Planetarian Visual Novel Pilgrimage

Planetarian remains my favorite visual novel of all time. Few stories have sucked me into their world and characters quite as deeply as Planetarian has. In fact, you can say, I am a Planetarian fanboy as well as a fan of the company who made it (Key). So it’s no surprise that going to the actual city Planetarian was based on in real life became a bit of an obsession.

Planetarian is based on the real life Japanese city Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. The fictional Flowercrest Department store is based on the real life Matsubishi Department store not too far from the station. The feeling when seeing the “Flowercrest” department store where robot Yumemi (Reverie) worked made me feel like a kid but also it let me feel even closer to the characters. I know Yumemi is not real but it’s fun to imagine that she is up on the top floor, showing people the stars in her planetarium.

In real life, sadly, the building is missing the dome at the top where Yumemi’s planetarium would be located.

Another difference in real life, of course, is “Matsubishi” is where “Flowercrest” would be.

It was a bit weird seeing the Flowercrest deparment store without the rain or darkness. In the setting where Planetarian takes place, it is always raining.

No, the Planetarian Yumemi figure is not mine. Would kill for it though.
More pics from the owner here:
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/mayura0309/m/200609/1

Another thing I should mention about the real life Matsubishi Deparment store. In real life, it looked abandoned! But it was really closed down and out of business, so I didn’t go in and start looting alcohol and cigarettes. ^^;

According to wikipedia, the Matsubishi department store was opened in 1937 but by November 14, 2001 it had went bankrupt. For now, it is still available as an anime pilgrimage but all the doors were blocked with construction walls. Poor Yumemi.

Maybe Yumemi will show us the stars one more time with Miss Jena.

What do you think of the planetarium? ^_^

After one last viewing of the stars, lets move on to the rest of the city. Not as well known is that the “dead city” that Planetarian takes place in, is based on the city of Hamamatsu as well. That lone skyscrapper you see in the dead city cgs is actually a real building called “Act City”. It is also the only skyscraper in Hamamatsu. Surprised it’s still standing with all the wars going on in the Planetarian visual novel.

The ACT city building is right next to JR Hamamatsu station so it is impossible to get lost in Hamamatsu. It is 45 stories tall and for 500 yen, you can take a ride from the 30th floor elevator all the way to the top for a good view.

Here’s the view from the 45th floor of ACT city. I would love to come up there at night. Must be spectacular.

Being the dork I am, I looked for the Flowercrest Department store while up there. I can see Reverie’s house from here. ^^;

I also looked for Hamamatsu castle. Need to make an article for it too but that is for another time...

Hamamatsu looks different without the rain eh?
Speaking of rain, a few of the street lights I remember being in the cgs as well. Should have took some pictures.

I did find a good spot to snipe enemy mechs before I left though. ^^;;

I should note, that I looked absolutely insane on this anime pilgrimage. What guy goes to Hamamatsu to sightsee closed down old department stores? I felt their eyes piercing me during this one, but I had a lot of fun and the visual novel, Planetarian, is now closer to my heart then ever.

Hope you enjoyed my pilgrimage. Here are the directions if you want to see the stars for yourself. ^_^
1.) Take the Shinkansen to Hamamatsu station. Took about an hour and a half from Shinagawa.
2.) Go out the North Exit.
3.) Take a left at the “Main” road.
4.) Stay on the road and you will see the Matsubishi Department store on the left. It is next to, Zaza City.

Here is a map I made from an actual map in Hamamatsu. The red line is the path you should take out the north exit of the station. The building circled in blue is Matsubishi Department store. The red path continues on to Hamamatsu castle if you want to visit that as well while you’re there.

That's all for the figure.fm version. I hope you all enjoy these pics in the larger size and enjoyed the online trip to Yumemi's hometown.