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Why Popular Anime Tourism Spots Want Otaku to Move In
Would YOU move to your favorite anime? Increasingly, some hardcore fans are doing just that.
By Marin Akasaka
In Japan, anime fans travel across the country to visit and appreciate scenes from their favorite anime. There’s even a word for it in Japanese: 聖地巡礼 (seichi junrei) — literally “pilgrimages to holy sites.” In a way, fans almost worship these iconic anime locations. Now, some municipalities are trying to convince some fans to take their love of their favorite anime tourism spots a step further.
The growth in anime tourism
Some businesses and local municipalities anticipate and rely on anime fans visiting their area through content tourism. Anime pilgrimages by fans can sometimes bring significant economic benefits, reportedly reaching billions of yen in some cases. These visits have revitalized numerous previously overlooked tourist spots.
Anime tourism gained recognition around 2007 when fans began visiting real-life anime locations, drawing widespread attention. This boosted tourism and revitalized local businesses and attractions.
