Is the former Shinjuku H&M area still easy to identify for this scene match?

Yes. Even if tenants and signs have changed over time, the corner layout and surrounding Shinjuku streetscape still make the anime angle recognizable.

When should I visit to recreate the frame with fewer people in front of the building?

Weekday mornings are usually best for cleaner shots. Even then, this is a central Shinjuku shopping area, so expect constant foot traffic.

Can I take anime pilgrimage photos freely around this location?

Street photography from public sidewalks is generally fine, but avoid blocking pedestrians or photographing inside nearby shops without permission. Be especially mindful during peak shopping hours.

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waiting in the summer shinjuku hm

Waiting in the Summer

Tokyo

Episode

Ep. 2

Time

13m 52s

Google Map

35.6913, 139.7053

Nearest Station: Shinjuku-sanchome Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / Fukutoshin Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)
Walk: 3 minutes on foot
Best time to visit: Late morning on weekdays for clearer photos; early evening if you want the same busy city atmosphere
Crowd level: Can be crowded

Kaito and Ichika move through a busy Shinjuku street, framed by the H&M building and dense commercial city scenery.
In this part of the story, Kaito and Ichika pass through a lively city street as they gradually become more aware of each other. The moment carries the subtle mood of an early relationship: on the surface they are simply walking through a busy district, but underneath there is hesitation, shyness, and a sense of new excitement. The surrounding scenes before and after this moment focus on the unspoken emotions and distance between the characters, so even though this is only a brief urban cut, it captures the ordinary yet heart-racing rhythm of youth remarkably well. In real life, the anime recreates the commercial atmosphere of this part of Shinjuku with impressive accuracy, especially in the large fashion-store façade, the street-corner composition, and the dense urban feeling created by signage. Around Shinjuku H&M, the series does not copy every sign exactly, but preserves the building massing, camera angle, and street scale while simplifying storefront details, which makes the location easy to match during a pilgrimage. Compared with the anime, the real street has more frequently updated signs and usually far heavier pedestrian traffic, especially from afternoon into evening; temporary ads, traffic signs, and street fixtures may also differ from the broadcast era, but the overall structure and spatial impression remain very close.

Is the former Shinjuku H&M area still easy to identify for this scene match?: Yes. Even if tenants and signs have changed over time, the corner layout and surrounding Shinjuku streetscape still make the anime angle recognizable.
When should I visit to recreate the frame with fewer people in front of the building?: Weekday mornings are usually best for cleaner shots. Even then, this is a central Shinjuku shopping area, so expect constant foot traffic.
Can I take anime pilgrimage photos freely around this location?: Street photography from public sidewalks is generally fine, but avoid blocking pedestrians or photographing inside nearby shops without permission. Be especially mindful during peak shopping hours.