More than Just Anime Sacred Sites! Top 5 Recommended Tourist Spots

Taking a pilgrimage of anime sacred sites is a travel favorite among both Japanese tourists and international visitors. It captivates a wide range of people—from avid anime fans to anime beginners. Some of the best anime sacred sites are in Tokyo, and people come from all over to see them. In this article we’ll introduce some other tourist attractions you can enjoy while on your pilgrimage. We’ll also introduce some great local gourmet destinations to stop at along the way.

Note: All prices include tax.

Sotokanda, Chiyoda Ward

Stylish Café at Historic Kanda Shrine
EDOCCO CAFÉ MASU MASU

Love Live!

Edocco Edo Culture Complex is a cultural center on the grounds of Kanda Shrine (or Kanda Myoujin) established in December 2018. The center includes Edocco Studio, where visitors can participate in hands-on Japanese artistic and cultural activities, and Kanda Myoujin Hall, which holds concerts, anime events, and other activities, but the highlight just might be Edocco Cafe Masu Masu, where you can enjoy savory and sweet gourmet dishes. The unique name comes from the word masu, which can refer to a traditional square measuring cup or mean “more and more.” The café serves Japanese sweets and other dishes such as udon noodles.

Some menu items, such as drinks and pudding, are available to go. We recommend the ginger ale. Written in the kanji for “Shinto shrine” and “cheer” (which is pronounced like “ginger ale” in Japanese), it has been blessed by the shine’s priest so that your wishes may come true. It has a refreshing flavor with a strong ginger taste, so it is perfect for those who don’t like overly sweet drinks. It also makes a great gift for someone in need of some good fortune—such as someone with an illness or about to take an exam or participate in a competition. When you’re finished, you can rinse out the bottle and return it for a five yen coin (which is considered good luck), so it is good for the environment too.

Masu Parfait (¥950)

A parfait made with fragrant and crispy bubu arare (tiny rice crackers), matcha ice cream, house-made shiratama (chewy mochi balls), yuzu citrus sauce, amanatto candied beans, and a unique matcha mascarpone served in a wooden masu cup. It’s like a toy box of flavors with different tastes and textures depending on where you take a scoop. There will be new flavors to try when the menu changes in autumn.

Myoujin Pudding (¥480)

House-made pudding served in a quaint, old-fashioned way. It is firmer than the smooth textured pudding in a jar available for takeout, so it is very popular with those who prefer their pudding on the firm side. The mildly sweet whipped cream gives it a milky flavor. And the caramel isn’t too bitter, so kids will love it too.

Amazake Set (hot or iced) ¥750

With grilled isobe dango and salted kombu
Amazake (a traditional sweet drink made from fermented rice) from a sake brewery served with dango and kombu. It contains no added sugar, and the sweetness of the high-quality rice gives it a smooth, refreshing mouthfeel. You can enjoy a different way of drinking it depending on the season: hot in the winter or iced in the summer. It pairs perfectly with the grilled isobe dango and salted kombu. Cleanse you palate with the slight sweetness of the dango and mild saltness of the kombu to fully enjoy the in-depth flavor of the amazake.

EDOCCO CAFÉ MASU MASU

Address	Edocco Edo Culture Complex, 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Phone	03-6811-6622
Opening hours	10:00–18:00 (last order at 17:30), takeout 9:00–18:00
Days closed	Open everyday year round
Parking	None available
Website	https://masumasu-cafe.com/*

*There is a link to a Japanese site.

Kanda Shrine (or Kanda Myoujin)

Located five minutes on foot from JR Ochanomizu Station is Kanda Shrine, commonly known as Kanda Myoujin. Built in 730, it is said to have been founded by Makanda Omi of the Izumo clan, who established the shrine in dedication to the deity Onamuchi no Mikoto (who they are said to have descended from) near the present-day site of the grave of the samurai Taira no Masakado. Later, traveling Buddhist priest Taa Shinkyo of the Jishu sect enshrined Taira no Masakado. After that it become popular among commoners who would come to pray to the enshrined deities as guardian deities of Edo (present-day Tokyo). When the Tokugawa shogunate expanded Edo Castle, it was relocated to its present place in 1616 to serve as a guardian shrine against the northeast (the direction traditionally associated with evil). The enshrined deities are still prayed to as guardian deities of the 108 towns located in the center of Tokyo to this day. The shrine is also near anime culture mecca Akihabara and is one the most famous anime sacred sites in Tokyo, appearing in many anime films and series including the Love Live! series and Steins;Gate.

Kanda Shrine

Address	2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Phone	03-3254-0753
Opening hours	9:00–15:45 (goshuin reception desk) Note: Shrine grounds are open 24 hours a day.
Days closed	Open every day year round
Parking	Limited
Website	https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/what/

BanG Dream! Shinjuku Ward: Long-Beloved Shop in Japan’s Greatest “Ramen Battlezone”

Near Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) Waseda Station, Tokyo

Long-Beloved Shop in Japan’s Greatest “Ramen Battle Zone”
Ramen Yamaguchi

BanG Dream!

BanG Dream! is a music media franchise that centers around an all-girl band with five members called Poppin’ Party led by Kasumi Toyama. It includes an anime series, video games, and comics. The high school the girls go to is called Hanasakigawa Girls’ Academy, which in the series is located near Waseda Station, a streetcar station of Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line). The area is also well known across Japan as a leading “ramen battle zone” (an area with a large concentration of ramen shops that fiercely compete with each other). The next station after Waseda Station is Omokagebashi Station, which in the series is near Haneoka Girls’ Academy, the school Yukina Minato and the other members of the all-girl band Roselia go to. About five minutes on foot from the station is Ramen Yamaguchi. Ever since it opened in 2013, it has been consistently popular. Its signature dish is chicken noodle, a soy sauce-based ramen with a broth made from local ingredients: Aizu Jidori chicken broth, Rausu kombu, and three types of soy sauce, including Morita Shoyu soy sauce from Okuizumo. The broth’s mild flavor matches perfectly with the umami of the Japan-raised chashu pork, which is made with different cuts each cooked in a specific way. It’s a dish that’s loved by everyone, young and old alike. The restaurant has received endorsements from ramen connoisseurs in Japan and internationally: It has been listed in the Michelin Guide for the last six years in a row and earned a number of awards from ramen magazines. Ramen Yamaguchi is a must-stop on your anime sacred sites pilgrimage!

Chicken Noodle (¥1,050)

Note: Prices may change when the menu is revised.

Ramen Yamaguchi

Address	3-13-4 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Phone	03-3204-5120
Opening hours	11:00–21:30 (last order), sometimes closes earlier if items sell out
Days closed	Open every day except year-end and New Year’s holidays
Parking	None available
Website	http://www.ramen-yamaguchi.com/*

*There is a link to a Japanese site.

Bunkyo Ward

Edogawa Park

A favorite rest spot for Bunkyo Ward locals, Edogawa Park is also one of the most famous anime sacred sites for fans of BanG Dream!, appearing many times in the anime series. A long, narrow park that runs east to west along Kanda River, it is filled with visitors in the spring when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. When the Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom on the river banks, people vie for space on the benches next to the slides where members of Poppin’ Party frequently sit and chat in the series. The slides are often featured in memorable scenes in the series, such as when Kasumi and Tae Hanazono strike poses in episode 5 of the 3rd season. The slides are really popular with kids, so be mindful of those around you when taking a photo. There is also an impressive gazebo with a clock tower modeled after a Western-style mountain hut that has become a symbol of the park. It appears in episode 3 of the 3rd season when Raise A Suilen member Rokka Asahi runs by at full speed.

Bunkyo Ward Edogawa Park

Address	2-1 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 3 minutes on foot from Edogawabashi Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
Phone	03-5803-1252 (Greenery and Park Division, Bunkyo Ward Office)
Parking	None available

GeGeGe no Kitaro Chofu City: Kitaro Chaya, a Must-See for GeGeGe no Kitaro Fans

Chofu City

Kitaro Chaya, a Must-See for GeGeGe no Kitaro Fans

GeGeGe no Kitaro

One of Japan’s greatest manga artists, Shigeru Mizuki is best known for his works about yokai (Japanese mythical creatures), especially GeGeGe no Kitaro. Mizuki lived in Chofu City for over 50 years. In front of the gate of Jindaiji Temple, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, is the eye-catching Kitaro Chaya, a GeGeGe no Kitaro-themed shop. Pictures of popular characters like Medamaoyaji decorate the walls, and figures, panels, and plushies cover the inside and outside of the building. Post a photo of it and you’ll be the envy of every fan! Inside you will find GeGeGe no Mori, a yokai-themed gift shop with limited-edition goods you cannot buy anywhere else, and Yokai Gallery, which displays valuable items created by Mizuki such as pictures of yokai and a yokai map of Japan. There’s so much to see, you’ll never want to leave. But the main part of Kitaro Chaya is Yokai Kissa, a café featuring fun-looking dishes based on GeGeGe no Kitaro characters like Nurikabe Miso Oden and Medamaoyaji Chestnut Zenzai. The most popular item on the menu is the Ittanmomen Chaya Sundae. The Ittanmomen character made with agar gelatin is so cute you might hesitate before eating it, but it tastes amazing! You can choose between kuromitsu black sugar syrup or matcha syrup for the topping, so we recommend taking a photo first before digging in. Even the menus are written like a manga comic!

Ittanmomen Chaya Sundae (¥900)

Kitaro Chaya ※Closed from August 5, 2024

Address	5-12-8 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu-shi, Tokyo
Phone	042-482-4059
Opening hours	10:00–17:00 (last order for meals at 16:30), last entry into gallery at 16:45
Day closed	Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a holiday)
Parking	None available
Website	https://kitaro-chaya.jp/*

*There is a link to a Japanese site.

Jindaiji Temple

With its clear water and lush greenery, Jindaiji Temple is the most popular tourist destination in Chofu City. A Buddhist temple built in the Nara Period (710–794), it was originally of the Hosso sect but later changed to the Tendai sect. It holds many valuable treasures such as a statue of Shakyamuni Tathagata (the historical Buddha) that is the oldest Buddhist statue National Treasure in Eastern Japan and a statue of the Buddhist monk Ryogen (also known as Ganzan Daishi) that has been designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as a Tangible Cultural Property. The temple is filled with visitors from within and outside Japan year round. It is well known as a temple to pray for protection from misfortune and for good fortune in love and marriage, so many young couples come to visit. Since the Edo Period (1603–1868), the temple has also been famous for Jindaiji soba, soba noodles made with the crystal-clear spring water from this area. You can often see families smacking their lips in the many soba shops lining the front of the temple gate. And since Shigeru Mizuki spent much of his life in the area, the temple was used as a filming location for GeGeGe no Nyobo, a TV series about his life. One of the most post-worthy spots at the temple is Kamejima Benzaiten Pond, with its picturesque water and lush greenery. Forget the hustle and bustle of the city and calm your mind gazing at its beautiful scenery.

Jindaiji Temple

Address	5-15-1 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu-shi, Tokyo
Phone	042-486-5511
Opening hours	9:00–17:00 (Jindaiji Temple office)
Days closed	Open every day year round
Parking	None available (except for visitors coming for a ceremony or to have their cars blessed)
Website	https://www.jindaiji.or.jp/en/

HAKUOKI series Hino City: Mochi Dumplings that Go Great with Coffee

Hino City

Mochi Dumplings that Go Great with Coffee
Café de Dango

HAKUOKI series

Hakuoki series are semi-historical Japanese fantasy video game series with romantic elements about the ever-popular Shinsengumi, a legendary special police force under the control of the shogunate in the mid to late 1800s, who battle oni (evil demon-like creatures) and vampires. The actual Shinsengumi members Hijikata Toshizo, Kondo Isami, and Okita Soji spent their youths in Hino City, so it has a deep connection with the series and holds a special place in the hearts of its fans.

The city is famous for Takahata-Fudoson Kongoji Temple, one of the Kanto Sandai Fudo (or three great temples dedicated to the Buddhist guardian deity Acala, known as Fudo in Japan), but there is also a popular cafe along the path to the temple. Café de Dango is a cafe devoted to dango (sweet mochi dumplings) that goes well with coffee. The dango and coffee served by the owner—affectionately referred to as “dango maniac”—is a fusion of Japanese and Western flavors that pair surprisingly well together. The café offers a huge range of dango: boiled dango, brown rice dango, and grilled dango with a wide variety of toppings to choose from. It has daily specials that change every day and the main menu changes season to season, so try to find your favorite dango each season of the year.

Dango Set (evolution dango and coffee) ¥1,584

From left: Chocolate Banana with Whipped Cream, Rich Tiramisu Dango, and Matcha Mascarpone Zunda Dadadadango

Café De Dango

Address	Okazaki Bldg. 102, 145 Takahata, Hino-shi, Tokyo
Phone	042-506-5699
Opening hours	Differ by day
Days closed	Irregular (see official website or Twitter for schedule)
Website	https://www.cafededango.com/*

*There is a link to a Japanese site.

Takahata-Fudoson Kongoji Temple

One of the Kanto Sandai Fudo (or three great temples dedicated to the Buddhist guardian deity Acala, known as Fudo in Japan), Takahata-Fudoson Kongoji Temple is an over thousand-year-old temple that sees two million visitors per year. It has a deep connection with the Shinsengumi, and is famous for being the family temple of its vice-commander Hijikata Toshizo. On the temple grounds there is a statue of Hijikata Toshizo and a monument dedicated to him and Kondo Isami in honor of them dying in service of their cause. The Okuden houses and displays a variety of cultural properties. Besides experiencing the history of Shinsengumi, you can also see Important Cultural Properties that boast long histories such as Niomon Gate and Fudo-do Hall. A wide range of ceremonies and events are also held at the temple depending on the season. If you are a Shinsengumi fan, we recommend coming to see the Hino Shinsengumi Festival around May 11. The festival is held on the second Saturday and Sunday of May each year.

Takahata-Fudoson Kongoji Temple

Address	733 Takahata, Hino-shi, Tokyo
Phone	042-591-0032
Opening hours	9:00–17:00 (Okuden and Dainichi-do Hall until 16:00)
Days closed	Open every day year round (Okuden and Dainichi-do Hall are closed on Mondays except January 1–February 11)
Website	https://www.takahatafudoson.or.jp/en/

Toshima City Tokiwaso Manga Museum Toshima City: Japan’s Greatest Manga Cafe

Toshima City

Japan’s Greatest Manga Café
Furuichi Tokiwaso Street Shop

Toshima City Tokiwaso Manga Museum

Located in Toshima Ward, Toshima City Tokiwaso Manga Museum is a museum briming with manga culture that has a deep connection to Japan’s most famous manga legends. When visiting, you have to stop at Furuichi Tokiwaso Street Shop. More than just a café, it features shelves of old books you can browse freely, books and other goods for sale, and events—all related to the Tokiwaso apartment building. The café area is called “Eden,” named after the café that all the manga writers who lived at Tokiwaso frequented. Sit back with a coffee (¥500 for black coffee) and an old book, and you’ll feel like you were back in the early days of manga when Tokiwaso was vibrant. Come by for a relaxing time, and soak in the old-fashioned 1960s Japan atmosphere.

Furuichi Tokiwaso Street Shop

Address	3-9-21 Minami-Nagasaki, Toshima City, Tokyo
Phone	03-3951-4560
Opening hours	11:00–18:00, Weekends/holidays 10:00–18:00
Days closed	Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a holiday)
Website	https://furu1.info/tokiwa-so/*

*There is a link to a Japanese site.

Toshima City Tokiwaso Manga Museum

“Tokiwaso” was the name of the legendary apartment building where greats who created the manga genre such as Osamu Tezuka and Fujio Akatsuka lived. The original building was demolished in 1982, but Toshima City Tokiwaso Manga Museum was built in its place to pass on the manga culture they created. It opened in 2020. Highlights include the exhibition floor that is a loyal reproduction of the original building, a manga lounge with manga and other books related to Tokiwaso, and a space where a variety of manga-related events are held.

Toshima City Tokiwaso Manga Museum

Address	3-9-22 Minami-Nagasaki, Toshima City, Tokyo
Phone	03-6912-7706
Opening hours	10:00–18:00 (last entry at 17:30)
Days closed	Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a holiday), year-end and New Year’s holidays, and when changing exhibits
Parking	None available (there are two spaces for buses and two disabled parking spaces, but you must inform the museum ahead of time to use)
HP	https://tokiwasomm.jp/en/