About US
Meet the team behind JAPANOTAKU!
Welcome to JAPANOTAKU!
We're a community of anime lovers who want to help fans around the world discover
the real Japan behind their favorite stories — the places, culture, food, and traditions
that bring anime to life.We believe anime is more than entertainment.
It's a window into Japanese culture. From the streets of Tokyo and quiet countryside
towns to historic shrines, local festivals, and regional foods, so many of the places
you see on screen exist in real life. Our mission is to help you find those connections
and turn your love of anime into a deeper understanding of Japan.Whether you're
planning your first anime pilgrimage, researching a future trip, or simply curious about
the culture behind your favorite series, JAPANOTAKU is your travel partner.Join us as
we explore the real Japan through anime.
What does "OATAKU" mean?
An otaku is someone who goes deep into what they love — and it doesn't have to be anime. There are train otaku who can identify a rail line by sound, camera otaku, castle otaku, history otaku. The word isn't about what you love. It's about how far you're willing to go into it.
That's the part we care about. Anyone can watch a series. An otaku wants to know which staircase in Tokyo the final scene was drawn from, why that shrine has a rope across the gate, what the town in the background is actually like on a Tuesday morning.
If you've ever paused an episode to figure out where a scene was set — you're already one of us. This site is for you.
Mission
Our mission is to serve as a trusted source of deep, authentic insights into Japan’s rich traditions and contemporary culture. Whether you are a seasoned anime fan or just beginning your journey, JAPANOTAKU is the place where curiosity meets knowledge.
We aim to go beyond superficial information and provide a multi-dimensional understanding of the work as a whole. By delving into the details and unraveling the cultural context, we uncover the authentic locations and traditions that breathe life into your favorite series.
Vision
We are a team with a deep love for anime and Japanese culture, driven by a passion to share the appeal of Japan. Drawing on our own experiences and perspectives, we provide truly useful information to everyone who wishes to visit Japan.
About the Team
Meet the team!
Born in Japan in 1995, Yuhei Yamada is a writer, entrepreneur, and world-traveling explorer passionate about sharing Japanese culture with the globe. Based in Fukuoka, he grew up captivated by anime—particularly *ONE PIECE* and the works of Studio Ghibli—and developed his perspective on his home country through these stories.While many fans love these anime, Yamada wanted to share more about the real-world locations, traditions, history, and narratives that lie behind the stories.To this end, he launched "JAPANOTAKU." He personally visits the actual locations that served as settings for his favorite works and shares his travel experiences with readers around the world. His goal is simple: to use anime as a gateway for discovering the allure of Japan, and to inspire others to appreciate and fall in love with the country, just as he did.