📝 Introduction

Hello, anime fans! 🙋‍♀️

The world of anime gives us dreams and emotions, doesn’t it? To deepen those feelings, fans from around the world enjoy what’s called “anime pilgrimages.” ✨ By visiting the real-life locations that served as settings for anime, you can experience the world of these works more deeply!

In this article, I’ll introduce 6 anime pilgrimage sites in Japan that you should visit in 2025. 🗾 I’ll share the appeal of each spot, how to enjoy them, and convenient access information. Please use this to help plan your next trip to Japan!

🏯 6 Anime Pilgrimage Sites to Visit in 2025

1. 🗻 Hida Takayama (Gifu Prefecture) | Movie “Your Name.”

Setting Background The Hida region served as the model for “Itomori Town” in director Makoto Shinkai’s hit film “Your Name.” 🏞️ Especially around Hida-Furukawa Station and the city library, you’ll find scenery exactly as it appears in the movie.

Highlights The mountain views from the station, the stairs that the protagonist Taki ran up, the riverside path that was Mitsuha’s route to school—there are many spots that will make viewers of the film exclaim “Ah!” 📸 The scenery at dusk is particularly beautiful, allowing you to experience the atmosphere just like in the movie.

Access From Tokyo: About 3 hours via JR Tokaido Shinkansen and Takayama Line From Nagoya: About 2.5 hours via JR Takayama Line

Additional Information Local cafes and souvenir shops sell movie-themed menus and merchandise. There are also places with fan notebooks where you can read messages from visitors from around the world! 💌

2. 🌊 Enoshima (Kanagawa Prefecture) | “Slam Dunk” & “TARI TARI”

Setting Background The Shonan area served as the setting for the basketball manga masterpiece “Slam Dunk” and the music anime “TARI TARI.” The Kamakura High School railway crossing that appears in the opening scene of “Slam Dunk” is particularly famous! 🏀

Highlights The Kamakura High School crossing, the ocean view from Enoshima Bridge, and Enoshima Shrine visited by the protagonists in “TARI TARI”—various spots where you can experience the anime world are scattered throughout the area. Walking while feeling the sea breeze is recommended. 🚶‍♂️

Access From Tokyo: About 1 hour via JR Tokaido Line, Odakyu Line, or Enoshima Electric Railway

Additional Information The “Slam Dunk” crossing has now become a popular spot visited by tourists from around the world. When taking photos, be careful about safety and considerate of other tourists. It’s also good to check train schedules in advance! ⌚

3. 🎮 Akihabara (Tokyo) | “STEINS;GATE” & “Love Live!”

Setting Background Akihabara, the center of Japanese anime and game culture, has been the setting for numerous works including the SF work “STEINS;GATE” and the idol anime “Love Live!” The building that served as the model for the lab (Future Gadget Laboratory) in “STEINS;GATE” is a spot visited by many fans. ⚡

Highlights Radio Kaikan, the square in front of Akihabara Station, Animate main store—you can actually experience the scenery seen in anime. The UDX building that appears in “Love Live!” is also a must-see. 🏢

Access From Tokyo Station: About 4 minutes via JR Yamanote Line From Ueno Station: About 2 minutes via JR Yamanote Line

Additional Information In Akihabara, anime collaboration cafes and events are regularly held. Check official websites and social media for the latest information! Also, as it’s famous as an electronics district, it’s recommended for gadget enthusiasts too. 🔌

4. 🌸 Chichibu (Saitama Prefecture) | “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day”

Setting Background Chichibu, the setting for the emotional youth anime “Anohana,” remains a popular pilgrimage site visited by many fans even more than 10 years after the anime aired. The secret base of the protagonists’ “Super Peace Busters” and the model for Menma’s house are integrated into the entire town, creating the world view of the work. 🏫

Highlights Old Chichibu Bridge, Chichibu Shrine, Seibu-Chichibu Station (where anime posters are displayed)—you can enjoy scenery identical to scenes in the anime. The changing beauty with the seasons—cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall—is also appealing. 🍁

Access From Ikebukuro: About 1.5 hours via Seibu Line Express

Additional Information The locals are very cooperative with anime fans, and events are held as part of town revitalization. “Anohana” related merchandise is also sold in souvenir shops, so be sure to check them out! 👀

5. 🏮 Washinomiya Shrine (Saitama Prefecture) | “Lucky Star”

Setting Background Washinomiya Shrine became famous as the model for the shrine where “Lucky Star” protagonists Kagami and Tsukasa Hiiragi worked as shrine maidens. It’s considered the original anime pilgrimage site that greatly spread the culture of “anime pilgrimages.” ✨

Highlights In the shrine grounds, especially at the ema (votive tablet) stand, numerous ema with illustrations drawn by fans are dedicated, and their number and quality are overwhelming. Also, New Year’s visits by “Lucky Star” fans have become an annual tradition. 🎍

Access From Akihabara: About 1.5 hours via JR Utsunomiya Line and Tobu Isesaki Line

Additional Information In the shopping district around the shrine, you can also enjoy character-themed sweets and dishes. As a successful example of town revitalization through anime, it has become a subject of tourism studies. 📚

6. 🎵 Toyosato Elementary School (Shiga Prefecture) | “K-On!”

Setting Background This old school building served as the model for “Sakura High School” in the popular anime “K-On!” about high school girls in a light music club. The beautiful Western-style building constructed in the early Showa period is now preserved and open to the public. 🏫

Highlights The music room, stairs, hallways, blackboards—there are many places exactly as they appear in the anime, making it a dreamlike space for fans. The music room is particularly popular because it perfectly recreates the scenes from the anime. 🎸

Access From Kyoto: About 1 hour via JR Biwako Line and Omi Railway, then about a 20-minute walk

Additional Information There is also a “K-On! archive” space inside the school, displaying fan illustrations and messages. Opening hours may be limited, so it’s recommended to check the official website before visiting. ⏰

🚶‍♀️ How to Enjoy Pilgrimages and Important Notes

📷 Photo-Taking Etiquette

When taking photos in public places like schools and shrines, be considerate of other visitors and locals. Especially if the setting is a school, it might be an active school, so be sure to check prohibited areas and times for photography.

🙏 Respect for Locals

Places that have become pilgrimage sites are also where locals live. Avoid making noise or entering private property without permission, and always behave politely. It’s also important to contribute to the local economy by dining and shopping at local establishments.

🎫 Check Local Events!

Many pilgrimage sites hold stamp rallies and events related to the anime. By checking the latest information on official websites and social media before visiting, you can enjoy a more fulfilling pilgrimage!

🌈 Conclusion

While the world of anime is a product of imagination, by visiting the real places that served as settings, you can experience the works more deeply and realistically. 💫 The atmosphere that cannot be felt just through the screen and the world view recreated down to the details will give fans an irreplaceable emotional experience.

When planning your Japan trip for 2025, please consider incorporating these anime pilgrimage sites. By walking the same paths that the characters walked and viewing the same scenery, your anime experience will surely be enriched. 🗾✨

📍 Additional Information

📱 Social Media Posting Guide

When sharing memories from pilgrimage sites on social media, using the following hashtags will make it easier to connect with fans of the same works:

• #アニメ聖地巡礼 #AnimePilgrimage
• #君の名は聖地 #YourNameLocation
• #スラムダンク聖地 #SlamDunkSpot
• #シュタゲ聖地 #SteinsGateLocation
• #あの花聖地 #AnoHanaSpot
• #らきすた聖地 #LuckyStarShrine
• #けいおん聖地 #KOnSchool

🔍 Utilize Specialized Pilgrimage Apps

Recently, specialized apps for efficiently touring anime pilgrimage sites have emerged. Features that work with GPS to tell you about nearby sites or that let you record your visits are convenient. Please download and try them!

I hope your anime pilgrimages become wonderful memories! 🌟 If you have questions or comments, please let us know in the comment section below. Also, if you have recommended pilgrimage sites, please share them! 😊

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