Lucky Star (らき☆すた), the 2007 Kyoto Animation anime based on Kagami Yoshimizu’s manga, holds a unique place in Japanese pop culture history — its Washinomiya Shrine location triggered the first major wave of anime tourism in Japan, transforming a quiet Saitama shrine town into a phenomenon that established the template for anime pilgrimage culture nationwide.
Washinomiya Shrine
Washinomiya Shrine (鷲宮神社) in Kuki City, Saitama, is one of the Kanto region’s oldest shrines, with history dating back over 2,000 years according to tradition. The main approach, stone torii gate, and wooded grounds match the Hiiragi shrine in Lucky Star closely. Annual visitor numbers rose from around 10,000 to over 400,000 per year at the peak of Lucky Star tourism — a transformation that demonstrated the economic power of anime location tourism to municipalities across Japan.
Kuki City Collaboration
The local shopping street near the shrine features Lucky Star character murals, themed goods at several shops, and the warm welcome of a community that has genuinely embraced its anime identity. The shrine office sells Lucky Star ema (wishing plaques) and themed items. New Year hatsumode visits attract the largest numbers of anime pilgrims.
Legacy of the Pilgrimage
Washinomiya’s transformation established the model followed by Oarai (Girls und Panzer), Hida Furukawa (Your Name), Uji (Sound! Euphonium), and dozens of other towns that now actively collaborate with anime productions to attract tourism. The shrine is therefore a historically significant destination for anyone interested in the development of anime culture.
Access
Take the Tobu Isesaki Line from Asakusa to Kuki station (about 50 minutes), then a 20-minute walk or short taxi to the shrine.
Best Time to Visit
New Year (January 1-3) for hatsumode with Lucky Star decorations. The annual Lucky Star fan event in August brings the pilgrimage community together.
