Anime location
Omi Jingu
Not a model — the actual home of competitive karuta. The national title matches are held here every January.
A shrine on the hillside above Lake Biwa, dedicated to Emperor Tenji, whose poem opens the Hyakunin Isshu anthology used in competitive karuta. Because of that, the sport's highest title matches — the Meijin and Queen finals — are held every January in the Omi Kangakukan hall in the grounds, and the national high school championship every July.
Why it is worth it
Most pilgrimage sites are places that were drawn. This one is the place the story is actually about — the tournaments in the series are the tournaments that happen here.
When to go
Quiet outside tournament days and New Year.
Good to know
Tournament days are not open sightseeing — if you want to watch, check the Japanese karuta association's schedule and the shrine's notices in advance rather than turning up. Kyoto is 15 minutes away, so this fits into a Kyoto day.
Chihayafuru
Not a model — the actual home of competitive karuta.