How to Use This Guide
For every location you’ll find five quick-read sections:
| Section | What you’ll learn |
|---|---|
| Why It’s Iconic | The scene everyone remembers |
| Cultural Context | Real-world meaning, festivals, history |
| Behind the Scenes | What the staff said / production trivia |
| Top Fan Question | The thing overseas visitors always ask |
| Travel Tips | Getting there, etiquette, best season |
Pack your rail pass—here we go!
- 1. Suga Shrine Steps (Tokyo) – Your Name.
- 2. Chichibu (Saitama) – Anohana / Anthem of the Heart
- 3. Ōarai (Ibaraki) – Girls und Panzer
- 4. Hakone & Lake Ashi – Neon Genesis Evangelion
- 5. Lake Motosu (Yamanashi) – Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp)
- 6. Toyosato Elementary (Shiga) – K-On!
- 7. Dōgo Onsen (Ehime) – Spirited Away
- 8. Nishinomiya (Hyōgo) – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
- 9. Karatsu (Saga) – Yuri!!! on Ice
- 10. Numazu & Uchiura (Shizuoka) – Love Live! Sunshine!!
- FAQ – What Overseas Fans Ask Again and Again
1. Suga Shrine Steps (Tokyo) – Your Name.
Why It’s Iconic
Taki and Mitsuha finally meet on the red-railed staircase—arguably the most re-created selfie spot in anime history.
Cultural Context
Small neighborhood Shinto shrines like Suga are woven into daily life; the steps overlook Yotsuya’s mix of old wooden homes and new towers.
Behind the Scenes
Director Makoto Shinkai spent weeks location-scouting on foot so “the miracle could feel possible on an ordinary commute.”
Top Fan Question
“Can I ring the shrine bell like Mitsuha?”
Yes—one respectful bow, two claps, ring once, final bow. No drones, please.
Travel Tips
JR Yotsuya → 8-min walk. Sunrise shots are crowd-free.
【PR】
2. Chichibu (Saitama) – Anohana / Anthem of the Heart
licensed under CC BY 3.0 — no modifications.
licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 — no modifications.
Why It’s Iconic
Chichibu Bridge and Chichibu Shrine backdrop the series’ tear-jerking fireworks finale.
Cultural Context
The Chichibu Night Festival (Dec 2-3) has run for 300 years; the float fireworks are the model for Jinta’s promise to Menma.
Behind the Scenes
A-1 Pictures staff rented a local guesthouse for weeks; the owner appears as a cameo shopkeeper.
Top Fan Question
“Is the secret base real?”
Yes—an old kiosk near Muku Shrine; fans leave origami notes just like the Super Peace Busters.
Travel Tips
Seibu-Ikebukuro Line “Chichibu” → free rental bikes at the station.
【PR】
3. Ōarai (Ibaraki) – Girls und Panzer
licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 — no modifications.
Why It’s Iconic
The entire coastal town is replicated—shops still display tank cut-outs.
Cultural Context
Ōarai’s real economy is fishing; dried sweet-potato snacks featured in the show are a local specialty called hoshi-imo.
Behind the Scenes
Director Mizushima joked the town “gave us the keys”—the city hall provided CAD files of streets so animators could drive CG tanks accurately.
Top Fan Question
“Do locals mind the tank posters?”
They love them—tourism revenue jumped so much the mayor hosts an annual ‘Panzer Thanksgiving’ parade.
Travel Tips
Katsuta → Kashima-Rinkai Railway “Ōarai”; pick up the official stamp-rally map at the station.
【PR】
4. Hakone & Lake Ashi – Neon Genesis Evangelion
Why It’s Iconic
“Tokyo-3” overlays real Hakone; Owakudani’s sulphur vents match Episode 3’s Angel battle.
Cultural Context
Lake Ashi’s tori-gate mirrors EVA-01 submerging imagery—Shinto vs. existential dread.
Behind the Scenes
Studio Khara opened EVA-YA, a permanent shop with purple-green soft-serve only sold here.
Top Fan Question
“Can I ride the cable car Shinji uses?”
Yes—Hakone Ropeway; buy the “Eva ticket” for themed souvenirs.
Travel Tips
Odawara → Hakone Yumoto → Bus H; stop at the Ava-ya store beside Moto-Hakone Port.
【PR】
5. Lake Motosu (Yamanashi) – Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp)
licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 — no modifications.
Why It’s Iconic
Rin’s solo winter camp shot with Mt Fuji’s upside-down reflection is here. Fans re-create the exact kettle angle.
Cultural Context
The rin-jin (forest stewardship) tradition allows locals to gather fallen wood—why the girls have fires without campground staff complaining.
Behind the Scenes
Author Afro camped on-site mid-January to record real wind noise; those samples remain in the anime’s sound mix.
Top Fan Question
“Can foreigners rent gear?”
Yes—Koan Campsite rents tents & shichirin grills; English forms are available.
Travel Tips
Kōfu → Fuji Kyuko Bus “Motosuko Iriguchi”; campsites book out in Oct-Nov, reserve early.
【PR】
6. Toyosato Elementary (Shiga) – K-On!
licensed under CC BY 3.0 — no modifications.
Why It’s Iconic
The HTT music room, hallway windows, even the shoe lockers are preserved in this Taishō-era school.
Cultural Context
Built 1937 with Art-Deco arches—rare outside big cities; locals fought to save it from demolition, now town-owned.
Behind the Scenes
Kyoto Animation laser-scanned corridors; they left hidden “KyoAni” graffito in a scene—fans hunt for the Easter egg at the real stairwell.
Top Fan Question
“Can I play guitar inside?”
Amplified instruments no, unplugged OK; sign the guest book at the entrance.
Travel Tips
JR Biwa Line “Toyosato”; free admission, donations welcome.
【PR】
7. Dōgo Onsen (Ehime) – Spirited Away
licensed under CC BY 3.0 — no modifications.
Why It’s Iconic
Miyazaki confirmed Dōgo’s wooden bathhouse as the main visual model for Aburaya. travel.rakuten.com
Cultural Context
Japan’s oldest hot spring (3rd-century legend). Crane motifs in the film nod to the shrine’s healing myth.
Behind the Scenes
Background artist Nizo Yamamoto sketched on site at 4 a.m. for empty-street ambience.
Top Fan Question
“Which bath did Chihiro clean?”
None—it’s composite, but choose the 3-story Kami-no-Yu wing for closest feel. Photography inside is forbidden.
Travel Tips
JR Matsuyama → Dōgo Onsen Station (tram). Renovation phased-open through 2026; check hours.
【PR】
8. Nishinomiya (Hyōgo) – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Why It’s Iconic
Kita High’s real gate, Kōyōen Station stairs, and the riverbank confession spot all exist between Osaka and Kobe.
Cultural Context
Suburban commuter culture is integral—Haruhi’s boredom mirrors post-bubble youth malaise in early-2000s Japan.
Behind the Scenes
Kyoto Animation staff lived in neighboring Takarazuka; they timed train bells to match sakura bloom weeks.
Top Fan Question
“Is the school open to visitors?”
No—still an active high school. Fans photograph from the public road only.
Travel Tips
Hankyu Railway “Kōyōen”; rent a bike at Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi to cover multiple spots quickly.
【PR】
9. Karatsu (Saga) – Yuri!!! on Ice
licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 — no modifications.
Why It’s Iconic
The Showa retro arcade, castle view, and Enokizu Bridge are “Hasetsu” in the series. Tourism soared after the show aired.
Cultural Context
Karatsu’s annual Kunchi parade of 14 giant floats inspired the episode-7 festival scene.
Behind the Scenes
MAPPA partnered with Saga Prefecture for “Saga on Ice” campaign—station posters, themed manhole covers, and limited ice-cream flavors.
Top Fan Question
“Can I skate at Yuri’s rink?”
Yes—Karatsu Ice Park offers 2-hour public sessions, but decals are seasonal.
Travel Tips
JR Hakata → Karatsu (1 h). Pick up the free pilgrimage map at the tourist center.
10. Numazu & Uchiura (Shizuoka) – Love Live! Sunshine!!
licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 — no modifications.
Why It’s Iconic
Aqours’ seaside hometown is almost shot-for-shot: Awashima Marina, Gamers Numazu, and the school ferry dock.
Cultural Context
Fishing port proud of aji (horse-mackerel); the anime revived local youth pride—shops still blast Aqours songs.
Behind the Scenes
Sunrise producers invited Numazu city officials to staff screenings; the mayor approved pink Aqours bus wraps within 48 hours.
Top Fan Question
“Is the school real?”
Uranohoshi is fictional, but the abandoned Nagaisaki Junior High served as the model; it’s now a live-event venue.
Travel Tips
JR Numazu → local buses to Uchiura; rent a clear-file “stamp rally” booklet for discounts at 40+ spots.
【PR】
FAQ – What Overseas Fans Ask Again and Again
| Question | Quick Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need Japanese to get around? | Stations post English signs in all 10 cities; basic greetings help at rural spots. |
| Is anime pilgrimage “otaku only”? | Local tourism boards actively promote it—your visit supports regional economies. |
| Drone / cosplay rules? | Most shrines and schools forbid drones & large props; town streets are fine if you don’t block traffic. |
| Can I stream or vlog? | Yes, but blur faces in small towns and obey no-video signs inside shops or baths. |
Final Tips Before You Fly
- Respect first, photos second.
- Weekdays beat weekends for crowd-free shots.
- Bring cash—many rural cafés are still cash-only.
- Check local event calendars—visiting during a festival can double the fun (and hotel prices).
Enjoy your journey from screen to street—and may your SD card survive the selfie spree!
