Even after 30 years since the TV series first aired in Japan, the Evangelion craze has not died down. The rebooted Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy released between 2007 and 2021 created a new generation of fans, while also reigniting the fervor of previous ones. As such, spots around Japan that inspired locations in Evangelion regularly run campaigns and other cool installations. Here is a comprehensive list for fans on a pilgrimage.
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Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture
One of the most well-known Evangelion spots in Japan and easily accessible from Tokyo. Hakone, a scenic hot spring town in Kanagawa Prefecture, is the model for the Tokyo-3, the fictitious post-apocalyptic fortified city under which NERV is built. Key spots include:
Mt. Kintoki
From atop Mt. Kintoki (金時山), you can see Misato and Shinji’s vista of Tokyo-3 in the original series. I climbed for 3 hours roundtrip to get this view at the summit. It was steeper and rockier than expected, but also an absolutely amazing climb with varied scenery and very few people.
A toilet was renovated in February 2020 to resemble an observation post constructed in secret by NERV. I am not sure if it is still there, but it sits in Kintoki Park in the mountain-ringed Sengokuhara district, the nucleus of Tokyo-3.
Ashinoko (Lake Ashi)
Often shown with the Evangelion units emerging from the lake, in particular the battle scene between Shinji, Rei and the Angel Ramiel.
Owakudani
The steaming Owakudani Valley is where Shinji ends up after running away from Misato’s apartment.
Hakone-Yumoto Station
Although it no longer resembles the anime since being renovated, the station was where Misato went to pick up Shinji when he first arrived. It is also the site of a later touching scene when she convinces him not to run away.
The station is also home to Eva-ya, one of the few permanent official Evangelion shops in Japan. Since distributing a special map in June 2009 for “anime pilgrims” of Evangelion, the town has engaged in a range of collaborations to cater to fans including custom license plates and stamp rallies.
Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture
The hometown of director Hideaki Anno, this western Japan city sprung to fame after it was featured in the rebooted films, cementing it as of one the key Evangelion spots.
Ube-Shinkawa Station
Live-action footage of Ube-Shinkawa Station appears in “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time,” serving as a memorable backdrop for the final chapter. It is here that Shinji, Mari, Asuka, Rei, and Kaworu come together, marking a poignant conclusion to the rebooted Evangelion movies. As I have yet to make it down to Ube to do the pilgrimage myself, check out this blogger‘s magnificent comparison shots.
Tokiwa Park
Ube city occasionally hosts Evangelion-themed exhibits and monuments, including an over seven-meter-long “Spear of Longinus,” that pierced the ground in Tokiwa Park until January 2024. When illuminated at night it looked especially ominous.
Ikkyu Ramen
A local ramen chain that makes a subtle appearance in the franchise. It is featured as the cup ramen brand seen in the original TV series and in the rebooted “Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone.” (Reference)
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture
Tenryu-Futamata Station
While not relevant to the original 1995 TV series, Tenryu-Futamata Station is the model for Village-3 in the 2021 movie “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time” of the rebooted film tetralogy.
Village-3 is a small town located in the mountains a few kilometers from the ruins of Tokyo-3. Built near an old rail network by survivors of the Near Third Impact, many abandoned wagons were converted into homes or places to live.
A 3.6-meter-tall “Spear of Longinus” has been installed since 2023 at its train depot, although you do need to book a tour to see it. Evangelion-themed trains also run at certain times through the station.
Hamamatsu city hall
A six-meter-tall Evangelion Unit 01 statue will be on display at Hamamatsu city hall until the end of January 2026.
Additional Evangelion spots
Oyama Senmaida, Chiba Prefecture
These rice fields in Kamogawa city were the inspiration for the fields Rei tended to in Village-3. Confirmed by The Japan Agri News.
Small Worlds, Tokyo
A miniature museum in Tokyo’s Ariake district, one of the exhibits features a highly detailed model of Tokyo-3.
Evangelion Kyoto Base, Kyoto Prefecture
Located inside Toei Kyoto Studio Park, this 15-meter Evangelion is the first replica visitors can actually board.
【本日情報解禁】
— エヴァンゲリオン京都基地 (@EVA_kyotobase) June 29, 2020
世界初、乗れるエヴァ。
「エヴァンゲリオン京都基地」東映太秦映画村にオープンします。
10月3日(土)グランドオープン/8月1日(土)～プレミアム先行体験受付開始。
詳しい情報はこちら。https://t.co/fsOdCTEgNf#エヴァ #映画村 #京都エヴァ pic.twitter.com/9m83WP6Yxo
How many have you visited? If you are an avid anime pilgrim, make sure you check out Sailor Moon and Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni spots in Japan too!