Hakone — the Real-World 'Tokyo-3' of Evangelion (Kanagawa)
The hot-spring resort that creator Hideaki Anno based Tokyo-3 on. Lake Ashi and Owakudani appear in the series; an easy day trip with periodic Eva collabs.
Guides
Hand-written starters from our editors — the fastest way in.
Numazu & Uchiura — the Love Live! Sunshine!! Hometown (Shizuoka)
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 K-On! School — Former Toyosato Elementary (Shiga)
The 1937 Vories-designed school that modelled 'Sakuragaoka High' in K-On! Free to enter, with rooms recreated to match the anime.
Washinomiya Shrine — the Lucky Star Pilgrimage Origin (Saitama)
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 Slam Dunk Railway Crossing at Kamakurakokomae (Kamakura)
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.
The 'Your Name' Staircase at Suga Shrine (Yotsuya, Tokyo)
The red-railed stairs where Taki and Mitsuha reunite in the final scene of Your Name. A real, working shrine in a quiet Yotsuya residential neighbourhood — visit respectfully.
Anime pilgrimage in Japan: how to visit real-life anime locations (seichi junrei)
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.
One perfect day in Akihabara: a first-timer's otaku itinerary
A practical hour-by-hour route through Akihabara for your first visit — landmark shops, a maid café, gachapon, a card-shop peek and dinner — all within a 10-minute walk.
How to ship figures & anime goods home from Japan (tax-free, customs, options)
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.
Otaku glossary: anime & otaku terms every visitor should know
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.
Ikebukuro Otome Road guide: otaku Tokyo for female fans (animate, BL, 2.5D)
Akihabara's female-focused counterpart: how to explore Ikebukuro's Otome Road — the flagship animate, K-BOOKS for otome/BL goods, Sunshine City, and how to get there.
Nakano Broadway guide: the collector's Akihabara (Mandarake, by floor)
A retro-and-rare alternative to Akihabara: how to explore Nakano Broadway's dozens of Mandarake shops and vintage stores, how to get there, and what makes it different.
Tax-free shopping in Japan: how it works for otaku buys (passport, minimums, rules)
How foreign visitors save Japan's 10% consumption tax on figures, electronics and anime goods — who qualifies, the spend minimums, what the rules are, and the changes to watch.
How to see idols in Akihabara: AKB48 Theater, idol bars & live houses
Akihabara is the home of 'idols you can meet.' Here's how a foreign fan actually sees a show — AKB48 Theater's lottery tickets, idol bars like Dear Stage, and chika-idol live houses.
Where to play card games in Tokyo: Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh & One Piece TCG
How a foreign visitor finds and joins a TCG tournament in Tokyo this week — the best Akihabara shops, how shop events work, the OCG-vs-TCG card trap, and how to sign up despite the language barrier.
Maid café etiquette: a first-timer's guide (photos, charges & rules)
Everything a foreign visitor needs before their first maid café: the charge system, the all-important photo rules, what 'moe moe kyun' means, and how to not make a faux pas.
Akihabara otaku guide: shops, by floor, tax-free & how to get there
A first-timer's map to Akihabara — what each landmark shop sells, which floors to hit, where to play cards, where to meet idols, and the tax-free + cash tips foreign fans need.