Detective Conan Town in Tottori

Walk Conan Street in Hokuei, Tottori, hometown of manga artist Gosho Aoyama, with bronze statues, a museum and a themed train to enjoy.

Published October 16, 2026 at 11:05 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Conan Town is the nickname of Hokuei in Tottori Prefecture, the hometown of Detective Conan creator Gosho Aoyama. Visitors can walk the 1.4 kilometer Conan Street from Yura Station, also called Conan Station, to the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory museum.

A Town Built Around a Boy Detective

Almost every year since 1997, Japan has had a new Detective Conan movie, and the series keeps drawing new fans long after its first chapters appeared. The most recent film listed on Wikipedia, Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway, premiered in Japan on April 10, 2026, and fans who want to follow the story beyond the screen can head to a quiet corner of Tottori Prefecture. The town of Hokuei is the home of the series creator, Gosho Aoyama, and it has embraced the nickname "Conan Town" with real enthusiasm.

This guide explains the story behind the series, the sights along Conan Street, the museum at its end, and some practical tips for planning a visit. It is aimed at fans, but also at travelers who like small-town Japan, because the area combines manga culture with sand dunes, farmland and a relaxed pace of life.

Who Made Conan, and Why Tottori?

The manga began in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday on January 5, 1994, and the television anime followed on January 8, 1996. The premise is famous: Shinichi Kudo, a teenage high school detective, is shrunk into a child by a mysterious drug and takes the name Conan Edogawa while he keeps solving cases and hiding his true identity. The series is known in English as Case Closed, and a film has been released every year since 1997 except 2020.

Gosho Aoyama was born in the former town of Daiei, which merged with neighboring Hojo on October 1, 2005, to form Hokuei. Hokuei sits in central Tottori Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan, and its fields are known for watermelon and nagaimo (a long mountain yam). Local officials and shopkeepers saw the chance to honor a hometown hero, and over the years the area has filled with bronze statues, painted manhole covers and a dedicated museum. Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport, the airport name adopted for Tottori's airport in 2015, shows how widely the region has embraced the detective.

Conan Station and Conan Street

The adventure starts at JR Yura Station on the JR Sanin Line, which has been dressed up as "Conan Station" with themed decoration and a small gift shop and tourist information counter. From there, Conan Street runs about 1.4 kilometers to the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory. Walking it is free and can be done at any time, and it is easily the best way to feel the town's playful spirit.

Along the route you will find bronze statues of characters from the series, stone monuments designed like manga covers, and manhole covers decorated with Conan artwork. Some of the monuments support augmented reality photos on a smartphone, and the street also has a mystery-solving app that turns the stroll into a small game. The route also includes Conan Bridge, which has more character statues. Free Wi-Fi is available in parts of the area, which helps with maps and apps, but it is still wise to carry a charged phone and a portable battery.

About halfway along, Conan's House Beika Shopping Street, which opened in March 2017, offers places to eat and shop. The name comes from Beika, the fictional town where much of the story is set, and the street is described as a shopping area themed entirely on Conan. It makes a convenient rest stop for lunch and souvenirs.

The Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory

At the end of Conan Street stands the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory, a museum that opened in 2007 at 1414 Yurashuku in Hokuei. It follows Aoyama's life from his youth through his college years, explains how the series is created, and includes a recreation of his workshop. A gift shop sells goods that are available only at the museum, and a yellow beetle car in the style of Professor Agasa's vehicle waits outside as a popular photo spot.

Opening hours run from morning to early evening, with the last entry shortly before closing, and the museum is closed on some days. As of autumn 2026, the museum's official site also says that the current building is due to close in the coming months and that a new museum is planned to follow, with online tickets recommended in advance, so check the official site for the latest calendar, ticket details and plans before you go. The museum runs quizzes and games that reward fans who know the story well, but you do not need to be an expert to enjoy the displays, since much of the pleasure comes from the artwork and the sense of seeing how a famous series is made.

Planning Your Visit

Hokuei is on the JR Sanin Line in central Tottori Prefecture, and the area is easiest to enjoy at a relaxed pace. Allow enough time to walk Conan Street in one direction, stop for a meal at the shopping street, and then spend an hour or two in the museum. A themed Conan train also runs on the JR Sanin Line, so check its timetable if you would like to ride it.

Comfortable shoes and weather protection are the most useful items to bring. The Sea of Japan coast has plenty of rain and heavy snow in winter, and summer can be hot, so spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable seasons for walking. Because this is a residential town, keep voices down near homes, use the bins at the shopping street, and take photos of statues without blocking the road. The Hokuei Town Tourist Information Center can help with questions about the area.

The surrounding countryside is part of the appeal. Hokuei lies on the coast of the Sea of Japan, where the Hojo sand dunes line the shoreline, and its flat plain is watered by the Yura and Tenjin rivers. The farms around town are known for watermelon, nagaimo, grapes, rakkyo (a small pickled-style onion) and even wine, so local produce shows up on menus and in shops. A day that combines manga statues with a view of the sea and a taste of local farm food feels different from a trip that is only about attractions.

The town has also welcomed visitors from abroad. In September 2018 the American television host Conan O'Brien visited Hokuei and served as honorary mayor for a day, a lighthearted moment that shows how much the community enjoys sharing its nickname. Friendly signs and staff at the tourist information center make it easy for first-time visitors to find their way.

Quick Takeaways

Conan Town works because it takes a beloved series and gives it a real place, one that is easy to explore on foot. The walk from Conan Station to the Manga Factory is a friendly mix of statues, art, snacks and a museum, and it is easy to pair with other attractions in Tottori, such as the coastal dunes. Check official information for opening days and the planned museum changes, because calendars and train schedules can change.

Even travelers who only know the series casually tend to enjoy the town's humor and craftsmanship. Bring curiosity, take your time, and leave room in your bag for a souvenir.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who created Detective Conan and where is he from?

Detective Conan was created by manga artist Gosho Aoyama, who was born in the former town of Daiei, now part of Hokuei in Tottori Prefecture. The manga began in Weekly Shonen Sunday in January 1994, and the anime followed in January 1996.

How long is Conan Street?

Conan Street is about 1.4 kilometers long and runs from JR Yura Station, nicknamed Conan Station, to the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory. It is free to walk and has bronze statues, stone monuments and manhole covers decorated with Conan artwork.

Is the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory museum changing?

The museum's official site says the current building is due to close in the coming months and that a new museum is planned to follow. Check the official site for the latest opening days, tickets and plans before you travel.

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