Anime tourism has evolved from a niche interest into a significant driver of regional travel, and Agoda is now mapping the real-world locations that inspire fans to pack their bags. From the Detective Conan-themed streets of Hokuei in Japan's Tottori Prefecture to the lantern-lit alleys of Jiufen in Taiwan, the digital travel platform is spotlighting destinations that resonate with anime enthusiasts.
Anime landmarks become travel magnets
Hokuei, a small town in Tottori, has fully embraced its connection to Gosho Aoyama, the creator of Detective Conan. Visitors can walk along Conan Street, lined with statues and motifs from the series, and tour the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory, which showcases original artwork and memorabilia. The town's transformation into a pilgrimage site demonstrates how a single creator's work can reshape local tourism.
Across the Taiwan Strait, Jiufen offers a different kind of anime-inspired experience. Its narrow stairways, hanging lanterns, and teahouses are widely believed to have influenced the bathhouse town in Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, though the studio has never officially confirmed this. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the town becomes especially atmospheric, drawing crowds who come to soak in the cinematic vibe.
In Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, Ghibli Park opened in 2022 and has since become a major draw. The park features life-sized recreations of sets from My Neighbour Totoro and Howl's Moving Castle, allowing fans to step inside their favourite scenes. It is a prime example of how intellectual property can be translated into physical, immersive attractions.
Beyond Japan: South Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong
South Korea's Busan is carving out its own niche in the anime and webtoon space. The Busan Global Webtoon Centre and the annual Busan Webtoon Festival celebrate the country's vibrant comic culture, complementing the city's beaches and seafood markets. For travellers, this adds a cultural layer to a destination already popular for its coastal scenery.
Manila becomes a hub for anime fandom every October with Cosplay Mania, held at the SMX Convention Centre. The event attracts thousands of cosplayers and fans from across Southeast Asia, turning the Philippine capital into a colourful celebration of pop culture. Similarly, Hong Kong's Comic Con draws regional crowds with its mix of comics, anime, and entertainment exhibits.
Jay Lee, Regional Director North Asia at Agoda, emphasised the platform's role in facilitating these trips: "Our role is making sure travellers can find a room near the town or the convention hall, not just the destinations already on every list." This focus on accommodation logistics is key, as many anime-inspired sites are in smaller towns or secondary cities that lack extensive hotel inventory.
Agoda's push into anime tourism aligns with broader trends in experiential travel, where fans seek authentic connections to the media they love. The platform has also been active in other niche travel segments, such as coffee culture hotspots and technology-driven partnerships with hotel groups.
For travel professionals, the rise of anime tourism presents opportunities beyond just booking rooms. Tour operators can design itineraries that combine multiple anime landmarks, while destination marketers can leverage pop-culture ties to attract younger demographics. As the global appetite for Japanese and Asian pop culture continues to grow, destinations that invest in these connections stand to benefit.
Agoda's initiative also highlights the importance of secondary cities in the travel ecosystem. By directing travellers to places like Hokuei and Nagakute, the platform helps distribute tourism revenue beyond traditional hubs, a trend that resonates with shifts in outbound travel patterns and the need for destinations to adapt.
As anime conventions and themed attractions multiply across Asia, the intersection of fandom and travel is set to deepen. Agoda's mapping of these destinations is a practical response to a clear demand, and one that other travel companies may well emulate.
