Top 10 Real-World Locations Featured in Anime

Ano Hana is a heartwarming anime, released in 2011, produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Nagai Tatsuyuki. The story follows six friends who lost touch after one of their group members died in a tragic accident. Ten years later, the ghost of their deceased friend appears, expressing a wish to one of them, that they won't be able to pass on to the afterlife until the wish is fulfilled. As the memories of the past resurface, the group comes together to grant the wish, helping their friend rest in peace.

One of the real-life locations that inspired the anime is the Chichibu Bridge, located in Saitama, just an hour and a half by train from Tokyo. The bridge, which spans the Arakawa River, was completed in 1932 and has since been transformed into a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. The Chichibu Bridge blends the mystique of the old with modern charm, featuring timeless architecture. If you ever get the chance to visit, be sure to take a memorable photo to mark the occasion!

Spirited Away is a masterpiece that brought Studio Ghibli to international acclaim. Even after 20 years, it remains the quintessential representation of Japanese anime. It is the only non-English language film to ever win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, a feat unmatched to this day. The film also claimed the prestigious Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival.

One of the most iconic settings from the film is the hot spring bathhouse where Chihiro, the protagonist, works. This bathhouse was inspired by the Dogo Onsen, located in Matsuyama on Shikoku Island. Dogo Onsen is nestled in the heart of Matsuyama’s tourist district, just a 5-minute walk from the Dogo Onsen tram station along a charming shopping arcade. The current bathhouse, which has stood for over 100 years, was originally built in 1894. Legend has it that the waters here once healed an ancient god, and it is believed that bathing in these waters will help restore your health and vitality.

Steins Gate is an anime about a group of friends who attempt to turn their microwave into a machine capable of sending messages to the past. As they conduct various experiments, they attract the attention of a secret organization called SERN, which is also researching time travel. The story follows the characters as they try to escape the dangerous clutches of SERN.

Throughout the series, there are stunning scenes, including those of the bustling district of Akihabara. Akihabara is a lively neighborhood in the Chiyoda district of Tokyo. It’s famous for its vibrant streets lined with shops selling anime merchandise, unique tech products, and all things related to geek culture. Whatever you could dream of finding related to anime, you’ll likely find it here at great prices. If you’re planning a trip to Japan and wondering where to buy the perfect anime souvenirs, Akihabara is the place to go. There’s sure to be something that catches your eye and makes you want to buy it right away!

Kiki’s Delivery Service is another beloved anime from Studio Ghibli, following the adventures of a 13-year-old girl named Kiki. Throughout the film, we watch Kiki navigate her way through a series of exciting challenges. Along the way, she makes new friends and overcomes obstacles, growing stronger and more independent. The story serves as an inspiring lesson for young girls in Japan, teaching them about self-reliance and resilience in the face of life’s difficulties.

In the film, the bakery where Kiki works isn’t based on a real location, but the success of the film inspired the creation of a real-life version of this bakery. Known as "Kiki’s Bakery", it’s located in the picturesque village of Yufuin – a famous resort area renowned for its European-style onsen baths, nestled in the heart of traditional Japan. The bakery offers a variety of sweet treats inspired by the anime. If you’ve ever wondered if the delicious foods from anime are available in real life, a visit to "Kiki’s Bakery" might just satisfy your curiosity!

Hotarubi no Mori e is a poignant love story between two people from different worlds: Hotaru, a young girl who accidentally stumbles into a mystical forest inhabited by spirits, and Gin, a young man wearing a cat mask who helps her find her way out. From then on, Hotaru visits the forest every summer, and a tender bond develops between them. However, as Hotaru grows older, Gin remains unchanged, because he is a spirit from a different realm, one that can never truly belong to the human world.

In addition to its heart-wrenching plot, the film is also known for its breathtaking scenery. The forest where Gin lives was inspired by the Takamori Machi Forest in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The area is known for frequent rain and is a hotspot for fireflies, adding an ethereal charm to the location.

Perhaps the filmmakers chose the name "Hotarubi no Mori e" (Firefly Forest) as a metaphor, especially since the protagonist's name, Hotaru, also means firefly in Japanese. The forest is most beautiful during the summer, when thousands of fireflies surround the trees, creating a stunning visual that truly brings the title to life – the Firefly Forest.

Hyouka is an anime beloved by many, even years after its release. The story follows Houtarou, a young boy with a distant and seemingly indifferent personality, always trying to "conserve energy" in everything he does. However, he is eventually forced by his sister to join the school's literature club. There, Houtarou and his clubmates uncover a mysterious anthology called Hyouka, leading them to unravel a 33-year-old secret.

Produced by Kyoto Animation, known for its stunning animation, Hyouka remains just as visually captivating as it was over a decade ago. One of the most iconic locations in the anime is Hida High School, where the characters study. While the fictional school in the series is named Kamiyama, its real-world counterpart is called Hida High School, located in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. While the school may not be particularly famous for its academic achievements or university acceptance rates, it stands out due to its numerous unique clubs: a classical literature club, a tea ceremony club, and even a mysterious club dedicated to the supernatural.

Shigatsu Wa Kimi No Uso, known in English as Your Lie in April, is a tear-jerking anime that tells the tragic love story between Arima Kousei and Miyazono Kaori. The main character, Arima, faced a difficult life before meeting Kaori. His mother, determined to make him a world-renowned pianist, pushed him to become a musical prodigy. He achieved greatness at a young age, sweeping numerous awards both domestically and internationally. However, when he was 11 years old, his mother passed away, leaving a hole in his heart that nothing could fill. Following her death, Arima ceased performing on stage, until he met Kaori – a quirky girl who changed his life.

The Towa Building, also known as the Nerima Cultural Center, was chosen as the location where Kousei and Kaori first met. For fans of the anime and for Kousei and Kaori themselves, this place holds deep significance, marking the moment Kousei fell in love with Kaori – a love he could never forget. It also symbolizes Kousei’s rediscovery of his love for music, guiding him back to the place where he truly belonged. If you ever find yourself in Japan, you can visit the Nerima Cultural Center, located just a 5-minute walk from Nerimatakanodai Station in Tokyo.

Your Name, a box office hit anime released in 2016 by director Shinkai Makoto, became an instant sensation, earning multiple prestigious awards. The film tells the story of Mitsuha, a high school girl from a rural town with a monotonous life, and Taki, a boy living in the bustling city of Tokyo. Despite seeming to have nothing in common, a strange incident causes them to swap bodies, leading to a series of humorous and heartwarming events.

Not only celebrated for its touching storyline, which has received widespread acclaim from both fans and critics, Your Name is also renowned for its breathtaking visuals. The film beautifully shifts between the vibrant streets of Tokyo and the peaceful rural town of Itomori, where Mitsuha lives. Many scenes in the film are inspired by real-world locations, including the Hida-Sannogu Hie Shrine in Gifu, Furukawa Station, the staircase at Suga Shrine in Tokyo, and Aogashima Island in Tokyo.

Among the many real-life locations featured in the film, one of the most iconic is the scene where Mitsuha and Taki reunite. This memorable moment was inspired by the staircase at Suga Shrine, Tokyo. While the staircase itself may seem like any other, it holds a special significance as the place where Mitsuha and Taki cross paths, marking a turning point in their emotional journey.

Chihayafuru is an anime centered around karuta, a traditional Japanese card game. The game was introduced to Japan by Portuguese traders in the mid-16th century, coinciding with the arrival of Francis Xavier, who brought along a deck of Western playing cards. The anime, adapted from a manga series, first aired in 2016 and quickly became one of the most beloved films in the genre. Its success has helped popularize karuta as a competitive sport in Japan. The core message of the anime is that 'dreams can only be achieved through one's own efforts, not by relying on others.'

Throughout the series, numerous real-world locations are featured, one of the most iconic being the Omi-jingu Shrine, with its striking, traditional red architecture gleaming under the sun. Situated at the foot of Mount Biwa-ko in Shiga Prefecture, the shrine is dedicated to Emperor Tenchi, the 38th Emperor of Japan, who is venerated as a symbol of education, knowledge, industrial culture, and good fortune.

Princess Mononoke is a beloved anime from Studio Ghibli that tackles several pressing issues that have remained relevant across generations: the importance of preserving the environment, societal development, and the destructive consequences of unchecked industrial exploitation.

With a strong focus on nature, the film is filled with stunning scenes of lush forests, rugged mountains, and untamed wilderness. One of the real-world inspirations for the setting of Princess Mononoke is the subtropical Yakushima Island, a mystical jewel of nature, where ancient and majestic landscapes blend into a serene and almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Visitors to Yakushima Island can enjoy waterfalls, dense forests, and beaches; encounter unique wildlife; and immerse themselves in the ancient cedar forests. Another fascinating aspect of the island is its frequent rainfall, with locals often claiming it rains up to 35 days per month. In 1993, Yakushima was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its cultural and natural significance.