7 Enchanting Real-Life Spots For Your Anime Adventure

As if we could ever run out of reasons to go to Japan, so here we are... eager to add even more to that! Whether your whole trip revolves around your favorite anime or if you’re looking to add more spots to your already planned-out Japan itinerary, we’ve prepared a couple of iconic spots from our personal favorites that we know you’d enjoy just as much as we did (or more)!

The locations we’ve gathered are from top-tier and highly nostalgic anime shows and movies like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Slam Dunk, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and Porco Rosso –  and if some of your picks aren’t here, don’t worry, there will be more guides to come but for now, please enjoy what we have in store! Now, let’s get ready for your next magical adventure in Japan!

The country has nine regions each with their own distinct prefectures that are brimming with unique cultures and amazing sites that it would be quite a challenge to even pinpoint where to start, so with that, this is where we’ll use our love for anime to lead the way! For this guide, we’ll be getting into five regions – starting with the southernmost part of the country, Kyushu, going up to Shikoku, Kanto, Chubu, and finally to the northernmost region, Hokkaido. 

To help you get to these anime spots, we’ve listed down modes of transportation that you could take AND even book ahead for a seamless trip. From rail passes, multiple transportation passes, and car rentals, you’re sure to have a hassle-free trip in Japan!

Getting a car rental in Japan is actually simple and you can book directly on Klook! All you have to do is input the dates you plan on driving, select a car, choose add-ons (e.g., English GPS, toddler seats, etc.), and input your driver information. You could also check out A Short Guide to Booking a Klook Car Rental and Driving Abroad for more details as well as how to get your international driver’s license if you don’t have one yet.

Aside from your car rental, do consider renting portable WiFi. Having one will significantly help you get around, it will be your best travel buddy! Trust us… you’ll need it, especially for Google maps and quick translations.

The spots we’ve listed range from actual locations that were depicted in the anime, locations that inspired the creators, and even locations that hold great historical value that influenced the writer/s. We’re starting from the southernmost area of Japan, Kyushu, and finishing off with the northernmost part, Hokkaido.

The forests in Princess Mononoke are magical enough, what more when you’re actually in it?! The Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine in Yakushima is where lead artist, Kazuo Oga, spent many days here taking inspiration for the enchanting setting we see in Princess Mononoke. You’ll see for yourself the towering Yakusugi cedar trees that are said to be over 2,000 years old AND you may even spot some deer – just like in the film! It’s almost as if you’ll see little kodama pop out at any given moment!

To easily get around Kyushu, you could book the JR Kyushu Rail Pass. It gives you unlimited travel throughout Kyushu with the option of either ALL Kyushu, North Kyushu, or South Kyushu. 

When you see the now safe and pristine waters of Minamata Bay, you would never have thought that something so tragic happened here. Widely known as “Minamata Disease”, it was in the 1950s when a chemical company dumped methylmercury into the waters of Minamata Bay. This caused mercury contamination to the seafood that later on affected many people – causing irreversible damage to the nervous system.

This tragedy inspired Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, a tale set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are barely surviving in toxic-laden earth until hope resides in Nausicaä, the Princess of the Valley of the Wind – but we won’t get much into detail so you can enjoy your rewatch of this masterpiece!

Minamata has since bounced back from the tragedy and is even known as one of Japan’s “eco towns”, it’s a great balance between the busy and popular Tokyo so you get to relax in this peaceful seaside town. You can expect coastal and mountainside onsens, locally-grown and of course pesticide-free produce, and Minamata Eco Park – where you can find a beautiful rose garden with over 700 types of roses from all over the world, bamboo parks, and many more.

While you could also use the JR Kyushu Rail Pass to get to Minamata, you could also rent a car in Fukuoka if you’re into road trips.

Dogo Onsen Honkan is the main attraction of this absolutely charming onsen town in Shikoku and despite some parts being covered up in scaffolding, you can clearly feel its majestic presence. As of writing, it’s currently under renovation until 2024 but no worries as there are still sections open for visitors, like the first floor where the great stone bath is.

While it’s perfect any time of the day, the vibe at night is truly magical – the warm lights and the steam from the hot springs… you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into the magical world of Spirited Away. If you want to feel the vibes already, even just for a tiny bit, you can check out the livestream of this famous bathhouse’s exterior from their official website. Like in the film, the higher floors have private rooms and lounge areas with tatami mats, you’ll even notice the many wood finishes down to the small details like wooden buckets and wooden bath stools that really add up to the experience – almost as if a stink spirit can walk in any time and cause a bit of panic!

You can also easily get around to all of Shikoku’s prefectures with a single rail pass, the JR All Shikoku Rail Pass! You can choose from 3, 4, 5, or even 7 days. 

Whether you’re a fan or know someone who is and you happen to pass by the TV while they were happily watching, we’re pretty sure you’ll know this spot. Right in the opening theme of Slam Dunk, as the train with distinct hues of green passes and reveals Haruko waving at our main boy Hanamichi – that’s in Kamakurakōkō-Mae Station! You’ve also most probably seen your K-Pop crush post some photos here, so take that as a sign that it’s your turn! 

If you’re staying in Tokyo, you can hop on a half-day tour that’ll take you to Kanagawa and other anime sites.

Whether you’re team Rukawa or Team Sendoh, don’t miss the opportunity to check out Kanagawa Prefectural Kamakura High School – it’s exactly Ryonan High School and just a five-minute walk from Kamakurakōkō-Mae Station!

You could also enjoy a day tour departing from Tokyo so you can easily get to these iconic Slam Dunk locations and more!

Now we head to Chubu for another Studio Ghibli hit – Porco Rosso! You’re probably wondering why or where… Well, even if this was clearly based on The Adriatic Sea all the way in Europe, we’d like to think that Porco’s little hideout is right here in Shizuoka Prefecture. Apart from some fans thinking the same as we do, Ryugu Sea Cave is also known for bringing good luck to those looking for love. If you happen to get the opportunity to catch a glimpse from above, you’ll see that the cave even forms a heart!

While you can get the handy JR Pass for Whole Japan, you could also check out individual Shinkansen tickets that go to Shin-Fuji (Shizuoka).

When you’re already in the area, you can also get the 3-Day JR Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini, which gives you unlimited travel within Shizuoka prefecture! 

To complete the laid-back vibe, you can also enjoy a leisurely stroll, a panoramic view of Sagami Sea, a whole lot of flowers, and perfume making! You can also expect locals to bring their cute pets to the park!

We’re now in the northernmost region of Japan, Hokkaido! Here you’ll spot the hauntingly beautiful lake bottom railroad in Lake Shikaribetsu that resembles the scene where Chihiro walked on shallow waters which was then revealed to be train tracks leading up to the platform where she waits for a train to arrive. In real life though, these tracks are used to help bring tour boats up ashore – not a mysterious train but charming regardless!

There are many ways to get to Lake Shikaribetsu, you could book a car rental from Sapporo and drive up about 3 hours to the lake. You could also book a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass for access to local trains, buses, and express trains.

Ready for your trip to Japan? Before you focus on planning, we know you’re itching to rewatch your favorite anime because… SAME. When you’re done, come back to this page and bookmark it to help out with your itinerary! We’ve also added some more inspiration below. Happy travels!