Real Anime Locations: Five Places to Check Out!

Many locations in the background of your favorite anime are often based on real locations in Japan. One of the most fun and cool things to do when visiting Japan is to visit the locations to feel like you’re in your favorite anime! We’ll introduce real anime locations in Demon Slayer, Tokyo Revengers, Death Note, Tokyo Ghoul, and One Punch Man!

Asakusa x Demon Slayer

As seen in episodes seven and eight of Demon Slayer, you can see Asakusa’s famous Nakamise Shopping Street in the anime. The shopping street extends 250 meters (820 feet) from the Kaminarimon Gate entrance to the Hozomon Gate entrance.  

A key difference between the anime and real life is that the anime is set in the Taisho era (1912-1926). Due to this, you don’t see the Kaminarimon Gate in the anime since it was burned down in 1865 and rebuilt in 1960. However, in the anime, you can still see the Hozomon Gate at the end of the street. 

The Nakamise shopping street still looks very similar to what you see in the anime, and you can even buy some tasty snacks! Another area in the anime is Asakusa Rokku, which is about a ten-minute walk from Sensoji Temple. It is in this area that Tanjiro meets Kibutsuji Muzan for the first time, as well as Tamayo and Yushiro.

Tama River x Tokyo Revengers

As seen in episode 3 in Tokyo Revengers, Tama River is where Takemichi meets Mikey and Draken for the first time. The river is a major river that flows between Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefectures. Along the river are many parks and sports fields, making it a popular location for picnics or chill sessions with friends! To recreate the anime vibes, you should visit when the sun is starting to set. 

On a clear day, as the sun sets, the yellow sky reflects on the river, making the scene look exactly like the anime! If you’re visiting with friends, it can be enjoyable to picnic in the grassy fields and enjoy the beautiful views. This location is about a five-minute walk from Unoki Station. 

Shinjuku Station Underground x Death Note

The underground of Shinjuku Station is seen in episode 5 of Death Note. In this episode, Light meets the FBI agent Raye Penber, who is investigating him. This area is filled with hundreds of shops and restaurants. Since Death Note is a relatively older anime, many shops in the anime are likely to have changed. 

Lotteria is one shop that has remained there but has slightly changed its logo. Despite these changes, Shinjuku’s underground is still a fun place to visit. In particular, some cafes offer delicious parfaits or sweets that L would’ve enjoyed!

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Kabukicho x Tokyo Ghoul

Another place in Shinjuku is Kabukicho. Kabukicho has been used as a background in various anime, including Tokyo Ghoul. Kabukicho Crossing appears in episode one when Kaneki becomes a ghoul and starts wandering the streets of Shinjuku. In this scene, we glimpse Kaneki’s despair after becoming a ghoul. Seeing his emotional growth is a highlight for many fans. 

Kabukicho, especially the crossing, is usually very busy, allowing you to experience Shinjuku’s vibrant hustle and bustle. Kabukicho Crossing is also where you can get a clear view of the iconic peeping Godzilla head! The area particularly comes alive at night, with many izakayas and restaurants illuminating the city’s roads. 

Meidaimae Station x One Punch Man

One of the most common scenes in One Punch Man is Saitama’s apartment. His apartment building is not in a real Z-City Ghost Town; it’s in Setagaya, Tokyo. The apartment is near Meiji University, one of Japan’s best universities! Both the apartment building and surroundings are virtually identical to what you see in the anime. However, since the apartment building is private, you can only enjoy the exterior. 

The closest station to the apartment area is Meidaimae Station, approximately a seven-minute walk from the station. Meidaimae is a popular area for students, so while you cannot go inside the apartment, you can take in the surroundings. In particular, there are many cute shops and cafes to visit, some with Instagram-worthy dishes! 

Why should I check out these locations featured in popular anime?

Exploring real-life locations featured in popular anime can bring your favorite moments to life! It’s also a chance to see the inspirations behind iconic scenes firsthand and appreciate the amount of detail animators put into recreating real places. Many of the scenes in anime look precisely the same as what you see in real life.

Whether it’s Tama River’s scenic beauty, Asakusa’s and Shinjuku’s energy, or Meidaimae’s charm, anime worlds come vividly alive by visiting. Some places may have slightly different stores, but the atmosphere is still the same. Which locations do you want to visit the most and why? Let us know in the comments below!