Japan is the world of Anime, this is one of the many reasons you should visit Japan at least once in your life. It is a place with amazing tradition, culture, history, food the astonishing landscapes and so on.

However, with the rising popularity of Japanese anime in the world, more and more people are coming to Japan to see the places that inspired their favourite anime. Let’s dive deep into the world of anime and explore places in Japan that will make you feel like you are in your favourite anime film!

 

 

1. Your Name (Kimi No Na Wa)

 

Photo: rakuten

 

This anime is about two teenagers in different timelines who share a profound, magical connection upon discovering that they are swapping bodies. They embark on separate adventures and communicate through hand-written notes left behind after they switch back. One of the most prominent scenes in this anime is when the two characters, Mitsuha and Taki, finally meet in person.

 

Tateishi Park

 

Photo: Photohito by Any

 

"Tateishi Park" represents an important location where the two characters finally meet. The park looks exactly like the scene where Mitsuha and Taki finally encounter their true selves. The beautiful nature surrounded by mountains, you can see the lake in the centre of the basin and the city lights around the lake. The movie basically recreated Tateishi Park in an animated version! The is also said to be the model of Lake Itomori that also appears in the film. 

 

 

Photo: 4travel by mikuwanko

 

 

 

2. Weathering With You

 

Photo: rakuten

 

Weathering with you is a film about a girl with a mysterious power and her adventure with a boy who left his hometown to meet her in the city of Tokyo. The film has embedded various popular places in Tokyo as the film is set to be based in this city.

 

Weather Shrine (Kisho Jinja)

 

 Photo: unkiron

 

In the anime, Suga and Natsumi will appear in the setting of a shrine where they interviewed about the role of Harujo. Weather Shrine is the only shrine in Japan that has benefits related to weather. Therefore, people who want to become a weather forecaster or want to wish for a sunny day on an important day often come to visit this shrine. There is no doubt that the scene was inspired by the Weather Shrine.

 

 

 

3. Spirited Away

 

Photo: Imdb

 

An iconic film about a girl who got lost in a mysterious world, these are several places you might consider visiting if you are a fan.

 

 

Shima Onsen

 

Photo: thegate12

 

The Shima Onsen is located in Shima Onsen, Gunma Prefecture. Just like the oil shop that remains iconic in the animation “Spirited Away”, this place is the oldest wooden inn In Japan with over 300 years long of history.

At night, the retro building is lit, creating a fantastic view just like an oil shop from the movie. Shima Onsen has been loved by many for decades, it is famous for its hot spring that is relaxing with stunning views. It is definitely a place to add to your bucket list even if you are not a fan of the animation.

 

 

Edo Toyko Open Air Architectural Musuem

 

Photo: Instagram.com/jst3107

 

Located in Koganei City, Tokyo. A stationery store called Takei Sanshodo is found along the road, which is located on the east side of the garden. If you are a fan of films directed Hayao Miyazaki, you might recognize the store’s wall, which is covered with drawings.

It was the inspiration for the boiler room of character Kamaji in Miyazaki’s film Spirited Away. You can find many places that are reminiscent of the animation, such as the boiler room where Kamaji is located and the train on which Chihiro and Kaonashi ride. 

 

 

 

 

4. Detective Conan

 

Photo: wikipedia

 

Detectic Conan is a Japanese detective manga series written and illustrated by Gosho Aoyama. Detective Conan is about a high school detective, Shinichi Kudo, who was transformed into a child while investigating a mysterious organization and solves a multitude of cases while impersonating his childhood best friend's father and other characters.

 

Ohirune House

 

Photo: Photohito by Kotatu

 

Appeared in the movie Detective Conan, in a scene where Conan and Kid the Phantom Thief were sitting on the artwork "Ohirune House" in Saku Island, Aichi Prefecture. Ohirune House is an art which stands in front of the beautiful beach, it is a square piece of art with a number of small boxes that can fit actual person in each cube.

If you visit this place, it might be reminiscent of Conan and Kaito Kid. The sound of the waves and the peaceful sea breeze can be felt while lying down in the box. 

 

 

 

5. Princess Mononoke

 

Photo: Wikipedia

 

An animation released in 1997, produced by director Hayao Miyazaki after 16 years of crafting this movie. It shows the relationship between nature and humans. An iconic forest where the lion god appears remain mysterious and memorable till this day.

 

Yakushima

 

Photo: travel.co.jp

 

Located in Kagoshima Prefecture is said to have a representation of a scene in "Princess Mononoke". It has a "Jomon cedar", which is estimated to be over 7,000 years old, it is popular among local and tourists due to its history. It is also registered as a World Heritage Site and has a mysterious atmosphere just like the vibe from the animation.

 

Shirakami Mountains

 

Photo: Travel.gaijinpot

 

This place is said to be one of the real-life locations of a scene from “Princess Minonoke”, the mountains that stretch from Aomori Prefecture to Akita Prefecture. One of the world’s biggest primeval beech forest, especially famous for the cobalt blue shining, “Aoike”. One of the places that has been registered as World Heritage Sites. Definitely worth a visit if you are around the area.

 

 

 

 

6. K-ON!

 

Photo: myanimelist

 

K-ON is about 5 high school girls who become friends through the Light Music Club. Yui the lead guitarist, Tsumugi the keyboardist, Mio the bassist, Azusa the rhythm guitarist and Ritsu the drummer. It takes you through the plot of 5 aspiring musicians and their journey through high school.

Former Toyosato Elementary School

 

Photo: Photohito by masahiko_h

 

The former Toyosato Elementary School was built in 1937, it was a rare reinforced concrete building at that time and was called "the best elementary school in the Orient" or "the chalk education hall of fame". 

In 2013, it became a national registered tangible cultural property. This school is said to be a representative real-life version of the school building that K-ON! is based on. it has a reminiscent corridor where the girls would walk down during their teatime after school.

 

 

 

 

Sources

Thegate12

Icotto