Man this was nice, though the ending was a bit sad, (and cuz I have no context about why one is leaving and whatnot)
In the Love Live Sunshine anime, Mari went to study abroad for 2 years before returning to Japan, and the reasoning behind it made up a large part of the drama and angst in the 1st season.
I was thinking the same thing, did the Awa Island Tourist Board pay for this?
I don't think so xD usually artist take pictures from real actual places to have scenery to work on, and makes it much easier for them to draw~ but i think the Awa Islannd wouldn't mind a few more tourists :3