Tokyo Anime Guide
Activity > Tokyo > Culture
Our Tokyo Anime Guide is a list of all the best places for an Anime fan, those interested in Anime or even just normal people can visit to experience the best Anime attractions Tokyo has to offer. If you want to hit everything... your going to need two or three days! But, if you just want to hit a few of the places below, you can probably do it in a day. Anime is huge in Japan and Japanese Anime has been booming over-seas for decades so you will see many tourists at these destinations also. Put on your day-pack, grab your camera and enjoy Anime!
The Tokyo Anime Guide map shows the "General Location" of the destinations below. For exact location information click the Google Map link of each specific Tokyo Anime destination.
Anime Places
Ghibli Museum
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. by reserved ticket
Closed: Generally Tuesdays & other various (see the Closure Calendar)
Admission: 1,000, 1,000 yen +
Map: [ Google Map ]
The Ghibli Museum is a theme park / museum that shows off the works of Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli has created world famous movies such as Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and many more [ Full List on Wikipedia ]. The museum is incredibly popular with both Japanese and visitors from over-seas so it's extremely important you plan far ahead in advance if you want to visit the museum [see the detail page for more information]. The Ghibli Museum is is located in Inokashira Park which is in Mitaka, in western Tokyo and is dedicated to the art and techniques of animation.
Fun fact; Did you know that the name "Ghibli" is an Italian word which means, "a hot desert wind". It was Hayao Miyazaki’s dream that by using this name, Studio Ghibli would "blow a new wind through the anime industry."
Sanrio Puroland
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Some Wed. & Thurs. (Check official site)
Admission: Adult: 3,300 yen - 3,800 yen | Child (up to 18): 2,500 yen - 2,700 yen
Map: [ Google Map ]
Sanrio Puroland is the home of Hello Kitty like Disneyland is to Mickey Mouse... although, quite a bit smaller. It targets kids, fans of Hello Kitty and those into "cute" stuff. There are 9 rides (kiddy rides), shows, parades, Hello Kitty performances and characters walking around the park along with... of course, TONS of merchandise for sale. It's about a half hour from Shinjuku on the Western side of Tokyo riding a semi-express train and you can get through the park in a half day or less. There are plenty of photo opportunities here to get all your "cute" pictures and post them on your favourite social media if your into that kind of thing. Sanrio Puroland may not be the place for the average tourist but if you have kids or are into Hello Kitty, it makes for a fun day.
One Piece Tower
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Closed: n/a
Admission: Adult (19+): 3,200 | Junior (13-18): 2,700 | Child (up to 13): 1,600
Map: [ Google Map ]
One Piece Tower is a Animation series popular in Japan but not so well known outside of Japan. Japanese Anime fans know of the series but your every day Joe, has no idea what it is. This "Theme Park" is located in the Tokyo Tower building and easily accessible. One Piece is a story about a boy and his crew of pirates in search of a treasure called 'One Piece' in order to become the next Pirate King and this park puts on shows using those characters. The park is generally attended by Japanese, fans of the series and Anime fans. Although a bit obscure for the average tourist to Japan, it may be interesting to visit the park to see modern Japanese pop-culture.
Namja Town
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Closed: No Closing Days
Admission: Entry Only - 12+: 500 yen, 4-11: 300 yen. | Passport - 12+: 3,500 yen, 4-11: 2,800 yen
Map: [ Google Map ]
Namja Town is a small theme park within Sunshine City, the largest building in Ikebukuro. It's a the three-story complex and has lots of arcade-style games, escape rooms, a Gyoza town and a street dedicated to desserts. The games and the food is what most people (mostly teenagers) come for. If your a tourist, it might be best to just buy an "Entry" ticket which is fairly cheap (500 yen for an adult, 300 yen for kids) and then just pick and choose the attractions / food you want to try... Gyoza and Ice Cream oh my! There are a dozen Gyoza shops to choose from and over 100 different styles of gyoza to try. Once you've had your fill of great tasting Gyoza you'll want to head up to the 3rd floor and find "Ice Cream City", they have everything you can imagine here.
Fujiko F. Fujiyo Museum (aka Doraemon Museum)
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. BUT visitation requires a reservation! [see detail page]
Closed: [see detail page]
Admission: 18+: 1,000 yen | 12-18: 700 yen | 4-11: 500 yen | Under 4: free
Map: [ Google Map ]
The Fujiko F. Fujiyo Museum (or generically called the Doraemon Museum by some) is a museum dedicated to the works of Fujiko F. Fujio, most famously known for creating the character Doraemon. The museum has his art on display along with various statues, short original movies, exhibits, a rooftop playground, a cafe, gift shops and fun things to do for the kids. Note that like the Ghibli Museum you MUST purchase tickets in advance and make a "reservation" to visit the museum and there are audio guides in English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.
Fujiko F. Fujiyo Museum (aka Doraemon Museum) Detail Page
Suginami Animation Museum
The Suginami Animation Museum is a small museum dedicated to the production of animation. The museum teaches you about the history of animation, displays a lot of content and features hands-on activities like a dubbing booth and a digital workshop where you can bring your own creations to life. The Suginami Animation Museum is a popular destination for Japanese and world-wide Anime fans too... furthermore, it's free!
Suginami Animation Museum Detail Page
Toei Animation Gallery
The Toei Animation Gallery is currently closed (has been for a couple years) and all Anime fans are axiously awaiting it's renewal opening in July 2018. Their official website says the new museum will open July 28, 2018.
Toei Animation Gallery Detail Page
Anime Shopping
Akihabara
Hours: Shops generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Closed: Depends on shop
Admission: n/a
Map: [ Google Map ]
In the 80's and 90's Akihabara was only an electronics and computer geek Mecca but since the mid-2000's Games, Anime, Figure and Maid Cafe's have boomed! Akihabara is now also well know for it's Anime goods. There are shops everywhere from large to small on the main streets and down little alley's. Don't just stick to the main boulevard, duck down some of the side streets and then once again a side-street off a side-street to find some really interesting stuff. Akihabara is a paradise for any self-proclaimed Otaku.
Nakano Broadway
Hours: Shops generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Closed: Depends on shop
Admission: n/a
Map: [ Google Map ]
The "Alt" Akihabara, Nakano Broadway is another large Anime fan Mecca. It has a slightly different vibe than Akihabara... more like, a "local", "Real Anime Fan" vibe (although Akihabara also is the real deal). It's close to Shinjuku (5 min. by train) and then a short walk from the station to "Nakano Broadway" which is a 3 story complex, the 2nd and 3rd floors being the main floors with Anime fan goods. It's also nice and cool in this building in the summer! You can splend plenty of time cruising around, browsing and buying interesting figures, toys and costumes.
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
The coolest thing about DiverCity is the big Gundum Statue out in front of the building... unfortunately you can't buy it. DiverCity Tokyo Plaza features attractions related to the Gundam anime series. There is a large Gundam Base Tokyo inside the shopping center which is a shop dedicated to plastic models, especially Gundum models.
Odaiba / DiverCity Tokyo Plaza Detail Page
Events
AnimeJapan
Hours: Held Late March, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (2 days for fans)
Closed: n/a
Admission: around 2,200 yen
Map: [ Google Map ]
Even if you live overseas you may have heard of this convention through the internet, news or TV because AnimeJapan is the largest Anime exhibition in the world. It is held at Tokyo Big Sight (in Odaiba) and around a total of 150,000 participants and visitors show up. Although the convention is officially for "real" Anime business (buying and selling), there are also 2 days in which fans can also get in.
Comiket
Hours: Held twice a year in late December and mid August
Closed: n/a
Admission: Free
Map: [ Google Map ]
The world's larget comic convention, Comiket, is held twice a year... once in the winter and once in the summer. The venue has changed over the years but recently it has become so popular that it has most recently been held at Tokyo Big Sight (like AnimeJapan). Comiket is THE place to buy "Dojinshi" (self-published or unofficial works) and rare or limited items.
