Anime Lovers, These Museums are Must-Visits When in Japan

When you hear the word anime, you immediately come to mind various animations from Japan. But, did you know that in Japan, anime also covers non-Japanese-made animations?

The word anime itself comes from the word “animation”, which is shortened and written in katakana letters as “a”, “ni”, and “me” (アニメ). In Japan, all animations, whether made in Japan or from other countries, are called anime. Outside Japan, including in Indonesia, however, the use of the word anime has been limited to Japanese-made animation works. Meanwhile, animation works from other countries are known by other terms, such as animations and cartoons.

In Indonesia, anime has been popular for decades. The first anime to air in Indonesia was Wanpaku Omukashi Kum-Kum in 1970 on TVRI. Then, in 1991, Doraemon aired on one of the private television stations and is still airing to this day. So, if you are an anime enthusiast and have the opportunity to vacation in Japan, be sure to make time to visit these places.

Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory

Detective Conan fans must be very familiar with the name Gosho Aoyama, right? Yes, he is the mangaka behind the Detective Conan manga series, which was first published in 1994 and is still ongoing. Meanwhile, the anime adaptation began airing in early 1996.

If you are a fan of this manga or anime, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory located at 1414 Yurashuku, Hokuei, Tōhaku District, Tottori. Although getting there takes quite a long time, it will be worth it with the abundance of Conan vibes you can enjoy.

When you arrive at Yura Station, you will be greeted with various Detective Conan attributes. From Yura Station, you will need to walk about 1.4 km to reach the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory. Along the way, you will find replicas of buildings from Detective Conan, such as the library, Shinichi Kudo’s house, and more. As a Detective Conan fan, you will be entertained with many cool photo spots along the walk.

To get there from Osaka Station, you can take the Super Hakuto 1 Limited Express for Kurayoshi and get off at Kurayoshi Station. Then, transfer to the San-In Line heading to Yura Station. For those with a JR Pass, there is part of the trip where the JR Pass does not cover your travel fare. So, be sure to bring cash as backup. With no JR Pass, the total fare is ¥8,620 and the entrance fee is ¥700 for adults.

Fujiko F Fujio Museum

Besides Detective Conan, Doraemon is an anime that has been enduringly popular in Indonesia. In addition to its anime series still airing on Indonesian television, the latest Doraemon movies are always screened in Indonesian cinemas.

For fans of Doraemon, you should definitely visit the Fujiko F Fujio Museum at 2 Chome-8-1 Nagao, Tama Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa. There, you can see Doraemon manga sketches, take photos with Doraemon and Nobita statues, including taking photos on the pipes in the field from the Doraemon anime. Also, if you are curious about trying a Dorayaki, Doraemon’s favorite food, you can buy it there. During your visit, you will have the chance to watch a short Doraemon film, but do not expect subtitles.

To get there from Tokyo Station, you can take the Keihin-Tohoku Line to Kawasaki Station. Then, take the Nambu Line train to Shukugawara Station. From there, it is only a short walk of 1.1 km to the museum. The total fare for the trip is around ¥490, and the museum entrance fee is ¥1,000.

Suginami Animation Museum

Unlike the previous two museums, which focus on specific anime, the Suginami Animation Museum can be considered a true home or museum of anime, because you can see more than one anime there. Suginami has produced hundreds of quite popular anime, such as Gundam and Fullmetal Alchemist.

You can also do many activities there. For example, experiencing being an animator or mangaka, or even trying to be a seiyuu or voice actor for anime. For anime enthusiasts, you will not regret visiting this place. One or more of your favorite anime are probably featured in this museum.

You can take the Chūō Line train from Tokyo Station to Nishi-Ogikubo Station to get there. Then, you will need to walk about 1.3 km to the Suginami Animation Museum. The fare for the trip is ¥410, and the museum entrance is free. However, the museum is closed every Monday, so plan your visit accordingly to avoid wasting your time.

As an anime lover, surely you are excited to experience the various places mentioned above, right? Let’s plan your itinerary for a trip to Japan that includes those places on your list of destinations. Also, make sure to purchase your Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia, which will give you peace of mind and comfort during travel.