Photo/Illutration Ryuta Oguri, who has recently become a parishioner representative of Kohatajinja shrine, poses in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, on Dec. 24. (Manabu Kitagawa)

UJI, Kyoto Prefecture—A popular anime has inspired a young man to move here where the show is set and become active in the community around a local shrine featured in the series.

On Dec. 17, Ryuta Oguri, 28, moved to Uji from his hometown in Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture. He started working at a nearby air conditioner company on Jan. 6.

His decision to relocate was motivated by the TV series “Sound! Euphonium” by Kyoto Animation Co.

The series is about a group of students who devote themselves to their brass band club at the fictional Kita-Uji High School. Real locations around Uji, including a bench along the Ujigawa river, often appear in the show.

Oguri began watching “Sound! Euphonium” when its first season debuted in 2015 and has since made repeated visits to Uji.

Oguri found himself particularly enchanted by the ambience around Byodoin temple. As he spent more time in Uji, he began to grow fond of shrines and temples, although he’d previously had little interest in them.

“I feel relaxed when I’m here,” Oguri explained. “Around that time, I started to think about moving to Uji in the future.”

When the anime’s third season aired between April and June 2024, Oguri’s plan came closer to reality.

Of all the characters on the show, Oguri’s favorite is Sari Yoshii, a first-year club member.

“Her smile lifted me up when I was having a hard time,” said Oguri. “It gave me immense emotional support.”

Oguri visited Kohatajinja shrine in Uji’s Gokasho district in July that year, because Sari’s house in “Sound! Euphonium” was based on the actual shrine.

Kohatajinja, which dates to 645 during the Asuka Period (592-710), looked serene and tranquil to Oguri. Most importantly, the shrine was home to his favorite character.

After visiting Kohatajinja many times, Oguri began to think, “I should move here and help out at the shrine.”

He shared his thoughts with Kenji Kimura, 59, the chief priest of Kohatajinja, who welcomed the idea.

As the local population declined and the remaining residents aged, Kimura had grown increasingly concerned about the dwindling number of people willing to act as “regional parishioner representatives” who are active in local neighborhood and residents’ associations.

“I would love to see a motivated individual from the younger generation, like Oguri, who enjoys Kohatajinja and is considering moving to Uji, represent our parishioners,” recalled Kimura.

Hearing the offer, Oguri accepted it without hesitation. Traveling between Gifu Prefecture and Uji before he moved, Oguri volunteered to participate in the shrine’s grand autumn festival in November.

After that, a meeting of the shrine’s parishioner representatives officially appointed Oguri as a representative.

He helped senior parishioner heads distribute “omiki” (sacred sake) to visitors when the New Year’s Day festival opened at midnight on Jan. 1.

“I want to help out Uji and Kohatajinja from now on,” said Oguri, filled with hope for the future.

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