What is a Pop Culture Pilgrimage in Japan?
Devon Lord-Moncrief
There are fewer ways in Japan to display your absolute love for an anime in Japan than by embarking on a pop culture pilgrimage. As the name suggests, a pop culture pilgrimage entails visiting real-world locations that have inspired or been featured in anime. Depending on where someone lives, this could be as easy as catching a 20-minute train ride or even making an entire weekend trip out of it!
What is a pop culture pilgrimage exactly?
In Japan, the phrase “seichi junrei” originally meant traveling the country on a religious pilgrimage. As Japan is brimming with shrines and temples, these pilgrimages were very common centuries ago. However, today, the idea of venturing across the country in the name of anime has given a new meaning to seichi junrei.
Rather than exploring Japan in the name of Buddhism, people trek across cities and countryside in search of locations that have been featured in anime. For those unfamiliar with anime, this might seem a little odd or silly, but it’s actually a very cool experience. Moreover, anime is absolutely massive in Japan, with many of the biggest titles and series set in modern-day Japan. Seeing real-life buildings, neighborhoods, shrines, and train stations featured in a popular anime can elicit excitement and joy among viewers.
A very easy way to better understand the allure of such a thing is to liken seichi junrei to seeing real-life locations in Western movies. Places such as Times Square or the Statue of Liberty in New York City, or the steps of the art museum in Philadelphia. Sometimes it can be fun to head out and strike famous poses and reenact movie scenes in real-life places. In the case of seichi junrei, the medium is anime rather than film.
Why would fans embark on a pop culture pilgrimage?
Just like any work of art, anime can move us. It can also tell us stories of fantastic heroism, heartfelt love, or even spine-tingling fear. And like all art, anime can become a part of ourselves. We look up to its characters, relate to its stories, and take serious cues from its fashion. Wanting to head out into the world and visit the locations featured in an anime is just a way to bring the anime we love to life.
Again, it really needs to be understood how easy it can be for someone living in Tokyo to visit some of these locations. Often, it’s as simple as catching a train and making a few transfers. Of course, for anyone living outside Tokyo, catching a shinkansen and spending an entire day visiting the city is another story. Nevertheless, it’s still far easier than someone living in California wanting to visit New York City.
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Some Famous Examples of Real-Life Anime Locations
Tokyo has been featured in more anime than we could ever list here, but here are a few notable locations from across the city that people could take the time to visit.
Tokyo Tower
The perennially favorite location of countless anime, Tokyo Tower is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Originally a communications tower, Tokyo Tower has since become a symbol to represent Japanese growth, innovation, and progress. Of course, it was also featured quite famously in Magic Knight Rayearth, where the series’ main characters are transported to a world of magic and wonder.
The Stairs to Suga Shrine
Your Name was a runaway success, becoming one of the most successful anime films of 2016. As its main characters navigate a wild tale of love against impossible odds, fans around the world found themselves drawn to the gorgeous depictions of modern-day Tokyo. The most famous location in the film is the stairs to Suga Shrine, which serve as a crucial setting.
Scramble Crossing
Arguably the most famous location in Japan, Scramble Crossing has been featured in countless anime, manga, and video games. While nothing more than a large intersection next to the Shibuya train station, the sheer size of the crossing, with its massive neon signs and lights washing over it, has made it a tourist destination for decades. It’s 100% a classic tourist trap destination, but boy, does it feel amazing to actually walk through it on a Saturday night.
Why should you take a pop culture pilgrimage?
Going on pop culture pilgrimages in Japan is meant to be fun, plain and simple. They’re cool ways to get out of the house for a bit, preferably with some friends or a loved one, and explore Japan a bit. Maybe Your Name helped inspire someone to ask their significant other out. Maybe Magic Knight Rayearth inspired someone to write their own fantasy story.
By heading to the locations featured in these anime, these worlds of dream and fantasy can feel that much closer. It’s also fun to shout out your favorite catch phrases, too, even if people look at you funny. Have you been to any real-life anime places? Please let us know! We’d love to hear from you!
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