! Euphonium".

Since there is a lot of content, this pilgrimage will be divided into two parts. In the first part, we will start from JR Uji Station, pass by Kumiko's Bench, and finally arrive at Asagiri Bridge.

JR Uji Station

There are two Uji stations in Uji.

They are JR Uji Station and Keihan Electric Railway Uji Station.

JR Uji Station goes directly to Kyoto, but Keihan Electric Railway Uji Station has more pilgrimage spots, so I will visit both stations.

The famous teapot in the station.

JR Uji Station Tourist Information Center

As everyone knows, the first thing to do when arriving locally is to visit the tourist information center.

Standees of Kumiko in old and new art styles.

One of the standees has the autograph of Ayano Takeda.

Acrylic standee collaboration with "The Tale of Genji".

It looks so exquisite!

お肉ダイニングきく

Since I arrived in Uji around lunchtime, I decided to go to お肉ダイニングきく for lunch.

I heard there are a lot of work-related decorations there.

As soon as I arrived at the stairway, I was surrounded by a large number of work-related merchandise.

Not only "Sound! Euphonium" but also many other Kyoto Animation merchandise!

A panoramic view.

After waiting a while, I entered the restaurant.

The restaurant is not large, but the counter area is also decorated with lots of merchandise!

The "Lycoris Recoil" Walnut file folder is very eye-catching! I have one too, hehe.

With the owner's permission, I opened the collection cabinet, and the collections inside were also amazing!

Then I enjoyed the beef tendon curry recommended by the owner.

It tasted really good!

Tea and Uji Historical Park "Chazuna"

After eating the curry, I walked to the Tea and Uji Historical Park "Chazuna".

Outside the park, there is a statue commemorating the victims of Kyoto Animation — the "Monument of Inherited Will".

On July 18, 2019, an arson attack occurred at Kyoto Animation's first studio, resulting in the loss of 36 precious lives. The "Monument of Inherited Will" was established in the summer of 2024 by the victims' families, Kyoto Animation, and their supporters, aiming to remember this incident and the existence of the victims, express the prayers and support sent from around the world, and connect the gratitude and wishes for these prayers and support, symbolizing the long-term inheritance of the "will" of all people related to this incident.

To allow more people to view this monument and pass it on for generations, Kyoto Animation and related parties wished to donate it to Uji City, where Kyoto Animation's headquarters is located. Uji City, fully understanding the intentions of the concerned parties, decided to place it in the "Tea and Uji Historical Park".

This was a tragic incident that took many lives. Such a tragedy must never happen again and must never be forgotten. Here, we will solemnly guard and pass on the thoughts and wishes of many people condensed in the "Monument of Inherited Will".

Coincidentally, the activity prizes from JR Uji Station could be redeemed here.

As long as you took the Shinkansen and listened to the lecture inside the train, you could exchange for a keychain here.

Then, by checking in at three designated spots, you could get stickers.

This month's keychain is Shuichi. He is the male lead of this work!

A manhole cover collaborating with the Shinkansen and the work.

Inside, there are also standees of the work!

As I left, a train with a collaboration emblem of the work passed by.

I never encountered it again afterwards, unfortunately.

Uji Bridge

Panoramic view from the bridge.

It was slightly rainy today, giving Uji a feeling of a Jiangnan water town.

Saizeriya Uji Riziri Store

Passing by, will eat there later.

Agata-dori Torii

There are so many people in Uji today!

Tachibana Bridge

Kumiko's Bench

Uji's famous spot — Kumiko's Bench.

Unfortunately, it was raining today, otherwise I would have sat on the bench for a photo.

Uji City Tourist Center

There are also many decorations of the work here.

There are also autographs of voice actors and producers related to the work.

Kisen Bridge

Uji Park

Asagiri Bridge

There are really too many people on the bridge...

Looking down from the bridge.

A statue of "The Tale of Genji" under the bridge.

There is also a Pokémon manhole cover nearby.

Speaking of which, it seems a Nintendo Museum has opened near Uji, no wonder the number of tourists going to Uji on holidays is increasing!

Preview of Part 2

The above is the content of Part 1. In Part 2, we will visit the most famous spot in the anime — Mount Daikichi.

On the way back, I will also walk the path of Kumiko's "kuyashii".

Stay tuned!