Agoda’s Guide to the Best Anime Destinations Across Asia

Anime has grown from a niche entertainment interest into a major part of pop culture across Asia. Fans in Tokyo, Manila, Jakarta, Seoul, Hong Kong, and other cities can now follow the same series and discover shared references almost instantly through streaming platforms and social media.

That growing fandom is also influencing travel. Anime fans are increasingly visiting real-world places that remind them of favorite scenes, characters, manga creators, and fictional worlds.

Agoda has highlighted several anime travel destinations in Asia where travelers can connect their interests with local culture, attractions, conventions, and creative communities.

Best Anime Destinations in Asia for Fans

From manga hometowns and Studio Ghibli attractions to webtoon districts and cosplay conventions, Asia offers a wide variety of experiences for anime travelers.

1. Hokuei, Tottori, Japan: Detective Conan Anime Destination

Hokuei is a small town on Japan’s Sea of Japan coast and the birthplace of Gosho Aoyama, the creator of Detective Conan.

The town has embraced its connection to the popular mystery series. Travelers arriving at Yura Station will find Conan-themed touches throughout the area. The station itself is known as Conan Station, while the approximately 1.4-kilometer Conan Street leads visitors toward the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory.

Along the route, fans can spot bronze statues, themed manhole covers, and other references to the famous detective.

Hokuei offers a different kind of anime tourism in Japan from the large theme parks and conventions found in major cities. The attraction comes from seeing how a smaller community has incorporated its most famous manga connection into everyday surroundings.

For Detective Conan fans, the journey becomes part sightseeing trip and part manga pilgrimage.

2. Jiufen, Taiwan: A Spirited Away-Inspired Travel Experience

Jiufen is one of Taiwan’s most atmospheric mountain towns. Its narrow streets, steep stairways, lanterns, teahouses, and coastal views have made it a popular destination for travelers seeking cinematic scenery.

The town is frequently associated by visitors with the visual atmosphere of Spirited Away, particularly the scenes featuring a mysterious hillside settlement and bathhouse.

Amei Teahouse is one of Jiufen’s best-known landmarks. Its traditional architecture and hillside location make it a popular photography stop.

Travelers visiting during Taiwan’s Mid-Autumn Festival can also experience seasonal celebrations and lantern displays across the island, adding another visual element to a visit to Jiufen.

It is worth noting that Jiufen’s connection with Spirited Away is largely based on visual and atmospheric similarities. The destination itself offers plenty of reasons to visit regardless of its anime associations.

3. Ghibli Park in Nagakute, Japan: A Must-Visit Anime Attraction

Anime fans visiting the Nagoya area can visit Ghibli Park in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture.

Located around 20 minutes from Nagoya, the park occupies part of the former Expo 2005 site and recreates locations inspired by Studio Ghibli films.

Visitors can explore Satsuki and Mei’s house from My Neighbor Totoro, explore the Valley of Witches, and see architectural elements inspired by films including Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Ghibli Park takes a different approach from conventional theme parks. It focuses on environments, architecture, exhibits, and detailed recreations rather than thrill rides.

That makes it particularly appealing to travelers seeking immersive anime attractions in Japan.

The journey from central Nagoya is part of the experience, with visitors taking the Linimo train to reach the park.

4. Busan, South Korea: Explore Korea’s Webtoon and Anime Culture

Busan has developed a strong connection with Korea’s growing webtoon and animation culture.

The Busan Global Webtoon Center supports the city’s local comics community, while events such as the Busan Webtoon Festival showcase creators and the broader webtoon industry.

Another attraction is Webtoon Ibagu-gil, where murals and illustrations transform parts of the neighborhood into an open-air celebration of Korean webtoon culture.

The experience offers anime and manga fans an opportunity to explore a different side of Asian visual storytelling. Korean webtoons have developed their own distinctive ecosystem, with many stories later adapted into television dramas, films, and animated productions.

Visitors can combine these webtoon and anime attractions in Busan with the city’s better-known experiences, including its beaches, markets, seafood restaurants, and historic neighborhoods.

5. Manila, Philippines: Anime Conventions and Cosplay Events

Manila has one of Southeast Asia’s most active anime and cosplay communities.

Every October, fans gather at SMX Convention Center for Cosplay Mania, a major multi-day event featuring cosplay competitions, guest artists, performances, merchandise, and anisong concerts.

For Filipino anime fans, events like Cosplay Mania offer an opportunity to meet fellow fans and join a community that extends well beyond watching anime at home.

Manila’s convention scene can also be combined with other entertainment destinations. Okada Manila, for example, has hosted events connected to Japanese pop culture and the broader otaku community.

For international travelers, Manila provides an opportunity to experience the Philippines’ growing anime and cosplay culture.

6. Hong Kong: Anime, Manga, Gaming and Pop Culture

Hong Kong is another destination where anime and Japanese pop culture have established a strong following.

Hong Kong’s Comic Con brings together fans interested in anime, manga, gaming, comics, cosplay, collectibles, and other areas of popular culture. The event also attracts visitors from other parts of Asia.

Outside major conventions, travelers can explore Hong Kong’s collectible shops, gaming arcades, and specialty stores. These businesses help maintain the city’s pop-culture scene throughout the year.

For visitors interested in anime travel in Hong Kong, the city makes it easy to combine pop-culture experiences with food, shopping, heritage attractions, and harbor sightseeing.

A comparison table would fit well after the destination sections and before the practical planning section:

Anime Destinations in Asia: At-a-Glance Comparison

Destination	Country/Region	Main Anime or Pop-Culture Connection	Best For	Travel Experience
Hokuei, Tottori	Japan	Detective Conan and Gosho Aoyama	Manga and mystery fans	Small-town pilgrimage, themed streets, statues, and manga attractions
Jiufen	Taiwan	Spirited Away-associated scenery	Fans seeking atmospheric locations	Lantern-lit streets, teahouses, mountain views, and photography
Nagakute, Aichi	Japan	Studio Ghibli	Ghibli fans and immersive experiences	Full-scale film-inspired environments and exhibitions
Busan	South Korea	Webtoons and Korean comics	Webtoon and animation enthusiasts	Murals, creative spaces, festivals, beaches, and local culture
Manila	Philippines	Anime, cosplay, and anisong	Convention and cosplay fans	Large-scale events, performances, merchandise, and fan communities
Hong Kong	Hong Kong	Anime, manga, gaming, and collectibles	Pop-culture and shopping fans	Conventions, specialty stores, arcades, and city sightseeing

Which Anime Destination Matches Your Travel Style?

• For manga history: Hokuei offers a closer connection to the creator and world of Detective Conan.
• For Studio Ghibli fans: Nagakute’s Ghibli Park offers an immersive experience inspired by iconic films.
• For atmospheric scenery: Jiufen combines anime associations with traditional architecture and mountain landscapes.
• For webtoon culture: Busan offers a look at Korea’s thriving comics and webtoon scene.
• For cosplay and conventions: Manila provides access to a highly active anime fan community and major events.
• For shopping and pop culture: Hong Kong combines anime, manga, gaming, collectibles, and urban sightseeing.

The comparison also highlights an important feature of anime travel in Asia: there is no single type of destination. Travelers can choose between creator hometowns, immersive attractions, scenic locations, webtoon districts, conventions, and pop-culture shopping depending on their interests.

Anime Tourism in Asia Is Becoming More Local

According to Agoda Regional Director for North Asia Jay Lee, the appeal of anime travel stems in part from how closely it connects fandom with local communities.

Filipino cosplayers, Korean webtoon creators, Japanese manga communities, and convention organizers across Asia contribute to a broader regional pop culture network.

The destinations highlighted by Agoda also show that anime tourism in Asia does not follow a single format.

For some travelers, it means visiting the birthplace of a manga creator. For others, it means exploring a location that resembles a favorite animated setting. It can also mean attending a convention, visiting a themed attraction, or discovering a city’s local creative community.

This variety gives anime fans plenty of ways to build trips around their interests.

Practical Planning Tips for an Anime Trip in Asia

When Is the Best Time to Visit Anime Destinations in Asia?

The ideal timing depends on the experience. Convention-focused trips should be planned around official event dates, while destinations such as Hokuei, Jiufen, and Ghibli Park can be incorporated into a broader sightseeing itinerary.

For seasonal experiences, check local festival calendars before booking flights. Popular periods can drive higher demand for accommodations, particularly in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and major Philippine cities.

Should You Book Anime Attractions and Conventions in Advance?

Some anime-related attractions have timed entry, advance reservations, or limited daily capacity. Travelers visiting Ghibli Park should check ticket availability before finalizing their itinerary.

The same applies to major conventions. Popular events can attract large crowds, and accommodation near convention venues may become limited during event weekends.

Where Should You Stay During an Anime-Themed Trip?

Location can make a significant difference, especially when traveling for a convention or visiting several attractions.

In major cities such as Manila, Busan, and Hong Kong, staying near public transportation can make it easier to reach convention centers, shopping districts, and anime-related attractions.

In smaller destinations such as Hokuei, travelers should consider proximity to train stations and local transportation when selecting accommodation.

How Should You Plan Transportation for Anime Travel?

Many anime destinations are accessible by train, subway, or bus, but some attractions require transfers or travel outside the city center.

Travelers visiting Ghibli Park can travel from Nagoya toward Nagakute using the local rail network and Linimo. Visitors heading to Hokuei should allow extra travel time, as it is a smaller regional destination rather than a major urban center.

For Jiufen, travelers should also allow extra time for the mountainous terrain and crowded streets, particularly during peak visiting periods.

What Should You Pack for an Anime Vacation?

Anime travel does not necessarily mean spending the entire trip indoors. Many destinations involve walking between stations, streets, shops, and attractions.

Comfortable footwear is particularly useful in places such as Jiufen and Hokuei. Travelers attending cosplay events should also consider luggage space if they plan to bring costumes, props, collectibles, or merchandise home.

How Much Should You Budget for Anime Travel?

Anime trips can involve more than transportation and accommodation. Fans may want to budget for convention tickets, museum or attraction admission, limited-edition merchandise, collectibles, themed food, and souvenirs.

Setting aside a separate shopping budget can help travelers manage spending while still leaving room for unexpected finds.

Why Combine Anime Attractions With Local Experiences?

An anime-themed itinerary does not need to be exclusively about fandom.

In Busan, travelers can combine webtoon attractions with beaches, markets, and local cuisine. In Hong Kong, anime shopping can be paired with sightseeing and food experiences. Visitors to Nagoya can combine a visit to Ghibli Park with the city’s museums, shopping districts, and culinary attractions.

This approach also provides flexibility if a particular attraction is closed or an event sells out.

What Travel Requirements Should Anime Tourists Check?

International travelers should check passport validity, visa requirements, entry conditions, travel insurance, and any destination-specific requirements before departure.

It is also useful to keep digital and printed copies of important reservations, transportation information, and event tickets, particularly when traveling between multiple cities or countries.

How Much Time Should You Allow for an Anime Destination?

Anime destinations can be more time-consuming than they initially appear. A short visit to a convention, themed neighborhood, or specialty shopping district can easily turn into several hours.

Rather than packing every day with attractions, leave some free time to browse shops, take photographs, discover local cafés, and explore neighborhoods at a slower pace.

Agoda’s Guide to Anime Travel Across Asia

Agoda’s selection demonstrates the variety of anime and manga-related travel experiences available across the region.

From the hometown of Detective Conan in Tottori to Ghibli Park in Aichi, webtoon attractions in Busan, cosplay events in Manila, and pop-culture experiences in Hong Kong, anime travel in Asia can take visitors far beyond Japan.

For fans, the journey can be about discovering the real places, communities, and creative industries that exist alongside the fictional worlds they already enjoy.

Travelers can search Agoda for accommodation, flights, and activities near these destinations.

Source: Agoda

FAQ: Anime Travel Across Asia

What are the best anime destinations in Asia?

Popular anime-related destinations include Hokuei in Japan, Ghibli Park in Aichi, Jiufen in Taiwan, Busan in South Korea, Manila in the Philippines, and Hong Kong. Each offers a different type of anime or pop-culture experience.

What are the best anime attractions in Japan?

Japan offers numerous anime-related attractions, including Ghibli Park in Aichi and Detective Conan-themed attractions in Hokuei, Tottori. Travelers can also explore many anime, manga, and pop-culture experiences in major cities.

Where can I experience anime and cosplay culture in the Philippines?

Manila is a major hub for anime and cosplay events. Cosplay Mania at SMX Convention Center is one of the country’s prominent multi-day anime and cosplay gatherings.

Is Jiufen a Spirited Away location?

Jiufen is often associated by travelers with the visual atmosphere of Spirited Away. However, this is primarily a fan and visual association rather than a confirmed statement that Jiufen directly inspired the film.

What can anime fans do in Busan?

Visitors can explore Busan’s webtoon culture through attractions and creative spaces such as the Busan Global Webtoon Center and Webtoon Ibagu-gil, while also enjoying the city’s beaches, markets, food, and cultural attractions.

Is Hong Kong a good destination for anime fans?

Hong Kong offers anime, manga, gaming, cosplay, and collectible experiences through major pop-culture conventions, specialty stores, arcades, and related attractions.

How can I plan an anime-themed vacation in Asia?

Choose your main anime attraction or event first, then check dates, tickets, transportation, accommodation, entry requirements, and local weather. Leave additional time for sightseeing, shopping, food, and unexpected discoveries.

How far in advance should I book an anime trip?

For major conventions and popular attractions, advance planning is recommended. Check event schedules and ticket availability before booking flights and accommodation, especially during peak travel periods.

What should I budget for an anime trip?

In addition to flights and accommodation, consider transportation, attraction tickets, convention admission, food, merchandise, collectibles, and souvenirs. A dedicated shopping budget can be useful for anime-focused trips.

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