Introduction
Japan is home to countless anime pilgrimage destinations. Fans travel to the famous staircase from Your Name, the railway crossing from Slam Dunk, or the real-life locations that inspired Lucky Star and Laid-Back Camp.
But what if, instead of following fictional characters, you followed the creators who imagined these worlds?
Few international visitors realize that one region of Japan has produced an astonishing number of legendary manga artists. Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, is the birthplace of the creators behind One Piece, Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, Kingdom, Death Note, and many other iconic works.
This journey is about much more than manga. It is an opportunity to discover the history, landscapes, cuisine, and local culture that helped shape some of Japan’s greatest storytellers.
If you’ve already visited Tokyo or Kyoto and want to experience a different side of Japan, Kyushu may be the country’s most underrated destination.
Why Kyushu Matters
When most people think about anime and manga, Tokyo immediately comes to mind.
Yet many of Japan’s greatest manga creators actually grew up hundreds of kilometers away on the island of Kyushu.
Within just a few prefectures, you can visit the hometowns of creators responsible for some of the world’s biggest manga franchises.
Fukuoka
- Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Tsukasa Hojo
City Hunter - Tetsuo Hara
Fist of the North Star - Leiji Matsumoto
Galaxy Express 999
Kumamoto
- Eiichiro Oda
One Piece
Saga
- Yasuhisa Hara
Kingdom
Oita
- Hajime Isayama
Attack on Titan - Takeshi Obata
Death Note
Rather than making separate trips across Japan, Kyushu allows fans to experience the origins of multiple legendary creators in one unforgettable journey.
Suggested 7-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Tokyo → Fukuoka
Begin your Kyushu adventure by flying from Tokyo to Fukuoka.
The flight from Haneda or Narita Airport to Fukuoka Airport takes approximately two hours. If you prefer traveling by rail, the Shinkansen journey from Tokyo Station to Hakata Station takes approximately five hours. Read our complete guide from Tokyo to Fukuoka.
After arriving, spend the evening exploring Hakata, one of Japan’s greatest culinary destinations.
Must try local specialties
- Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
- Fresh seafood from Hakata Bay
- Hakata Jidori chicken dishes
- Motsunabe
- Traditional yatai street food stalls
Recommended stay
Fukuoka City
Day 2: Explore Fukuoka
Fukuoka is the home prefecture of Demon Slayer creator Koyoharu Gotouge and serves as the perfect gateway into Kyushu’s manga culture.
Although there are currently no official Demon Slayer attractions, fans can enjoy several locations closely connected to Japanese manga culture.
Recommended attractions
- The real ramen shop that inspired Naruto’s Ichiraku Ramen
- Kitakyushu Manga Museum
- Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
- Canal City Hakata
Spend another evening enjoying Fukuoka’s incredible food scene before continuing your journey across Kyushu.
Day 3: Saga – The World of Kingdom
Travel approximately one hour west to Saga Prefecture.
Saga is the birthplace of Kingdom creator Yasuhisa Hara and has become closely associated with the series through numerous official collaborations.
Recommended attractions
- Yoshinogari Historical Park
- Kingdom collaboration events
- Furuyu Onsen
- Restaurants serving Saga Beef, one of Japan’s world-famous wagyu brands
Walking through Japan’s largest Yayoi-period archaeological site makes it easy to imagine the ancient civilizations that inspired Kingdom’s sweeping historical world.
Recommended stay
Saga City or Furuyu Onsen
Read our complete guide: Saga Travel Guide for Kingdom Fans
Day 4: Kumamoto – The Home of One Piece
Continue south to Kumamoto.
No manga journey through Kyushu would be complete without visiting the hometown of One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda.
Following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, Oda partnered with Kumamoto Prefecture to install life sized statues of all ten Straw Hat Pirates across the region.
Highlights
- Kumamoto Castle
- Luffy Statue
- Complete Straw Hat Statue Tour
- Exclusive One Piece merchandise
Allow approximately one full day to visit all ten Straw Hat statues by rental car, or half a day if focusing on central Kumamoto.
This remains one of the world’s finest examples of manga helping to revitalize an entire region.
Recommended stay
Kumamoto City
Read our complete guide: Kumamoto Travel Guide: The Home of ONE PIECE
Day 5: Oita – Attack on Titan’s Real Hometown
Drive through the spectacular mountains of central Kyushu toward Oita Prefecture.
The journey itself is one of Japan’s most scenic road trips, passing through Aso and the Kuju Highlands before reaching Hita.
Hita, the hometown of Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama, has become one of Japan’s most remarkable manga pilgrimage destinations.
Read our complete guide: Attack on Titan’s real hometown in Hita
Don’t miss
- Attack on Titan in HITA Museum
- Oyama Dam and the Colossal Titan installation
- Eren, Mikasa, and Armin statue
- Levi statue
- Official collaboration shops
Many visitors leave saying Hita became their favorite destination in Japan, even if they had never heard of the town before.
Recommended stay
Hita
Day 6: Relax in Oita
After several exciting days following manga legends, slow the pace and experience another side of Kyushu.
Recommended experiences
- Beppu Onsen
- Yufuin
- Traditional Japanese ryokan
- Jigoku mushi cuisine
Ending your journey in one of Japan’s most celebrated hot spring regions is the perfect reward after a week of exploration.
Recommended stay
Beppu or Yufuin
Day 7: Oita → Tokyo
Finish your Kyushu adventure by flying directly from Oita Airport back to Tokyo.
Using different arrival and departure airports lets you experience far more of Kyushu without retracing your steps, making this one of the most efficient ways to explore Japan’s manga heartland.
More Than Manga
One of the greatest strengths of this itinerary is that every destination offers something beyond manga.
Fukuoka is one of Japan’s greatest culinary cities.
Saga brings Japan’s ancient history to life.
Kumamoto is home to one of the country’s most magnificent castles.
Oita combines spectacular mountain scenery, world famous hot springs, and one of Japan’s newest manga pilgrimage destinations.
Even travelers who aren’t dedicated manga fans will find plenty to love throughout this unforgettable road trip.
Final Thoughts
Tokyo may be Japan’s anime capital, but Kyushu is where many of its greatest stories were born.
From the bustling streets of Fukuoka to the ancient history of Saga, the heroic legacy of Kumamoto, and the breathtaking landscapes of Oita, this route offers far more than a typical anime pilgrimage.
It is a journey through the places that shaped some of the world’s most beloved manga creators and one of the most unforgettable road trips Japan has to offer.
