Japan Awaits

The Anime Studio Experience with Japan Awaits is a 3-hour small group join-in experience where guests will visit a local Anime School/ Anime Studio in Tokyo to learn about how anime are created, attend a short workshop to learn how to draw anime and manga characters, and visit the Anime Museum to learn about the history of anime.

Itinerary

1. Discover Anime History at the Suginami Animation Museum
Begin your journey in the heart of Suginami, home to many of Tokyo’s animation studios. Explore interactive exhibits tracing anime’s history from its early beginnings to today’s global phenomenon, and see a special workshop room inside the museum. Learn about the creative process behind iconic series and get an insider’s view of the art of animation.

2. Hands-On Workshop at an Anime School & Studio
Step into an authentic Anime School that houses a small working studio. Guided by an experienced artist, learn the fundamentals of character design and anime drawing. With expert tips, try sketching characters from actual productions the artist has worked on.

3. Behind-the-Scenes Studio Tour
After the workshop, enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the studio to see how anime is brought to life—from initial storyboards to final on-screen animation—through the eyes of its creators.

Availability

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Suginami & Nakano, Tokyo

Pricing

• Join-in Tour: ¥17,000 per person
• Private Tour: See final pricing in the booking section

The join-in tour requires a minimum of 8 participants to operate. If fewer than 8 guests are booked for the same date, we may reschedule your tour or provide a full refund.

Included:

• Exclusive access to Anime School & Studio (Japan Awaits’ guests only)
• Learn about anime and manga from an experienced artist
• Materials at workshop to learn how to draw anime by hand
• Guided studio tour (behind-the-scenes process)
• Visit to Anime Museum
• English-speaking tour guide throughout
• Transportation between the Anime Museum and the Anime School/Studio

Excluded

• Hotel pick-up & drop-off
• Meals & drinks
• Personal expenses & souvenirs
• Travel insurance
• Gratuities (optional)

Number of travelers

For bookings with the join-in option, this tour requires a minimum of 8 participants to operate. If fewer than 8 guests are booked for the same event, the experience may be canceled. In such cases, we may offer to reschedule your booking to another date. If no alternative date is available, we will cancel the booking and provide a full refund.

Age Requirement

Minimum age for admission is 8 years old. Adult pricing applies to all guests aged 8 and above. Guests aged 8 to 17 must be accompanied by a guardian aged 18 or older, who is responsible for their compliance with Anime Studio policies. Failure to comply may result in refusal of entry or tour discontinuation, with no refund provided.

Wheelchair Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring our tours are as comfortable and inclusive as possible. If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, please let us know in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements for an enjoyable and seamless experience. Please note that wheelchairs are not included as part of the tour, so guests should ensure they bring their own if needed.

Payment

All bookings are payable via Stripe (Booking Checkout) or Flywire. Confirmations regarding your booking will be sent at least 10 days before your activity date.

Cancellation Policy

What is anime?

Anime is a distinctive style of animation that originated in Japan. It can be hand-drawn or computer-animated, often featuring high contrast, vivid colors, and imaginative storylines with science fiction or fantasy themes.

Emerging in the early 20th century, anime is now a global cultural phenomenon. Japan is home to over 430 anime production studios, producing content for audiences worldwide. In 2016, Japanese anime accounted for 60% of the world’s animated TV shows and generated over $19 billion USD annually.

What if I’m late?

We ask that all guests arrive at the location at least 10 minutes before the designated meet-up time. Since this is a group tour, we may not be able to wait for you if you are late. The tour will begin without the late guests and you can meet the rest of the group at the next location. Guests are provided with the tour guides’ phone number before the tour and you can call the tour guide if you need to meet the group in the next location.