Musical Road – “Always with Me” (Spirited Away OST), Shima Travel Guide

The Musical Road in Gunma Prefecture offers a delightful and unusual experience, transforming a simple drive into a whimsical journey. Located near Shima Onsen, this stretch of National Highway 353 is engineered to play "Itsumo Nando Demo" (Always With Me), the beloved theme song from Hayao Miyazaki's animated masterpiece, Spirited Away. As your car's tires roll over the specially grooved pavement, the road vibrates, creating a series of notes that combine to produce the recognizable melody.This unique attraction is one of several musical roads in Japan, a concept that originated as a creative way to encourage safe driving. By spacing the grooves at specific intervals, engineers can control the pitch and rhythm of the music, turning the road into a giant musical instrument. The result is a fun and engaging experience that captivates drivers and passengers alike.The choice of "Always With Me" is particularly fitting, as Shima Onsen is rumored to have served as inspiration for the bathhouse in Spirited Away. The hot spring town's traditional architecture and serene atmosphere evoke the magical world of the film, making the musical road an appropriate and charming prelude to a visit.Driving the Musical Road is best enjoyed at a speed of around 40 km/h (25 mph) to ensure the melody is clear and recognizable. Going too fast or too slow can distort the sound, so maintaining a steady pace is key to fully appreciating this quirky attraction.