5 Manga and Anime spots to discover in Tokyo

The connection between Japan and manga is, in many people's minds, almost inseparable. Perhaps, like me, manga were even your gateway to Japan. There is a huge variety of manga, both in the worlds they create and in the places where their stories take place.

During a trip to Japan, it is therefore natural to look for elements from the manga we love in every detail. For some, which take place in parallel universes, the similarities can be a little difficult to find. For others, which are set in our modern world, it is even possible to visit the actual locations depicted. So I would like to introduce you to 5 places in Tokyo featured in famous manga and anime, which can easily be included in a Japan itinerary.

Key facts

Manga / anime	Location in Tokyo	District	Why visit?
Your Name	Suga Shrine staircase	Shinjuku	Revisit one of the film's iconic settings
Jujutsu Kaisen	Shibuya	Shibuya	Discover a district strongly associated with the series
Suzume	Hijiri Bridge	Ochanomizu, near Akihabara	Watch the trains and revisit a setting from the film
Sailor Moon / Detective Conan	Tokyo Tower	Minato	See an iconic Tokyo landmark featured in both works
Demon Slayer	Nakamise-dori & Sensō-ji	Asakusa	Discover a traditional atmosphere reminiscent of the world of the series

Your Name

Released in Japan in 2016, Your Name, directed by Makoto Shinkai, tells the story of Mitsuha, a high-school girl living in a small town, and Taki, a young Tokyoite, who mysteriously begin switching bodies. It is a story of love, time and destiny, with many locations that actually exist in Tokyo and can be visited during a trip to the capital.

The best-known is undoubtedly the staircase near Suga Shrine in Shinjuku. I recommend making a detour there if you are a fan of the film.

It is an opportunity to revisit one of the most iconic settings from Your Name, particularly the one featured in the final scene, and perhaps even recreate the scene with your loved ones.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Created by Gege Akutami, Jujutsu Kaisen follows Yuji Itadori, a high-school student who is drawn into the world of jujutsu sorcerers after swallowing a cursed object. Between battles against curses and learning sorcery, it has become one of the best-known shonen manga of recent years. In addition, the series regularly puts Tokyo in the spotlight, and several locations in Shibuya can be recognised in the city.

For me, the essential stop is still Shibuya, particularly Shibuya Station, which has become an iconic location associated with the series. You can then take the opportunity to explore the district, which remains one of the liveliest areas of Tokyo.

Suzume

Directed by Makoto Shinkai, who also created Your Name, Suzume follows Suzume, a high-school girl who meets a young man responsible for closing mysterious doors across Japan in order to prevent further disasters. Their journey takes them from Kyushu to Tokyo, through landscapes marked by earthquakes and the traces left by natural disasters.

While exploring Akihabara, I recommend stopping at Hijiri Bridge in Ochanomizu. Wait for a little while and the trains will emerge from underground just as they do in the film. It is an easy stop to include when exploring the neighbourhood and a fun way to rediscover Suzume's world in real-life Tokyo.

Sailor Moon and Detective Conan

What could these two anime possibly have in common? Tokyo Tower!

In Sailor Moon, created by Naoko Takeuchi, Tokyo Tower is one of the iconic Tokyo landmarks that appears in the series. Detective Conan, created by Gosho Aoyama, also regularly features the Japanese capital and its landmarks. It is an opportunity to revisit two very different worlds, yet both deeply connected to Tokyo.

Whether you love Tokyo Tower or prefer the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower remains an enduring symbol featured in many anime and Japanese works. I can only recommend stopping by and, who knows, perhaps you will even find the Sailor Moon-themed manhole covers.

Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

The story of Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) takes place during the Taisho era, when Japan was gradually opening up to Western cultures. Nakamise Street, with its traditional shops and historic atmosphere, can evoke the Japan depicted in the series.

I particularly recommend visiting after nightfall. The atmosphere of the street and the Sensō-ji Temple changes completely, giving way to something calmer and more mysterious. This is probably one of my favourite times to discover Asakusa. And who knows, perhaps you might run into Muzan and his demons near the temple?

Tokyo through manga and anime

Tokyo is full of places connected to the world of manga and anime. Ultimately, manga also reflect Japanese culture and everyday life, so it is natural to come across elements, neighbourhoods and atmospheres that echo the works you know. But Japan obviously does not stop at Tokyo. Throughout the country, you can discover other places connected to your favourite manga and anime, some instantly recognisable, others more discreet.

That is precisely what I enjoy about this type of trip: starting with a manga you love and gradually discovering the real Japan behind its fictional world. At Shanti Travel, our experts will be happy to suggest a Japan itinerary tailored around your favourite manga and anime, while also allowing you to discover the country's other sides.