Manga by Hajime Isayama (2009–2021), adapted into an anime by WIT Studio and MAPPA. The story blends the mountainous landscapes of Oita (the author's hometown) with references to medieval walled cities in Europe. Hita City in Oita has become the epicenter of fan pilgrimage, featuring bronze statues, two museums, and the Oyama Dam representing Wall Maria.
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Oyama Dam — Eren, Mikasa, and Armin Bronze Statue + Wall Mariastatue
The most iconic spot of the AOT pilgrimage. The 94m-high concrete wall of Oyama Dam represents Wall Maria. At its base, bronze statues of the three protagonists as children stare up with the same look of terror from the opening scene of the anime. Funded by global crowdfunding on the manga's 10th anniversary. The official app displays the Colossal Titan in AR over the dam.
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JR Hita Station — Levi Ackerman Bronze Statuestatue
On Hita Station's south plaza stands the bronze statue of Levi Ackerman, the series' most popular character, also funded by worldwide fan crowdfunding. Local legend says touching his shoes brings good luck. Inside the station, manga panels and AOT decorations welcome arriving pilgrims.
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Attack on Titan in HITA Museum — Main Buildingmuseum
The main AOT museum in Hita, opened in 2021, displays Isayama's original sketches, childhood drawings, an exact recreation of his work desk during the 11 years of manga serialization, and handwritten author commentary for each volume. Truly exclusive content.
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Attack on Titan in HITA Museum ANNEXmuseum
The ANNEX museum, located inside the Sapporo Beer Brewery in Hita, features a large-scale "Immersive Comic" projection where you can step inside manga scenes. It also features illustrations from Vol. 1 to 34 with personal author commentary. Combined tickets with the main museum are available.
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Hita Mameda-machi — Historic Street & Exclusive Shopsthe author's hometown
An Edo-period merchant street in central Hita, featuring around 100 establishments in traditional wooden buildings. Several shops sell exclusive AOT merchandise that can only be found in Hita. The atmosphere evokes the inner cities of the manga. Cozy cafes in restored homes await.
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Huis Ten Bosch — Sasebo, Nagasakivisual inspiration
A Dutch-themed park in Nagasaki recreating a European port town with canals, windmills, brick buildings, and medieval arched gates. Visually the closest place in Japan to the anime's walled cities. Has hosted official AOT collaborations, including castle wall projections and themed cafes.
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Nördlingen, Bavaria — Walled Circular City in a Craterunconfirmed visual inspiration
A circular medieval city built inside a 25km-diameter meteorite crater. Its completely preserved circular walls are visually the most similar to the Shiganshina District. Important: Isayama has never officially confirmed this city as inspiration — he told NHK his primary source was Oita. The visual similarity is undeniable, but the direct link is unproven.
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Rothenburg ob der Tauber — Medieval Walled Townunconfirmed visual inspiration
One of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns, with defensive walls, watchtowers, and 12th-century half-timbered architecture. Cited by fans alongside Nördlingen as a visual reference for the manga's inner cities. Not officially confirmed by the author.
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Burghausen Castle — Longest Castle in the Worldunconfirmed visual inspiration
A Bavarian city featuring the longest castle in Europe (1,000m long), situated on a rocky ridge over the Salzach River. The combination of high stone walls, towers, and the valley evokes the outer walls of the manga. No author confirmation.
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Carcassonne — Medieval Walled City (UNESCO World Heritage)unconfirmed visual inspiration
The best-preserved medieval walled city in Europe, with double walls, 52 towers, and an inner castle. Its exterior silhouette — two concentric rings of walls — is the closest to the three walls structure (Maria, Rose, Sina) of the manga. Without official author confirmation.
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Dinkelsbühl, Bavaria — Circular Medieval Townunconfirmed visual inspiration
Another medieval walled Bavarian town, also circular and beautifully preserved, which some fans include in the European AOT tour. Less cited than Nördlingen and Rothenburg. Generic visual similarity only.