# How anime tourism is helping breathe new life into Japan’s shrinking towns

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/how-anime-tourism-is-helping-breathe-new-life-into-japans-shrinking-towns/
- Published: 2026-11-06T05:56:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T06:20:32+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/anime-manga-pop-culture-tourism-japan-communities-6526746
- Topics: Asia, Culture, Travel, World

## Key points

- Love Live! Sunshine!! is drawing fans to Numazu.
- Some visitors have moved there and taken local jobs.
- The city’s population has dropped from 210,000 to 180,000.

## Summary

Anime tourism is helping some Japanese towns attract visitors, workers and new residents as they face shrinking populations and economic decline. In Numazu, the anime Love Live! Sunshine!! has inspired fans to visit real locations featured in the series, and for some, to move there and build lives beyond their interest in the show.

The series, which began airing in 2016, has brought attention to local businesses, with its characters appearing across the city and a nearby hotel recreating an anime room. Numazu’s population has fallen from a peak of 210,000 to 180,000, and the mayor says hundreds of fans have moved there. Seven fans have relocated to work at Awashima Hotel, while other newcomers include a city government employee and a couple who settled in Numazu in 2022 and now have a young daughter.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.