Can fans safely photograph this Ave Mujica underpass spot at night?

Yes, but stay on public sidewalks and do not step into the roadway or block cyclists and cars. Night shots look closest to the anime, so bring a camera that handles low light well.

Is this exact underpass easy to match with Google Street View before visiting?

Yes, the expressway pillars, road alignment, and surrounding street layout make it fairly easy to confirm in Street View. Check both directions along the road, because the anime framing emphasizes depth under the elevated structure.

Are there convenient stations and shops near the filming location for a quick pilgrimage stop?

Yes, the area around Higashi-Ikebukuro and central Ikebukuro has convenience stores, cafes, and major pedestrian routes. It works well as a short stop during a broader Tokyo anime location trip.

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shuto expressway underpass

BanG Dream! Ave Mujica

Tokyo

Episode

Ep. 1

Time

15m 36s

Google Map

35.7336, 139.7165

Nearest Station: Higashi-Ikebukuro Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
Walk: 10 minutes on foot
Best time to visit: Evening or night for the closest match to the anime atmosphere
Crowd level: Moderate

A gloomy nighttime view under the Shuto Expressway captures an empty urban road framed by pillars and dim city lights.
This moment does not clearly show any character face-on, instead using the streetscape beneath the Shuto Expressway to create the distinctive gloomy atmosphere of the opening of episode 1. Around this point in the story, the narrative is focused on drawing viewers into Ave Mujica’s secretive, distant, theatrical world, so an urban empty shot like this works as more than a transition background: it also lays the emotional groundwork for what the characters have not yet said. The dark, straight road stretching under the elevated expressway conveys loneliness, caution, and the tense feeling of relationships that have not truly intersected yet. At this stage, the story is still in its setup phase, with a restrained and mysterious mood that leaves a lingering impression before later character appearances and revelations. Compared with the real location, the anime is quite accurate in its depiction of the elevated structure, the arrangement of the pillars, the road perspective, and the uniquely compressed feeling of being under the expressway. The lighting and pavement layout are clearly based on the actual site, making it highly recognizable. However, the anime pushes the blue-gray tones and darker contrast for stronger drama, while the real place feels much brighter in daytime. Signage and minor details are also simplified or blurred in the anime, so real traffic signs, reflective equipment, guardrails, and nearby building details appear busier on site. Overall, it is a highly faithful location based on a real urban scene, enhanced through lighting and color to deepen the mood.

Can fans safely photograph this Ave Mujica underpass spot at night?: Yes, but stay on public sidewalks and do not step into the roadway or block cyclists and cars. Night shots look closest to the anime, so bring a camera that handles low light well.
Is this exact underpass easy to match with Google Street View before visiting?: Yes, the expressway pillars, road alignment, and surrounding street layout make it fairly easy to confirm in Street View. Check both directions along the road, because the anime framing emphasizes depth under the elevated structure.
Are there convenient stations and shops near the filming location for a quick pilgrimage stop?: Yes, the area around Higashi-Ikebukuro and central Ikebukuro has convenience stores, cafes, and major pedestrian routes. It works well as a short stop during a broader Tokyo anime location trip.