Guide to Maizuru, Filming Location for "As Long As We Both Shall Live"

Your journey begins at JR Higashi-Maizuru Station. From Kansai Airport, take the JR Haruka Limited Express to Kyoto, a ride of about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Transfer to the Maizuru Limited Express at Kyoto Station, and you'll arrive in Higashi-Maizuru in about 1 hour and 46 minutes. The Haruka Limited Express also stops at Osaka and Shin-Osaka stations, making access from Osaka convenient.

Also, Nishi-Maizuru Station, where you can stop en route from Kyoto to Higashi-Maizuru, is connected to the Tango Railway. It's about a 7-minute ride from Higashi-Maizuru Station to Nishi-Maizuru Station on the JR Maizuru Line, so it's easy to switch to the Tango Railway for access to one of the "Three Scenic Spots of Japan", Amanohashidate, and Ine, popular for its beautiful boat houses. Adding this before or after your tour of this film location is highly recommended.

The first location to see is the Kitasui Tunnel. A brief, 10-minute walk along the Kitasui Promenade, which follows the track of a railway line once used for military transport from JR Higashi-Maizuru Station will lead you to the Kitasui Tunnel. This is where the scene of Miyo running to the barracks, worried about Kiyoka's safety, was filmed.

The red brick tunnel, which is about 110 meters long, was built in 1904 as a railway line for a military port. As you step into the tunnel, the cool air surrounds you, retro street lamps light your path, and the atmosphere is incredible. Please be aware that there may be more cyclists during commuting hours.

About 300 meters from the Kitasui Tunnel, you'll find "Red Brick Park". In this area, there are many red brick buildings that were built as military warehouses from 1900 to 1921. Eight buildings from No.1 to No.8 are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and efforts have been made to preserve and utilize them. Mainly, the climax battle scenes of the movie were filmed here.

The second floor of Building No.5 where the indoor battle scenes were filmed. It's usually closed to the public, but you can take a look if you join the "Red Brick Guide Tour"!

The "Maizuru Red Brick Park", now a popular tourist spot representing Higashi-Maizuru, is a must-visit spot for sightseeing in Higashi-Maizuru. The park houses a variety of facilities including the "Red Brick Museum" in Building No.1, shops, restaurants, co-working spaces, and design company offices in each building. There are various events held throughout the year and rental bicycles available for sightseeing tours around Higashi-Maizuru.

A 20-minute walk from the "Red Brick Park" brings you to the Maizuru Regional Headquarters Meeting Place, which appears in the movie as the Kudo residence. This official residence, where successive chiefs have lived since the Maizuru Naval District was established in 1901, is called the "Togo Residence" after its first chief.

The single-story wooden building, with some Western fittings, sits upon a 3,100 square meter plot. It made frequent appearances in the film as the home where the two main characters live.

Currently, the Maritime Self-Defense Force manages and maintains it as the "Maizuru Regional Headquarters Meeting Place", opening the site to the public just once a month. The possible visiting days are typically first Sunday of each month, excluding January. The house is subject to occasional operational closings, so be sure to check the official website of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and plan your trip accordingly.

While brief, the Former Kitasui Water Purification Plant Drainage Pool makes its stunning debut as the basement of the Imperial Household Ministry in the film. In reality, it was originally built to secure drinking water for ships and facilities within the military port, and has since been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. This location is normally not open to the public, even within the "Red Brick Warehouse Group".

Visits to this exclusive site are available only through the "Maizuru Red Brick Guide Tour". With this tour, you’ll enjoy backstage access to important culture properties inside Red Brick Park that are typically closed to the general public, all with the added tales of a guide. Guided tours are held on Thursdays, weekends, and holidays. Please note that advanced reservations up to 5 days prior are needed to participate.

Visits to the Maizuru Red Brick Park make a great companion to the Navy-related Port Tour Cruise.

Depart from the leisure boat pier on the east side of Building No. 1, Red Brick Museum, for a 35-minute cruise of delights around Maizuru Bay. The escort ship Hyuga, hails from Maizuru as its home port, along with the Aegis ships which you’ll find docked! Enjoy this up-close, exclusive look at famed naval ships at port.

Make unforgettable travel memories as you gaze back at Maizuru’s former military port with your back to the sea breeze. Here you’ll find a view of the Red Brick Warehouse Group, the film location for the movie As Long As We Both Shall Live, like you’ve never seen before.

Are you ready for your journey through Higashi-Maizuru, stepping into the cinematic world of acclaimed film, As Long As We Both Shall Live?
Maizuru City is packed with endless sights to find and explore! After your trip through the thriving port town and cinematic world at Higashi-Maizuru, don’t forget Nishi-Maizuru, a perfect plus and day trip option, awaits just next door.

"Nishi-Maizuru", which is about 7 minutes from "Higashi-Maizuru" station on the JR Maizuru Line, is an area that has flourished as a castle town since the construction of a castle during the Sengoku period. This stirring escapes offers a whole new look and feel in comparison to Higashi-Maizuru, while still keeping its port-town vibes.
With rental bicycles waiting at JR Nishi-Maizuru Station, take the chance to hop on a bike and cycle around this castle town while breathing in the sea breeze.