14 Locations in Japan You Must Visit If You're An Anime Fan

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Vote up the destinations that anime fans should visit when exploring Japan.

If you give an anime fan a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, chances are they will end up in Japan. Japan is the birthplace of anime, manga, and video games, and hosts a variety of awesome locations you have to see if you're an anime lover. Western anime fans may not be familiar with the country, but have no fear! Compiled here are some must-see attractions for any anime fan visiting the Land of the Rising Sun. 

There's so many great anime tourist locations to visit that it can be overwhelming for any first-timers. They may be overwhelmed with questions like, which anime store has the best selections of anime? Are there museums about manga and the history of animation? Where is the anime theme park? If you're afraid of wasting your time in Japan on wild goose chases, don't worry - this list of famous anime destinations in Japan will have you covered. Check out the awesome attractions below and vote up the locations that no anime fan should miss in Japan. 

Photo: thousandwonders

  • 1
    498 VOTES

    Akihabara

    Akihabara
    Photo: Vik. / Flickr

    Links: GoTokyo / TripAdvisor

    About: Akihabara goes by many names: “Electric City,” “Electric Town,” “Akiba.” For many anime fans dreaming of flying to Japan, Akihabara is simply known to them as the ultimate otaku destination. Akihabara is often characterized as the embodiment of anime culture and for very good reason. An insane amount of electronic shops and otaku-oriented venues are located here, welcoming you with its big and loud anime visuals.

    After buying all the anime and manga you can handle, you can unwind with a delightful meal at the various maid cafes and be treated like royalty, or simply enjoy a nice musical performance at AKB48's music theater. 

    498 votes
  • 2
    635 VOTES

    Tokyo Anime Center

    Tokyo Anime Center
    Photo: AminoApps

    Links: Official Website (in Japanese) / TripAdvisor

    About: The Tokyo Anime Center is the perfect place for tourists to indulge in their love of anime because it was designed with that mind. Located on the fourth floor of the Akihabara UDX building near JR Akihabara Station, the Tokyo Anime Center provides anime information and entertainment for foreigners and Japanese residents.

    It regularly hosts live radio interviews with anime creators and voice actors, and holds events like autograph signings. 

    635 votes
  • 3
    456 VOTES

    J-World Tokyo

    Links: Official Website / Ticketing

    About: J-World Tokyo is like a small-scale Disney World of Shonen Jump anime characters. The indoor amusement park in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City celebrates the biggest anime action franchises from the magazine like One Piece, Hunter X Hunter, and Dragon Ball Z. It's worth the price of admission for the amazing atmosphere alone. 

    You'll marvel at the real-life recreation of the Going Merry from One Piece, or the ninja ramen shop from Naruto. Any Toonami fan will jump for joy for thevisiting the J-World Tokyo amusement park and participating in all the fun activities based on their favorite show. 

    456 votes
  • 4
    271 VOTES

    Kyoto International Manga Museum

    Kyoto International Manga Museum
    Photo: dej611 / Flickr

    Links: Official Website

    About: Any anime fan will be able to appreciate the the International Manga Museum in Kyoto. The facility strives to preserve, study, and research the culture of manga throughout history. You'll see heaps upon heaps of all kinds of different manga, exhibitions about influential manga artists, and seminars and workshops about manga. 

    271 votes
  • 5
    326 VOTES

    Tokyo Character Street

    Tokyo Character Street
    Photo: DozoDomo / Flickr

    Links: GoTokyo

    About: Anyone eager to spend their hard-earned money on anime merchandise will want to take their wallets to the Tokyo Character Street. The underground shopping street right below Tokyo Station features numerous item shops dedicated to the biggest anime and gaming franchises in Japan.

    There's the Studio Ghibli Official Shop, Hello Kitty Shop, Rilakkuma Store, the Pretty Cure Shop, and so much more.

    326 votes
  • 6
    278 VOTES

    Suginami Animation Museum

    Links: Official Website

    About: Anime fans who are interested in the history and the making of anime should definitely visit the Suginami Animation Museum. There are astonishing exhibits all about animation, dubbing, and the future of anime.

    The museum also boasts an anime library, a theater, and interactive workshops. 

    278 votes