Golden Kamuy

Synopsis

"Golden Kamuy" is a TV anime based on the manga by Satoru Noda, produced by Geno Studio, which began airing in 2018. It is set in Hokkaido during the late Meiji era. Saichi Sugimoto, a former soldier who survived the Russo-Japanese War, throws himself into a struggle over a vast hoard of hidden Ainu gold. Pursuing the tattoos said to reveal the treasure's location, Sugimoto meets Asirpa, an Ainu girl, and the two join forces. Set against a harsh land, it unfolds as an adventure blending survival, Ainu culture, and a colorful cast of characters.

Why visit the real-life locations

On a Golden Kamuy pilgrimage, you can trace the vestiges of Meiji-era Hokkaido that form the story's stage. The Otaru City Museum Main Hall is rich with exhibits on railway and industrial history, a spot to feel the air of Hokkaido in that period. The Abashiri Prison Museum is an open-air museum preserving relocated historic buildings of the Abashiri Prison tied to the tale, letting you sense the harsh backdrop of the era. Asahikawa's Hokuchin Memorial Hall displays materials connected to the Army's 7th Division, offering deeper insight into the military background featured in the work.