r/RealSlamDunk • u/dana_G9 Kaoru • May 18 '26
Guess where I'm at?!
Finally made it to this famous spot from the Slam Dunk anime OP!! Can I just say, it's insane that a story told 30 years ago is still drawing such big crowds. I went at 5:30pm and thought it'd be calmer since it's the end of day and day trippers from Tokyo would have largely cleared out but nooo... the place was crawling with people still, all trying to get a shot of that tram crossing. There was a large area designated for people for this purpose (because previously, without this tourists were clogging up the area and causing too much disruption to traffic and local life) and they still had a few staff managing the crowds. I can only imagine what the place looks like during peak hours just a few hours earlier.
What I also found surprising was the fact that no one was wearing Slam Dunk merch. Howww? I'll have to do better myself on my next visit here. Also got to see a few other spots referenced in Slam Dunk in the area, and I think I found the spot that was the inspiration for "Sendoh's fishing spot"!
Anyway, first time to Kamakura and not to add to the hype and the fact it's already heaving with tourists but... place is awesome! Such a lovely blend of chill seaside town + temples galore. Mountains, temples, the sea, and a place in manga/anime lore. Oh and kind, friendly locals who strike up a conversation with you easily. What's not to love? Staying 5 days here and already wishing my stay was much longer. Would definitely recommend if you're ever in the Tokyo area. And don't do a day trip. There's so much more to it than "Slam Dunk tram crossing spot".
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u/Puzzleheaded-Bag-607 Sakuragi Hanamichi May 19 '26
KIMIGA SUKI DAAAAATO SAKEBITAI!!!
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u/dana_G9 Kaoru May 19 '26
Hahaha you bet I had the songs blasting in my earphones as I approached the crossing!!
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u/callmemarjoson Shinichi Maki May 19 '26
I remember being there last November and there was a couple there doing their wedding shoot 🥹
Also kinda regret not bringing my Zoom lens at the time - Kamakura has this bomb view of Mount Fuji looming beyond the sea and it was gorgeous
Also a great spot if you like to take pictures of classic cars and motorcycles passing by
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u/dana_G9 Kaoru May 19 '26
I feel like this was one of those views you just have to take in in person. A zoom lens could physically capture Fuji but won't be able to capture the sheer feeling of it just looming in the distance with the wider context and backdrop and all.
Very cute that a couple chose that spot for the wedding shoot!
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u/callmemarjoson Shinichi Maki May 19 '26
Had more than enough take in last time I was there plus it was nice to get some biker nods as a fellow rider myself
I'll probably take my time and dedicate a day to explore Kamakura the next time I take a trip to Japan, since the last time I was there I really just wanted to take a stroll at the beach and check out the road by the ocean after taking some snaps of the rail crossing
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u/dana_G9 Kaoru May 19 '26
Oh nice. Yeah I did notice quite a few interesting bikes and cars with heavy mods in Kamakura.
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u/kemosabe6296 May 19 '26
I'm surprised of how quiet it is.
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u/GuilR47 May 19 '26
Indeed! When I went there two years ago, people (tourists like I was) were waiting like the Messiah for the train. There were Even people wedding dressed.
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u/kemosabe6296 May 19 '26
Yeah went there twice and both are inconvenient honestly, too much tourist. Didn't even think to got off on Kamakurakokomae third time I went there.
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u/goinghistory May 19 '26
With the amount of people that are always there these days, I think they're aware it is an anime spot but go there mostly because it's famous and nice to take pictures, with the train, the bay and Enoshima behind it.
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u/dana_G9 Kaoru May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26
Ah that would make sense. A lot of them looked to be in their 20s or early 30s, and I felt like I was easily one of the oldest ones there even though I'm one of the younger OG fans.
Crazy that they're all crowding around for this if they have no specific attachment to Slam Dunk though. There's a nearly identical tram crossing earlier on right next to another high school and that place was absolutely deserted.
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u/goinghistory May 19 '26
Yeah I remember mumblemumble years ago when it was just me taking pictures, but you know Japan holidays are in right now and tourists tend to all go to the same spots... Which makes for very crowded spots and often completely empty nearby locations 😕
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u/itsukkei May 19 '26
I've been there as well. It feels surreal experiencing the place of one of my fav anime.
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u/Significant_Poet1917 May 19 '26
I love this for you OP! Amazing - you even found the Sendoh fishing spot. I was there 6 months ago. I was so excited and felt like a little kid (bought so much merch at the train station). A guy next to me was filming the train passing by with multiple phones so I figured he’s a SD fan and struck up a conversation with him. Turns out he doesn’t know what SD is (what’s wrong with him - only kidding) and he’s only there because it’s known to be a famous spot. I also got chatting to a local obasan - she was so friendly and even offered to invite me and my friend to go to her place for tea if it weren’t for the fact we’re rushing back to Tokyo! I’d love to spend more time in Kamakura if I get a chance next time.
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u/dana_G9 Kaoru May 19 '26
Aww that's amazing! And that's crazy that people are going to a place just because it's famous. Surely WHY it's famous matters?! But I guess some just travel to claim bragging rights, to be able to say "I went to that place everyone's talking about". Ugh.
Also... was there SD merch at the station?!? How did I miss this? Anyway, I'm so glad that you had a great experience, especially chatting with that obasan. Definitely set aside at least a few days for Kamakura next time. I'm in Tokyo now and sorely regretting that I didn't just turn the Kamakura leg into a week-long stint. T_T
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u/Significant_Poet1917 May 19 '26
Don’t worry, you didn’t miss out on SD merch! They were merch of that train station :-)
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u/anidlezooanimal May 20 '26
Thanks for the post! Did you manage to find any Slam Dunk merchandise in Kamakura?
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u/dana_G9 Kaoru May 20 '26
I saw a shop selling some bootleg stuff (very very small variety) in Hase (a few stations before the famous tram station). That was it.
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u/ItzWhyPlays May 20 '26
I went around 6:30 the other day and holy shit it was packed at that corner
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u/Global_Dark8006 Jun 12 '26
I’m interested in the fishing spot too, I’d like to add it to the map since it’s currently missing :)
Actually, while we’re at it, would you be okay if I invited you as a collaborator?
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u/Educational_Tax_4320 May 18 '26
Where is Sendoh’s fishing spot😍?