How This Sydney Hotel Became A Surprise Mecca For Japanese Visitors

A century-old hotel in Sydney’s historic Rocks district, the Russell Hotel, has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the Japanese anime Free! Eternal Summer—captivating visitors with the on-screen appearance of its iconic Room 25. Even years after the episode aired, a steady stream of Japanese travellers is making the journey to stay—or pay homage—to the exact room featured in the animation.

Anime Tourism & Animated Nostalgia

The surge traces back to a single episode of the popular anime, where characters stay in Room 25—a scene that Japanese fans immediately recognised. One tourist noted:

“They use this hotel in the animation, and actually it’s the same as this hotel.”

This attention to detail has transformed a modest Sydney hotel into a must-visit location for international anime enthusiasts.

Room 25: Booked a Year in Advance

For true fans of the show, merely visiting isn’t enough—they want to stay in Room 25, the “anime room.” Since the episode aired, bookings for this room are often made as much as a year ahead. Front desk staff report daily enquiries and walk-in visitors hoping to glimpse or photograph the iconic suite.

Capitalising on the phenomenon, the hotel now sells Room 25-themed key rings—over 500 sold so far—as memorabilia for visitors.

Japanese Travel Boom to Sydney

This hotel craze comes amid a broader boom in Japanese tourism to New South Wales. In 2024 alone, Japanese arrivals to NSW surged by 24.8%, reaching more than 151,800 visitors who spent nearly $500 million and stayed over 4.7 million nights. This growth coincided with events like Vivid Sydney, which saw a 40% surge in bookings from Japan.

Why It Resonates

Several factors explain why Room 25 draws such loyal interest:

• Emotional fan connection: Religious attention to detail in anime allows fans to relive their favourite scenes in reality.
• Authentic experience: Photographing or staying in the actual room creates a powerful travel memory.
• Sociocultural resonance: Anime tourism is a growing segment—blending pop culture with wanderlust in uniquely immersive ways.

Until now, such dedicated fan-driven tourism has mostly centred around sites in Japan. Having such a phenomenon centred around Sydney is rare and revealing of anime’s global cultural influence.

How the Russell Hotel Fits In

While it isn’t a grand luxury property, the Russell Hotel’s heritage charm and longevity give it urban gravitas. Nestled in The Rocks, it offers authentic sandstone architecture and an intimate ambience.

The hotel is also strategically located—just steps from Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House—making it prime real estate for visitors. Daily walk-ins, souvenir hunters, and photo-seeking tourists now line up alongside regular guests.

For Anime Fans and Urban Explorers

Room 25’s unexpected popularity offers a novel travel angle:

• Destination stays in heritage rooms with animated backstories
• Pop culture pilgrimage experiences for niche interest groups
• Hidden itineraries that blend sightseeing with single-scene fandom

Even guests not familiar with the show find the story touching: a modest historic hotel recast as a micro-tourist icon, far removed from the usual Harbour-view attractions.

Broader Takeaway

Sydney’s animation-driven tourism is part of a global trend where fiction reshapes landscapes:

• K-pop shrine tourism around filming locations in South Korea
• Literary tourism draws fans to Jane Austen’s English countryside
• Film set tourism—from “The Lord of the Rings” in New Zealand to “Harry Potter” in England

In Sydney, the Russell Hotel’s Room 25 is one such nod to how stories shape travel desires. It reflects how fans seek lived moments—or the sensation—of their beloved fictional worlds.

Ready to Plan Your Visit?

Curious about staying in Room 25 or exploring pop-culture themed travel in Sydney? There are plenty of booking options, themed neighbourhood guides, and affordable stays that offer both historic charm and modern convenience. For a more comfortable and flexible experience, consider furnished apartments in Sydney—such as those offered by Corporate Keys—which provide spacious, self-contained accommodation perfect for extended stays or travellers wanting a home-away-from-home feel.