Explore Vancouver through movies and TV dramas. Enjoy a stroll through the city as if you were the main character

Enter the world of classic hero dramas. Enjoy watching and experiencing the filming locations in downtown Tokyo

Vancouver, also known as "Hollywood North." One of the most notable productions filmed here is the American TV drama "The Flash" (2014-). This drama is based on an American comic book and stars Flash, "the fastest man on earth." The protagonist's growth as a hero and as a person has garnered sympathy, and the breathtaking storyline and the appeal of the worldview that expands through crossovers with other superhero dramas have made this a popular series in an instant.

Much of the filming for "The Flash" has taken place in the downtown area of Vancouver. This time, we will introduce two locations that have been used for "The Flash" and are also regular locations that appear in many other movies and TV dramas.

The first one is the Vancouver Central Library. Its exterior, modeled after the Roman Colosseum, is world-famous and boasts a collection of 1.3 million books. The promenade on the first floor is lined with cafes and gift shops, and events such as film screenings are also held here. It is a place of relaxation where people can spend their time in their own way, whether that be chatting between studies or resting their tired minds over a cup of coffee after a long day of reading.

Another spot is the Orpheum Theatre. It is the home of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and hosts a variety of concerts as well as orchestral performances. The interior has been left exactly as it was when it opened in 1927, with classical decorations, magnificent ceiling paintings, and gorgeous chandeliers, making you feel like you've traveled back in time. You'll want to dress up in a tuxedo or dress and walk around. The summer-only backstage tour is recommended as it takes you behind the scenes of the theater and above the ceiling, which are usually off-limits.

Take a break in a retro 50's diner. Crispy bacon and rich fried eggs on toast.

A recommended spot near the Orpheum Theatre is the 50's-style diner "The Templeton," located a 5-minute walk away. It is an "All day Breakfast" restaurant that serves breakfast all day. In addition to the classic diner menu of toast, eggs, bacon and potatoes, and coffee poured into a rugged mug, they also serve hearty sandwiches and hamburgers. The retro interior of the restaurant is often used for filming TV dramas.

The downtown area was also used as a filming location for the movie "Deadpool 2," which was released in June 2018. In this movie, the unconventional hero Deadpool goes on a rampage in a hilarious, refreshing, and thrilling manner, using his sharp tongue and extreme action as his weapons. You'll laugh, cry, laugh some more, and even after being toyed with, you'll still be moved... This is the best superhero movie of the year.

Ryan Reynolds, who stars in the film, produces it, and writes for it, is actually from Vancouver. Japanese actress Shiori Kutsuna also stars in the film, playing the role of an assassin with special powers.

A graduate school for wizards?! Take a stroll through the University of British Columbia like a student

Next, we will introduce the University of British Columbia (UBC), located about 20 minutes by bus from downtown. The TV drama "The Magicians" (2015-) is filmed on campus.

Based on a novel that was selected as a best-seller in the United States, this dark fantasy is set in a graduate school that trains wizards. Also known as "Harry Potter for adults," this is a work that is sure to captivate you with its mysterious developments that lead to more mysteries and the charm of its meticulously constructed worldview. In Japan, it is available on Hulu distribution services and on DVD.

UBC is one of Canada's top educational institutions. Its campus is larger than that of downtown, and it is like a city, with libraries, art galleries, museums, restaurants, supermarkets, accommodation, hospitals, golf courses, and even a hockey rink.

Anyone can enter, and it's so big that it's hard to tell who is a student, who is a staff member, and who is a guest, so it's surprisingly easy to get the feeling of being a UBC student. In addition, there is a hotel on campus where anyone can stay, and all the rooms have kitchens, so you can buy local ingredients at the supermarket and cook your own meals.

Farmers markets selling fresh vegetables and fruits, jams, homemade bread, pies, and more are held all over Vancouver, but there is even one on the campus of UBC every Saturday from June to October. It's a great place to buy what you like and have a relaxing picnic.

Seattle in "Mission: Impossible" is actually Vancouver. Have a refreshing drink by the water

The last place I would like to introduce is Granville Island, which appears in the final scene of "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" (2011). It is the final scene where the team gathers together to drink beer after completing all the missions, but in the movie, the setting is Seattle.

Granville Island is a popular tourist spot known for its local seafood, craft breweries, public market and artist galleries.

Although it is called an island, it is actually connected to the mainland, so you can get there by bus across the Granville Bridge from downtown. However, in good weather, the ferry is definitely recommended. If you're lucky, you might even see seals or otters from the boat!

Granville Island is also lined with many shops, so it's a great place to pick out souvenirs. Granville Island Soap Gallery sells 100% homemade soaps, all of which are so cute you'll want to buy them all.

The most popular soap in the store is "Vancouver Rain," which has a refreshing scent that is a blend of tuberose, jasmine, hyacinth, and more, and its beautiful blue color is reminiscent of Vancouver's clear skies after the rain!

Another place you should definitely visit when you go to Granville Island is Bistro 101 Restaurant, run by students from the culinary school Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. It's so popular that the buffet, which is only served on the first Friday of every month, is often booked up a month in advance. The adjacent cafe, Bakery 101 Café, is run by aspiring bakery chefs. At reasonable prices, you can enjoy cakes and sandwiches that would put a professional to shame.

Vancouver has clear, sunny weather almost every day in summer, with temperatures below 30 degrees, making it a comfortable time to spend. The days are long and it's light until after 9 p.m., so you can enjoy a day twice, which is a great deal. You can pretend to be the main character in a movie or drama and look for your favorite book in the library, enjoy brunch at a diner, or sip a beer at a pub. There's plenty of time, so why not enjoy walking around the city at your own pace, freely and leisurely?