The rule that surprises everyone: you cannot travel to an event in costume. Japanese events run on change-on-site, designated changing rooms only, no toilets, and photography strictly by individual consent.
There is no free walk-in entry any more — Comiket runs on paid wristband admission, and most types must be bought in advance. Queueing overnight is banned, changing in toilets is banned, and arriving in costume is banned.
Your map to otaku Japan: the unwritten etiquette, cash vs card, how tax-free works (and the Nov 1, 2026 refund switch), shipping your haul home, and a smart district route.
Two Ghibli worlds: the intimate Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, and the sprawling Ghibli Park near Nagoya. How foreigners book each — and which one to choose.
An easy day trip from Shinjuku (Odakyu Romancecar, ~85–90 min): the hot-spring resort Hideaki Anno based Tokyo-3 on, with Lake Ashi, Owakudani and periodic official Eva collabs.
The seaside city and Uchiura fishing village that are home to Aqours in Love Live! Sunshine!! Many real spots, plus an ongoing fan-friendly stamp rally.
The 1937 Vories-designed school that modelled 'Sakuragaoka High' in K-On! Free to enter, with rooms recreated to match the anime.
The ancient Kanto shrine that inspired 'Takanomiya' in Lucky Star and launched Japan's modern anime-pilgrimage boom in 2007. Still a busy, working shrine.
The seaside Enoden crossing from the Slam Dunk anime opening, with the ocean and Enoshima beyond — hugely popular, very crowded, and on a live public railway crossing.
Seichi junrei — visiting the real places that inspired your favourite anime. How it works, how to do it respectfully, and six of the most iconic, verified spots from Your Name to Evangelion.
Bought more than fits in your suitcase? Here's how to ship figures and anime goods home safely — the tax-free angle, shipping options, customs in your country, and packing tips.
A quick, accurate glossary of the anime, shopping, fandom and event words you'll see all over Japan — so you know your gunpla from your gachapon and your oshi from your itasha.
From November 1, 2026, Japan's tax-free shopping switches from an instant register discount to a pay-first, refund-at-departure system. Here's exactly what changes for buying figures, gunpla and manga — and what stays the same.
Pick Jump Festa if you love Weekly Shonen Jump titles (One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia), want a free ticket, and can travel in late December. Pick AnimeJapan if you want the whole industry under one roof — every studio and publisher — in late March, and don't mind a ~2,500 yen ticket. Jump Festa is an easy Tokyo day-trip (Makuhari Messe, Chiba); AnimeJapan moves to INTEX Osaka for 2027, about 2.5 hours away by shinkansen.
Jump Festa 2027 is expected in mid-to-late December 2026 at Makuhari Messe, though official dates were not yet announced as of July 2026 — one of Japan's five biggest anime and manga events, which run on a predictable yearly rhythm: Wonder Festival (late July), Comic Market/Comiket (mid-August), Tokyo Game Show (mid-September), Jump Festa (late December), and AnimeJapan (late March). Comiket and Wonder Festival are fan and doujin events; Jump Festa is free; TGS and AnimeJapan are ticketed. As of 2026, AnimeJapan moves to Osaka. Here is the full calendar, how big each event is, what it costs, and how to attend.
