Many people visit Japan because they are anime or manga fans. There are many interesting attractions related to animation, anime series or manga books. Check out this list of 15 best manga and anime attractions to explore in Japan!
1. J World, Tokyo
A definite must for manga and anime fans, J World offers a wide range of related games, rides and other activities, including the J Carnival, which offers a limited J World gift depending on the prize. You can either pay an entrance fee and only pay for the games you want to play separately, or you can get an unlimited pass which enables you unlimited access to attractions for one day. It is located a few minutes away from three different train stations and is also accessible by car.
Information
- Price: 800 or 2000 yen, depending on the ticket type
- Access: a 10 minute walk from Ikebukuro Station
- Opening hour: 10:00
- Closing hour: 22:00
- Holiday: none
- Website: http://www.namco.co.jp/tp/j-world/en/
2. Odaiba, Tokyo
In central Tokyo, across the Rainbow Bridge, is the location of the artificial island of Odaiba. It has drastically changed in function, having initially been built for defensive purposes. Now it is an enormous commercial area, as well as residential and partly leisure area. What is in it for manga and anime fans? An enormous (18 meters tall) Gundam statue.
3. Chichibu City, Saitama
Fans of “Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai” will love the city of Chichibu. Why? Because that is this story’s location. The iconic Chichibu Bridge seems to be a favorite. There is also Jourinji Temple, Chichibu Shrine , Shibazakura no Oka, and Ryusei Kaikan. Traveling by car seems to be the optimal way to see all of these places in a decent amount of time.
4. Otome Road, Ikebukuro, Tokyo
This street got its name from the local group of shops specializing in manga and anime merchandise aimed at women. It isn’t as large as Akihabara, but being rather specialized has its benefits. These shops are very sought for by this particular niche of fans; moreover, if your feet are tired after standing and walking too much in these shops, there is also a butler cafe nearby where you can sit and read your newly purchased manga while enjoying a hot tea.
Information
- Access: a 10 minute walk from Ikebukuro Station
5. Pokemon Center, Tokyo
In fact, there are two such centers, the Ikebukuro one and the Lalaport one. In these enormous stores, you can find virtually anything Pokemon related: cards, games, toys, even Pokemon-themed stationery. Both centers have special areas where you can play with Pokemon cards.
6. Suginami Animation Museum, Tokyo
Suginami Animation Museum | http://t.co/6nRIJRowak pic.twitter.com/HEIou0MIR5
— Tokyoing (@tokyoing_net) June 27, 2015
Yes, the Japanese do have an anime-related museum. Located in Suginami City Ward, visitors can get a deeper and wider understanding of this industry. There are all kinds of exhibits, including interactive and special ones, as well as workshops to help anime enthusiasts bring their own creations to life.
Information
- Price: free
- Access: outside Ogikubo Keisatsusho-mae bus stop (take the bus from Ogikubo Station)
- Opening hour: 10:00
- Closing hour: 18:00
- Holiday: Mondays and December 28th – January 4th
- Website: http://sam.or.jp/flier.htm
7. Iwami, Totori
This is the hometown of the characters in the “Free!” story. Fans need about a day to visit all the interesting spots, see all the views, and find all sorts of “Free!” merchandise, such as postcards, keychains, bookmarks, and so on.
8. Akihabara, Tokyo
Anime and manga fans can’t miss this place. No matter what kind of manga you read, no matter which famous or obscure anime you watch, you will find related merchandise in this district, be it books, DVDs, toys, games or other items. There are always release events, conventions, and other special events going on in Akihabara. In short, it’s an otaku’s version of heaven. It is also the location of a significant number of maid cafes.
9. Nakano Broadway, Tokyo
This is Tokyo’s other otaku heaven. You can find three-stories manga shops like Mandarake, models of all shapes and sizes, figures, toys, costumes, arcades. The list is endless. It’s easy to lose track of time there, so the area doesn’t lack food courts.
10. Kyoto International Manga Museum
Since anime has a museum for itself, it’s not surprising that manga has one too. It consists of four different floors full of manga books, and visitors love browsing through the collections. Most manga is Japanese, but there are also a few foreign ones. Visitors also get a better notion of the workings of manga as it is being assimilated in other countries. There’s also the occasional temporary exhibition, varying in thematic.
Information
- Price: 800 yen
- Access: outside Karasuma-Oike Subway Station
- Opening hour: 10:00
- Closing hour: 18:00
- Holiday: Wednesdays, New Year holidays
- Website: http://www.kyotomm.jp/english/
11. Harajuku, Tokyo
A widely-known Japanese youth culture and fashion center, Harajuku boasts of a large area full of stores and cafes specializing in said youth culture. The most interesting part of this particular spot is a hotspot for cosplay amateurs. You can see people costumed in every manga or anime character imaginable, and for the Japanese, cosplay is serious business. The level of detail involved is fascinating
12. Ghibli Museum, Tokyo
If you are a Ghibli fan, this is the place to be. You will find all the characters that you love, you’ll be able to see special animation exhibits and exclusive short films, even a five-room exhibit about the creative process of an animation filmmaker. You should be advised that entrance to the Ghibli Museum is strictly by advance purchase of a reserved ticket which specifies the appointed date of the reservation.
Information
- Price: 1000 yen
- Access: a 20 minute walk from Mitaka Station
- Opening hour: 10:0
- Closing hour: 18:0
- Holiday: Tuesdays and the New Year holidays
- Website: http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/
13. One Piece Tower, Tokyo
It’s actually an indoor theme park. The “One Piece” manga was extremely popular, and this place offers a number of games, shows and other attractions featuring the series’ characters, as well as dining on “One Piece” food.
Information
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Akabanebashi Station
- Opening hour: 10:00
- Closing hour: 22:00
- Holiday: none
- Website: http://onepiecetower.tokyo/en/
14. Fuji Q Highland’s “Evangelion World”
Much as other wildly popular series, Neon Genesis Evangelion has its own attraction pavilion in Japan. To be precise, near the foot of the famous Mount Fuji. Unsurprisingly, there are related exhibitions, life-size models, interactive installations and so on. There is also a replica of the NERV headquarters, with faithfully represented corridors and even a lift replica, just one of the good photo opportunities.
Information
- Price: 5700 yen
- Access: outside Fujikyu Highland Station
- Opening hour: 09:00
- Closing hour: 17:00
- Holiday: irregular days
- Website: http://www.fujiq.jp/en/
15. Asagaya Anime Street, Tokyo
In short, this is “where it’s made”. Asagaya is a street full of anime studios. There are shops there too, but the consumer’s niche is still new here. Of course, there’s the Japan-omnipresent cafes and food courts that give the otaku enough fuel to be able to see all the marvels of this spot.
Have fun exploring all these attractions! Have a good trip and travel!
