Haruka na Machi e

Description

Middle-aged salaryman Hiroshi Nakahara accidentally takes a train ride back to his old hometown to visit his mother’s grave. Then for reasons he can’t explain, Hiroshi is transported back in time, and discovers that he’s an 8th grader again, but with all of his adult memories intact.

Can he, or should he try to change the decisions he made before? But more importantly, can he find his way back to the present day, or is he stuck in the past?

Type

Manga

Related Series

N/A

Associated Names

A Distant Neighborhood

Barrio lejano integral

El barri llunya

Harukana Machi e

Harukana Machi-E

In una lontana città

Odległa dzielnica (Polish)

Quartier Lointain

Quartieri lontani

Um Bairro Distante

Vertraute Fremde

टाढाको सहरमा

遙遠的小鎮

遥かな町へ

Groups Scanlating

Manga-Sketchbook

Latest Release(s)

v.2 c.15-16 (end) by Manga-Sketchbook 15 years ago

v.2 c.12-14 by Manga-Sketchbook 15 years ago

v.2 c.11 by Manga-Sketchbook 15 years ago

Search for all releases of this series

Status in Country of Origin

2 Volumes (Tankoubon - Complete)
1 Volume (Bunkoban - Complete)

Completely Scanlated?

Yes

Anime Start/End Chapter

N/A

User Reviews

N/A

Forum

0 topics, 0 posts

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User Rating

Average: 8.5 / 10.0 (499 votes)

Bayesian Average: 8.38 / 10.0

22%

27%

31%

14%

Last Updated

July 11th, 2025 12:03pm PDT - 1 week ago

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Genre

Drama Psychological Seinen Slice of Life
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Categories

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Category Recommendations

Danza

Chichi no Koyomi

Babel the 2nd: Golden Boy

Recommendations

Author(s)

Artist(s)

Year

Original Publisher

Shogakukan (1998; 2004)

Serialized In (magazine)

Big Comic (Shogakukan)

Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher

Ponent Mon (1 Physical Omnibus; Complete)

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

Weekly Pos #772

(+524)

Monthly Pos #1178

(-570)

3 Month Pos #2567

(-1144)

6 Month Pos #3987

(-1043)

Year Pos #4849

(-1772)

List Stats

On 217 reading lists

On 615 wish lists

On 1159 completed lists

On 20 unfinished lists

On 297 custom lists

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User Comments [ Order by usefulness ]

Good time travel story with a message

by flowinmyboat
2 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

This was on my "Finished Stories I Liked" list, but for the life of me I could not remember reading it, even after I opened it up and read the first few chapters. Either way, I still would put it on the list -- this is a solid, solid story with a simple, meaningful lesson.

We can't change the past, but we can get clarity and come to terms with it. But more importantly, we can use the past to inform our future. The protagonist in this story toys with the idea changing to past and as a result, dramatically altering his future (for example, the woman he would end up marrying as he forms a new relationship in the past with a girl that he hadn't had a relationship with before). However, he realizes this is just his own mindless way of running from his present. I really liked the ending, too. The hint that it was all real and that he really did change his past in a subtle way was nice touch. He might have not been able to change the events of the past, but he changed his relationships with people. This was a good way to wrap the story up because the being able to go back and re-live the experiences of his 14 year old self -- learning about his mom's first husband, talking with his father more in general, being able to understand why his dad left, and understanding his mom's view of his father's departure -- fundamentally changed him and how he's operating in the present. In that way, he has changed his future by going back to the past. His mindset now, as a father and husband, morphed and we see that he's attempted to be a better family man as a result of going back to the past.

The one thing I thought was poorly done was the MC running into his dad without them following up on that...I am not sure the significance of this. It seemed dumb.

... Last updated 2 years ago

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Great

by PZcolo
10 years ago

Rating: 8.5 / 10.0

Very interesting short manga, it's a little slow passed but sensible and meaningful, was a nice read. Definitely recommend it to those looking something a bit different from your classic action or love drama/comedy.

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Beautiful

by ListeningDaisy
13 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

I decided to read this manga since I loved Heptagon and I liked this even more! It was very intriguing, imagine you went back in time now to when you were at a crossroad. What would you do? I think this manga answered that question very well

... Last updated 13 years ago

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Wonderful manga.

by Meirus
14 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Excellent story. The main character's desire to change his past is moving and the ending that comes from it is satisfying and fitting. Pretty short read, I recommend it to anyone that likes a good story.

... Last updated 14 years ago

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Good.

by panos
14 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

Great manga but I kinda hate the ending and the way things resolved.
Frankly, I think I was more angry with the ending rather than focusing on the messages the story tries to get through : primarily, the psychological dilemma that you have to let go of the past so as not to miss the moments the future has to offer and,secondarily,what changes the war did on peoples lives.

It followed down the path that I was expecting that you somehow cannot change the past but not because you can’t but probably because the protagonist didn’t try enough!The end is open with him randomly seeing his father at the train station (was he paying a visit to his wife’s grave?did the words of his son manage to convince him to return?is his mother alive?The protagonist doesn’t look to have any changed memories after the timeslip about his childhood.His friend also managed to become a writer sending him a copy of his book at his house. But his old house was still sold so I don’t know what happened exactly. Both that kind of premise about the past and open endings really get on my nerves @#$.
Also the way the 48 year old protagonist functioned in many occasions is somehow stupid and I don’t talk about the decisions that he made but those that he didn’t: Since he didn’t know if he would stay at that timeline and the chances of failing to prevent his father from escaping the least he could do was manage some gambling money for his family,then his mother wouldn’t have to exhaust herself doing housework and working.To oppose to those that would say but he didn’t have the time because he suddenly was transferred back to the present,well he had.If I was to travel back in a non parallel universe 3 things would make me worry :1)about the things of the present if they would be lost2)what should I do to change the things of the past and what would their consequences be for the future and 3)(sth that the protagonist didn’t) what can I do so as my cause is realized even though I might suddenly disappear from that timeline(finding an ally that will help your cause,easy money,are always an option.

The idea of the story is I suppose sth that most of us have dreamed of:what would have happened if we had followed a different path in our past lives and we were given a second chance to change/relive it. Unattainable dreams, traumatic past events who wouldn’t want to accomplish and avoid those ones respectively? But there is always a cost, you would have to sacrifice sth(in this occasion your current lifestyle) to attain those.
Wish it was longer and without loose ends.

... Last updated 14 years ago

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Magnificient

by vakegir
14 years ago

Rating: N/A

I put this piece on my waiting list. I'm sure because it sounded like a very deep and sad story.
I wouldn't want to go back to my childhood. I don't know how others has regrets or not. But this manga was kind of a no-no on my list.
So after I started to read I was seriously hooked into it. Deep? Without doubt? Cryed? Hell , no. It was too touching and beautiful to get me cry.
This series a must read. Or at least some point in your life a must read.

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*gasp*

by intemango
16 years ago

Rating: 9.5 / 10.0

The more you can relate with the protagonist, the more likely you'll cry tears of nostalgia and regret when reading this manga.
I've thought about it before. What would I do if I were to go back in time... Which friend would I spend more time with, things that I would never be able to experience again in my life.
And my parents.
Whoever the author is, thank you.

... Last updated 16 years ago

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Awesome

by lilchoconut
17 years ago

Rating: N/A

I didn't read this right away because I was turned away by the art... But now that I've picked it up again, oh my how I feel like I've wasted so much time reading other junk instead...

The ending was absolutely great... I felt more shock than Hiroshi's face had shown... I still have the chills! xD

Ahaha, wonderful~

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wow

by Juicifer
17 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

ok, i want to meet the author, shake his hand and say "well done sir".

this was a very enjoyable and interesting read, and it leaves you with a very satisfied feeling.

....pick it up and read it now damnet!

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Another Gem from Taniguchi

by Highway-STAR
17 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Artistically speaking, it's one of the most beautiful comics I've ever seen. Such attention paid to the little details of life, with gracefully expressive character emotions. Also incredibly well-written (I've always wondered how well Taniguchi-sensei writes), and a nice change from the usual time-travelling lark. A deeply philosophical journey that kept my interest throughout, and ended quiet nicely as well. Highly recommended for those who like Aruku Hito and slow-paced manga.

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