By Dexerto | Created at 2026-08-25 13:35:40 | Updated at 2026-09-03 17:14:25
1 week ago
Higurashi When They Cry is one of the most iconic horror visual novels and anime, and now fans have the chance to tour around the real-world location that inspired the bloody murder mystery game, with the creator himself.
Higurashi is best known for its idyllic setting of Hinamizawa, which is based on the IRL mountain village of Shirakawa-go in Japan’s Gifu prefecture.
While the fictional environments may appear idyllic, creator Ryukishi07 famously contrasted this sleepy setting with nail-biting tension, disturbing imagery, and numerous bloody scenarios that have left generations of fans reconsidering that big move to the countryside.
Fortunately, Shirakawa-go doesn’t feature any knife-wielding anime girls, which is a plus considering Ryukishi07 will be hosting a guided tour around the historic village that inspired him.
Higurashi creator will take fans around IRL Hinamizawa
The tour will take place on October 25 at the Shirakawa-go Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum, where Ryukishi07 and a museum curator will accompany fans on a tour of the village.
While Higurashi fans won’t run into Rena and her companions (we hope), they will get to see the village’s famous traditional thatched-roof farmhouses and learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage-listed mountain village.
However, only 30 people will be able to take part in the event, with organizers noting that attendees will be selected by lottery if applications exceed the available spaces.
【イベント告知】
合掌造り民家園に竜騎士07先生をお招きしてイベントを開催することが決定しました！
『ひぐらしのなく頃に』の舞台となった白川郷についてもっと学んでみませんか？
竜騎士07先生と一緒に、民家園の学芸員によるガイドを聞きながら民家園を散策し、白川郷をもっと知ろう！
詳細は👇 pic.twitter.com/0rl9Vmpwmu
— 白川郷 野外博物館 合掌造り民家園 (@minkaen_gifu) August 24, 2026
Those lucky enough to secure a place will also receive an autograph from Ryukishi07, which will be personalized with the name provided during the application process.
Fans have until September 24 at 11:59pm to register by emailing the organizers via the email provided on the Tweet above with their name, phone number, email address, and the name they want Ryukishi07 to put on their autograph.
“We hope that together, while thinking back on Hinamizawa, we can learn more about Shirakawa-go and come to love Shirakawa-go even more,” said the organizers.
This isn’t the first time a game Rukishi07 has worked on has used a real-world location as its inspiration, as Silent Hill f’s Ebisugaoka’s narrow streets and distinct townscape were based on Kanayama in Gero City, Gifu Prefecture.
