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Time to let my inner nerd shine *cough*
Although anime is, sadly, not real, some of them are set in, or inspired by, real places. Thus, anime tourism! You can go and visit the places that are the closest you can achieve on this earth to traveling into your TV/computer screen.
1) Evangelion
This is set in the Hakone area, which is a beautiful place anyway. There are onsen (hot springs) and, if you're lucky with the weather, spectacular views of the still-distant Mount Fuji. There's also an Evangelion shop here, for all of your nerd-purchase needs!
2) Ghibli
For fans and grown-up children (and I guess, actual children), you can visit the small wonderland that is the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. There is an adorable cafe, a gift shop, and dozens of tiny details alongside the displays that really make this a must-see. You can't take photos inside, but they are fully aware of everyone's itch to preserve their memories, and you can take a photo on the roof with the giant robot. It can get a little crowded, and you need to purchase tickets in advance, but just seeing the limited-view Ghibli short and taking home the small cells of a random Ghibli movie that come with the price of admission is completely worth it!
3) Mixed
If you just want to soak in a general nerdy atmosphere, or you want to buy various items related to a whole bunch of different anime series, then you should probably head to Tokyo. There's the famous (or infamous?) Akihabara, with its maid cafes and AKB48, and dozens and dozens of shops to buy manga, figurines and more. Less well-known is Otome Road in Ikebukuro, home of the female otaku (nerd), which has a focus on different series, as well as the fan-made manga known as doujinshi (warning: can be risqué).
Although anime is, sadly, not real, some of them are set in, or inspired by, real places. Thus, anime tourism! You can go and visit the places that are the closest you can achieve on this earth to traveling into your TV/computer screen.
1) Evangelion
This is set in the Hakone area, which is a beautiful place anyway. There are onsen (hot springs) and, if you're lucky with the weather, spectacular views of the still-distant Mount Fuji. There's also an Evangelion shop here, for all of your nerd-purchase needs!
2) Ghibli
For fans and grown-up children (and I guess, actual children), you can visit the small wonderland that is the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. There is an adorable cafe, a gift shop, and dozens of tiny details alongside the displays that really make this a must-see. You can't take photos inside, but they are fully aware of everyone's itch to preserve their memories, and you can take a photo on the roof with the giant robot. It can get a little crowded, and you need to purchase tickets in advance, but just seeing the limited-view Ghibli short and taking home the small cells of a random Ghibli movie that come with the price of admission is completely worth it!
3) Mixed
If you just want to soak in a general nerdy atmosphere, or you want to buy various items related to a whole bunch of different anime series, then you should probably head to Tokyo. There's the famous (or infamous?) Akihabara, with its maid cafes and AKB48, and dozens and dozens of shops to buy manga, figurines and more. Less well-known is Otome Road in Ikebukuro, home of the female otaku (nerd), which has a focus on different series, as well as the fan-made manga known as doujinshi (warning: can be risqué).
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