Art is frequently inspired by real life, and while perhaps the busty monster harems and main character popularity are the stuff of pure fiction, the locations are less so. There are a number of anime series that use real life locations as inspirations for their backgrounds. In fact, it is likely easier to just draw a scene from a photograph then to imagine a realistic backdrop. As these anime series have inspired even just the smallest trickle of tourism from weebs to these areas, the practice is being encouraged even further.
While real life locations are very, very popular in anime movies ala Studio Ghibli and Makoto Shinkai films, this list only include locations from anime series, not movies.
Best IRL Anime
Minobu From Laid-Back Camp
Laid-Back Camp has been one of the more recent successes in inspiring anime tourism. In fact, when it came out, the campgrounds in the Yamanashi prefecture filled up with people looking to camp in the foothills of Mount Fuji. Minobu Town in particular celebrated a boom of people inspired by the scenery of the show.
Shirakawa From Higurashi: When They Cry
These days even pretty rural villages have modernized. However, the village of Hinamizawa in Higurashi was based on UNESCO World Heritage site Shirakawa, which essentially ensures it will stay as rural and creepy for all time. There is also some creeptastic anime statues of the characters there, too.
Radio Kaikan From Steins; Gate
If you are an anime fan, you have every reason to go to Akihabara anyway. It is considered our most holy nerd site. While there, you can get a good look at Radio Kaikan from Steins;Gate. You can find other notable areas from the series there, but this is the most recognizable, and it it filled with great anime merch.
Ikebukuro from Durarara
While you won’t find any headless Dullahans there, because Durarara spans throughout this city, you will likely find a lot of spots you will recognize throughout it. It is also a big commercial area so there is lots to do.
Itto-Seki Split Boulder From Demon Slayer
In the pre-COVID world when Demon Slayer was at peak hype, tourism to this one perfectly cracked rock at the Amanotateiwa Shrine in Yagyu Village saw so much tourism that queues formed just to take a picture with the rock.
Demachi Masugata Shoutengai From Tamako Market
If you are looking for markets where you can eat, browse, and shop, you won’t have a very hard time in most big cities. However, you will find the tight corridors and community in Demachi Masugata Shoutengai inspired the same in Tamako Market. Even without the anime, it still an interesting place.
Kamakura and Enoshima From …A Lot of Things!
When you see particularly interesting scenery in anime, usually you think it must be some place in Tokyo. As Japan’s great metropolis, chances are you’d be right. However, Kanagawa prefecture is perhaps one of those secret anime hot spots. The coastal town of Kamakura and the small island of Enoshima off the coast are laden with anime sites.
You can spot a few landmarks from Kamakura and Enoshima in Elfen Lied, the entirety of Tsuritama is set on Enoshima, most of Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl’s coastal scenes are from Kamakura, and Squid Girl takes place on Kamakura’s Yuigahama beach. You get the bonus of tripping over anime scenery and being at the beach.
Yuwaku From Hanasaku Iroha
If you are looking for a hot springs town with anime inspirations, Yuwaku in Kanazawa is for you. You can find a lot of shot-for-shot inspirations from Hanasaku Iroha here, and people have taken note. The area even recognizes its own anime inspired popularity. They now host the Bonbori festival from the show. It has no historical roots to the area, but festivals bring in the crowds.
Nerima-ku From Your Lie in April
The Nerima-ku district of Tokyo isn’t exactly one of those sexy places. Its more like a place where people just kind of live. However, if you were enthralled by that small suburb scenery in Your Lie in April, wandering the tight streets is perfect.
Shimoyamaguchi From The Flying Witch
The Flying Witch makes it no secret that it is set in Aomori, Honshu’s most northern prefecture, but if you want to get super specific, you can find many scenes from the town of Shimoyamaguchi. The fun part of The Flying Witch is the characters essentially tour all the interesting spots in the area so on your tour you can really see the resemblance.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing From Tokyo Ghoul (and Others)
Like the Tokyo Skytree or Mount Fuji, The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is one of those iconic Japanese places. It is also one of those hugely busy places where you can get swept up with the crowd like it was rushing water. You’ll note that anime series that show the scramble crossing like Tokyo Ghouls, Blood C, or Idolm@ster all show it as packed. Though I’ll always remember it more from Persona 5.
Do you have more interesting real life locations from anime? Let fans know in the comments section below.
