- MyRepublic
Welcome to Geek Atlas! This is our new travel series made for fans, dreamers, and lore-hunters. If your idea of a perfect holiday involves studio tours, themed cafés, or standing in the exact spot a pivotal lightsaber duel took place, you’re in the right place.
Our first Episode is dedicated to Pop Culture Pilgrimages. These are destinations where fiction meets reality and your inner geek can run wild.
Think: movie sets, theme parks, and iconic nerd landmarks.
1. Tokyo, Japan: Otaku Paradise
Tokyo is the ultimate playground for anime, manga, and gaming fans. Akihabara, the city’s electric district, is packed with arcades, anime stores, and even maid cafés where the waitresses call you “Master.” Stop by the Ghibli Museum for a heart-melting journey through Hayao Miyazaki’s magical worlds, and don’t miss the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo or Nintendo Tokyo: meccas for collectors and nostalgia junkies alike. (And if you’re picking up rare figures or limited-edition merch, maybe it’s time to consider some Geek Insurance. Just saying.)
2. London, UK: Magic & Mystery
London is a treasure trove for fans of the magical, mysterious, and mildly Victorian. Start your journey at the Harry Potter Studio Tour, where you can walk through the Great Hall, sip Butterbeer, and see real props from the films. Next, visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street—yes, it’s a real place. Bonus: Doctor Who fans can seek out filming locations scattered across the city (look for the blue police boxes).
3. Los Angeles, USA: The Hollywood Circuit
LA is the beating heart of geeky entertainment. Explore Universal Studios Hollywood, where you can ride through Hogwarts, battle dinosaurs, and wander a fully built Springfield. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers behind-the-scenes access to iconic sets, from DC films to Middle-earth memorabilia. And for a splash of modern fandom, swing by Funko Hollywood, a massive store that’s part retail space, part pop culture art installation.
4. New Zealand: Middle-earth IRL
If the phrase “second breakfast” means something to you, book your flight now. New Zealand’s Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata lets you stroll through the Shire, past real hobbit holes and gardens. Visit Weta Workshop in Wellington to see how the magic was made, including everything from armour to extraordinary creatures. Explore locations used in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, like Tongariro National Park, which doubled as Mordor. It’s as epic as it sounds.
5. Seoul, South Korea: K-Pop & K-Drama Geeks
Another stop that’s in this half of the world, Seoul offers a feast for fans of Korean pop culture. Visit SMTOWN or HYBE Insight for immersive experiences tied to your favourite K-pop idols. Wander around famous K-drama filming locations like Namsan Tower or Bukchon Hanok Village. And don’t skip the cafés! Whether it’s Line Friends, BT21, or cafés themed around your favourite shows, there’s a selfie spot waiting. For those obsessed with Squid Game, you can visit real-life filming locations like Daejeon’s old set building and even themed escape rooms and experiences designed to recreate the game’s eerie atmosphere.(Obviously without fatal consequences, we think.)
Extra Travel Tips from our Geek Atlas
- Book studio tours well in advance—they fill up fast.
- If you're heading to conventions or theme parks, pack light (but leave room for merch).
- Don’t be shy about cosplaying, especially in places where fandom is celebrated.
- Streaming your favourite episode on the train to Hogwarts? Non-negotiable.
Stay tuned for the next episode of Geek Atlas, where we’ll journey into the stars with science and space travel spots across the globe. And when you’re back home, why not upgrade your broadband to one that’s worthy of a true geek’s lair? (Hint: we know a provider.)
Stay geeky, and travel well.
