Before you go
Make these decisions in order.
- 01
Sort your wish list into story settings, monuments, shops and temporary events so you know what each stop actually offers.
- 02
Use local-government and venue information to check addresses, access and photography conditions.
- 03
Choose one region, establish transport and the return journey, then add other stops only if time allows.
Where to find it
Choose the stop that fits your route.
Haikyu!!-related spots
JNTO's feature introduces character monuments and other related stops in Sendai. Check each location and its visitor information before connecting them into a route. [1]
Luffy statue at the prefectural office
Kumamoto City's official guide explains that the statue was installed in 2018 as part of the ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project. It is not simply a recreation of a location from the story. [2]
Understand the trend
A favorite story can change where you choose to go
A scene or character can lead you to learn a town's name, work out the journey and finally visit. That is part of the appeal of anime tourism: it gives a destination a personal connection before you arrive. In February 2026, JNTO published an overseas-facing feature introducing anime- and manga-related destinations across Japan. [1]
The visit can then become more than recognizing something from a screen. The streets between stations, a local meal or the wider landscape may become part of the memory. Leave some unplanned time around your main stop so that the region has a chance to interest you in its own right.
Understand the trend
A fan destination is not always a story setting
The places fans visit can have very different relationships with a work. Some appear in the story, some are associated with its inspiration, and others feature monuments or collaborations created later. JNTO's feature includes different kinds of attraction. Understanding the connection helps set expectations before a long detour. [1]
Kumamoto's Luffy statue, for example, is part of a reconstruction project. The city's official guide describes its installation on the promenade in front of the prefectural office in 2018. You can enjoy the character and the photograph while also learning why this particular place is associated with ONE PIECE. [2]
Understand the trend
Build a regional visit instead of a completion challenge
JNTO's Sendai examples are spread across different locations, and a Kumamoto statue itinerary involves travel within the prefecture. Map distance alone will not tell you how many stops fit when public-transport connections are included. Pick a priority, establish the journey, and add nearby places only after checking the timings. [1]
Not every place discussed by fans is a visitor attraction. Schools, homes and roads still have their everyday functions. Follow local signs, ask where permission is needed and keep paths clear while taking photographs. If you cannot establish that a location welcomes visitors, leave it out and use an officially promoted alternative.
Useful Japanese
Show or say these when needed.
Is this place open to visitors?
May I take photos here?
Frequently asked questions
Anime & Manga Pilgrimages FAQ
Are Kumamoto's ONE PIECE statue locations settings from the story?
The statues discussed here belong to a reconstruction project. A statue's presence alone does not establish that the location appeared in the story.
Should I try to visit every related spot on one trip?
Prioritize a workable journey over completing a list. One region or a few meaningful locations, with time for a meal and a walk, can make a more enjoyable itinerary.
Evidence
Sources checked and further reading
Numbered references correspond to the citations in this article. Check the relevant operator's current information before travel: opening times, prices, stock and booking conditions can change after the review date.