If you're an anime fan, you've definitely heard of "anime pilgrimages"—journeys to the real-life locations that inspired scenes in your favorite shows. It's a way to connect with a series on a deeper level, and in many cases, it even helps boost local economies by blending pop culture with tourism.
But things got complicated recently when a user on X (formerly Twitter) posted a photo of an apartment building, claiming it was the real-life home of Ayaha Sakayori from the Netflix original anime Cosmic Princess Kaguya!. The post, shared with the "anime pilgrimage" hashtag, quickly went viral. The problem? The location was never officially confirmed, yet fans were already planning to visit and take photos. This ignited a heated debate about whether it's appropriate to turn a private residence into an anime landmark, prompting even the official production team to issue a statement.
The original poster wrote that the building looked incredibly similar to the apartment Ayaha lived in before she moved, adding, "It feels like it really exists..." They included hashtags for *Cosmic Princess Kaguya!* and "anime pilgrimage," immediately catching the attention of countless fans.
However, it's crucial to note that the building is a private residence, and there has been no official confirmation that it was used as a reference for the anime. This angered many online, with one user commenting, "It's truly awful for residents when their home is suddenly turned into a 'holy site' for otaku to sneak around and take pictures." The post sparked a wider conversation about the ethics of such fan activities.
(Note: The original post has since been deleted.)
Of course, determining if a location is a legitimate pilgrimage site requires official confirmation or a direct comparison. In this case, the building shared by the user wasn't even a perfect match for the anime's artwork; it was just a generic older apartment complex commonly found in Japan. By unilaterally declaring it a pilgrimage spot, the poster risked sending hordes of people to a random neighborhood, creating chaos for the people who live there.
Users chimed in with their own experiences. One recalled how fans once swarmed a residential area for a *Strawberry Marshmallow* pilgrimage, forcing a magazine to issue a public warning. More recently, fans of *Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc* began leaving flowers and other items at a public phone booth featured in the series, causing frustration among locals.
Another user shared that their school became an anime location, which led to strangers constantly showing up after school to take photos, sometimes including students in their shots. "Having a bunch of adult men wandering around a residential area while the show was airing was genuinely scary," they added.
Many pointed out that anime pilgrimages themselves aren't the issue. The problem arises when someone posts a photo of a private residence and declares it a "holy site" without any official endorsement. "If it's a commercial establishment or a restaurant, that's fine—at least you can support them with your business," one comment read. "But a private home is an invasion of privacy." This kind of behavior only fosters resentment towards the fandom from local communities.
On the 24th, the official *Cosmic Princess Kaguya!* account addressed the controversy with a statement titled "A Request Regarding Visits to Locations Related to *Cosmic Princess Kaguya!*" While thanking fans for their support, the post reminded everyone that these locations are important spaces for residents' daily lives and urged visitors to be considerate and avoid causing trouble.
The statement also listed several specific prohibitions and warnings:
Do not trespass on private property or school grounds.
Do not take photos, live-stream, or engage in any other acts that may violate privacy without permission.
Do not visit late at night or early in the morning.
Refrain from making noise or causing other disturbances.
Do not litter or damage public property.
Avoid any behavior that disrupts the lives of local residents or the operations of local businesses.
The statement concluded by asking fans to observe basic etiquette and support the series in a rational and respectful way.
This incident highlights a timeless issue: anime is fiction, but when its settings are based on the real world, those places are inhabited by real people. There's nothing wrong with anime pilgrimages, but a mature fan culture is one that respects privacy and maintains a proper distance.
If fans don't, production studios may become increasingly reluctant to use real-world locations, and everyone will lose out on the chance to visit officially recognized sites. It's great to be passionate about a series, but don't let someone else's daily life become the background for your social media post.
via： togetter