If you’ve spent hours watching Monkey D. Luffy chase his dreams of becoming the Pirate King, it’s time to set sail on your own real-life adventure. Nestled in the sunny southern island of Kyushu, Japan is Kumamoto Prefecture, the absolute holy grail for ONE PIECE fans.
There are 10 life-sized bronze statues scattered across the Kumamoto prefecture. But this isn't just a random tourist gimmick; it’s a beautiful tribute with an inspiring backstory that turns a regular holiday into the ultimate anime pilgrimage.
Whether you're planning your first trip to Japan or you're a seasoned otaku looking for an off-the-beaten-path route, here is your definitive guide to finding the crew, unlocking hidden local gems, and travelling like a true nakama with Klook India.
The Heartwarming Story Behind the Statues
In April 2016, Kumamoto was hit by a devastating series of earthquakes. Eiichiro Oda, the legendary creator of ONE PIECE and a proud Kumamoto native, immediately stepped in to support his hometown. He donated over 800 million yen (approx. ₹45+ crores) to the Kumamoto Revival Project to rebuild the communities.
To honor his massive generosity and to drive tourism back to affected areas, the local government collaborated with Oda to place 10 bronze statues across the region. Each Straw Hat member was deployed to a specific town to aid with a unique aspect of its recovery. For instance, Sanji was placed in a Japanese town known for agricultural damage to help revitalise local food culture, while Robin was placed at a university site to support educational recovery.
When you visit these statues, you aren’t just taking a selfie, you are directly supporting the real-world communities that rebuilt themselves from the ground up.
Where to Find the Straw Hat Pirates: Statue Locations & Insider Tips
Because these statues are spread out across 200kms to encourage travellers to explore the entire prefecture, finding them all requires a bit of strategy. Here is where the crew is currently stationed, along with hidden details shared by fans on the ground:
- Luffy: Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office (Kumamoto City) — The perfect starting point right in the heart of the city!
- Sanji: Mashiki Town (Gymnasium)
- Usopp: Aso City (Right outside JR Aso Station) - Framed beautifully against the breathtaking backdrop of the Mount Aso volcano.
- Chopper: Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens - Look out for local festivals nearby; you might spot the massive eco-statues of Chopper crafted entirely out of pinecones and sticks!
- Brook: Mifune Town (Fureai Plaza)
- Zoro: Ozu Town (Central Park)
- Nami: Nishihara Village (Moe no Sato) — Pro-tip: Don't leave without trying the super yummy local mikan (mandarin orange) ice cream sold at her spot.
- Robin: Minamiaso Village (Former Tokai University Campus) Crucial Tip: This location has been converted into an Earthquake Museum. Unlike the others, Robin's statue has strict opening hours, so check the schedule before heading out!
- Franky: Takamori Town (Takamori Station)
- Jinbe: Uto City (Sumiyoshi Kaigan Park) — Set beautifully right against the ocean coast.
How to Tour the Statues
Only about half of the statues are easily reachable by public transport. Navigating the rural train lines, connecting local buses, and timing everything perfectly can be a massive headache if you have a tight schedule.
To effortlessly tick off your bucket-list statues, booking the dedicated Klook Kumamoto Iconic Statues World of Pirates Adventure Tour or securing a private car rental to explore at leisure option is your best bet.
Renting a Car via Klook (The Ultimate 10-Statue Road Trip)
If your goal is to collect photos with all 10 crew members, a road trip is highly recommended. You can easily book an international car rental on Klook India before you leave.
- The Route: Start in Kumamoto City (Luffy, Chopper), swing south to Uto (Jinbe), move east towards Mifune and Mashiki (Brook, Sanji), and then drive up into the stunning Aso volcanic mountain region (Usopp, Nami, Robin, Franky, Zoro).
How to Plan Your Day Tour
Day 1 : Kumamoto
- Kumamoto Castle
- Suizenji Jojuen
- Monkey D. Luffy Statue
- Tony Tony Chopper Statue
- Sanji Statue
- Brook Statue
Day 2 : ASO Day Trip
- ASO KENKOU NOUEN Farm
- Nico Robin Statue
- Usopp Statue
- Daikonbo Lookout
- Kusasenrigahama
- Franky Statue
- Kamishiki Statue
- Nami Statue
- Zoro Statue
Day 3 : To Kagoshima
- Jinbe Statue
- Onami Lake + Hike
- Yoshino Park
Essential Travel Tips for Anime Fans Visiting Japan
To make sure your anime pilgrimage goes off without a hitch, keep these insider secrets in mind:
Buy the Limited-Edition Collectible Mini-Statues
At each official statue location, nearby tourist info hubs or local shops sell exclusive miniature replicas of the exact bronze statues. Even better? You receive a beautiful, limited-edition character postcard featuring original sketches by Eiichiro Oda just for visiting. They are restricted to one card per person, making them incredibly rare souvenirs.
Get Your International Driving Permit (IDP) Early
If you choose the incredibly flexible car rental route on Klook, remember that Indian license holders must carry an International Driving Permit (Form 4A) along with their physical Indian driving license. Apply for this at your local RTO at least a few weeks before your flight.
Snag Exclusive Kumamon Crossover Merch
Kumamoto’s official mascot is a lovable black bear named Kumamon. In this region, you will find incredibly rare crossover merchandise featuring Kumamon dressed up in Straw Hat pirate gear. You can't buy these anywhere else in Japan!
Stay Connected with a Japan eSIM
You will absolutely need Google Maps to navigate the rural roads, translate local signs, and upload your Instagram reels in real-time. Order a Japan eSIM on Klook India before your trip. It activates the moment you touch down—no physical SIM swapping required.
Ready to set sail?
Don't let the complicated rural transit lines hold you back from experiencing this bucket-list anime adventure. Grab your Japan Rail Pass or car rental, book your pocket Wi-Fi/eSIM, and get ready to yell "Kaizoku-ou ni ore wa naru!" standing right next to the Straw Hat crew.
