Real Life Anime Locations to Visit in Japan

Discover real-life anime locations in Japan, where fiction and reality collide, and enjoy real-life locations that served as inspiration for your favorite movies and anime series. From Tokyo to the Japanese mountains, these destinations will allow you to appreciate Japanese history and culture in a new and fun way. As a huge anime fan who enjoys everything from the masterpieces of Studio Ghibli to classic shonen series like Sailor Moon, One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, and Jujutsu Kaisen, visiting these real-life anime locations is akin to a holy pilgrimage. Real life anime locations, or 'Seichijunrei' (聖地巡礼) in Japanese, are places that exist in reality but were featured in anime. Visiting them is a common practice in Japan, with many fans likening the experience to a sacred journey. This type of pop culture-inspired tourism has become increasingly popular, helping to promote the country's culture and history through what is known as "Cool Japan".

Tokyo Tower - Sailor Moon

What could be more iconic in Tokyo than the Tokyo Tower? 333 meters high, 2 meters more than the Eiffel Tower, it is an emblem of Japan recognized throughout the world. This is something that many animated series have understood well since they use it as a backdrop or even as a place of interest. We can notably cite the case in the animated Card Captor Sakura (1998), where the eponymous protagonist fights to protect the city by trying to search for the magical cards that threaten its security. It can also serve as a symbol, as when it collapses following the earthquake in Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (2009), showing all the fragility of the city in the face of natural disasters. It can also appear as scenery, serving as an instant reminder that a scene takes place in Tokyo, as in Sailor Moon (1992), or in Detective Conan (1996) where it appears many times, including in one of the credits and opening.

How to get there: 4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan

Asakusa - Demon Slayer

Asakusa is a district of Tokyo featured in the popular anime Demon Slayer (2018), episodes 7 and 8 of which take place in this emblematic place of the Taisho era (1912-1926). The directors of the anime have managed to reproduce a magnificent version of Asakusa from this era, whose attention to detail pays particular tribute to him. Notable sites depicted in the anime include Sensoji Temple , Nakamise Street , and Hozomon Gate . Fans of the anime can also check out the Asakusa Rokku area, which was once Tokyo's main entertainment district with many theaters and cinemas. This district is also the place where the hero of the story, Tanjiro, first meets Kibutsuji Muzan. While visiting Asakusa, fans can also stroll through streets lined with old-fashioned shops, such as Udon Street, where the heroes of the film stop, to experience a piece of Tokyo history.

How to Get There: Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza, Toei Asakusa or Tobu Skytree lines.

Yakushima Island - Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke (1997), one of Hayao Miyazaki's undisputed masterpieces, captures a captivating atmosphere and setting largely inspired by the island of Yakushima, Japan. This fascinating island off the coast of Kagoshima is known for its dense, lush forests of thousand-year-old Yakusugi cedar trees and spectacular waterfalls, perfectly reflecting the sacred forest full of animal gods depicted in the film. Yakushima has remained relatively untouched, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1993. The story follows Ashitaka, the last Emishi prince, as he tries to prevent this pristine environment from being destroyed. On Yakushima, visitors can indulge in hiking through the primeval forests where Kodama spirits seem to dwell, enjoy guided tours of the local fauna and flora, relax in natural onsens, and view loggerhead sea turtles nesting on Nagata Inakahama Beach from May to July. With its unspoiled landscapes of sandy beaches, towering mountains, and ancient cedars, Yakushima provides an ideal real-world setting mirroring the themes and natural wonders celebrated in Princess Mononoke.

How to get there: Access to Yakushima is from Kagoshima by plane or boat.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – ‘Princess Kaguya’

Kyoto is Japan’s spiritual capital in more ways than one. It was the capital city from 794 CE until 1868, when Tokyo was given the honour during the Edo period, but it is also Japan’s spiritual centre – the city and surrounding areas house hundreds of Buddhist and Shinto temples and shrines. In the final film by Isao Takahata, a family discovers a tiny baby girl in the hollow of a bamboo stalk. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, just outside the city centre, is awash with bamboo plants, its historical and spiritual ambience acting as the muse for a film in which the protagonist grows into a conflicted young woman pondering her identity and origins. The majestic bamboo forest, with its mesmeric swaying trees, reflects the themes of the film – nature as a mysterious, omnipotent presence that will outlast all of humanity.

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Harajuku / Shinjuku / Shibuya - Jujutsu Kaisen

Harajuku is another place in Tokyo that Japanese anime particularly enjoys showcasing. Recently, the hit work Jujutsu Kaisen (2020) used it as a backdrop for its plot and made it the meeting place of Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro with Nobara Kugisaki. This is an iconic area of Tokyo , known for its bold fashion and eclectic shops. Several real locations were used for the anime adaptation of Jujutsu Kaisen: Harajuku Station, Aoyama Cemetery, Meiji Shrine Station , and the much-loved Takeshita dori . The latter, emblematic of Harajuku, is a bustling pedestrian street famous for its fashion boutiques, trendy cafes and its decidedly youthful orientation where followers of the latest trends congregate, creating a truly unique atmosphere.

How to get there: Harajuku Station , accessible by the JR Yamanote Line or Meiji-jingumae Station on Tokyo Metro's Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines.

Dogo Onsen - Spirited Away

Dogo Onsen, located in the charming town of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest and most famous hot spring towns. Believed to have inspired the iconic bathhouse setting in Hayao Miyazaki's hit animated film "Spirited Away" (2001), a visit to Dogo Onsen allows you to relive the magic while enjoying the benefits of its therapeutic thermal waters. The magnificent Dogo Onsen Honkan, a historic wooden building constructed in 1894, stands as a testament to the area's rich cultural heritage. After indulging in the traditional baths, relaxing massages, and beauty treatments on offer, guests can stroll Matsuyama's quaint alleyways, finding delicious local cuisine and a warm atmosphere reminiscent of the film. For true Ghibli fans, a side trip to the small, unmanned Shimonada station along the western Ehime coast may evoke scenes of Chihiro's train journey to visit Zeniba. With its 3000-year history as Japan's oldest onsen town, Dogo Onsen provides an authentic experience straight out of the enchanting spirit world brought to life in "Spirited Away."

Haikyu!!: Tokyo Station

Haruichi Furudate’s Haikyu!! manga is set in Miyagi Prefecture, but the Karasuno team also travels to Tokyo for tournaments. And, when they do we get shots of the iconic Tokyo Station building. The station is a central travel hub so it has also made small cameos in other anime as well.

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The steps to the Suga temple (Tokyo) - Your name

If you have seen Your Name (2016), you must remember the famous final scene, on this staircase. Since the release of Makoto Shinkai's hit film , this discreet staircase of 26 concrete steps has attracted thousands of visitors, who come to immortalize their visit by taking photos and it is not uncommon to see tourists trying to reproduce the cult scene there . Fans can also discover the surroundings of Shinjuku, a lively and diverse district of Tokyo, offering a wide range of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. There are many places in Your Name that exist in real life. Some are very innocuous, like a bus stop in the middle of nowhere , but many of these places have gained renewed tourist interest since the film's release, such as Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture.

How to get there: Suga Temple : Japan, 〒160-0018 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Sugacho, ５

The port of Tomonoura - Ponyo

Hayao Miyazaki's enchanting 2008 animated film "Ponyo" draws inspiration from the charming port village of Tomonoura in Hiroshima Prefecture. This picturesque town facing the Seto Inland Sea has retained its authenticity since the Edo period, with traditional wooden houses, small fishing boats lining its alleyways, and the iconic Joyato Lighthouse overlooking the harbor. It was here that Miyazaki immersed himself for two months before production, interacting with locals at historic sites like the 380-year-old Onfunayado Iroha building. Fans can relive the magic by visiting Sousuke's house lookalike near Ankokuji Temple, the school adorned with a Ponyo fresco mural, and idyllic Sensuijima Island just minutes from the port. The Tomonoura setting perfectly captures the film's heart - a young fish girl's friendship with a human boy against a backdrop of stunning coastal scenery extending to nearby Onomichi, once an international rice trading hub now renowned as the gateway to the Shimanami Kaido cycling route amidst the Seto Inland Sea's seemingly floating islands.

How to get there: Tomonoura is accessible by bus from Fukuyama Station.

The Ghibli Museum

The Ghibli Museum, a whimsical animation and art museum located just outside central Tokyo in Mitaka, is a must-visit for fans of Studio Ghibli's renowned films like My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. Designed in the distinct style of the studio's movies, the museum features life-sized characters, including a robot from "Castle in the Sky" in the rooftop garden. Visitors can explore exhibits on animation history and techniques, catch exclusive short films in the theater, and enjoy amenities like a cafe, children's play area, and a gift shop.

Ghibli Park

However, the ultimate experience for hardcore Ghibli enthusiasts is the world's first Studio Ghibli theme park that opened on November 1, 2022. Located within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute city near Nagoya, the park features incredible attractions based on the studio's popular films, including a striking 16-meter-tall, life-sized recreation of Howl's Moving Castle. Between the imaginative Ghibli Museum and the mesmerizing theme park, fans can fully immerse themselves in the magical worlds created by the legendary animation studio.

Suginami Animation Museum

This museum is located in Suginami City Ward, the heart of Japanese animation. It features hands-on activities such as a dubbing booth and a digital workshop where you can bring your own creations to life. 25 minute walk from Ogikubo Station

Toei Animation Museum

The Toei Animation Museum consists of a single, spacious exhibition room with a small number of displays. Toei is a leading producer of anime series and movies, including animated versions of popular manga such as Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon. 15 minute walk from Oizumi Gakuen Station along the Seibu Ikebukuro Line

Fuji Q Highland (Yamanaka) — Naruto

Fuji Q Highland hosts a Naruto-themed theme park! Designed as a miniature replica of Konoha Village, you could pose with life-sized figurines of your favourite Naruto characters like playing chess with Shikamaru, and visit the Ichiraku Ramen shop for a bowl of Naruto’s iconic favourite ramen.

Whether you're an avid anime fan like myself seeking to immerse yourself in the worlds you've seen on screen or simply someone who appreciates the artistry and imagination behind these beloved stories, visiting real-life anime locations in Japan promises an unforgettable experience. From iconic cityscape backdrops like Tokyo Tower to the enchanting natural wonders that inspired Studio Ghibli classics, each destination offers a tangible connection to the anime you love while unveiling the rich cultural tapestry of Japan itself.