5 Real Life Anime Locations in Japan

Many anime and manga are set in Japan, due to that being most of the author’s country of origin. Due to the anime being set in Japan, the creators often include the characters at real life anime locations throughout the country. This leads to the creation of ‘real life anime locations’ which are real life locations that were featured in anime. In this article we’ll show you 5 real life anime locations that are located in Japan!

1.Azabu Hikawa Shrine (Sailor Moon)

Sailor Moon is an extremely popular anime, both in Japan and worldwide. One Sailor Moon real life location in Japan is ‘Azabu Hikawa Shrine’ which is just called ‘Hikawa Shrine’ in the anime. The girls often hung out at this shrine due to it being where Sailor Mars worked and lived. Although the pictures look a little different, the Sailor Moon creator has even stated that she drew inspiration from this shrine when she created the shrine in the anime…which explains why their names are so similar! It’s not just this shrine either, the area in which the girls usually hung out in the anime is based off of the area in Tokyo known as ‘Azabu-Juban’. So if you’re a Sailor Moon fan and you’re in Tokyo make sure you check out this shrine as well as the area as a whole!

Address

1 Chome-4-23 Motoazabu, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0046

Access

Take the Namboku Line to Azabu-Juban Station.

2.Suga Shrine Steps (Your Name)

If you’ve seen the very popular anime film ‘Your Name’, also known as Kimi No Na Wa, then you know how touching the ending is when Taki and Mitsuha finally meet each other on a set of stairs. Well, these stairs are actually a real life location! They are steps that are owned by a shrine located at the top of them which is called ‘Suga Shrine’. You can see from the two pictures above that the view is almost the same in the anime and real life. I loved the atmosphere of these steps, it’s very peaceful and offers a lovely view. If you go to visit these steps, I would recommend going on a sunny day in the late afternoon when the sun is low if you want to get a good picture!

Address

5-番地 Sugacho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0018

Access

Take the JR Chuo Line to Yotsuya Station and walk 13 mins.

 

3. Shakuji River (Your Lie in April)

The cherry blossom trees that run along the Shakujii river were featured in the Your Lie in April anime in episode 2 when Kaori and Kosei walk there together and talk to one another. This location is so beautiful in real life, just like the anime. This makes it the perfect place to take pictures…especially in cosplay!! The sakura at this location are absolutely gorgeous so we’d recommend visiting in the spring so that you can see them!

Address

3-chōme-31-3 Minamitanaka, Nerima City, Tokyo 177-0035

Access

Take the JR Chuo Line to Yotsuya Station and walk 13 mins.

 

4. Radio Kaikan (Steins; Gate)

Radio Kaikan appeared in Steins:Gate many times throughout the anime and is actually the building that the time machine crashed into in the first season. In real life, the building is a shopping center located in Akihabara that focuses on selling otaku goods and Japanese souvenirs! As you can see from the two pictures above, the anime did a great job of making it look almost identical to the real life building…even the signs in the windows are the same! If you go to this location, why not try recreating the scene where ‘Okarin’ and Kurisu are standing in front of the building talking!

Address

1 Chome-15-16 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021

Access

Take the Chuo-Sobu Line to Akihabara Station

5. Radio Kaikan (Steins; Gate)

To start the list off is Harajuku Station, which was featured in the anime with Megumi and Yuji standing outside of it having a conversation. This is then joined by Gojo who comes to join them. This location was featured in episode 3 when the characters go to visit Roppongi and Yuji and Nobara must get rid of a curse from an abandoned building. Before arriving there, the characters can be seen in Harajuku, which is how Harajuku Station appears. Harajuku Station can be very easily accessed via the Yamanote Line from major stations such as Shibuya or Shinjuku. The station was recently refurbished for the Olympics and it is interesting to see that the new, refurbished station is the one that features in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime. Both look extremely similar, you’ll feel like you're part of the anime!

Location

1 Chome Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001

Access

Take the Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station.