2025 Anime Pilgrimages to Watch | Locations from This Year's Hottest Shows

2025 Is Shaping Up to Be a Big Year for Anime Pilgrimages

2025 is packed with must-watch anime, and every new premiere or film release sends a wave of attention toward the real-world places behind the story. The speed at which fans identify filming locations has accelerated year after year -- for some shows, pilgrimage spots are pinpointed and shared on social media within hours of the first episode airing.

This article takes an early look at the anime titles generating the most buzz in 2025 and the pilgrimage destinations they are putting on the map. The anime list is updated regularly, so be sure to check back often.

Trending Titles and Their Real-World Settings

Sequels to Major Franchises

2025 has seen a number of beloved franchises return with new seasons, reigniting demand for their associated pilgrimage spots.

• "Jujutsu Kaisen" tie-ins -- Shibuya, Shinjuku, and other central Tokyo locations remain in the spotlight. The area around Shibuya Station and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offer plenty of opportunities to retrace scenes from the series
• "Oshi no Ko" sequel -- Locations tied to the entertainment industry in Tokyo, along with rural settings from location shoots, are likely to feature as new pilgrimage destinations
• "My Hero Academia" final arc -- As the story reaches its climax, fans are embarking on comprehensive pilgrimages to every location from the series' entire run

Newly Spotlighted Destinations

Original anime and freshly adapted titles create entirely new pilgrimage destinations.

• Regional cities as settings -- A growing trend sees anime choosing smaller cities outside of Tokyo as their backdrop, often in partnership with local governments to boost regional tourism
• International settings -- More titles are set in real overseas cities, giving rise to international pilgrimage routes

How to Identify Locations from Currently Airing Shows

Reading the Background Art for Clues

Knowing how to spot real-world locations in a show's background art lets you visit before the crowds arrive.

• Look for distinctive buildings -- Unique signage, window shapes, and roof colors can help you identify real structures
• Use terrain and mountain profiles -- The shape of mountains and coastlines in the background often matches actual geography closely
• Watch for station and bus stop names -- Text that appears briefly on screen -- station signs, shop names -- is frequently taken directly from real life
• Verify with Google Street View -- Once you have a candidate location, confirm it against Street View

Using Social Media to Track Down Spots

Social media is the fastest channel for real-time pilgrimage intel.

• X (formerly Twitter) -- Search for the show's title plus "pilgrimage" or "real location." The hours immediately after broadcast tend to have the richest information
• YouTube -- Videos from fans who have already visited a spot are a great reference for access information and what to expect
• Reddit -- International fans are increasingly active in location identification, sometimes catching details that domestic fans miss

If you have questions, try asking the AnimeTrips AI chat. It can answer questions about the real-world settings of various titles.

Pilgrimage Trend Predictions for 2025

The Rise of Digital Stamp Rallies

Digital stamp rallies -- collaborations between local governments and anime titles -- are spreading nationwide. Using your smartphone's GPS to check in at pilgrimage spots unlocks limited-edition digital goods and other rewards.

• How to participate -- Most rallies just require downloading a dedicated app
• Rewards -- Limited-edition acrylic stands, exclusive wallpapers with new illustrations, entry into prize draws for collaboration merchandise
• Time-limited -- Events run for set periods, so keep a close eye on announcements

Anime x Regional Revitalization

Local governments are accelerating their partnerships with anime properties.

• Official pilgrimage maps -- Free maps distributed at tourist information centers and convenience stores are becoming more common
• Wrapped trains and buses -- Public transit vehicles decorated with anime characters become pilgrimage destinations in their own right
• Collaboration accommodation plans -- Hotels and ryokan offering anime-themed room packages and special amenities

The Growth of Inbound Anime Pilgrimages

Anime pilgrimages by international visitors -- sometimes called "inbound pilgrimage tourism" -- continue to expand. Travelers from East and Southeast Asia, in particular, are using social media to discover and visit locations in growing numbers.

Start Planning Now

Pilgrimage spots for popular anime get crowded fast once a show starts airing. Planning early is the key to a comfortable experience.

Steps for an Efficient Pilgrimage

1. Find your shows -- Browse the AnimeTrips anime list to identify locations for titles you are interested in
2. Gather information -- Use social media and fan sites to collect the latest location data
3. Ask questions -- Use the AI chat to get answers about anything you are unsure of
4. Map your route -- Plan an efficient path that covers spots from multiple titles
5. Book early -- Accommodation and limited-time event tickets go fast

Wrapping Up

The 2025 anime landscape is rich with both new originals and eagerly awaited sequels, making it a banner year for anime pilgrimages. Finding locations early -- before the crowds descend -- is the best way to have a deeper, more personal connection with the works you love. Check AnimeTrips for the latest location data, and if anything is unclear, ask the AI chat. Here is to a fantastic year of anime pilgrimages.