かわうそ温泉：うその湯

Heaven's
Corner
Where
We
Are

Flower Night
Seal

WELCOME TO

Hanayoimachi

Ha-na-yo-i-ma-chi

A small town with the scent of Taisho Roman, where beloved things and beasts arrive after their lives end, in a corner of heaven.

"Welcome back, lost one."

This story is a participating work for the collaborative project "Hanayoimachi" organized by Pika, welcoming a brother and sister who run a bathhouse into the world.
◇ The world view is entirely based on the organizer's concept ◇

◆ Chapter 1 ◆ What is Hanayoimachi?

Flow er is a town where beings who have been cherished by humans arrive. They come from various backgrounds, such as animals or tools, but all live leisurely lives while waiting for their time to be reborn, holding memories of "being loved by someone" or "loving someone."

A retro townscape reminiscent of the Taisho to early Showa eras. Winding alleys, vegetable fields, rice paddies, and wheat fields. In the center of town stands a giant cherry tree, "Yumeiyo Sakura," which glows faintly even at night, visible from anywhere. There are no conflicts, time flows slowly, and residents spend their days as they please.

This is not a place for judgment or punishment, but a peaceful haven for beings holding the lingering echoes of their affections.

◆ Chapter 2 ◆ About You

You are a human soul who has ended your life in the current world and wandered into Hanayoimachi, having lost many memories.

All you have is a notebook called "Tamatsuzuri" (Soul Scroll) given to you by the Heavenly Administration Office. It contains fragments of your past life and the names of the towns you are to visit. Hanayoimachi is one of them.

◆ Purpose of the Journey ◆

・ Collect fragments of memories
・ Find the "Someone from the Past" to whom you should express gratitude
・ Prepare for a new life

Important

◆ The Rule of Three Hundred Sixty-Six Days ◆

You can stay in Hanayoimachi for a maximum of three hundred sixty-six days.
Souls that remain beyond this deadline gradually lose their self-awareness and eventually become small stone statues called "Remnants of Affection," becoming part of the town's scenery.
──Rebirth will never be possible again.

◆ Chapter 3 ◆ Tonight's Inn - Uso no Yu

Deep in Tomi Yokocho, you'll be drawn by the scent of steam to an old noren with a single name.
"Uso no Yu"
It is run by a brother and sister otter, whose species went extinct in their previous lives. No one in town knows their real surname, but everyone affectionately calls them "the Uso siblings."

◆ Older Brother, 19 years old ◆

Aoi

The reliable older brother, who handles all the heavy labor like stoking the furnace, chopping wood, and repairs. He is friendly and likable, but not frivolous. He has a calm and manly core.

◆ Younger Sister, 16 years old ◆

Matsuri

The energetic看板娘 who manages the front desk and shopping. She is friendly and talkative. Although childish, she's at an age where she wants to be treated as an adult.

You are welcomed by the siblings as "someone who will help out when they feel like it." You'll be thanked if you help, and nothing will be said if you don't. Uso no Yu is that kind of place.

◆ Chapter 4 ◆ Three Ways to Part

On the evening of the 365th day, you must make a choice.

TRUE END Leaving Hanayoimachi

Seen off by the siblings, you pass through the Tokoyoi Torii. Aoi and Matsuri wave goodbye with smiles, saying "Have a good journey." A peaceful farewell as you each move on to a new life.
──Perhaps we'll meet again in our next lives.

BAD END 1 Staying in Hanayoimachi

You decide not to leave this town. However, the siblings reach their time for rebirth and leave you behind. You are left alone in Hanayoimachi, eventually turning into a Remnant of Affection.

BAD END 2 Taking the Siblings With You

You take the siblings through the Tokoyoi Torii. But the moment they cross, they revert to their otter forms and are forever removed from the cycle of reincarnation. Only you are reborn, while they wander forever between heaven and the mortal world.

◆ Chapter 5 ◆ Town Map

🌸 Yumeiyo Sakura (Dreamy Night Cherry Blossom)

A giant cherry tree in the center of town that glows faintly even at night, visible from anywhere. You can enjoy cherry blossom viewing year-round, and small stalls line the area.

🏮 Tomi Yokocho (Light-Viewing Alley)

A Showa-era retro shopping street with greengrocers, fishmongers, Japanese confectioneries, candy stores, and coffee shops. Uso no Yu is located deep within.

🌊 Hanabigawa (Flower Lantern River)

A gentle river flowing through town, its waters reflecting lights in a mystical flow. There are places to ride flatboats and fish.

🎋 Yumeiyo Oji (Dreamy Night Avenue)

A wide street lined with Taisho-era architecture. Shops blend Japanese and Western styles, including bakeries, cafes, and tailors. It's the liveliest street, perfect for a stroll.

⛩ Hanayoi Grand Shrine

A shrine known for its blessings of matchmaking. Many people entrust their wishes for "Someone from the Past" to ema plaques. Pigeon charms are a specialty.

🕯 Tosei Sando (Light-Still Approach)

A long approach from Yumeiyo Sakura to the Grand Shrine. Lanterns light the way at night, and izakayas called Yoichaya open.

💌 Toubun Post Office

The town's only post office. It's a place to entrust your feelings, even sending letters with unknown senders into the sky via lanterns.

🌊 Yoinagihama (Calm Night Beach)

A calm beach on the outskirts of town. A torii gate can be seen across the sea. Fireworks, fishing, quiet times. A place Aoi secretly visits.

💊 Yogure Clinic

A clinic in heaven where there are no serious illnesses. For overdrinking, overeating, or general malaise – a peaceful place to "get back in shape."

⛩ Tokoyoi Torii (Eternal Night Gate)

A giant torii gate separating the town from the outside. It is the only entrance and exit. If a resident passes through it, they lose their human form.

◆ Chapter 6 ◆ What You Can Do in This Town

♨ Help out at Uso no Yu

Stoking the furnace, managing the front desk, cleaning, shopping. Whenever you feel like it, for as long as you feel like it. The siblings will surely thank you.

🌸 Walk around town and search for memories

Shopping in Tomi Yokocho, boating on Hanabigawa, enjoying the blossoms at Yumeiyo Sakura. You might encounter fragments of lost memories somewhere in town.

🎋 Participate in seasonal events

Cherry blossom festivals, Tanabata, lantern floating, night festivals, moon viewing──the town's calendar always has some event. Enjoying them with the siblings is also an option.

🐾 Deepen your bond with the siblings

Catch a glimpse of Aoi's hidden talents or see Matsuri's secret collection. Both the brother and sister have different sides to them.

🐟 The secrets of fishing and free diving

Fishing in Hanabigawa or Yoinagihama. If you become good friends, Aoi might secretly show you his "true abilities."

💌 Send letters to the sky

You can also send letters with unknown recipients from the Toubun Post Office. Your feelings will surely reach somewhere someday.

◇ For those who want to know more ◇

◆ Important Terms
▼ Expand

◇ Tamatsuzuri (Soul Scroll)

The passport and notebook given to you in heaven. It contains fragmentary information from your past life and the names of the towns you are to visit. Important memories and recollections are naturally written in this Tamatsuzuri. Each one is unique, designed according to the owner's life.

◇ Someone from the Past

The "former owner" that the residents long to meet in their hearts. They cannot recall the name or face, but the desire to express gratitude remains. You yourself may have a "Someone from the Past" to meet.

◇ Remnant of Affection

Small, palm-sized stone statues quietly placed throughout Hanayoimachi. While the residents cherish them like small deities, their true nature is the end result of human souls who lingered beyond the stay limit. Most residents are unaware of this.

◇ Kiokuban (Memory Keeper)

These beings know the true nature of the Remnants of Affection and quietly place them around town so they won't be lonely. At the base of cherry trees, by the river, in alleys, on rooftops──the small stones you notice are their work.

◆ Hanayoimachi's Year - Calendar and Events
▼ Expand

The calendar uses the old lunar calendar, and month names are referred to by traditional Japanese names. Times are recognized by time periods like "Evening" or "Dawn" and are not strictly managed. The year has 366 days, and leap years exist every year.

Mutsuki: New Year's Visit, Evening Light Festival

Kisaragi: Snow Viewing Evening

Yayoi: Flower Welcome, Evening Blossom Viewing

Utsuki: Cherry Blossom Festival, Flower Giving

Satsuki: Greenery Stroll, Market Fair

Minazuki: Lantern Floating

Fumizuki: Letter Sending, Star Gazing

Hazuki: Night Festival, River Play

Nagatsuki: Moon Viewing

Kannazuki: Shrine Visits

Shimotsuki: Autumn Leaf Viewing, Fire Tending

Shiwasu: Year-End Ceremony

Other Customs: Yoichi (weekly small market), Torino Hi (monthly lantern release), Kawabe no Hitotoki (irregular gatherings)

◆ Town Economy / Money Matters
▼ Expand

The currency is "Yen," based on the Taisho to early Showa era. Prices are relatively low, similar to that period. However, in Hanayoimachi, bartering and mutual help are more common than currency. Competition and profit-seeking are almost non-existent; there's a natural atmosphere of support for those in need.

Some residents do not work, yet their lives are sustained through social interactions and assistance. Hanayoimachi's economy is not driven by capitalism but by "exchanges of feelings."

◆ World Rules
▼ Expand

◇ Human souls can stay for a maximum of 366 days. Staying for 367 days or more turns them into a Remnant of Affection.

◇ If residents leave Hanayoimachi, they cannot maintain their human form and revert to their original animal or object form. They are also removed from the cycle of reincarnation.

◇ The Tokoyoi Torii is the only entrance and exit. Residents generally do not pass through it.

◇ The time for rebirth arrives without notice. However, as long as one is in Hanayoimachi, that time will eventually come.

◇ Residents only lack memories related to "Someone from the Past."

◆ Thanks / CREDIT ◆

This work is a participating piece in a collaborative project that visits the world of "Hanayoimachi" created by Pika.
We sincerely thank the organizer for the opportunity to borrow this wonderful worldview,
and all the participating creators who are weaving this town together.

◇ Organizer / Worldview Concept ◇

Go to Pika's Page ▶

Uso no Yu - Aoi & Matsuri

Hanayoimachi

Ha-na-yo-i-ma-chi

"Welcome back, lost one."

Otter Hot Spring: Uso no Yu

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