MUSHI-SHI

蟲師

Neither good nor evil, they are life in its purest form. Vulgar and strange, they have inspired fear in humans since the dawn of time and have, over the ages, come to be known as "mushi." The stories of the Mushi and the people they affect are all linked together by a traveling Mushi-shi, or "Mushi Master," who seeks rare Mushi sightings and uses his shaman-like knowledge of Mushi to help the affected people. What are the Mushi and what do they want? (Source: Funimation)

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Neither good nor evil, they are life in its purest form. Vulgar and strange, they have inspired fear in humans since the dawn of time and have, over the ages, come to be known as "mushi." The stories of the Mushi and the people they affect are all linked together by a traveling Mushi-shi, or "Mushi Master," who seeks rare Mushi sightings and uses his shaman-like knowledge of Mushi to help the affected people. What are the Mushi and what do they want? (Source: Funimation)

Pilgrimage guide on this page

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Pilgrimage Spots (3)

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3 spots

Spots across the series

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Kumano Kodo

熊野古道

These ancient pilgrimage trails through the Kii Peninsula inspired Ginko's wandering journey throughout the series. The spiritual significance and remote mountain paths reflect the anime's themes of solitary travel and encounters with the mystical.

Kii-Tanabe Station

Photo by あま あわれ on Unsplash

Shirakawa-go

白川郷

This UNESCO World Heritage site in Gifu Prefecture served as inspiration for the rural village settings in Maquia. The traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with their steep thatched roofs closely resemble the architectural style of the human settlements depicted in the film.

Takayama Station

Photo by Erik on Unsplash

Yakushima Island

屋久島

This ancient island served as the primary inspiration for the mystical forest setting in Princess Mononoke. The thousand-year-old cedar trees and moss-covered landscape directly influenced the film's depiction of the sacred forest where the Forest Spirit dwells.

Yakushima Airport

Travel map

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After the trip

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