Nikaho City in Akita Prefecture has created "NIKAHO LOOKBOOK," a tour guide booklet that gathers information on filming locations, restaurants, and souvenir shops around the city, to coincide with the release of the live-action film Look Back. The booklet is now being distributed at various places in the city.
In addition to the film's filming locations, the booklet carries maps introducing local shops and sightseeing spots, as well as transport access information. A stamp rally covering 24 shops in the city is held alongside it, giving visitors who come because of the film a chance to discover many other sides of Nikaho.
About the "Cho Nikaho Sakusen" Project
Cho Nikaho Sakusen (超にかほ作戦) is a project run by a group formed mainly of local business operators. It aims to let visitors to Nikaho, the filming location of the live-action film Look Back, enjoy local food, shopping, and encounters with people in addition to touring the filming locations.
What Is "NIKAHO LOOKBOOK"?
"NIKAHO LOOKBOOK" is a city tour guide with the theme "Tour together with the film's shooting locations. A new Nikaho." It introduces the film's filming locations together with the appeal of the local area.
The booklet divides the city into three areas, Nikaho, Konoura, and Kisakata, and introduces restaurants and souvenir shops in each area with photos and comments from the shop owners. The content is designed so that readers can enjoy local food, shopping, and encounters with local people, not only the filming locations.
Secondary transport information, including trains, taxis, rental cars, and rental bicycles, is also included to make it easier for first-time visitors to get around the city.
Visiting Filming Locations with Consideration for Local Residents
The city wants visitors who come because of the film to enjoy sightseeing with peace of mind, while also protecting the living environment of local residents. The booklet lists precautions for visiting filming locations, including not entering private property, parking appropriately, and taking trash home.
By introducing shops throughout the city, the booklet also aims to avoid concentrating visitors in specific places and to encourage them to travel around the whole area and spend money locally.
Stamp Rally at 24 Shops
Alongside the distribution of the booklet, a stamp rally is held at a total of 24 shops in the Nikaho, Konoura, and Kisakata areas. Visitors who collect three stamps at participating shops and show the booklet at Bunrindo Bookstore (文林堂書店) can receive an original reward in limited quantities.
How to Join
- Pick up the booklet at a distribution point in the city
- Visit the participating shops listed in the booklet
- Collect three stamps at participating shops
- Show the stamped booklet at Bunrindo Bookstore (文林堂書店)
- Receive the original reward
Rewards and Details
- Participating shops: 24 (13 in Nikaho, 5 in Konoura, 6 in Kisakata)
- First-round reward: Original tote bag
- Second-round reward: Original wristband
- Redemption location: Bunrindo Bookstore (文林堂書店), 18 Asahimachi, Hirasawa, Nikaho City
All rewards are available in limited quantities and will end when they run out.
The start date of the second round will be announced on the special website (https://cho-nikaho-sakusen.com/).
Where to Get the Booklet
The booklet is distributed at the following places and others.
- Bunrindo Bookstore (文林堂書店)
- Comprehensive Welfare Exchange Center "Smile" (総合福祉交流センター「スマイル」)
- JR Nikaho Station
- JR Konoura Station
- JR Kisakata Station
- Michi-no-Eki Kisakata "Nemunooka" (道の駅象潟「ねむの丘」)
- Nikaho City Tourism Association (inside "Nikahotto")
- Shops featured in the booklet (excluding some locations)
Special Website and Official Instagram
The special website publishes information on filming locations in the city and a PDF of the "Filming Location Tour Map." The latest information on "NIKAHO LOOKBOOK" and the stamp rally is posted on the special website and the official Instagram account.
- Special website: https://cho-nikaho-sakusen.com/
- Official Instagram: @cho_nikaho
Looking Ahead
The city hopes that visitors who come because of the film will experience not only the filming locations but also the area's nature, food culture, and people. It will continue to encourage travel around the city while respecting residents' daily lives, working toward sustainable tourism that benefits both visitors and the local community.
This initiative is carried out with support from the Japan Tourism Agency's project to promote the development of area-wide reception environments at tourist destinations, including the prevention and mitigation of overtourism.
About the Live-Action Film Look Back
- Title: Live-action film Look Back
- Release date: September 11, 2026
- Director, screenplay, and editing: Hirokazu Kore-eda
- Original work: "Look Back" by Tatsuki Fujimoto (published by Shueisha as Jump Comics)
- Distribution: K2 Pictures
