11 real life anime locations to visit in Japan 実在アニメスポット11選

Princess Mononoke (1997) is a staple of Japanese animation, one of Hayao Miyazaki 's undisputed masterpieces. The captivating atmosphere and the sets found in this film were largely inspired by a unique location in Japan: the island of Yakushima ! This is a fascinating island located off the coast of Kagoshima in southern Japan. It is known for its dense forests and its thousand-year-old trees, the Yakusugi cedars . This island is unspoilt, making it an ideal setting for Princess Mononoke and the themes covered in the film. Yakushima has even been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Accessible by sea and by air, it is characterized, among other things, by the sandy beaches that surround it and high mountains in its center. If you have the opportunity to visit, you can indulge in hikes in the lush forests , guided tours to observe the local fauna and flora, or even enjoy the natural onsen .

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

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.

Getting there : Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza, Toei Asakusa or Tobu Skytree lines.

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.

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

Shirakawago is an area in Gifu Prefecture that has several villages and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . This is the primary source of inspiration for the fictional village of Hinamizawa in the work " Higurashi no naku koro ni ", also known in English as "Hinamizawa, the cursed village" (2006) for its adaptation lively. This village is famous for its traditional thatched-roof houses , called gassho-zukuri , which are featured prominently in the show. The series, which is originally a visual novel series later adapted into an anime, follows a group of friends facing dark events in the small mountain town of Hinamizawa in 1983. Shirakawa-go has many iconic locations that have been adapted into the series, such as Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine. Since the series' popularity, Shirakawa-go has hosted Higurashi themed events and even erected statues of the main characters.

Getting there : Shirakawago is accessible by bus or shinkansen from Toyama, Kanazawa, Shin-Takaoka or Nagoya.

Steins;Gate is a sci-fi visual novel (meaning an interactive story with illustrations) of which an animated adaptation was released in 2011 and which takes place directly in Akihabara , the famous electronic district of Tokyo. This is a place famous for its many shops where you can buy cutting edge technology, but it is also a must for otaku and pop culture lovers thanks to its maids. cafes and its merchandise stores.

Throughout the series, many places in the famous district are alternately highlighted: Akihabara station ,Yanagimori shrine, where Lukako lives, the May Queen Nyan Nya, which is actually called Cafe Mailish, retains its Maid Café identity and of course the famous Radio Kaikan , where the time machine appears.

Getting there : Akihabara Station , on the JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, Sobu and Tokyo Metro Hibiya lines or via the Tsukuba Express

Located in the charming town of Matsuyama , Ehime Prefecture, Dogo Onsen is one of Japan's oldest and most famous onsens (hot springs). This historic spa town inspired the setting for the public bath in the hit animated film " Spirited Away "  (2001) directed by Hayao Miyazaki . By going to Dogo Onsen, you can relive the magic of the film while enjoying the benefits of its thermal waters. The main establishment, the Dogo Onsen Honkan, is a magnificent wooden building built in 1894 , which testifies to the rich cultural heritage of the area. In addition to its traditional baths, Dogo Onsen also offers relaxation services such as massages and beauty treatments. After enjoying the onsen facilities, feel free to explore Matsuyama's quaint alleyways , where you'll find delicious local food and a warm atmosphere.

To get there : 5-6 Dōgoyunomachi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0842, Japan

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.

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

Omi-Jingu Shrine, located in Otsu , near Kyoto, is an iconic location in the Chihayafuru (2011) series. Indeed, this Shinto shrine hosts the national karuta championship every year, the famous traditional Japanese card game played by the characters in this manga. Yuki Suetsugu, the author of Chihayafuru, has used this place several times in her work. Visitors can discover wooden plaques called ema , often decorated with messages and drawings related to the series. The adjacent streets offer an array of shops and restaurants offering local delicacies and even Chihayafuru-themed souvenirs.

To get there : 1-1 Jingucho, Otsu, Shiga 520-0015, Japan

Need a little escape from the big cities? Why not visit Yamanashi Prefecture ? Located in the heart of Japan , it is not only famous for its stunning natural landscapes , but also now for its central role in the hit anime Yuru Camp (2018). This animated film, which features a group of friends sharing their passion for camping, has helped to highlight the region's various natural sites through the seasons. The protagonists, all high school girls, have the opportunity to go camping in many places worth visiting, such as the strikingly beautiful Lake Motosu . Among the other places highlighted, we can also mention Mount Kuchu , located nearby, which offers a breathtaking panorama of Mount Fuji , THE iconic symbol of Japan.

Getting there : Lake Motosu is accessible by bus from Kawaguchiko

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.

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

"Ponyo" (2008) is another animated film by Hayao Miyazaki which is inspired by a real place: the village of Tomonoura . It is a charming port village located in Hiroshima Prefecture and facing the Seto Inland Sea. Blessed with a rich historical heritage, Tomonoura has retained its authenticity since the Edo period, offering a picturesque atmosphere with its traditional wooden houses and Setonaikai National Park . Visitors can experience the 380-year-old Taiami fishing method, as well as the historic Onfunayado Iroha building, where Hayao Miyazaki is said to have interacted with the locals. Don't miss the house resembling Sousuke's in the film, located near Ankokuji Temple , and explore the alleyways lined with small fishing boats . Sensuijima Island, accessible in a few minutes from the port, and the school decorated with a fresco in homage to Ponyo, testify to the close link between Tomonoura and the world of Ghibli.

Getting there : Tomonoura is accessible by bus from Fukuyama Station.