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A Shenmue pilgrimmage: Visiting the scenic real-life locations from Sega’s game

Shenmue

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Kowloon

 

Although this area is explorable in-game, visiting it in real life is a little trickier mainly because it doesn’t exist anymore. Kowloon Walled City was demolished shortly after the events of Shenmue. In its place is a beautiful garden, serving the memory of the city by way of a permanent exhibition.

Everywhere you walk, you will find plaques describing an aspect of the now non-existent residence. There is a walkway around the park with large informational signs detailing the history of the area. It’s very interesting place. For those who would like to know more, I would recommend this documentary, which details the life inside the city. Not much footage exists of that time.

Brass scale reconstruction of the old city.

Leaving Hong Kong — as much as I loved it — I am excited for the flight to Japan. This is my first trip to the land of the rising game industry. I reflect on how far I have been taken by that desire that was born in my bedroom many years ago. I wanted to know so much more about the world, and it sparked my enthusiasm to travel, pick up new hobbies, and visit the city of Yokosuka.