Jujutsu Kaisen Pilgrimage Guide: Shibuya Incident, Sendai, Senkoji Temple & Exhibition History

In the Shibuya Incident arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, Shibuya Station and the surrounding streets on Halloween night serve directly as the battlefield. From the Scramble Crossing to the deep underground platforms, real-world sights in Shibuya overlap closely with unforgettable scenes from the series.

Created by Gege Akutami, Jujutsu Kaisen depicts the battles between Curses born from human negative emotions and the Jujutsu Sorcerers who exorcise them. Even after the manga concluded its serialization in 2024, an exhibition of original manga artwork has toured across Japan, accompanied by official municipal collaborations in cities such as Sendai and Yokohama.

Locations tied to the series stretch from Sendai, depicted as protagonist Yuji Itadori's hometown, to Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shinjuku, the site of the story's final showdown. Meanwhile, Senkoji Temple in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture preserves local folklore about a figure who shares the name Ryomen Sukuna with the story's King of Curses. Together with the venues of the original manga exhibition where visitors can view drafts and production materials, this guide maps out 6 essential locations to explore.

6 Essential Locations to Visit on a Jujutsu Kaisen Pilgrimage

These 6 locations span four prefectures: Tokyo, Miyagi, Gifu, and Iwate. Because the three Tokyo spots are clustered close together, click the Tokyo marker on the map to zoom in. Selecting any pin lets you open the spot directly in Google Maps or jump straight to its detailed section below.

Story SettingOfficial Municipal CollaborationFolklore & Namesake SiteExhibition Venue

1Around Shibuya Station: The District That Became the Stage for the Shibuya Incident

The Shibuya Incident arc in the second half of Season 2 unfolds in Shibuya on Halloween night, October 31, 2018. Centered around Shibuya Station, a mystical barrier known as a Curtain (Tobari) is lowered over the district to trap ordinary civilians inside. As curse users and special-grade cursed spirits plot to seal the world's strongest sorcerer, Satoru Gojo, fierce battles spread from the deep underground station concourses all the way up to the surface street crossings.

Four real-world landmarks right around Shibuya Station are especially well known among fans for matching pivotal scenes in the anime adaptation. The area around Shibuya Hikarie appears when Satoru Gojo first arrives on the scene above ground. Toward the climax of the Shibuya Incident, intense large-scale fighting breaks out across Shibuya Scramble Crossing, while the Shibuya Mark City connecting walkway is featured during high-stakes clashes against special-grade cursed spirits.

Five stories below ground level, the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line platform at Shibuya Station serves as the dramatic stage where Satoru Gojo confronts the disaster curses face to face. In 2023, the Tokyu Group hosted a large-scale Shibuya Incident collaboration across the entire district, and in July 2024, Shibuya Hikarie was chosen as the opening venue for the Gege Akutami Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition.

Location & Area Guide

Dogenzaka & Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Around Shibuya Station)

Connection to the Original Work

Primary setting of the Shibuya Incident arc

Past Official Collaborations

2023 Tokyu Group collaboration / July 2024 opening venue of the original manga exhibition

Sources: Tokyu Group Press Release, Gege Akutami Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition Official Website

2Harajuku & Takeshita Street: Where Nobara Kugisaki Makes Her First Appearance

Early in Season 1 of the television anime, Harajuku is the neighborhood where Yuji Itadori and fellow first-year student Megumi Fushiguro go together to meet their new classmate. This is where Nobara Kugisaki makes her first appearance in the story. Having moved from the countryside dreaming of life in the capital, Kugisaki views Harajuku as the very image of her long-awaited Tokyo.

The anime depicts lively fashion streets reminiscent of Takeshita Street and the area right outside Harajuku Station. Located just one stop north of Shibuya on the JR Yamanote Line—or roughly a pleasant 20-minute walk—Harajuku is easy to pair with a pilgrimage walk around Shibuya. In January 2022, an official collaboration cafe celebrating the theatrical release of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 was also held in Harajuku.

Location & Area Guide

Jingumae 1-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Connection to the Original Work

The neighborhood where Nobara Kugisaki first appears

Nearest Station & Walking Access

JR Harajuku Station / Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae 'Harajuku' Station

Source: WalkerPlus (Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Collaboration Cafe)

3Shinjuku: The Finale Exhibition Held at the Site of the Final Showdown

Shinjuku appears at several of the story's most pivotal turning points. In the prequel Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Suguru Geto unleashes the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons in Shinjuku alongside Kyoto. In the Hidden Inventory / Premature Death flashback arc, former best friends Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto part ways forever amidst the crowds of Shinjuku. And in the final chapters of the manga, Shinjuku becomes the stage for the ultimate battle against Sukuna.

Fittingly, Shinjuku will host the Gege Akutami Jujutsu Kaisen Finale Exhibition. Serving as the grand conclusion to the original manga exhibition that has toured Japan since 2024, the event takes place at the Triangle Plaza of the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building—a vast glass-roofed indoor atrium accessible via underground walkways from the West Exit of Shinjuku Station. The exhibition promises to unveil behind-the-scenes material from the final arc that was never shown during the regional tour, accompanied by newly drawn key artwork of Yuta Okkotsu and Rika.

Location & Area Guide

2-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Connection to the Original Work

Key scenes in Hidden Inventory / Premature Death and the setting of the final showdown

Finale Exhibition Dates

December 25, 2026 – January 25, 2027 (Closed January 1)

Opening Hours & Daily Schedule

10:00–20:00 (Last entry 19:30)

Ticket & Reservation Information

Sold in phases; advance lottery required for select dates

Sources: Eiga.com (Finale Exhibition Announcement), Gege Akutami Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition Official Website

4Sendai City, Miyagi: Yuji Itadori’s Hometown and Character Manhole Covers

In the story, protagonist Yuji Itadori attends high school in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. Although his school, Sugisawa Third High School, is fictional, Sendai is portrayed as the everyday city where the narrative begins. Later, in Season 3's Culling Game arc, the Sendai Colony becomes one of the key battlegrounds, showcasing special-grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu in combat.

Recognizing its role as one of the story's primary settings, Sendai City has collaborated officially with the series on civic tourism initiatives. On March 24, 2026, the city installed custom Jujutsu Kaisen manhole covers around Izumi-Chuo Station on the Subway Namboku Line. Four covers in total were placed along Izumi-Chuo Pedestrian Walkway No. 3 outside the station's first floor and along the park paths of nearby Nanakita Park.

To reach Izumi-Chuo Station, ride the Sendai Subway Namboku Line from Sendai Station to the northern terminus. Nanakita Park right next to the station is a spacious green park with open lawns and a pond, making it pleasant to stroll through while spotting each manhole cover. Previously, at the August 2023 Sendai Tanabata Festival, decorative streamers featuring Yuji and the cast in summer yukata were also displayed in the shopping arcades.

Location & Area Guide

Izumi-Chuo 1-chome, Izumi-ku, Sendai, Miyagi (Around Izumi-Chuo Subway Station)

Manhole Covers

Izumi-Chuo Pedestrian Walkway No. 3 (3 covers) and Nanakita Park path (1 cover)

Installation Date

Mar 24, 2026

Connection to the Original Work

Yuji Itadori's hometown; setting of the Sendai Colony in the Culling Game arc

Sources: Sendai City (Jujutsu Kaisen Tie-Up Initiatives), Famitsu (Sendai Tanabata Festival)

5Senkoji Temple (Takayama, Gifu): A Mountain Temple Keeping the Folklore of Ryomen Sukuna Alive

The name of the series' King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna, comes from a figure in the traditional folklore of the Hida region. Located in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Senkoji Temple is an ancient mountain temple said to have been founded by Ryomen Sukuna. In Hida local folklore, Sukuna has long been revered by residents under the respectful title of Sukuna-sama as a guardian figure.

On the temple grounds stands the Sukuna Hall enshrining him, accompanied by a large stone statue of Ryomen Sukuna. The temple treasure hall also houses numerous wooden Buddhist statues carved by the wandering Edo-period monk Enku. From February to March 2025, Enku's carved wooden statue of Ryomen Sukuna from Senkoji Temple was exhibited in Tokyo for the first time at the Mitsui Memorial Museum in Nihonbashi during the special Enku Buddhist Sculpture exhibition.

Location & Area Guide

1553 Shimobo, Nyukawa-cho, Takayama, Gifu

Connection to the Original Work

Ancient mountain temple preserving the folklore of Ryomen Sukuna

Key Highlights & Scene Details

Sukuna Hall, Stone Statue of Ryomen Sukuna, Enku Buddhist Sculpture Treasure Hall

Transit Access & Walking Directions

Approx. 25 minutes by car from JR Takayama Station

Shrine & Temple Visiting Hours

Please check the official temple guide for current hours and admission fees

Sources: Gifu Prefecture Official Tourism Guide (Senkoji Temple), Tokyo Art Beat (Enku Exhibition Report)

6Iwate Museum of Art: The Touring Original Manga Exhibition Open Now

After opening in Shibuya in July 2024, the Gege Akutami Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition traveled across Japan to Osaka, Fukuoka, Sendai, and Nagoya. Its current venue is the Iwate Museum of Art in Morioka City, running through November 8, 2026 as the final regional stop of the nationwide tour.

At the original manga exhibition, visitors can trace creator Gege Akutami's creative process from early story concepts all the way to finished weekly manuscript pages. The exhibition is organized into four distinct sections: Prototypes & Storyboards, Digital Drawing Methods, Serialized Manuscripts by Story Arc, and Color Illustrations. The opening Prototypes & Storyboards section displays rough storyboards (known in Japanese manga production as name) and page layouts that structure panel flow and dialogue, including early prototype pages titled Jujutsu Sousen created shortly after the prequel Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical School.

The following Digital Drawing Methods section presents detailed studio instruction sheets and rough sketches handed to assistants, demonstrating how the author communicates visual composition, camera angles, and architectural perspective, and how the team divides studio tasks to complete each chapter on a weekly schedule.

The Serialized Manuscripts section is arranged chronologically by story arc, pairing rough storyboards and ink drafts with detailed background art from major arcs such as Hidden Inventory / Premature Death and the Shibuya Incident. Author commentary presented in a Q&A format sheds light on character design choices and world-building, while dedicated photo spots built around background art let visitors see up close how dynamic character linework and assistant-drawn urban backdrops come together on the page.

Large-format color illustrations form another major highlight of the venue, bringing together exhibition key visuals, Weekly Shonen Jump cover art, and tankobon volume covers to show how full-color pieces are built up step by step from rough sketch to final color. Specific exhibit details and ticket information for each stop can be checked on the official venue guide.

The Iwate venue is open from 9:30 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:30; both the gallery exhibition floor and the official museum shop close promptly at 18:00. A special exhibition ticket also grants same-day admission to the museum's permanent collection gallery, though the collection rooms are closed for artwork rotation from October 14 to October 17, 2026.

Location & Area Guide

12-3 Matsuhaba, Motomiya, Morioka, Iwate

Exhibition Dates & Schedule

September 12 – November 8, 2026

Regular Closed Days & Holidays

Mondays (Open on November 2)

Connection to the Original Work

Touring venue for the Gege Akutami Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition

Sources: Exhibition Highlights & Production Materials / Iwate Museum of Art Schedule & Overview / Official Exhibition Website

Characters in the City and the Flow of the Story

Here is how the 6 pilgrimage locations connect to the characters and story arcs of Jujutsu Kaisen. Reviewing the key episodes before your trip makes it much more rewarding to match the real-world streetscapes with scenes from the work.

A Story That Begins in Sendai and Reaches Its Climax in Shinjuku

When high schooler Yuji Itadori swallows a cursed object—a finger belonging to Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses—and becomes Sukuna's vessel, his life as a Jujutsu Sorcerer begins. The narrative moves from his hometown of Sendai to Harajuku and Shibuya in Tokyo, and finally to Shinjuku for the climactic battle.

View official character profiles and jujutsu terminology

Explore Deeper: The Story and Characters of Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is a dark fantasy shonen manga by Gege Akutami. After enrolling at Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School, a specialized academy that trains sorcerers, Yuji Itadori fights alongside his classmates to exorcise deadly curses.

Episodes to Rewatch Before Visiting

Below is a guide to the specific anime episodes featuring Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, and Sendai, as well as Sukuna's debut episode to compare with the folklore of Senkoji Temple. Check the official episode synopses and preview stills before choosing a streaming platform.

Find streaming platforms (Official Broadcast & Streaming Guide)

Milestones Across the Manga, Anime, and Films

The manga began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in March 2018 and concluded in September 2024. Compiled into 30 volumes alongside the prequel volume Jujutsu Kaisen 0, the series has surpassed 150 million copies in circulation (including digital editions) as of December 2025.

The television anime is produced by studio MAPPA and broadcast nationwide on the MBS/TBS network.

Source: Exhibition Author Biography & Series Timeline

Reference Books and Official Merchandise

If you want to review character settings and early story details in depth, the Official Fanbook is an invaluable companion, featuring chapter-by-chapter commentary covering the episodes set in Sendai and Harajuku.

Visiting Exhibitions and Municipal Collaborations

While the original manga exhibition runs in Iwate through November 8, 2026 and prepares for the Shinjuku Finale Exhibition opening December 25, here is a look back at past tour stops, municipal and railway collaborations, and where to find official merchandise.

Exhibitions You Can Visit Now and Next

With the manga's serialization complete, only two venues remain on the original manga exhibition's schedule.

Separately, the Animation Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition showcasing anime production art continues to tour department stores across Japan; check the official website for current stops.

History of Original Manga and Anime Exhibitions

Jujutsu Kaisen exhibitions follow two distinct tracks: the Gege Akutami Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition, which traces the manga creator's drafting process, and the Animation Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition, which highlights anime production materials. The manga exhibition focuses on rough storyboards and ink drafts, while the anime exhibition tours Japan with character designs and key animation frames.

City & Municipal Collaborations

Characters have appeared on Tanabata festival streamers and manhole covers in Sendai, as well as on railway stamp rallies and themed hotel rooms in partnership with the Tokyu Group.

The Yokohama tie-up was a full civic partnership uniting the City of Yokohama, the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau, Yokohama Minato Mirai 21, and TOHO.

Where to Buy Official Merchandise

Official Jujutsu Kaisen merchandise is sold primarily through official online stores and limited-time pop-up shops across major cities. Online shoppers can order directly from the TOHO animation STORE and the MAPPA ONLINE SHOP, while exhibition-exclusive items and commemorative catalogs are sold at each touring exhibition venue.

In 2021, the Jujutsu Kaisen OIOI Pop-Up Shop toured Marui department stores nationwide. Since 2023, TOHO animation STORE pop-up annexes have traveled to shopping centers across Japan, and in 2024 the dedicated Juju HONPO pop-up store launched at Ikebukuro PARCO.

Pilgrimage Calendar by Date and Season

A seasonal pilgrimage calendar combining key in-story dates with current exhibition schedules and winter travel notes for Hida Takayama.

Lab Notes | Business Perspective: Designing Post-Finale Touring Exhibitions and Permanent Local Installations

Launched in Shibuya in July 2024, the original manga exhibition spanned the conclusion of the weekly serialization and toured seven venues nationwide. Concluding the tour in Shinjuku—the setting of the manga's final climactic battle—creates a dedicated opportunity for readers to experience original ink drafts and studio production materials in person even after the series itself has ended.

The contrast between permanent street installations and limited-time anniversary events also offers a strong model for regional tourism design. Sendai City's character manhole covers remain in the pavement around Izumi-Chuo Station as permanent landmarks for fans to visit year-round, whereas Yokohama City's anime 5th-anniversary campaign operated as a concentrated seasonal festival across the waterfront. Matching a work's narrative connection with an installation format that local authorities can sustainably maintain provides a practical blueprint for other municipalities.

Related Oshi Lab report: Railway & Airline IP Collaboration Case Studies

Official Sources & Primary References

• Famitsu (September 2024): Manga Conclusion & 100 Million Copies Milestone
• Denfaminicogamer (December 2024): Simultaneous Release of Volumes 29 and 30
• Anime Broadcast Dates & Episode Counts (Wikipedia: Jujutsu Kaisen TV Anime)
• Comic Natalie: Season 3 'Culling Game Part 1' Broadcast Announcement
• Livedoor News: Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Box Office Revenue
• Gege Akutami Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition Official Website (Touring Venues & Finale Exhibition)
• Eiga.com: Finale Exhibition Official Announcement
• GAME Watch: 2021 Animation Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition
• Anime! Anime!: Animation Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition Ikebukuro Venue
• Tokyu Group: Shibuya Incident Collaboration
• Sendai City: Jujutsu Kaisen Municipal Partnership & Manhole Covers
• City of Yokohama Press Release: Jujutsu Kaisen × Yokohama Collaboration
• Gifu Prefecture Official Tourism Website: Senkoji Temple
• Tokyo Art Beat: Enku Buddhist Sculpture Exhibition Report
• Famitsu: Jujutsu Kaisen OIOI Pop-Up Store
• Anime! Anime!: TOHO animation STORE Pop-Up Annex

Exhibition dates, opening hours, admission fees, and ticket details are current at the time of writing. Always check the official websites for the latest schedule updates before setting out on your pilgrimage visit.