Animated Film "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish" - Pilgrimage to Osaka Filming Locations with Osaka Metro (Part 1)
● A pilgrimage to the Osaka filming locations that served as the film's setting
Namasute! I'm Manju from Nepal. I've been living in Osaka for about three years. I absolutely love Japanese movies and TV dramas.
The animated film "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish," released at the end of last year, tells the story of Josee, a girl in a wheelchair, and Tsuneo, a young man chasing his dreams. Have you all seen it?
The original work is a short story by Seiko Tanabe. Not only in Japan but also in South Korea, a live-action film adaptation was made, making it a work that has attracted attention both domestically and internationally. The charm of Josee, who has a sharp tongue but is adorable, is truly irresistible.
Most importantly, the scenery of Osaka, which serves as the backdrop of the story, is depicted very realistically, and it moved me deeply. Everywhere I looked, I thought, "Ah, I've seen this view," or "I've been here." Today, I board the Osaka Metro and set off on a pilgrimage to the Osaka streetscapes that appeared on the big screen!
Map of Osaka for the "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish" location pilgrimage
● Aizenzaka in Tennoji, where Josee and Tsuneo first meet
First, I went to Aizenzaka, where the two met. It's about a 3-minute walk from "Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station" on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line. The Aizen-do Shoman-in temple on the slope is also known as "Aizen Bosatsu" and is famous for bringing people together.
The oldest building in Osaka city, Aizen-do
A little further ahead is Aizenzaka, where Josee's wheelchair rolled down and crashed into Tsuneo. This slope, which might not look very steep in photos, is actually very steep. Tsuneo, on his way home from work, fatefully encounters Josee, who comes rolling down this slope at high speed.
When Josee's wheelchair rolls down and she goes flying lightly, if it were me, I'd definitely be thrown off— (laughs). Tsuneo's precise catch is also impressive. When Josee gets help, she stubbornly says in Osaka dialect, "Don't touch me with your sticky hands," and I found that scene so endearing.
I even tried comparing! It's really faithfully recreated. Even the signboard and the red traffic cone at the bottom are there.
● Tennoji Lawn and the "Tiger" at Tennoji Zoo
Then I went back to "Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station," took the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line to "Tennoji Station." The next destination is the well-known rest park "Tenshiba" (Tennoji Park Lawn). This is the setting for the scene where Josee and Tsuneo play with soap bubbles.
It's a pity the weather wasn't very good; if it had been sunny like in the movie, it would have been very pleasant~
Then, passing through Tennoji Lawn, there is the newly built "Tennoji Lawn Gate" inside "Tennoji Zoo."
The "tiger" that appears in the film's title is a key point. You absolutely cannot miss this. Be sure to go and see it.
But currently, there is no tiger in this cage. The tiger that Josee and the others saw was probably the Amur tiger named "Senichi," who passed away this year. What a shame...
The Amur tiger "Kaze" from Akita has come to Tennoji Zoo as its replacement, but the gentle keeper said, "He hasn't gotten used to his new environment yet. He's still very timid, so he can't meet visitors." I see, that makes sense...
For Josee, tigers were the scariest symbol in the world, but even tigers can be afraid of new environments.
I really hope he gets used to it soon and can meet everyone quickly.
● Retro-style "Café DoReMi" Royal Pudding
Then, I walked through Tennoji Zoo and tried to walk all the way to Tsutenkaku. Right below Tsutenkaku is "Café DoReMi," the prototype of the café where Josee's grandmother Chidu meets the welfare counselor. This long-established shop has basically the same exterior as in the movie~. This retro feel creates a charming atmosphere.
This is what Chidu ate here!
The famous Royal Pudding is amazing~☆ It's the first time I've had such a luxurious pudding sundae! The fruit decoration is so cute, and the portion is huge. Where should I start?
I'm pretty full now. But there are more famous Osaka spots to come! There will be many places that will make people from Kansai say, "That's just right there!" Josee's Kansai dialect is strong and sounds assertive, but precisely because it's Kansai dialect, it subtly reveals her gentleness, and she is purely moved by the outside world she sees for the first time. While imagining Josee's feelings, I'll continue my pilgrimage to the Osaka filming locations!
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