Anime and otaku in Elsewhere in Japan

Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory

The current building closes for good on 11 January 2027, and a new one, about 8 minutes on foot from Yura Station, opens in spring 2027, with no exact date yet. Until then 09:30 to 17:30, last entry 17:00, ¥700. In the hometown of the creator of Detective Conan, in Tottori Prefecture. An interactive museum with puzzles and illusion art, and the whole town is designed around the series, including a dedicated train station.

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Ishinomori Mangattan Museum

Fully closed from 19 October 2026 to 8 January 2027. Floors 1 and 2 reopen on 9 January, and floor 3 (the cafe and library) only in early April 2027. From January to March it is also closed on many weekdays, so check the calendar on its website. Entry is ¥1,300. A futuristic building on the water in Miyagi, dedicated to Shotaro Ishinomori, the creator of Kamen Rider and Cyborg 009. The building was damaged in the 2011 tsunami and reopened.

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Dogo Onsen Honkan

A historic wooden bathhouse in Matsuyama, one of the oldest in Japan, and the inspiration for the bathhouse in Spirited Away. It operates as a real onsen, and you can go in and bathe.

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Washinomiya Shrine

In Saitama, one of the first pilgrimage shrines of anime fans, thanks to 'Lucky Star'. It has illustrated ema plaques that the fans hang.

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Oarai Seaside Town

A town in Ibaraki Prefecture that has fully adopted 'Girls und Panzer': cardboard characters in every shop, a tank in the square and themed menus. A living example of anime tourism that sustains a whole town.

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Chichibu Bridge & Shrine

In Chichibu in Saitama, the places from 'Anohana'. About an hour and a half from Ikebukuro, and it combines with a nature trip in the area.

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Higurashi When They Cry

Shirakawa-go Village

The village of thatched roofs that inspired Hinamizawa in the 'Higurashi' series. The village itself is a World Heritage site, and most visitors come to it with no connection to the series.

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Fujiko Fujio A Hometown Art Gallery

In Himi in Toyama Prefecture, dedicated to the creator of Ninja Hattori. Far from the usual route, and suits those who are already traveling to the Noto Peninsula or to Toyama.

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