Silent Hill f opted for Kanayama-inspired Ebisugaoka over actual 'Silent Hill' due to Mount Fuji potentially distracting players

Silent Hill f, the upcoming entry in Konami’s horror franchise, almost found its home in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, overlooking Mount Fuji. The region seemed tailor-made for the latest spin-off installment, as Shizuoka translates to “Quiet Hill” or “Silent Hill.” But the developers decided to skip the setting and opt for Gifu Prefecture’s Kanayama-inspired fictional town of Ebisugaoka.

In an interview with Famitsu at Anime Expo 2025, author Ryukishi07 spilled the details on why they skipped Mount Fuji’s “real Silent Hill” setting and settled elsewhere. The reason was that Mount Fuji towers over the Shizuoka Prefecture and could potentially distract players from the foggy and heavy atmosphere the series is known for. In the interview, Ryukishi07 explained:

“When creating the story, we first wanted all the staff to have a common understanding of where the game was set. To achieve this, we used real locations as the basis of imagery.”

To realize their vision, the team trekked to Shizuoka and scouted the prefecture before settling on a potential in-game world. However, the team changed their minds when they finally observed the prefecture. Ryukishi07 further stated:

“However, when we actually went there, we felt that the presence of Mount Fuji as seen from Shizuoka was too overbearing; it didn’t seem suitable for a Silent Hill setting. After visiting several other locations, I felt that the grid-like townscape of Kanayama was an interesting shape, so I suggested that.”

Moreover, Akira Yamaoka took on a fresh take, straying away from the clichéd “Japanese style” and focusing on the unique “ma” and rhythmic changes rooted in Japanese culture since ancient times. The game’s aesthetic is a subtle nod to the Showa-era setting. Therefore, the team decided to embark on a little creative detour, as Kanayama seemed to have struck a chord with the developers.

Silent Hill f is set in 1960s Japan and follows the story of high schooler Shimizu Hinaoka as her hometown is blanketed in fog. Developed by NeoBards, the game aims to be more action-oriented than its predecessors. Silent Hill f is slated to release on September 25, 2025, on the Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5, and PC.