City Hunter 40th Anniversary Grand Art Exhibition
A Complete Guide for Fans Visiting Tokyo
Introduction: 40 Years of City Hunter – Ryo Saeba Returns
Since its debut in 1985 in Weekly Shonen Jump, City Hunter has captivated readers with its stylish gun-slinging protagonist Ryo Saeba, his comedic partner Kaori Makimura, and a perfect blend of action, humor, and heart. Even decades after its conclusion, the franchise continues to thrive through anime, movies, and live-action adaptations, gaining fans across generations and borders.
In 2025, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original manga, the City Hunter 40th Anniversary Grand Art Exhibition will be held at Ueno Royal Museum in Tokyo. This article offers a complete guide for international fans, covering everything from exhibition details and access to tickets, merchandise, accommodations, and the legacy of City Hunter across media.
🖼️ Exhibition Overview
- Title: City Hunter 40th Anniversary Grand Art Exhibition (tentative)
- Dates: November 22 (Sat) – December 28 (Sun), 2025
- Venue: Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo (1-2 Ueno Park, Taito-ku)
- Organizer: Hojo Tsukasa Works Exhibition Committee
- Highlights:
- Original manga artwork by Tsukasa Hojo
- Character design sheets
- Visuals from anime and films
- Recreated XYZ Room
- Photo spots and interactive displays
- Exclusive video screenings (planned)
🌐 Services for International Visitors
🗣️ Multilingual Support
- Pamphlets available in English, Chinese, and Korean
- Exhibition panels include English translations
- Multilingual staff (English and Chinese speakers) on-site
💳 Cashless Payment Options
- Accepted at ticket counters and merchandise booths:
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, AmEx)
- E-money (Suica, PASMO, iD, QUICPay)
- QR payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay, PayPay, LINE Pay)
📶 Connectivity
- Free public Wi-Fi available around Ueno Park
- Some exhibits may feature AR experiences via smartphone
🧳 Accessibility
- Lockers for small luggage
- Wheelchair and stroller-friendly facilities
- Multipurpose restrooms available
🧭 Navigation
- Multilingual signage throughout the venue
- English floor maps and guides
- Official website to offer multilingual pages
🏛️ Venue Information: Ueno Royal Museum
- Address: 1-2 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: +81-3-3833-4191
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
- Closed: Open daily during exhibition period
- Website: https://www.ueno-mori.org
Located within Ueno Park, the museum is known for hosting major art and pop culture exhibitions. It’s fully accessible and well-equipped for international guests.
🚉 Access & Transportation
From Airports
| Departure | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Narita Airport | ~70 min | Keisei Skyliner → Keisei Ueno Station |
| Haneda Airport | ~45 min | Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsucho → JR Yamanote Line → Ueno Station |
From Major Tokyo Stations
- Shinjuku: ~25 min via JR Yamanote Line
- Tokyo Station: ~10 min via JR Yamanote Line
- Shibuya: ~30 min via JR Yamanote Line
Walking Directions
- 3 min walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit)
- 5 min walk from Tokyo Metro Ueno Station
- 5 min walk from Keisei Ueno Station
🎫 Ticket Information
| Type | Price (JPY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Advance Ticket | ¥1,800–¥2,000 | May require date/time reservation |
| Same-Day Ticket | ¥2,200–¥2,500 | Entry may be restricted during peak hours |
| Student Discount | ~¥1,500 | Student ID required |
| Ticket with Goods | ¥3,500–¥4,000 | Includes exclusive merchandise (e.g. clear file) |
Tickets will be available online and at convenience stores. Multilingual booking pages will be provided.
🛍️ Merchandise Guide
Exclusive items will be sold at the venue and pop-up stores. Here are some highlights:
| Item | Price (JPY) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cats Eye Cap | ¥5,830 | Embroidered with Umibozu’s logo |
| Cats Eye Tote Bag | ¥3,850 | 10L capacity, everyday use |
| Acrylic Stands (Ryo, Kaori, etc.) | ¥1,200–¥1,500 | Multiple characters available |
| Postcard Set | ¥800–¥1,000 | Manga-style illustrations |
| T-Shirts | ¥3,500–¥4,000 | Unisex sizes |
| Official Pamphlet | ~¥1,800 | Includes artwork and interviews |
| Framed Reproduction Art | ¥15,000–¥30,000 | Limited edition, lottery sale |
| XYZ Message Cards | ¥600–¥800 | Iconic quotes from the series |
Bonus Campaigns
- Free stickers or lottery entries based on purchase amount
- Limited birthday-week items for Ryo and Kaori
🏨 Recommended Hotels Near Ueno
| Hotel | Price Range | Features |
|---|---|---|
| APA Hotel Ueno Ekimae | ¥8,000+ | English-speaking staff, free Wi-Fi |
| Sunroute Stella Ueno | ¥10,000+ | Close to station, convenient for sightseeing |
| The Gate Hotel Ueno | ¥15,000+ | Luxury stay with rooftop lounge |
| Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado | ¥4,000+ | Budget-friendly, foreigner-friendly |
Early booking is recommended, especially during the exhibition period.
📺 City Hunter Across Media
📚 Original Manga
- Author: Tsukasa Hojo
- Serialized: 1985–1991 (Weekly Shonen Jump)
- Volumes: 35 (20 in bunkoban edition)
- Story: Ryo Saeba, a sweeper in Shinjuku, takes on dangerous jobs while flirting with beautiful clients and dodging Kaori’s 100-ton hammer.
📺 Anime Series
| Title | Years | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| City Hunter (Season 1) | 1987–1988 | 51 |
| City Hunter 2 | 1988–1989 | 63 |
| City Hunter 3 | 1989–1990 | 13 |
| City Hunter ’91 | 1991 | 13 |
🎞️ TV Specials
- The Secret Service (1996)
- Goodbye My Sweetheart (1997)
- Live Broadcast!? Ryo Saeba’s Final Moments (1999)
🎬 Animated Films
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Magnum of Love and Fate | 1989 | First theatrical release |
| Bay City Wars | 1990 | Short film starring Umibozu |
| Million Dollar Conspiracy | 1990 | Bodyguard mission with an American client |
| Shinjuku Private Eyes | 2019 | Comeback film featuring Cats Eye crossover |
| Angel Dust | 2023 | Inspired by the manga’s final arc |
🎥 Live-Action Adaptations
| Title | Year | Country | Lead Actor |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Hunter (HK) | 1993 | Hong Kong | Jackie Chan |
| City Hunter: The Movie | 2019 | France | Philippe Lacheau |
| Netflix City Hunter | 2024 | Japan | Ryohei Suzuki |
The Japanese Netflix adaptation was praised for its faithful portrayal and action-comedy balance.
🎶 Music Legacy
- “Get Wild” by TM NETWORK
- “Still Love Her”
- “Footsteps”
- “Running to Horizon”
These songs are iconic and deeply tied to the emotional tone of the series.
🗼 Nearby Attractions in Ueno
- Ueno Zoo: Famous for pandas
- Tokyo National Museum: Japanese art and history
- Ameyoko Market: Street food and shopping
- Shinobazu Pond: Scenic relaxation spot
⚠️ Visitor Tips
- Weekends and holidays are crowded—weekday mornings are ideal
- Some exhibits may prohibit photography
- No food or drink allowed inside exhibition halls
- No re-entry once you leave
- Lockers available for small items only
✨ Final Thoughts
The City Hunter 40th Anniversary Grand Art Exhibition is more than a celebration—it’s a reunion of fans, memories,
