Toei Animation Museum: A Free Anime Pilgrimage on the Edge of Tokyo
Everyone knows the Ghibli Museum — and everyone knows you need to fight for tickets months in advance. But 30 minutes from Ikebukuro, there’s an anime museum almost no overseas visitor has heard of. It sits on the grounds of a working studio, it’s packed with photo spots, and it’s completely free.
Welcome to the Toei Animation Museum in Oizumi, Nerima.
Why This Place Matters
Toei Animation is where the Japanese anime industry began. Founded in 1956, the studio produced Japan’s first full-color feature-length animated film, The White Snake Enchantress (Hakujaden), here in Oizumi in 1958 — and it never left. Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Digimon, Precure: they all come from this studio, and new episodes are still being made on this very site today.
The museum occupies a corner of the studio grounds. It’s a mini museum — plan for 30 minutes to an hour — but for anyone who grew up on these shows, it punches far above its size.
The Photo Spots
The fun starts before you even walk in. At the entrance, a life-size Devilman sits cross-armed on a red steel girder beneath the museum sign, glaring down at visitors — one of the most quietly badass photo spots in Tokyo.
In the courtyard garden, keep your eyes open:
A Saiyan space pod from Dragon Ball sits crash-landed on a pile of broken rock, exactly as it should be.
And hiding in the bushes, the grinning pink poop from Dr. Slump — a gag only longtime fans will fully appreciate, and somehow the most photographed resident of the garden.
Inside the Museum
Inside, the main hall greets you with an overwhelming lineup of every Precure character standing shoulder to shoulder — decades of magical girls in one photo. There are also exhibits tracing 70 years of Toei Animation history and a rotating special exhibition gallery that changes several times a year.
Don’t skip the photo spots, either — you can get blasted by Butt Detective’s signature attack while Goku and Piccolo look on.
The museum shop stocks official goods, many of them exclusive to this location — dangerous territory for anime fans.
Bonus: The Anime Gate
On your way from Oizumi-gakuen Station, look for the Oizumi Anime Gate monument area near the north exit — this neighborhood proudly calls itself the birthplace of Japanese animation, and the walk to the museum is part of the pilgrimage.
Where to Eat
There’s no restaurant inside — it’s a mini museum, after all. The most convenient lunch option is Jojoen, a famous upscale yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant on the first floor of the commercial building directly across the street. Alternatively, the area around Oizumi-gakuen Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line has plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Practical Info
Name: Toei Animation Museum (東映アニメーションミュージアム)
Address: 2-10-5 Higashi-Oizumi, Nerima, Tokyo 178-8567
Admission: Free
Hours: 11:00–16:00 (last entry 15:30)
Closed: Every Wednesday + irregular days — always check the opening calendar on the official site
Visit time: 30–60 minutes
Reservations: Not needed for individuals (groups of 7+ must book ahead)
Parking: None — use public transport
Getting there:
- Train: Seibu Ikebukuro Line from Ikebukuro to Oizumi-gakuen Station (about 20 minutes), then a 15-minute walk from the north exit.
- Bus: From Oizumi-gakuen Station north exit, bus stop #1 (bound for Wakoshi Station South Exit or Nagakubo), get off at Toei Studios Front (東映撮影所前) — about 5 minutes.
Who Is This For?
Anime fans, obviously — but also families with kids (free admission is hard to argue with), travelers who missed out on Ghibli tickets, and anyone curious to see where the industry that conquered the world actually started. It won’t fill a whole day, but combined with a wander around the neighborhood, it makes a perfect half-day trip well off the standard tourist route.
Note: Hours, exhibits, and access details may change. Check the official site (museum.toei-anim.co.jp) before visiting.