88 Places to Go in Tokyo & Japan Based on Anime
88 Real Places, One Country
Every spot on this list is real and visitable - the actual shrine steps, train crossings, onsen towns, and museums that inspired (or now celebrate) the anime that made them famous. No CGI backdrops, no studio sets: just the real Japan behind the screen.
Organized by region so you can build a route instead of bouncing across the country. Start with Tokyo if it's your first trip, then branch out as far as Hokkaido and Kyushu once you're hooked.
TOKYO (23 spots)
01. Suga Shrine Stairs (Your Name) - Yotsuya, Tokyo
The single most photographed anime pilgrimage spot in Japan - a narrow stone staircase where Taki and Mitsuha almost cross paths in the film's final scene.
Tip: Free to visit; go early morning or you'll be waiting in a line of fans re-creating the shot.
02. Shinjuku Gyoen (The Garden of Words) - Shinjuku, Tokyo
Makoto Shinkai's rain-soaked garden romance was filmed almost frame-for-frame here, down to the specific pavilion where the two leads shelter from the rain.
Tip: yen 500 entry; go on a drizzly day for the full effect - it's when the garden looks most like the film.
03. Koenji Hikawa Shrine (Weathering With You) - Suginami, Tokyo
A quiet neighborhood shrine that appears repeatedly as Hina's small sunshine-girl rituals punctuate the story.
Tip: Combine with a walk through Koenji's vintage shops, one of Tokyo's least touristy neighborhoods.
04. Roppongi Hills Observation Deck (Weathering With You) - Roppongi, Tokyo
The Tokyo skyline shots that bookend the film were modeled on the view from here, 250 meters above the city.
Tip: Sunset tickets sell out on clear days - book ahead if you want the exact anime-matching light.
05. The National Art Center (Your Name) - Roppongi, Tokyo
Taki's part-time job takes place near this building's unmistakable wave-shaped glass facade.
Tip: Free to view from outside; the architecture alone is worth the detour even if you skip the exhibits.
06. Shinjuku Station Pedestrian Deck (Your Name) - Shinjuku, Tokyo
The crowded overpass and skyline shots that open the film were drawn directly from this exact stretch of Shinjuku.
Tip: Busiest station in the world - go at off-peak hours if you want a clean photo.
07. Shimokitazawa (Bocchi the Rock!) - Setagaya, Tokyo
The scrappy live-house neighborhood where Kessoku Band's story unfolds, right down to the narrow backstreets.
Tip: Also home to Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory, a Totoro-shaped bakery a few blocks away.
08. Ochanomizu (Bocchi the Rock!) - Chiyoda, Tokyo
Tokyo's guitar shop district, referenced throughout the series as where the band buys and repairs gear.
Tip: Real music shops line the street if you want to browse alongside the anime landmarks.
09. Shibuya Scramble Crossing (Jujutsu Kaisen) - Shibuya, Tokyo
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing, rendered almost exactly in the series' Shibuya Incident arc.
Tip: Get the classic overhead photo from the Starbucks on the second floor of Tsutaya across the street.
10. Takeshita Street (Jujutsu Kaisen) - Harajuku, Tokyo
The crowded, candy-colored shopping street where Itadori and Fushiguro first meet properly.
Tip: Go before 11am to actually walk at normal speed - this street gets shoulder-to-shoulder by noon.
11. Aoyama Cemetery (Jujutsu Kaisen) - Minato, Tokyo
A real, still-active cemetery that doubles as a key location in several key confrontations in the anime.
Tip: Beautiful during cherry blossom season, but remember it's an active cemetery - be respectful.
12. Kanda Myojin Shrine (Love Live!) - Akihabara, Tokyo
One of Tokyo's oldest shrines, adopted by the anime and idol-culture community as an unofficial patron shrine.
Tip: Sells anime-themed ema (prayer plaques) at the shrine shop - a fun, respectful souvenir.
13. Radio Kaikan (Steins;Gate) - Akihabara, Tokyo
The real building housing the fictional lab where Okabe's time-machine experiments unfold.
Tip: The whole Akihabara electronics district around it is worth an afternoon regardless of the anime tie-in.
14. Asakusa AND Senso-ji (Demon Slayer) - Asakusa, Tokyo
Tokyo's oldest temple district, used as the backdrop for early Tanjiro-and-Nezuko street scenes.
Tip: Walk the full Nakamise-dori shopping street to the temple gate - it's exactly as crowded and vivid as the anime shows it.
15. Ghibli Museum (Studio Ghibli (general)) - Mitaka, Tokyo
Not a filming location so much as a physical extension of the Ghibli universe, designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself.
Tip: Tickets must be booked in advance from overseas - they sell out weeks ahead.
16. Ghibli Clock (Howl's Moving Castle) - Shiodome, Tokyo
A working steampunk clock tower installed by Studio Ghibli, animated hourly in a style straight out of the film.
Tip: Performs on the hour from 10am to 8pm - time your visit around a showing.
17. Azabu-Juban AND Hikawa Shrine (Sailor Moon) - Minato, Tokyo
The real neighborhood that inspired the fictional Juban district where Usagi Tsukino lives.
Tip: Quiet, upscale, and easy to combine with Roppongi or Tokyo Tower on the same afternoon.
18. Ginza AND Parlour Shiseido (Sword Art Online) - Ginza, Tokyo
The high-end shopping district where several real-world scenes between Kirito and Asuna take place.
Tip: Parlour Shiseido is a real, still-operating restaurant - worth booking if you want to sit where the characters did.
19. Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium (Haikyuu!!) - Shibuya, Tokyo
Widely cited as an inspiration for the national tournament arena where the series' biggest matches unfold.
Tip: Check the event calendar - it's a working sports venue, not a museum, so access depends on what's scheduled.
20. Meiji-jingumae Station (Jujutsu Kaisen) - Harajuku, Tokyo
A fourth Harajuku-area location from the series, sitting a short walk from both Takeshita Street and Aoyama Cemetery.
Tip: Easy to combine with the other Jujutsu Kaisen Harajuku spots into a single afternoon loop.
21. Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) (Demon Slayer) - Asakusa, Tokyo
The huge red lantern gate marking the entrance to Senso-ji, instantly recognizable from the anime's Asakusa street scenes.
Tip: The single most-photographed spot in Asakusa - arrive at opening time for a shot without crowds.
22. Kabukicho (Weathering With You) - Shinjuku, Tokyo
Tokyo's largest entertainment district, home to the apartment where Hodaka takes shelter early in the film.
Tip: Go with a guide or stick to main streets after dark - it's safe but disorienting for first-time visitors.
23. Shakuji River AND Shakuji Park (Your Lie in April) - Setagaya AND Nerima, Tokyo
A quiet residential waterway that provides the series' recurring walking-and-talking backdrop between its two leads.
Tip: Best in early April, when the riverside cherry blossoms match the anime's spring setting almost exactly.
SAITAMA (8 spots)
24. Washinomiya Shrine (Lucky Star) - Kuki, Saitama
A small suburban shrine whose visitor numbers famously exploded after appearing in the anime's opening sequence.
Tip: About an hour from central Tokyo by train - check the shrine's seasonal anime-collaboration goods.
25. Chichibu AND the Old Chichibu Bridge (Anohana) - Chichibu, Saitama
The mountain town and the exact bridge where the Super Peace Busters' childhood friendship - and its unraveling - plays out.
Tip: Also a real hiking base for Mt. Buko - combine the pilgrimage with a short hike.
26. Omiya Station AND Omiya Bonsai Village (Various) - Omiya, Saitama
A major rail hub frequently used as an anime backdrop, a short ride from the historic bonsai village.
Tip: The Bonsai Art Museum nearby is worth the detour even if you're not chasing a specific scene.
27. Kawagoe (Tsuritama) - Kawagoe, Saitama
The Edo-era 'Little Edo' streets of this castle town form the series' main setting.
Tip: Known for candy alley and clay-walled warehouse streets - go on a weekday to avoid the Tokyo day-trip crowds.
28. Saitama Super Arena (King of Prism) - Saitama City, Saitama
A real concert and sports arena referenced in the franchise's idol-concert sequences.
Tip: Check what's on - this is a working venue, not a tourist site, so access depends on the schedule.
29. Tokorozawa (Various Ghibli-adjacent) - Tokorozawa, Saitama
The forested area near the Totoro-associated Sayama Hills, a quieter alternative to the Ghibli Museum crowds.
Tip: Combine with Sayama Hills Totoro Forest for a full half-day nature walk.
30. Chichibu Shrine (Anohana) - Chichibu, Saitama
The town's main shrine, which appears during several of the series' festival scenes.
Tip: Time a visit for the Chichibu Night Festival in December if you can - it's one of Japan's top three float festivals.
31. Hanno (Yama no Susume) - Hanno, Saitama
A small mountain-gateway town used as the hiking club's home base throughout the series.
Tip: A genuine trailhead town - good for anyone who wants to pair the anime pilgrimage with an actual hike.
CHIBA (1 spot)
32. Chiba City AND Inage Station (Oregairu (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU)) - Chiba City, Chiba
The real commuter city and station used as the visual basis for Hachiman's daily walk to school.
Tip: 30 minutes from Tokyo Station - an easy add-on to a Tokyo Disney Resort day trip, which is also in Chiba.
KANAGAWA (10 spots)
33. Kamakurakoko-mae Crossing (Slam Dunk) - Kamakura, Kanagawa
The single most recognizable train crossing in anime - the exact spot where Sakuragi waits as the Enoden train passes with the sea behind him.
Tip: This is an active, unstaffed crossing - take your photo quickly and step well clear of the rails.
34. Enoshima AND the Enoden Line (Slam Dunk) - Fujisawa, Kanagawa
The full coastal train line the crossing sits on, threading past beaches, temples, and Enoshima Island.
Tip: A day pass on the Enoden lets you hop on and off at every scenic stop along the way.
35. Yamate (From Up on Poppy Hill) - Yokohama, Kanagawa
Yokohama's old Western-style residential quarter, the direct model for the film's 1960s port-town setting.
Tip: Walk downhill toward the harbor to retrace the film's most famous shots.
36. Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street (The Cat Returns) - Yokohama, Kanagawa
An elegant, cat-friendly shopping street echoed in the film's whimsical townscapes.
Tip: Pairs well with a visit to nearby Chinatown, Japan's largest.
37. Cosmo Clock 21 (Bungo Stray Dogs) - Yokohama, Kanagawa
A giant harborside Ferris wheel that doubles as a landmark for the fictional Armed Detective Agency's home city.
Tip: Lit up nightly - the observation cars give a full view of Yokohama Bay.
38. Hakone Yumoto Station (Neon Genesis Evangelion) - Hakone, Kanagawa
The gateway station to Hakone, remodeled since the series aired but still recognizable, with an official Evangelion specialty store on site.
Tip: Start here - most of the Hakone Eva pilgrimage route branches out from this one station.
39. Togendai Ropeway Station (Neon Genesis Evangelion) - Hakone, Kanagawa
The real ropeway terminal that inspired the fictional Togendai Central Station, now leaning into it with a Nerv-themed interior and an Evangelion Unit-01 statue.
Tip: The ropeway ride itself, over active volcanic vents, is worth doing regardless of the anime tie-in.
40. Lake Ashinoko (Neon Genesis Evangelion) - Hakone, Kanagawa
A volcanic caldera lake used as the setting for one of the series' key Angel battles, with Mt. Fuji visible across the water on clear days.
Tip: Take the sightseeing pirate ship across the lake for the same vantage points used in the show.
41. Owakudani (Neon Genesis Evangelion) - Hakone, Kanagawa
An active volcanic valley of sulfuric steam vents that appears in the anime during one of Shinji's escape sequences.
Tip: Try the local black eggs, boiled in the volcanic hot springs - said to add years to your life.
42. Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field (Neon Genesis Evangelion) - Hakone, Kanagawa
A famous autumn susuki-grass field used as a camping spot for one of the series' side characters.
Tip: Peak silver-grass season is late September through October - check bloom reports before visiting.
GIFU (3 spots)
43. Hida-Furukawa Station (Your Name) - Hida, Gifu
The small mountain station Taki arrives at while searching for Mitsuha's hometown - almost unchanged from the film.
Tip: Rent a bicycle at the station; several of the film's other Hida shots are a short ride away.
44. Takayama (Hida High School area) (Hyouka) - Takayama, Gifu
The real high school exterior and old town streets that stand in for Kamiyama High in the mystery-club anime.
Tip: Combine with the Miyagawa morning market, also featured in the series, a few minutes' walk away.
45. Shirakawa-go (Higurashi: When They Cry) - Shirakawa, Gifu
A UNESCO World Heritage thatched-roof village that inspired the anime's isolated mountain-village setting.
Tip: Best visited outside peak snow season unless you specifically want the postcard winter shot - it gets crowded.
NAGANO (2 spots)
46. Lake Suwa (Your Name) - Suwa, Nagano
The real lake whose shape and setting directly inspired the film's fictional Lake Itomori.
Tip: The Suwa fireworks festival in August is a real-world echo of the comet-watching scene.
47. Shibu Onsen (Kanaguya) (Spirited Away) - Yamanouchi, Nagano
A centuries-old wooden bathhouse widely cited as one of the visual inspirations for Yubaba's bathhouse.
Tip: Guests get a stamp-rally key for the nine public bathhouses along the town's lantern-lit streets.
YAMANASHI (1 spot)
48. Lake Motosu AND Koan Camping Ground (Laid-Back Camp) - Minobu, Yamanashi
The exact lakeside campsite where Rin pitches her tent with an uninterrupted view of Mt. Fuji.
Tip: One of the Fuji Five Lakes with the clearest unobstructed view of the mountain - arrive early for the reflection shot.
SHIZUOKA (1 spot)
49. Numazu (Love Live! Sunshine!!) - Numazu, Shizuoka
A working fishing port turned idol-anime pilgrimage town, with murals and shrine plaques throughout the waterfront.
Tip: The tourism board leans into it hard - pick up a pilgrimage stamp map at the station.
AICHI (2 spots)
50. Ghibli Park (Studio Ghibli (general)) - Nagakute, Aichi
A theme park built directly into an existing forest, spread across zones themed to Totoro, Kiki, and other Ghibli films.
Tip: Timed tickets are released monthly via lottery - apply the moment they open if you want a specific date.
51. Nagoya Castle (Demon Slayer) - Nagoya, Aichi
A restored feudal-era castle whose architecture echoes the series' historical Taisho-period setting.
Tip: Combine with Ghibli Park, about 40 minutes away by train, for a full anime-themed day in Aichi.
KYOTO (2 spots)
52. Uji (Hibike! Euphonium) - Uji, Kyoto
A riverside town south of Kyoto city, rendered in loving, near-photographic detail across the series' concert-band story.
Tip: Start at JR Uji Station and follow the river - most major locations are within easy walking distance.
53. Kyoto Railway Museum (Demon Slayer) - Kyoto
Home to a life-size steam locomotive that closely matches the design of the Mugen Train from the film.
Tip: One of Japan's best train museums even without the anime connection - budget half a day.
NARA (1 spot)
54. Itto-seki (Amano-Iwatate Shrine) (Demon Slayer) - Yagyu, Nara
A massive boulder split cleanly in two, said to have inspired the sword-training rock in the anime.
Tip: A short but steep hike from Yagyu village - wear real shoes, not sandals.
EHIME (2 spots)
55. Yawatahama Ferry Route (Suzume) - Yawatahama, Ehime
The coastal ferry crossing that inspired several of the film's Shikoku sea-route sequences.
Tip: Combine with Matsuyama, an hour away, for Dogo Onsen - see below.
56. Dogo Onsen (Spirited Away) - Matsuyama, Ehime
One of Japan's oldest bathhouses and the most-cited real-world inspiration for Yubaba's bathhouse architecture.
Tip: The main building is under long-term restoration in phases - check which wings are open before visiting.
HYOGO (1 spot)
57. Kobe Ferry Terminal (Suzume) - Kobe, Hyogo
The Kobe-side endpoint of the film's cross-strait ferry sequence, with the real skyline visible in the background.
Tip: Kobe's harbor area is walkable and makes a relaxed half-day alongside the anime spotting.
TOKUSHIMA (2 spots)
58. Naruto Whirlpools (Naruto) - Naruto City, Tokushima
The real tidal whirlpools in the Naruto Strait that share their name - and swirl pattern - with the ninja series' hero.
Tip: Sightseeing boats run close to the whirlpools at peak tide; check the tide chart before booking.
59. Shinobi-Zato (Awaji Island) (Naruto) - Awaji, Hyogo/Tokushima border
A ninja-themed attraction built near the strait, leaning directly into the Naruto name connection.
Tip: Best combined with the whirlpool boat tour on the same day trip from Tokushima.
TOCHIGI (2 spots)
60. Ashikaga Flower Park (Demon Slayer) - Ashikaga, Tochigi
A wisteria garden whose illuminated purple tunnels closely resemble the anime's dream-sequence wisteria imagery.
Tip: Peak wisteria bloom is late April to mid-May - the anime crowd overlaps hard with flower-viewing season.
61. Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura (Demon Slayer) - Nikko, Tochigi
A full-scale recreated Edo-period town, used by fans as a stand-in for the series' Taisho-era streets.
Tip: About two hours from Tokyo - pair with Nikko's shrines for a full day.
IBARAKI (2 spots)
62. Oarai Town (Girls und Panzer) - Oarai, Ibaraki
A working seaside town that leaned fully into its anime fame, with character art on shop shutters throughout the shopping street.
Tip: Check the shrine for the anime's collaboration ema boards - a genuinely charming, low-key pilgrimage stop.
63. Mito (One Punch Man) - Mito, Ibaraki
The suburban city widely identified by fans as the closest real-world match for Saitama's fictional Z-City.
Tip: Not an official pilgrimage site - more a case of anime fans overlaying the map onto a real, ordinary Japanese city.
GUNMA (2 spots)
64. Sekizenkan (Shima Onsen) (Spirited Away) - Nakanojo, Gunma
One of Japan's oldest ryokan, widely cited as the strongest visual match for Yubaba's bathhouse in the film.
Tip: The oldest wing, built in 1691, is still in operation - book well ahead for a stay rather than a day visit.
65. Ikaho Onsen (Dandadan) - Shibukawa, Gunma
A steep hot-spring town built around a 365-step stone staircase, used as a backdrop in the series' yokai-themed arcs.
Tip: Climb the full staircase at dusk when the lanterns come on - it's the closest you'll get to the anime's atmosphere.
FUKUSHIMA (1 spot)
66. Ashinomaki Onsen (Okawaso Ryokan) (Demon Slayer) - Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima
A rambling, multi-level ryokan whose labyrinthine wooden corridors echo the Infinity Castle arc's shifting architecture.
Tip: A real overnight stay, not just a photo stop - reserve rooms months ahead during Demon Slayer film releases.
SHIGA (1 spot)
67. Toyosato Elementary School (K-On!) - Toyosato, Shiga
A beautifully preserved 1937 school building that matches the anime's high school almost room for room.
Tip: Now a small local museum - check opening days before making the trip, as hours are limited.
HIROSHIMA (1 spot)
68. Tomonoura (Ponyo) - Fukuyama, Hiroshima
A small, unspoiled fishing port that Miyazaki stayed in while developing Ponyo - the harbor and cliffside houses are instantly familiar from the film.
Tip: One of the few Ghibli inspiration towns that still feels untouched by tourism - go before that changes.
FUKUOKA (2 spots)
69. Kamado Shrine (Demon Slayer) - Dazaifu, Fukuoka
A shrine at the foot of Mt. Homan that fans connect to protagonist Tanjiro Kamado's surname.
Tip: Combine with the much larger Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine nearby.
70. One Piece Statue Trail (One Piece) - Kumamoto AND Fukuoka, Kyushu
Life-size bronze statues of the Straw Hat crew installed across creator Eiichiro Oda's home region.
Tip: The statues are spread across multiple towns - plan a route rather than trying to see them all in one stop.
KUMAMOTO (1 spot)
71. Kumamoto Castle (One Piece) - Kumamoto City, Kumamoto
One of Japan's most famous castles, standing near several of the life-size Straw Hat crew statues installed across creator Eiichiro Oda's home prefecture.
Tip: The castle itself is still under post-earthquake restoration in sections - check current opening areas before visiting.
OITA (5 spots)
72. Oyama Dam (Attack on Titan) - Hita, Oita
A 94-meter dam wall deliberately designed to echo the series' Wall Maria, with bronze statues of Eren, Mikasa, and Armin as children at its base.
Tip: Free to visit; combine with the Attack on Titan in HITA Museum a short drive away.
73. Attack on Titan in HITA Museum (Attack on Titan) - Hita, Oita
An official museum in creator Hajime Isayama's hometown, with original drawings and a giant Colossal Titan sculpture.
Tip: Pair with the museum annex at the nearby Sapporo Beer factory for an AR digital exhibit.
74. JR Hita Station South Plaza (Attack on Titan) - Hita, Oita
Home to a life-size bronze statue of Captain Levi, greeting arrivals right outside the station.
Tip: Free and outdoors - worth a five-minute stop even if you're just passing through.
75. Mameda-machi Shopping Street (Attack on Titan) - Hita, Oita
A preserved white-walled Edo-period street, nicknamed "Kyushu's Little Kyoto," where Isayama grew up and drew inspiration.
Tip: Several local shops sell official Attack on Titan collaboration goods you won't find in Tokyo.
76. Bungo-Mori Roundhouse (Suzume) - Bungo-Ono, Oita
A historic steam-locomotive roundhouse whose ruins are echoed in the film's opening imagery of overgrown, abandoned structures.
Tip: A quiet, uncrowded stop - bring your own information, as English signage is limited.
MIYAZAKI (1 spot)
77. Takachiho Gorge AND Amano-Iwato Shrine (Oshi no Ko) - Takachiho, Miyazaki
A dramatic volcanic gorge tied to Japan's oldest creation myths, echoed in the series' mythology-flavored storyline.
Tip: Rent a rowboat to get beneath the gorge's waterfall - book early, as slots fill up by midday.
NAGASAKI (1 spot)
78. Gunkanjima (Hashima Island) (Attack on Titan (live-action)) - Nagasaki
An abandoned concrete mining island whose crumbling seawall famously stood in for the Titan-battling coastal walls.
Tip: Access is by guided boat tour only, weather-dependent - book a couple of days of flexibility into your itinerary.
KAGOSHIMA (1 spot)
79. Yakushima Island (Princess Mononoke) - Yakushima, Kagoshima
An ancient, moss-covered cedar forest that directly inspired the deep-forest setting of the film.
Tip: The Shiratani Unsuikyo trail is the specific route most associated with the film's forest - it's a real hike, plan half a day.
WAKAYAMA (1 spot)
80. Tomogashima Island (Laputa: Castle in the Sky) - Wakayama City, Wakayama
Overgrown WWII-era gun battery ruins, swallowed by tree roots in a way that mirrors the film's floating castle ruins almost exactly.
Tip: Reachable only by a short ferry from Kada Port - check the ferry schedule, as it's limited outside peak season.
ISHIKAWA (1 spot)
81. Koke no Sato (Moss Village) (Princess Mononoke) - Hakusan, Ishikawa
A remote, deeply mossy forest region cited as another visual touchstone for the film's ancient woods.
Tip: Far less visited than Yakushima - a good option if you want the Mononoke forest feel without the crowds.
NIIGATA (1 spot)
82. Kitazawa Flotation Plant (Laputa: Castle in the Sky) - Sado Island, Niigata
A vast, abandoned industrial mining complex on Sado Island, its rusted concrete towers echoing the film's ruined castle imagery.
Tip: Sado Island requires a ferry from Niigata City - budget a full day round trip.
HOKKAIDO (4 spots)
83. Kushiro (When Marnie Was There) - Kushiro, Hokkaido
The wetlands and quiet seaside town that inspired the film's marshy, contemplative Hokkaido setting.
Tip: Kushiro Marsh, Japan's largest wetland, is a short bus ride from the town center.
84. Otaru Canal (Golden Kamuy) - Otaru, Hokkaido
A preserved century-old canal lined with brick warehouses, appearing repeatedly across the manga and anime's Hokkaido gold-rush story.
Tip: Walk it at dusk when the gas lamps come on - the least crowded and most atmospheric time of day.
85. Otaru City General Museum (Golden Kamuy) - Otaru, Hokkaido
A working railway museum preserving the era's steam locomotives, matching the anime's turn-of-the-century Hokkaido setting.
Tip: Combine with the canal walk - both sit within the same compact old-town district.
86. Former Aoyama Villa (Herring Mansion) (Golden Kamuy) - Otaru, Hokkaido
An early-1900s mansion built on herring-fishing wealth, capturing the same boomtown Hokkaido atmosphere the series is steeped in.
Tip: The attached restaurant serves herring soba - a direct taste of the region's history.
AOMORI (1 spot)
87. Seibien Garden (The Secret World of Arrietty) - Hirakawa, Aomori
A historic Japanese garden whose miniature-scale landscaping directly informed the film's tiny-borrower's-eye view of a garden.
Tip: Best visited in autumn, when the garden's famous foliage tunnel is in full color.
IWATE (1 spot)
88. Iwate Prefectural Karumai High School (Haikyuu!!) - Karumai, Iwate
Widely identified by fans as the real-world model for Karasuno High, home of the series' scrappy volleyball team.
Tip: It's an active school - view respectfully from public areas rather than entering the grounds.