A Silent Voice's Hometown Is Ogaki, a Water City That Made the Film a Map

What you're looking at

A Silent Voice (2016) is mainly modeled on Ogaki in Gifu, the hometown of original author Yoshitoki Oima, even though the place names on screen are fictional. The Suimon River (read suimon-gawa, not "mizumon") threads through the center of town, and the Yoro Railway appears in the film. An art installation at Yoro Park inspired one of the film's key ideas, and turns up on screen too.

Ogaki got behind the film early. In November 2015 the city made a tourist map and a clear file of the model scenes, and its 2016 special screening had sign-language interpreters.

Getting there

Take the JR Tokaido Line from Nagoya to Ogaki. A riverside path called Shiki-no-Michi starts near the east side of the station and follows the river for 2.2 km.

Before you go

• It's a lived-in town. The bridges and riverbanks are everyday routes for residents and students. Keep the paths clear.
• We couldn't confirm the city's current fan guidance, since its film page wouldn't load for us. Ask at the tourist office.
• Tub boats. Tarai-bune rides run on the Suimon River on set dates every year, a tradition since 2003. Check this year's dates locally.

Also nearby

• Yoro Park and the Site of Reversible Destiny in Yoro Town. Its installation "Kyokugen de Niru Mono no Ie" appears in the film.
• The Yoro Railway, from Ogaki Station, sold film-scene commemorative tickets in 2017.
• Oku no Hosomichi Musubi-no-Chi Memorial Museum, along the riverside path, showed manga art in 2016.