An undisputed masterpiece of science fiction and time travel. The story follows Rintaro Okabe, an eccentric college student and self-proclaimed "mad scientist" (Kyoma Hououin), and the colorful members of the "Future Gadget Laboratory" in the bustling district of Akihabara. Everything changes when they accidentally discover that their modified microwave can send text messages to the past (D-Mails), triggering a series of timeline alterations that will pit them against global conspiracies and inevitable tragedies. The anime is famous for its photorealistic and exhaustive recreation of the real Akihabara circa 2010.
-
Radio Kaikan — where it all begins and endssetting
location
The series' most iconic spot: in episode 1 Okabe and Kurisu meet here, the time machine stays lodged on its roof throughout the story, and in the final episode the two bump into each other again in front of the building.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Cafe Mai:lish — the May Queen Nyan²model
model / inspiration
This long-running maid café, very close to where the lab would be, is the model for May Queen Nyan², where Mayuri and Faris work. It runs collaborations and has a Steins;Gate menu.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Yanagimori Shrine — Ruka's shrinemodel
model / inspiration
Yanagibayashi Shrine, Ruka's home, takes the location of this small sunken shrine by the Kanda River; its grounds are based on Akiba Shrine in Ueno, which is why it looks larger in the anime.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Kanda Fureai Bridge — the way to the shrinesetting
location
This footbridge beside the Shinkansen tracks often appears when the characters head to Ruka's shrine; in episode 18 it is the setting of Okabe's date with Ruka.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Gyūdon Sanbo — Okabe and Daru's regular spotsetting
location
This famous Akihabara beef-bowl shop is Okabe and Daru's regular haunt and appears several times in the series.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Akihabara UDX — the "UPX"model
model / inspiration
The large complex by the Electric Town exit is the model for the series' "UPX" building. In front of it, Suzuha watches Daru's confession to his future wife, and in its Tully's café Maho talks with Okabe in Steins;Gate 0.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Daibiru coin lockers — the IBN 5100setting
location · unconfirmed identification
Next to the Radio Center, some coin lockers are identified as those where Okabe and Moeka find the IBN 5100. Guides disagree on exactly which ones: the pin marks those beside the Daibiru.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Manseibashi Bridge — the IBN 5100 and the time leapssetting
location
Okabe and Kurisu cross it carrying the IBN 5100 from the shrine to the lab (episode 4), and Okabe passes it again and again during the time leaps of episode 13.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Hōrin Park — Kurisu's confessionsetting
location
The park appears many times in the series; here Kurisu tells Okabe about her conflict with her father. Since its 2013 renovation it looks quite different from the anime.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗