Japan is the birthplace of anime — visiting is a pilgrimage for fans. Here's where to go and how to plan it.
The Electric Town
Multi-floor shops selling figures, manga, games. Yodobashi Camera (electronics), Mandarake (vintage manga/figures), maid cafes on every floor. Best time: weekday afternoon — less crowded than weekend.
One of Japan's Hardest Tickets
Book exactly 1 month ahead at lawson.co.jp (Japan Lawson website, 10th of each month at 10am JST). Tickets: ¥1,000 adult. 15min from Shinjuku by Chuo Line.
Immersive Digital Art
teamLab Planets (Toyosu) and teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills — reopened 2024). Incredible for photos. Book online — sells out weekends.
Regional Exclusives
Mega Tokyo (Ikebukuro), DX Osaka, Kyoto. Each has region-exclusive merchandise.
Anime Pilgrimage Sites
Shibuya is the inspiration for many anime backgrounds. Shimokitazawa is the template for indie anime neighborhoods. Akihabara's Radio Kaikan building appears in Steins;Gate.
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