Anime pilgrimage (聖地巡礼, seichi junrei) — visiting real-world locations that inspired anime settings — is one of Japan's most passionate travel trends. Here are 10 of the most significant and accessible locations, across different series and regions.
1. Suga Shrine — Your Name (Tokyo)
The staircase where Taki and Mitsuha meet in the finale of Makoto Shinkai's masterpiece. Suga Shrine in Yotsuya, Tokyo. The steps appear exactly as in the film. Free to visit; a short walk from Yotsuya Station. Morning light is best for recreating the scene. Also: the Café Indah in Shibuya (Taki's workplace café from the film) and the Hida no Sato folk village in Takayama (inspiration for Itomori village).
2. Dazaifu Tenmangu — Sword Art Online
Dazaifu's historic shrine (30 min from Fukuoka) appeared in multiple SAO scenes. The famous umegae mochi (plum rice cake) stalls add to the atmosphere.
3. Fushimi Inari — Inuyasha & Multiple Series
Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto appears directly in Inuyasha and inspired or featured in dozens of other anime. The iconic torii gates photograph exactly as depicted.
4. Washinomiya Shrine — Lucky Star (Saitama)
The Hiiragi family shrine from Lucky Star is based directly on Washinomiya Shrine in Kuki, Saitama (50 min from Tokyo). The town has fully embraced its anime heritage — Lucky Star memorabilia everywhere.
5. Chichibu — AnoHana & Ano Hi Mita Hana
Chichibu city (1.5 hrs from Ikebukuro) is the primary setting for "AnoHana" — the Honma house location, river bridge, and Chichibu Shrine all appear recognizably. Chichibu also has its own anime tourism map available at the station.
6. Shibuya Crossing & Shinjuku — Multiple Series
The real Shibuya Crossing appears faithfully in Tokyo Ghoul, Summer Wars, and dozens of other series. The Shinjuku area (Kabukicho, Kabukicho Tower) features in Yakuza-inspired series and many others.
7. Enoshima — Sword Art Online, Tsuritama
Enoshima Island (Kanagawa, 65 min from Shinjuku) is a frequent anime setting — its distinctive lighthouse, caves, and torii gate appear across multiple series. Also beautiful as a standalone day trip.
8. Ghibli Inspirations — Multiple Locations
Many Ghibli locations are composites, but identifiable inspirations include: Jiufen, Taiwan (outside Japan, but often cited for Spirited Away) · Dogo Onsen, Ehime (Japan's oldest onsen, clear Spirited Away visual reference) · Totoro's Forest (Sayama Hills, Tokorozawa) — forested area adjacent to the actual forest that inspired My Neighbor Totoro.
9. Yokohama Chinatown & Red Brick Warehouse — Various
Yokohama's atmosphere has inspired numerous anime settings — the distinctive Red Brick Warehouse, the harbor, and Chinatown appear across romance and mystery anime genres.
10. Kyoto's Traditional Streets — Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer's Taisho-era visual aesthetic draws heavily from Kyoto's preserved districts — particularly Higashiyama's stone-paved Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. The atmospheric evening walk in these lanes captures exactly the series' mood.