Japan is one of the best destinations for travellers looking for experiences that are hard to find anywhere else. With a culture that blends Eastern tradition with Western modernity, and scenery that runs from mountains to coastline, Japan draws visitors from across the globe, and for anime lovers it is the obvious place to plan the next holiday.
Beyond its natural scenery, temples, gardens and food, Japan is famous for its anime hotspots, such as Akihabara, the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo and Ghibli Park in Aichi. If you are still enthralled by the stories of your favourite anime characters and have been dreaming of immersing yourself in otaku culture, you’ve come to the right place. This guide lists six places in Japan that every anime lover should see.
Japan’s Anime Pilgrimage Route
Akihabara, Tokyo
Chuo Dori, Akihabara’s main street, at night. Photo Credit: yagi-s / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
If you’re going to take an otaku pilgrimage to Japan, you don’t want to miss the holy grail for anime lovers: Akihabara. This district in Tokyo, a short walk from JR Akihabara Station, is essentially synonymous with anime, video games and manga, and it is home to numerous stores that sell cosplay costumes, action figures and retro video games, to name just a few.
The streets are lined with huge posters of anime characters, colourful billboards and maid cafés, where visitors are welcomed by waitresses in frilly outfits. Many otaku events happen in Akihabara, such as idol concerts, anime screenings and video game tournaments, so get ready to be entertained when you visit!
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka. Photo Credit: Tokyo Updates
When visiting Japan, you will want to step into the enchanting world of Miyazaki at the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, which opened in 2001 beside Inokashira Park in western Tokyo. Fans of Studio Ghibli films will adore this whimsical museum, which displays original artwork and interactive exhibits and has a small basement cinema called the Saturn Theater, where each visit includes one screening of an original Studio Ghibli short film.
You can also climb the spiral staircase to the rooftop garden and grab a snack at the Straw Hat Café. Entry is by advance reservation only, with tickets for a set date and entry time. Tickets for the following month go on sale through Lawson Ticket at 10:00 Japan time on the 10th of each month and sell out quickly, so check the official ticket page before you plan your day. Adults aged 19 and over pay 1,000 yen, and the museum opens from 10:00 to 18:00 but closes every Tuesday, along with other closure dates set each year. Also check out our extensive list of Studio Ghibli locations you can actually visit!
If you have more time, Ghibli Park is a separate attraction in Aichi Prefecture, built inside the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. Its five areas are Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village and Valley of Witches, and tickets must be booked in advance because none are sold at the park itself.
Pokémon Center stores and the Pokémon Cafe
A Pokémon Center store in Japan. Photo Credit: The Pokémon Company
Are you a Pokémon fan? If so, you’ll be delighted to find official Pokémon Center stores in cities from Sapporo to Okinawa, including Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO, Pokémon Center SHIBUYA and Pokémon Center OSAKA DX (the full list is on the Pokémon Center official website). They sell everything from trading cards and exclusive Pokémon plushies to clothing and stationery. Each store is built around its own concept, and many host events where fans can learn the Pokémon Trading Card Game from staff, battle with new products or trade Pokémon.
Another spot to visit if you love Pokémon is the Pokémon Cafe, a themed restaurant with two branches: Pokémon Cafe TOKYO on the fifth floor of the Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building, next to Pokémon Center TOKYO DX, and Pokémon Cafe OSAKA on the ninth floor of the Daimaru Shinsaibashi main building, next to Pokémon Center OSAKA DX. Seats are by online reservation only, so book through the official Pokémon Cafe website as soon as your travel dates are fixed. The décor, food and drinks are all inspired by the franchise, and the menu changes from time to time, so each visit can be a little different.
Universal Studios Japan and Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. Photo Credit: Jpatokal / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
If you’re looking for several pop culture attractions in one place, head to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. One of its main areas is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you can stroll through Hogsmeade’s cobblestone streets and try a Butterbeer. If you aren’t a Harry Potter fan, there’s plenty more to discover. Video game fans should head straight for Super Nintendo World, which opened in March 2021 and lets visitors explore Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom, with a Donkey Kong Country area added in December 2024.
Elsewhere in the park you will find areas and rides built around other famous names, including Minion Park, Jurassic Park and Hello Kitty in Universal Wonderland. The park also runs seasonal events and limited-time collaborations with video games and anime, so check the official Universal Studios Japan website to see what is on during your visit.
Nakano Broadway, Tokyo
A Mandarake shop inside Nakano Broadway. Photo Credit: Tokyo Intercultural Portal Site
If you are the type of fan who wants a more nostalgic otaku experience, head to Nakano Broadway, a shopping complex in Tokyo’s Nakano district. Its shops run from the basement to the fourth floor, and many of them sell manga, anime goods, collectible figures, and retro games and toys. The best known is Mandarake, which runs dozens of specialist shops in the building, covering everything from manga and cosplay to vintage toys.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and you can spend hours browsing the shelves and chatting with shop owners. If you want a souvenir to remind you of the trip, some shops specialise in rare and vintage items, while rental showcase stores let private collectors sell pieces from their own collections, so there is something for most budgets.
Den Den Town, Osaka
Shops along the main road through Den Den Town in Nipponbashi, Osaka. Photo Credit: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Anime fans often flock to Akihabara, but Den Den Town in Osaka’s Nipponbashi district is a strong alternative, especially if your main base is Osaka and you don’t want to travel to Tokyo. Its electronics, anime and hobby shops sit along the main Sakaisuji road and the side streets behind it, including the stretch fans call Ota Road, which makes it easy to find what you are looking for.
Den Den Town is also home to card shops, model shops such as Joshin Super Kids Land and themed cafés, and it hosts the Nipponbashi Street Festa, which the Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau lists as one of Japan’s largest cosplay festivals. Without a doubt, it’s a spot that should be on your Japan bucket list!
Planning an anime trip across Tokyo, Aichi and Osaka
Japan is worth visiting for many reasons, and for anime lovers it is easy to plan a trip around these hotspots. Akihabara, the Ghibli Museum and Nakano Broadway are all in Tokyo. Universal Studios Japan, Den Den Town and Pokémon Cafe OSAKA are in Osaka, and Ghibli Park in Aichi sits between the two cities. Book the Ghibli Museum, Ghibli Park and the Pokémon Cafe first, because all three need advance reservations, then build the rest of your days around the shopping districts, which you can simply walk into. We hope this list has inspired you to book your ticket to Japan and go on a memorable adventure through the anime world!
