Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Japan's pop culture is easy to find but rewards a little planning. Tokyo has the biggest concentration of anime, manga and game shops, themed cafés and museums, while Osaka, Kyoto and smaller cities have their own specialist districts and character attractions.
A few of the most popular experiences — especially the Ghibli Museum and some collaboration cafés — sell out weeks ahead, so book those first and build the rest of your days around them.
Tokyo
Tokyo · Chiyoda
Akihabara
Multi-storey stores for anime goods, figures, retro games and electronics, plus arcades and maid cafés. Weekday afternoons are calmer; some streets go car-free on Sunday afternoons.
Tokyo · Nakano
Nakano Broadway
A 1960s shopping complex packed with small second-hand shops for manga, figures, vintage toys and collectibles. Many shops open around noon.
Tokyo · Toshima
Ikebukuro & Otome Road
Large anime stores, character shops and themed cafés, with a focus on merchandise popular with female fans. Sunshine City has several character attractions.
Mitaka, western Tokyo
Ghibli Museum
A whimsical museum by Studio Ghibli. Entry is by advance, date-and-time tickets only — they're released monthly and go fast. No tickets at the door.
Tokyo and other cities
Pokémon Center & character stores
Official character stores for Pokémon, Nintendo, Jump, Sanrio and others are found in major department stores and malls — handy if you're short on time.
Tokyo
teamLab and digital art
Immersive digital art museums are a hit with anime and gaming fans as well as families.
Beyond Tokyo
Osaka
Den Den Town (Nipponbashi)
Osaka's answer to Akihabara: anime, figure, retro game and electronics shops a short walk from Namba.
Osaka
Universal Studios Japan
Theme park with Super Nintendo World and seasonal anime collaborations. Timed entry to some areas applies on busy days; check the official site.
Kyoto
Kyoto International Manga Museum
A large manga library and exhibition space in a former school building, with many volumes you can read on site.
Aichi (near Nagoya)
Ghibli Park
Ghibli-themed areas inside Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. Advance tickets are required for most areas.
Kamakura, Takayama and more
Pilgrimage spots
Many real places have appeared in anime — Kamakura's coastal railway crossing and the old streets of Takayama are well-known examples. Be considerate: these are residential areas.
Practical tips
- Bring cash: many smaller second-hand shops prefer it.
- Ask before photographing inside shops — many prohibit it.
- Tax-free shopping applies at many big stores; bring your passport.
- Collaboration cafés usually require online reservations.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: