UlasanAnime.com – For fans of “Wake Up, Girls!” (WUG), a pilgrimage to Sendai is a highly recommended experience, offering a blend of urban exploration and tourist attractions that feel distinct from Tokyo. Sendai serves as a convenient gateway to the Miyagi Prefecture and is likely a transit point for many visitors.
The official WUG tour page, accessible via sentabi.jp, is an essential resource for any fan planning this trip. This mobile-optimized site provides recommended courses and accurate Google Maps coordinates for various locations featured in the anime. It’s advisable to consult this page before embarking on your tour.
While the official tour is tailored for anime enthusiasts, it might overlook some fundamental aspects of Sendai for international tourists unfamiliar with the city. Some locations, like the shops in the shopping district near the station, are depicted in the anime but might not be as significant to general tourists. Notably, the iconic Aoba Castle, a major Sendai attraction and prominently featured in WUG promotional material, is not always highlighted on the WUG tour itself.
For those undertaking a day trip, balancing WUG-specific sites with general Sendai landmarks is key. The Sendai Tourism board’s website, sentabi.jp, offers various itineraries in English, which can be integrated with the WUG tour. A popular approach is to utilize the Loople bus service from Sendai Station, which connects to key historical sites like those related to Date Masamune.
Information about Date Masamune, a significant historical figure, is readily available on his Wikipedia page. Visitors can also obtain WUG tour pamphlets at the Sendai Station information booth, which make for excellent souvenirs if a smartphone is unavailable.
The Loople bus is a one-way municipal tour bus connecting major sites on the city’s outskirts. While its transportation utility is somewhat limited due to its winding route, it offers good value for accessing locations like the castle and Date clan sites. Purchasing a one-day pass can simplify travel and may offer discounts at certain attractions. After visiting the Date clan sites, continuing on the Loople to Jozenji-dori/City Hall (stop 14) provides access to a location featured as a live stage in the anime (episode 1/movie, stop #8 on the WUG tour).
From the City Hall area, a walk to Gyoza no Tenpari, a well-regarded gyoza and ramen establishment, is a popular choice for a late lunch. This location is particularly appealing for those who have had a light breakfast and are looking for a hearty meal.
When planning an itinerary, it’s crucial to allocate sufficient time for each location. For instance, visiting the Date Mausoleum and Aoba Castle each requires approximately 45 minutes, including potential uphill walks and time for browsing shops. Factoring in an additional 10 minutes for Loople bus waits and 10 minutes for travel between sites allows for more accurate scheduling. The Osaki Hachimangu shrine was omitted by some visitors due to its uphill terrain and the desire to conserve energy, but it can be incorporated if time permits.
The order of visiting WUG-specific locations can also be adjusted based on personal preference and proximity to transport hubs. Starting from Kotodai Park, which is often near a Loople stop, is a common strategy. Alternatively, one could prioritize the WUG sites by taking the subway first and then revisit other areas later in the afternoon, keeping in mind that the Loople bus typically stops running around 6 PM.
A short 10-minute walk from the park leads to Gyoza no Tenpari (stop #7). This cozy ramen shop is best suited for smaller groups, and it’s advisable to check its operating hours, as the owner may close between lunch and dinner services.
Another 10-15 minute walk or a short ride on the Loople bus from Gyoza no Tenpari will take visitors to Kumagaya (stop #5), a notable okashiya (sweet shop) that resembles Airi’s house from the anime. Location #6 on the WUG tour can also be seen along the way.
Kumagaya is a worthwhile stop not only for its snacks but also for its selection of WUG-themed hard candies. The store’s facade itself has a charming and fitting aesthetic. Just a block away from Kumagaya is Bijou (stop #3), a cafe frequently visited by the WUG characters in the anime. It is also a popular spot for WUG fans, evidenced by the numerous volumes of visitor notebooks. Location #4 is situated near Bijou.
Bijou is a pleasant cafe, ideal for taking a break and enjoying a coffee. The liege waffle and a crepe-like dish called Pfannkuchen are recommended menu items, though they can be a bit pricey. The cafe is spacious enough for small gatherings, provided it isn’t crowded with local patrons.
It’s worth noting that dining in Sendai, outside of certain cuisines like Chinese food, can be relatively expensive within the city center.
At Bijou, visitors can also fill out postcards purchased at Aoba Castle and mail them from a post office located one block away, which closes at 5 PM.
Feeling tired, one can choose to take the Sendai subway to WUG tour location #2 or use the Loople bus to return to the station. Alternatively, the subway offers a faster route back to Sendai Station for a small additional fee, allowing for a visit to the city’s main Animate store.
The Sendai Animate store, along with Gamers located on the floor above, is situated in the E-Beans building, accessible via a sky bridge from Sendai Station. Animate occupies the entire 7th floor, with WUG merchandise typically found in the corridor near the restrooms. Gamers is on the 8th floor, and WUG standees and merchandise are displayed near the escalators.
Various collaboration T-shirts and other merchandise are often available, though compiling a comprehensive list can be challenging due to ongoing collaborations and limited real-time information.
For a summarized itinerary:
- Begin at Sendai Station and obtain WUG pamphlets from the info desk.
- Purchase a Loople day pass.
- Visit Date Masamune’s grave and surrounding sites (stop 4).
- Take the Loople to Aoba Castle and explore (stop 6).
- Continue on the Loople to City Hall (stop 14) and the park with the anime stage.
- Have lunch at Gyoza no Tenpari.
- Walk to Kumagaya for souvenirs.
- Visit Bijou cafe for a rest and to check the WUGner notebooks.
- Return to Sendai Station via subway or Loople.
- Head to E-Beans building (south exit, sky bridge) for Animate (7F) and Gamers (8F).
Essential items for the trip include cash, a smartphone with GPS, and a Loople map. For future visits, incorporating other WUG locations like shops at #10-12 by taking the subway to Hirose-Dori, or Aoba Shrine by taking the subway to Kita-Sendai, is recommended. The Osaki Hachimangu shrine can also be visited between steps 5 and 6 via the Loople bus.
Visitors are encouraged to share any input or questions, particularly regarding key locations for purchasing WUG merchandise in Sendai.
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PS. Luvya, the inspiration for the “maid” cafe in WUG, is an idol cafe that opens in the evening. It typically involves a cover charge and the first performance starts around 7:30 PM, making it a suitable destination for after dinner or for those staying overnight in the city.
