Anime fans in Sydney do not need to look far for a fun day out. Haymarket and Chinatown are a good place to start, with anime collectibles, manga, snacks and games close to the CBD. Beyond the precinct, Sydney’s anime-friendly offerings extend to events like a live Joe Hisaishi tribute, Japanese film screenings, restaurants, arcades and more.
1. Shop for anime merch in Haymarket and Chinatown
Haymarket and Chinatown are an easy first stop for anime fans in Sydney, particularly if you are looking for manga and Japanese pop-culture souvenirs without leaving the CBD. Anime at Abbotsford City Store, inside the Prince Centre on Quay Street, is a reliable place to browse anime figures and collectibles.
For cute character merchandise, Morning Glory on Dixon Street is packed with items featuring favourites such as Hello Kitty, Pikachu and Totoro, alongside stationery, keyrings, plushies and small gifts. If manga is top of the list, make the short walk to Kinokuniya Sydney at The Galeries on George Street, while Anime Kaika on Pitt Street is another city-centre option for anime goods and figures.
2. Listen to Studio Ghibli music at a Joe Hisaishi tribute concert
It doesn’t get much more whimsical than a candlelit evening dedicated to Studio Ghibli scores. This season, St. Stephen’s Uniting Church is hosting a tribute to Joe Hisaishi, the musical mastermind behind soundtracks in movies like Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away.
Rather than a film screening, this is a live string-quartet performance that reframes Hisaishi’s music. The setting is part of the draw too: St Stephen’s features soaring ceilings, sandstone walls, dark timber panelling and stained-glass windows, creating a fairytale backdrop for Hisaishi’s sweeping scores.
29 January 2027 18:30
St Stephen's Uniting Church
3. Play Japanese-style arcade games in Sydney
For the closest thing to a Japanese arcade crawl, start in Haymarket at Timezone Market City, where you can find games like DanceDanceRevolution, maimai, Chunithm and Taiko no Tatsujin. KOKO Amusement on George Street is another strong CBD option, with a large rhythm-game selection that includes jubeat, pop’n music, maimai and SOUND VOLTEX.
4. Attend SMASH!, Sydney’s biggest anime and manga convention
For the biggest anime-focused date on Sydney’s calendar, keep an eye on SMASH! (the Sydney Manga and Anime Show). Held annually at ICC Sydney, the fan-run convention brings together anime, manga, gaming and cosplay lovers for panels, guest appearances, competitions, merchandise stalls and an artist market filled with fan-made prints, charms and original artwork. It is usually held in midwinter, around July, making it a fun date to mark in Sydney’s annual pop-culture calendar.
5. Watch Japanese films at the Japanese Film Festival
The Japanese Film Festival returns to Sydney from 17–29 November 2026 with a wide-ranging programme of contemporary Japanese cinema, animation and acclaimed festival films. To celebrate the festival’s 30th anniversary, there’ll be screenings taking place at Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Palace Central and the Hayden Orpheum.
The Australian premiere of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Look Back opens the local season, and other highlights include the animated Cannes selection We Are Aliens, Yoji Yamada’s Tokyo Taxi and a dedicated Animation Showcase. It is an easy pick for anime fans looking to broaden their watchlist beyond the classics—and a great excuse to catch new Japanese releases on the big screen.
