© 吉本浩二・KADOKAWA／くまみこ製作委員会
Kuma Miko: Girl Meets Bear
くまみこ
A laid-back rural comedy by Koji Yoshimoto, set in the Tohoku village of Kumade. Shrine maiden Machi Amayadori and her speaking bear partner Natsu share daily mishaps.
Synopsis
"Kuma Miko: Girl Meets Bear" is a TV anime based on the manga by Masume Yoshimoto, produced by Kinema Citrus and broadcast in 2016. Set at a shrine deep in the mountains of the Tohoku region, it is a town-revitalization comedy about Machi, a young shrine maiden, and Natsu, a large talking bear. Centered on the exchanges between Machi, who yearns for city life, and Natsu, who watches over her, it is a heartwarming everyday story that depicts easygoing rural living and warm human connections with plenty of humor.
Why visit the real-life locations
Kuma Miko is set across Akita and Miyagi Prefectures in the Tohoku region. The Ani Bear Farm Kuma Kuma Garden in Akita lets you enjoy encounters with the bears that symbolize the show. This facility, where you can see many bears up close, is a landmark that calls Natsu to mind. It is reachable from JR Akita Station, the starting point of the journey, while in Miyagi the west exit of JR Sendai Station overlaps with the city-longing perspective of Machi. This pilgrimage lets you enjoy the contrast between peaceful mountain valleys and the city as a Tohoku trip.
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Pilgrimage Spots（3 spots）
Ani Bear Park (Kuma-Kuma-en)
📍 Ani-Uttochinbatai 65, Kita-Akita, Akita
A Kita-Akita bear ranch said to inspire Kumade Village where Machi serves as miko.
JR Sendai Station West Exit
📍 Chuo 1-1-1, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi
The setting of episode 11 where Machi and friends visit the second floor of the west exit upon arriving from the village.
JR Akita Station
📍 Nakadori 7-1-2, Akita, Akita
The model station where Machi and friends transfer in episode 11. The central Akita station.