Anime & Otaku · Oizumi-gakuen / Nerima

Oizumi Anime Gate 大泉アニメゲート

A free open-air anime gallery on the deck outside Oizumi-gakuen Station, in the neighbourhood that calls itself the birthplace of Japanese anime. Life-size statues of Astro Boy, Joe from Ashita no Joe, Lum, and Tetsuro and Maetel stand on the deck.

About

Nerima Ward is home to more anime studios than anywhere else in Japan, and Toei Animation's studio, where Japan's first colour feature-length anime was made in 1958, sits near this station. In 2015 the ward opened Anime Gate on the pedestrian deck by the north exit. Statues of classic characters greet commuters: Astro Boy, Joe Yabuki, Lum of Urusei Yatsura, and Tetsuro and Maetel of Galaxy Express 999. Behind them is a gate-shaped frame with panels telling Nerima's anime history. It takes 15 minutes. Old-school anime fans love it, and it is almost never crowded.

Highlights

• Life-size statues of Astro Boy, Joe, Lum and Tetsuro & Maetel
• A gate-shaped installation with panels on Nerima's anime history
• A neighbourhood that calls itself the birthplace of Japanese anime
• Free and open around the clock
• Manhole covers and street art with anime characters in the area

Tips

• Exit at the north side of Oizumi-gakuen Station and take the deck towards the Rizumo building.
• Toei Animation Museum is nearby (check its own hours and booking rules) for a deeper dive.
• Combine with Makino Memorial Garden on the south side of the station.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Makino Memorial GardenGarden · 390 m away
• Don Quijote OizumiUnique Store · 830 m away
• Shakujii Park & Sanpoji PondPark · 1.5 km away
• Chihiro Art Museum TokyoMuseum · 2.9 km away
• Don Quijote SekimachiUnique Store · 3.1 km away
• Musashi-Seki ParkPark · 3.1 km away
• Zenpukuji ParkPark · 3.7 km away
• Higashi-Fushimi Inari ShrineLocal Secret · 3.8 km away