The Best Spots for Manga and Anime Lovers in Tokyo
It's no secret that Tokyo is the number one spot in the world that lovers of Japan's manga and anime want to visit. Millions of people make the pilgrimage to Tokyo every year because of their love of all things anime.
While Akihabara in Tokyo is considered the Mecca for anime and gaming culture in Japan, there are many other areas around the city where you can find all the Japanese anime and manga goods you could ever want. There are also iconic locations in Tokyo (and beyond) you may have seen in your favorite anime that are worth checking out. So let's look at all the places you can go shopping for anime goods in Tokyo, plus highlight a few locations from popular anime you may want to check out.
Places to Go Shopping for Anime & Manga Goods
Akihabara
Akihabara is your one-stop shop for all things anime, manga, and gaming culture, along with being the place to check out if you are interested in Japanese idol culture. This neighborhood is full of manga/anime stores, electronics shops, maid cafes, and stores dedicated to Japanese idol groups like AKB48. There are also many arcades (known as game centers in Japanese) in the area, though in recent years some of the most famous ones have closed down so the selection has decreased slightly compared to pre-COVID.
Akihabara has so many things going for it in terms of Japanese otaku culture, so here are some of the things you could do there if you're interested in this subculture.
・Buy Anime & Manga Goods
Akihabara is the most famous hub for anime lovers. You'll see giant billboards and posters for anime characters and video games all over the place, and there are many stores where you can buy anime goods.
Two stores of note worth checking out are "Animate" and "Mandarake." Akihabara's Animate (a large anime and manga store) has seven floors full of manga, figures, posters, DVDs, soundtracks, and whatever else you could be looking for anime-related. Mandarake is a used goods store, so it is an especially great place to go hunting for rare anime figures that you may be on the lookout for. The Akihabara Mandarake is also huge, consisting of multiple floors, so between these two stores you could spend hours lost among the shelves looking for goods.
You can check out Animate Akihabara's hours here.
And to learn more about Mandarake, click here.
・Check Out the AKB Theater
AKB48 is a very popular all-girl idol group in Japan, and they operate a theater in Akihabara on the 8th floor of Don Quijote. You'll be able to check out performances by not only AKB48 but sometimes some of their "sister groups" as well.
That being said, it is often very difficult to get tickets for famous idol groups like AKB48, but you may be able to get tickets for the other "underground" idol groups that still haven't burst into the mainstream to the same degree as groups like AKB48.
・Go to a Maid Cafe
Akihabara is also famous for having many maid cafes that you can enjoy. As you walk the streets of the neighborhood, you'll likely see women dressed as maids wandering around or standing outside their cafes to attract customers.
It's worth thinking of maid cafes as less of a cafe and as more of an experience. You'll be greeted and served by these maids, who will refer to you as "master" or "mistress" the entire time. In Akihabara in particular many maid cafes have different themes, so not every cafe's maids will be dressed the same or act in the same way. You may be served by "cat maids" or maids out of a fantasy world depending on which one you choose. Some of these cafes even have dance performances to entertain patrons. It's a unique experience worth checking out if you want to feel like you've somehow entered into a different kind of anime world.
Ikebukuro
While Akihabara is best known outside of Japan as the anime subculture hub of Tokyo, Ikebukuro is actually a close second to it when it comes to finding places to buy anime, manga, and gaming goods. In particular, Ikebukuro is where young female anime and manga fans tend to flock because there are more shops that sell goods catering more to that demographic.
・Visit the Largest Animate in Japan!
The first Animate store ever opened in Ikebukuro back in the 1980s, and now the largest Animate store in all of Japan opened in Ikebukuro in March 2023. This flagship store is a whopping nine stories plus a basement, where there is even a theater for staging shows. This is now the number one store to go to in all of Japan if you truly want to spend all day scouring shelves for all the anime goods you could possibly want.
Learn more about Animate Ikebukuro here.
・Head to the Biggest Pokemon Center in Japan
If you are a fan of Pokemon, then you absolutely need to head to Ikebukuro. It is here that you'll find the largest Pokemon Center in Japan--a store dedicated to selling all kinds of different Pokemon goods. While you can find large Pokemon Centers all over Tokyo (and indeed in most major cities in Japan), none match the size of Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo in Ikebukuro. Be sure to check it out if you want to pick up Pokemon toys, cards, posters, or basically whatever else Pokemon-themed that you could possibly want.
Learn more about Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo here.
Shibuya
While Shibuya is known more as a shopping and youth culture hub of Tokyo and may not have a reputation of being an epicenter for otaku culture in the way Akihabara does, there is one store you need to go to if you are a fan of Nintendo games.
On the 6th floor of the Shibuya PARCO Department Store, you will find Nintendo TOKYO, an official store for Nintendo goods run by the company itself. Here they sell game consoles, games, gaming accessories, and tons of character merchandise. The store also hosts events and game experience sessions you can check out if your timing to be in Tokyo is right.
If you're a Nintendo Fan, be sure to check out the Nintendo Store to get your fix of everything Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing, and everything else Nintendo.
Learn more about Nintendo TOKYO here.
Tokyo Station
If you're around Tokyo Station, be it to catch a train to another part of Japan or to head to the airport, check out Tokyo Character Street on Tokyo Station First Avenue. On Character Street, you'll find tons of shops selling merchandise from popular anime series like Naruto, One Piece, and Dragon Ball at stores like the JUMP Shop. If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli, you can go to the store Donguri Republic to buy a variety of different kinds of Ghibli merchandise. If you're a fan of both kinds of anime, even better! You won't need to go anywhere else to pick up goods from your favorite movie or series.
While in Tokyo Station First Avenue, you can also check out Tokyo Ramen Street and Nippon Gourmet Road to find some great Japanese food, so you'll be able to shop around for anime goods on a full stomach.
Learn more about Tokyo Station First Avenue here.
Anime Pilgrimage Spots & Museums in Tokyo (and Beyond)
Pilgrimage Spots
Here are some spots from popular anime you may be interested in checking out while you are in Japan. We'll list the anime, followed by the location.
・Your Name: Tokyo - Suga Shrine
One of the most iconic anime locations in recent years is Suga Shrine, featured in the hit movie Your Name. This shrine is best known for its staircase, which appears prominently in the finale of the film during an emotional scene between the main characters. Located near Yotsuya Station, Suga Shrine is easily accessible, and you'll often see visitors recreating one of the most iconic scenes from the movie. Beyond its connection to Your Name, the shrine itself is a peaceful spot to relax.
・Sailor Moon: Tokyo - Azabu-Juban
The charming neighborhood of Azabu-Juban in Tokyo is a real-world counterpart to the setting of Sailor Moon. Fans can explore streets lined with small shops, cafes, and landmarks reminiscent of scenes from the anime. The area includes spots like the Hikawa Shrine, which inspired the shrine in the series where Rei Hino (Sailor Mars) resides. Walking through Azabu-Juban, fans can feel as if they've stepped into Usagi Tsukino's world.
・Demon Slayer: Mt. Kumotori - Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park
The stunning landscapes depicted in Demon Slayer draw inspiration from real-life locations like Mt. Kumotori, located in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. While a bit of a trek from Tokyo, this area is worth checking out if you like Demon Slayer. It offers breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere, making it easy to see why it inspired such a beautiful anime. Fans can visit the mountain to connect with the natural beauty that serves as the backdrop for the story's battles and drama.
Anime Museums
・Ghibli Museum: Mitaka, Tokyo
The Ghibli Museum is a magical space dedicated to celebrating the works of Studio Ghibli. Designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself, the museum blends whimsical architecture with captivating exhibits. Visitors can see detailed dioramas, storyboards, and behind-the-scenes looks at how Ghibli films are made. A highlight of the museum is its exclusive short films, which can only be seen here. The museum also has a rooftop garden and a life-size Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro. Tickets must be purchased well in advance, as entry is limited to preserve the museum's quiet atmosphere.
・Toei Animation Museum: Tokyo - Oizumi
Located in Nerima, the Toei Animation Museum celebrates the legacy of one of Japan's most iconic animation studios. The museum showcases exhibits on Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon, and other famous series. Here, you can see original artwork, production sketches, and behind-the-scenes materials. The interactive displays and photo opportunities with life-sized character models make it a fun experience for anyone who loves Toei Animation's work.
・Suginami Animation Museum: Tokyo - Suginami
The Suginami Animation Museum offers an in-depth look at the history and evolution of Japanese animation. Visitors can explore exhibits on classic and modern anime, try animating short sequences, and participate in workshops. The museum also features a screening room where visitors can watch iconic anime. If you are more interested in the work that goes into creating an anime, this museum is absolutely worth checking out.
These are just a few of the anime pilgrimage spots and museums you could check out in Japan. There are tons of others, so if there is an anime you love set in real-world locations in Japan, do some research! You'll probably find information and maps to help you find those locations.
