As someone born and raised in Japan—and a self-proclaimed anime otaku since high school—I’ve been deeply moved by stories like Evangelion, Slam Dunk, Your Name, and many more. Anime shaped my youth, and I still remember how I cried, laughed, and even skipped class to read manga under the desk.
This guide isn’t just for travelers—it’s for those who truly want to feel the spirit of anime in real life. Let’s step into the world of 10 unforgettable anime through their real-world locations.
1. Evangelion – Hakone, Kanagawa
If you’re a fan of psychological battles, mechs, and raw human emotion, you must visit Hakone—also known as the real-life model for Tokyo-3 in Neon Genesis Evangelion. The mountains, cable cars, and lakes are all there.
🗣️ “I mustn’t run away. I mustn’t run away. I mustn’t run away.” – Shinji Ikari
I first watched Evangelion at 14. I binged the entire series in 2–3 days and felt like my brain had exploded. That moment when Shinji repeats his mantra? It hit me hard. Visiting Hakone felt like meeting that younger version of myself again.
📍 Evangelion Location Info
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hakone Yumoto Station | Hakone, Kanagawa | Closest station to many EVA spots |
| EVA-ya Hakone Yumoto | Hakone | Evangelion-themed shop & exhibits |
| Lake Ashi & Ropeway | Hakone | Iconic battle setting in the series |
2. Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) – Tokyo & Hida, Gifu
The body-swap romance that made the whole world cry. From Tokyo’s busy streets to Hida’s countryside serenity, this film is full of places you can walk through.
🗣️ “I’m always searching for something, someone.” – Taki Tachibana
I watched this on my laptop in college and cried like a baby. It reminded me of longing, love, and fate. Especially the staircase in Yotsuya—that final scene is unforgettable.
📍 Your Name Locations
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Suga Shrine Staircase | Yotsuya, Tokyo | Final meeting scene |
| Gojō Bridge | Hida City, Gifu | Mitsuha’s hometown inspiration |
| JR Hida-Furukawa Station | Gifu | Real-life station from the movie |
3. Spirited Away – Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Miyazaki’s masterpiece. While the bathhouse may not exist (sadly!), you can immerse yourself in the Ghibli world at this charming museum in Tokyo.
🗣️ “Once you’ve met someone, you never really forget them.” – Zeniba
I still haven’t been to the Ghibli Museum myself—but it’s top of my bucket list. For every Japanese person, Ghibli is our childhood. That scene where Chihiro takes a job in the spirit world? Pure magic.
📍 Ghibli Museum Info
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghibli Museum | Mitaka, Tokyo | Reservation-only. Book early online. |
| Inokashira Park | Mitaka | Perfect for a Ghibli-style stroll |
4. Slam Dunk – Kamakura & Enoshima, Kanagawa
Basketball, youth, and unforgettable rivalries. The opening scene on the railway crossing near Kamakura High School is legendary.
🗣️ “Because I like basketball.” – Hanamichi Sakuragi
When I was in high school, I read all of Slam Dunk during class, hiding the manga under my desk. I cried more than once—especially in the last match. That line by Sakuragi still gives me goosebumps.
📍 Slam Dunk Location Info
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kamakurakōkōmae Station | Kamakura, Kanagawa | Famous railway crossing from the anime OP |
| Shichirigahama Beach | Kamakura | Coastal background in many scenes |
5. Death Note – Tokyo (Shinjuku, Ikebukuro)
A dark, intellectual battle between Light and L. You can’t walk through Tokyo without imagining their mind games.
🗣️ “I’ll take a potato chip… and eat it!” – Light Yagami
When I was a kid, this scene blew my mind. Reading Death Note in elementary school felt like I was reading a forbidden book. The writing, the strategy—unmatched.
📍 Death Note Location Info
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku Station | Tokyo | Where many scenes are set |
| Sunshine City | Ikebukuro | Featured in anime & merch shops |
6. Jujutsu Kaisen – Tokyo (Sendagaya, Shinjuku)
Urban Tokyo meets cursed energy. Jujutsu Kaisen locations are mostly set in real-world neighborhoods around Shinjuku and Sendagaya.
🗣️ “I don’t want to regret anything.” – Yuji Itadori
This anime brings modern anime storytelling to another level. The fights are cinematic, the characters are complex. And the setting? You’ve probably walked by these places if you’ve been to Tokyo.
📍 Jujutsu Kaisen Location Info
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sendagaya Station | Shibuya, Tokyo | Tokyo Jujutsu High is based around here |
| Shinjuku | Tokyo | Numerous battle scenes occur here |
7. Sailor Moon – Azabu-Juban, Tokyo
Girl power and moon magic. Azabu-Juban is where Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon) lived!
🗣️ “In the name of the Moon, I’ll punish you!”
Many girls I knew growing up could recite this line by heart. Walking around Azabu-Juban today, you’ll spot shops with Sailor Moon tributes and themed cafes.
📍 Sailor Moon Location Info
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Azabu-Juban Shopping Street | Minato, Tokyo | Usagi’s hometown model |
| Hikawa Shrine | Tokyo | Inspired Rei’s shrine in the anime |
8. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya – Nishinomiya, Hyogo
The suburb where reality bends. Nishinomiya is where Haruhi’s club meets and where the madness begins.
🗣️ “The world moves according to my will!” – Haruhi
This anime felt meta before I knew what meta was. I haven’t been to Nishinomiya yet, but I want to follow Kyon’s footsteps one day.
📍 Haruhi Suzumiya Location Info
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi Station | Hyogo | Opening scene location |
| Nishinomiya Kita High School | Hyogo | Based on the real high school of the author |
9. Steins;Gate – Akihabara, Tokyo
Time travel, science, and heartbreak. Akihabara is more than just electronics—it’s also the stage for Steins;Gate.
🗣️ “El. Psy. Congroo.”
I’ve been to Akihabara countless times. Every time I see a CRT monitor or an old PC, I think of Okabe. That café? Still there. And it’s real.
📍 Steins;Gate Location Info
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Kaikan | Akihabara, Tokyo | Key location in the series |
| @Home Café | Akihabara | Real maid café featured in anime |
10. My Neighbor Totoro – Sayama Hills, Saitama
A quiet forest. A giant cat-bus. Childhood wonder. Totoro’s forest is real, and it’s just outside Tokyo.
🗣️ “Let’s go find Totoro!”
Totoro is every Japanese kid’s friend. The trees, the wind, the magic—it all exists in Sayama Hills. If you want to feel the calm side of anime, this is the place.
📍 Totoro Location Info
| Place | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sayama Hills | Tokorozawa, Saitama | Model for Totoro’s forest |
| Kurosuke’s House | Tokorozawa | Ghibli’s official Totoro-related site |
Final Thoughts
These aren’t just anime locations. They’re memories, emotions, and culture woven into the Japanese landscape. Whether it’s shouting “I mustn’t run away” with Shinji in Hakone, or crying on a staircase in Yotsuya like Your Name, anime can become a real-life journey in Japan.
Which anime location do you want to visit first?
Let your heart guide you—and maybe your favorite quote too.
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