Ultimate One Piece Pilgrimage: Must-Visit Locations for Fans in Japan

Meta Description: Discover the best One Piece locations in Japan. From Tokyo attractions to Kumamoto statues, plan your ultimate fan pilgrimage.

Introduction: Your One Piece Adventure Awaits in Japan

For One Piece fans, Japan isn't just another travel destination—it's the ultimate pilgrimage. This is where Eiichiro Oda created the Grand Line, where bronze statues of the Straw Hat crew stand as symbols of hope, and where you can shop for exclusive merchandise unavailable anywhere else in the world.

Since 1997, One Piece has become a cultural phenomenon in Japan, with over 500 million copies sold worldwide. The series' influence extends beyond manga and anime into public art, theme parks, and community rebuilding projects. Whether you're hunting for rare merchandise in Tokyo's Mugiwara Stores, photographing life-size crew statues across Kumamoto Prefecture, or experiencing live shows at Universal Studios Japan, this guide covers the essential One Piece locations that make Japan paradise for fans.

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to plan your One Piece Japan tourism adventure: exact locations, transportation details, budget estimates, and insider tips to maximize your experience.

Tokyo One Piece Locations: The Fan's Shopping Capital

Tokyo serves as the primary hub for One Piece tourism in Japan, offering official merchandise stores, themed cafes, and entertainment options that cater specifically to international fans.

Tokyo One Piece Tower Status Update

Important: Tokyo One Piece Tower permanently closed on July 31, 2020, and will not reopen. Located at Tokyo Tower's FootTown, this indoor theme park operated for five years before COVID-19's economic impact forced closure. While the attraction is gone, Tokyo Tower itself remains open for observation deck visits (¥1,200-2,800).

Location: 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo
Access: Akabanebashi Station (Toei Oedo Line) - 5-minute walk

Many fans still visit Tokyo Tower to pay homage to this significant location in One Piece tourism history.

Mugiwara Store Locations - Your Merchandise Paradise

The official Mugiwara Stores are essential stops for serious collectors and casual fans alike. These dedicated One Piece shops offer 10,000+ items ranging from ¥300 keychains to ¥50,000+ premium figures.

Mugiwara Store Shibuya (Flagship)

Location: MAGNET by SHIBUYA109, 6F, 2-3-1 Jinnan, Shibuya City
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
Access: Shibuya Station - 5-minute walk (cross Shibuya Scramble Crossing)

This original location opened in October 2012 and features exclusive Shibuya-only merchandise, seasonal limited editions, and a complete gacha machine row. Visit weekday mornings (10:00-11:00 AM) to avoid crowds. Tax-free shopping available for purchases over ¥5,000 (bring passport).

Budget: ¥2,000-10,000 for casual shopping; serious collectors easily spend ¥30,000+

Mugiwara Store Ikebukuro (Largest)

Location: Sunshine City ALPA 2F, 3-1-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima City
Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Access: Higashi-Ikebukuro Station - 3-minute walk via underground passage

The spacious Ikebukuro location offers the most comfortable browsing experience with better organization and some exclusive items. Located in Sunshine City complex alongside Pokemon Center and other anime shops.

Mugiwara Store Odaiba (Newest)

Location: DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, 1-1-10 Aomi, Koto City
Opened: February 2024
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Access: Tokyo Teleport Station (Rinkai Line) - 5-minute walk

The newest location features modern design, a large Luffy Gear 5 statue at the storefront (popular photo spot), and exclusive Odaiba merchandise. Less crowded than Shibuya, making it ideal for photography.

Mugiwara Store Harajuku

Location: Tokyu Plaza Harajuku "Harakado" 1F, 1-22-21 Jingumae, Shibuya City
Opened: August 2024
Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Access: Harajuku Station (JR) - 1-minute walk

Fashion-forward location with stylish interior design emphasizing apparel and accessories. Perfect for combining with Harajuku shopping and Meiji Shrine visits.

Mugiwara Store Tokyo Station

Location: Tokyo Character Street (basement level), Tokyo Station
Opened: September 2024
Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Compact store designed for travelers, focusing on portable souvenirs. Ideal for last-minute shopping before Shinkansen departures.

Jump Shop and Other Tokyo Options

Jump Shops (official Shonen Jump stores) carry One Piece alongside other series like Dragon Ball and Naruto. Locations include Tokyo Station Character Street and DiverCity Odaiba. For used/rare items, visit Mandarake in Akihabara—8 floors of collectibles often at better prices than retail.

Collaboration Cafes and Events

One Piece collaboration cafes appear periodically, tied to movie releases or anniversaries. These typically require advance reservations (¥2,000-4,000 per person, includes themed meal and exclusive coaster).

How to Find Current Collaborations:

Check official One Piece website (one-piece.com) before your trip
Search "One Piece cafe Tokyo" with current dates
Common locations: Shibuya, Harajuku, Ikebukuro, Akihabara

Kumamoto Prefecture: The Straw Hat Crew Bronze Statue Pilgrimage

While Tokyo offers merchandise and entertainment, Kumamoto Prefecture provides the most meaningful One Piece tourism experience in Japan—a journey that combines fandom with cultural significance and disaster recovery.

The Earthquake Recovery Story

On April 14-16, 2016, devastating earthquakes (magnitude 6.2 and 7.0) struck Kumamoto Prefecture, killing 50 people and displacing over 180,000 residents. Eiichiro Oda, born and raised in Kumamoto City, donated ¥800 million (approximately $7.3 million USD) to recovery efforts.

Beyond financial support, Oda collaborated with Kumamoto Prefecture on the ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project—installing ten bronze statues of the Straw Hat Pirates across earthquake-affected areas between 2018-2022. Each statue represents resilience, hope, and community rebuilding.

Key Statue Locations

1. Monkey D. Luffy - Kumamoto Prefectural Government

Location: Suizenji 6-18-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Unveiled: November 30, 2018 (first statue)

The captain stands at the government entrance with fist extended forward, symbolizing leadership in recovery efforts. Best photos mid-to-late November when ginkgo trees turn gold. Free parking available (2-hour limit).

Nearby: Suizenji Jojuen Garden (10-minute walk), Ajisen Ramen flagship store

2. Portgas D. Ace - Kumamoto Prefectural Office

Location: Kumamoto Prefectural Office grounds

Ace's statue honors Oda's brother (who also donated to recovery) and represents the bonds between brothers and community members supporting each other through tragedy.

3. Tony Tony Chopper - Kumamoto City Zoo

Location: Kengun 5-14-2, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City
Unveiled: November 7, 2020

The ship doctor stands at the zoo entrance (FREE to see statue; ¥500 zoo admission). Symbolizes healing and care for all living creatures during recovery.

Access: Take tram to "Dobutsuen-mae" station (30 minutes from Kumamoto Station)

4. Roronoa Zoro - Ozu Central Park

Location: Ozu Town, Kikuchi District
Unveiled: December 8, 2019

Zoro's fierce stance honors Ozu Town's sword-making heritage. Limited edition figure available at nearby Ozu Michi-no-Eki road station (often sells out quickly).

5. Sanji - Mashiki Sports Park

Location: Mashiki Town (earthquake epicenter), Kamimashiki District
Unveiled: December 7, 2019

The cook's placement in the most damaged area symbolizes providing nourishment and energy essential for recovery.

6-10. Additional Crew Members

Other statues include Nami (Moenosato Ice Cream Village), Nico Robin (Earthquake Memorial Museum), Usopp (Aso Station), Franky (Takamori Station), Brook (Dinosaur Park), and Jinbe (Sumiyoshi Coastal Park—completed July 2022 as final statue).

Planning Your Statue Tour

Recommended Approach:

One-day organized tour: Several companies offer 6-8 statue tours from Kumamoto City (¥8,000-12,000 per person, includes transportation and guide)
Self-drive rental car: Most flexible option; 2-3 days to visit all 10 statues comfortably (¥5,000-8,000/day car rental)
Public transportation: Possible but time-consuming; focus on accessible statues (Luffy, Chopper, Ace) within Kumamoto City

Budget Estimate:

Organized tour: ¥8,000-12,000
Rental car (2 days): ¥10,000-16,000 + gas ¥3,000-5,000
Public transport: ¥2,000-4,000 but limited access

Best Season: Spring (cherry blossoms) or autumn (comfortable weather, fall foliage)

Access to Kumamoto:

Shinkansen from Tokyo: 3 hours, ¥20,000
Shinkansen from Osaka: 2.5 hours, ¥15,000
Flight from Tokyo Haneda: 1.5 hours, ¥10,000-25,000

Other Notable One Piece Locations in Japan

Universal Studios Japan - One Piece Premier Show

Location: Osaka, Universal City
Show Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Ticket: Included with USJ admission (¥8,600-10,400 depending on date)

USJ hosts the annual One Piece Premier Show featuring live-action performances with professional stunt work, projection mapping, and original storylines. The show typically runs April-September with multiple daily performances (check official USJ website for current schedule).

Exclusive Merchandise: USJ-only One Piece items available at park shops, including limited-edition figures, apparel, and food items.

Access from Major Cities:

From Osaka Station: 15 minutes via JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station
From Kyoto: 50 minutes (¥570)
From Tokyo: 2.5 hours via Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka, then transfer (total ¥14,000)

Budget: Park admission ¥8,600+ / Express Pass ¥7,800-20,000 (recommended for busy seasons)

Huis Ten Bosch - One Piece Seasonal Events

Location: Nagasaki Prefecture

This Dutch-themed amusement park occasionally hosts One Piece events, particularly during summer. Check official website (huistenbosch.co.jp) for current collaborations.

Finding Current Collaborations and Pop-Up Events

One Piece Japan tourism includes frequent temporary events:

Resources to Check:

Official One Piece website: one-piece.com (Japanese)
Twitter/X: @Eiichiro_Staff for announcements
Animate stores nationwide for collaboration announcements
Google: "One Piece Japan [current month] [current year]" before your trip

Common Event Types:

Movie tie-in cafes and exhibitions (when new films release)
Anniversary celebrations (July 22 is One Piece Day)
Character birthday events
Collaboration merchandise launches at major retailers

Practical Tips & Planning Your One Piece Pilgrimage

Budget Estimation

Budget Travel (5 days):

Accommodation: ¥20,000-30,000 (hostels/budget hotels)
Tokyo merchandise shopping: ¥5,000-15,000
Kumamoto statue tour: ¥10,000-15,000
Transportation: ¥25,000-35,000
Food: ¥15,000-25,000
Total: ¥75,000-120,000 ($500-800 USD)

Moderate Budget (5 days):

Accommodation: ¥40,000-60,000
Tokyo + USJ: ¥25,000-40,000
Kumamoto organized tour: ¥12,000
Transportation: ¥35,000-45,000
Food: ¥25,000-35,000
Total: ¥137,000-192,000 ($920-1,280 USD)

Transportation Between Locations

Japan Rail Pass Consideration: 7-day JR Pass (¥50,000) worthwhile if combining:

Tokyo → Kumamoto → Osaka → Tokyo within one week
Includes Shinkansen, local JR trains, but NOT Tokyo Metro

IC Card (Suica/PASMO): Essential for Tokyo public transport; load ¥5,000-10,000 for convenience.

Best Times to Visit

Spring (March-May):

Cherry blossoms in Kumamoto (late March-early April)
Pleasant weather for statue touring
Avoid Golden Week (late April-early May) - crowded and expensive

Summer (June-August):

USJ One Piece Premier Show typically runs
Hot and humid (30-35°C); bring water and sunscreen
Rainy season in June

Autumn (September-November):

Comfortable temperatures, fall foliage
Fewer crowds than spring
Ideal for Kumamoto statue photography

Winter (December-February):

Cold but clear skies
Off-season discounts on accommodation
Some statues in rural areas may be snow-covered

How to Check for Current Events Before Visiting

Create a pre-trip checklist 2-4 weeks before departure:

Official One Piece Website: one-piece.com (use Google Translate)
Universal Studios Japan: usj.co.jp/web/en/us (English available)
Kumamoto Tourism: kumamoto.guide/en (verify statue accessibility)
Mugiwara Store Social Media: Check for limited merchandise announcements
Collaboration Cafe Reservations: PassMarket.yahoo.co.jp (reservation platform)

Language Tip: Download Google Translate app with offline Japanese for menus and signs. Most major stores have English-speaking staff or translation tablets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Where are the One Piece statues in Japan?

All ten Straw Hat crew bronze statues are located in Kumamoto Prefecture across various cities and towns. The most accessible are Luffy and Chopper in Kumamoto City (reachable by public transport within 30 minutes from Kumamoto Station). Other statues are spread throughout the prefecture in locations like Mashiki Town, Ozu Town, Aso City, and Uto City—requiring organized tours or rental cars for efficient visiting. The statues were installed between 2018-2022 as part of earthquake recovery support.

Q2: Is One Piece Tower still open in Tokyo?

No, Tokyo One Piece Tower permanently closed on July 31, 2020, due to COVID-19's economic impact. The indoor theme park operated for five years (2015-2020) at Tokyo Tower's FootTown before closure. Tokyo Tower itself remains open for observation deck visits. For One Piece experiences in Tokyo, focus on Mugiwara Stores (Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Odaiba, Harajuku, Tokyo Station) and periodic collaboration cafes instead. Universal Studios Japan in Osaka offers the best current One Piece attraction experience with its annual Premier Show.

Q3: How many days do I need for a One Piece tour in Japan?

A comprehensive One Piece Japan tourism trip requires 5-7 days: Tokyo (2 days for Mugiwara Stores, shopping, and neighborhood exploration), Kumamoto Prefecture (2-3 days for all 10 statue locations), and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka (1 day). If budget or time is limited, prioritize either Tokyo + Kumamoto (4-5 days) or Tokyo + Osaka (3-4 days). Serious fans doing everything comfortably should plan 7 days minimum. A weekend trip focusing only on Tokyo's Mugiwara Stores and accessible attractions is possible for those with limited time.

Q4: What's the best city for One Piece fans in Japan?

Tokyo offers the most concentrated One Piece tourism options with five Mugiwara Stores, frequent collaboration cafes, and extensive merchandise availability. However, Kumamoto Prefecture provides the most meaningful experience—the bronze statue pilgrimage combines fandom with cultural significance as earthquake recovery symbols. For the ultimate experience, visit both: Tokyo for shopping and entertainment, Kumamoto for the emotional pilgrimage to Oda's hometown and the statue project. Osaka (Universal Studios Japan) ranks third for its live-action show and exclusive park merchandise.

Q5: Can I visit all Straw Hat statues in one day?

Visiting all 10 Kumamoto statues in one day is theoretically possible with a rental car and very early start, but not recommended. The statues are spread across 100+ kilometers through rural areas with limited parking and narrow roads. Rushing diminishes the experience—each location has significance related to earthquake recovery and local culture. Organized tours typically cover 6-8 statues in one day (8-10 hours). For a comfortable experience visiting all 10 statues with photo opportunities and appreciation time, plan 2-3 days. Focus on quality over quantity—visiting fewer statues mindfully beats rushed checklist tourism.

Conclusion: Your One Piece Journey Begins

Japan offers One Piece fans an unparalleled pilgrimage experience—from hunting exclusive merchandise in Tokyo's bustling Mugiwara Stores to standing before bronze monuments that symbolize hope and recovery in Kumamoto's countryside. Whether you have 3 days or 3 weeks, budget constraints or unlimited funds, Japan welcomes One Piece fans with authentic experiences unavailable anywhere else in the world.

Remember that the Straw Hat crew's journey taught us that the adventure matters more than the destination. Similarly, your One Piece pilgrimage isn't just about collecting merchandise or photographing statues—it's about connecting with fellow fans, understanding Oda's cultural roots, and experiencing how one manga series helped rebuild communities after tragedy.

Plan ahead, check current events before departure, and stay flexible for spontaneous discoveries. Your One Piece adventure in Japan awaits—now set sail!

Related Resources:

All information current as of November 2025. Prices and availability subject to change. Always verify details before visiting.

JAPAN TRIP LAB