Anime is one of Japan's most beloved cultural exports, and its home country is full of ways to experience it: themed cafes, flagship stores, exhibitions, pop-up events, and entire neighborhoods devoted to the fandom.
Tokyo's Akihabara is the world's anime and manga hub, packed with stores, arcades, and themed cafes. Osaka's Den Den Town and Nakano Broadway in Tokyo are other favorites, and pop-up shops and exhibitions appear year-round.
Yes. Many fans go on anime pilgrimages (seichi junrei) to the real places that inspired their favorite shows, from shrines and train stations to entire towns. Themed exhibitions and character parks also bring series to life.
Major events like AnimeJapan (spring) and Comiket (summer and winter) anchor the calendar, but themed cafes, exhibitions, and pop-up stores run all year. Check our events for what is on now.
