As a child of the nineties, Sailor Moon was inescapable. The ditsy blonde who happened to wield the world’s most powerful compact was everywhere—on TV, in books, posters, and lunchboxes. You couldn’t escape her… not that I ever wanted to. She was a female superhero and, like it said on the tee shirt: Girls kick ass.

Like so many young Americans of the time, Sailor Moon was my introduction to the vibrant world of Japanese pop culture beyond the animated films of Miyazaki. She stood for love, justice, and the unrelenting pursuit of happiness—plus, of course, always getting her man.

While the 90s English dub of the anime was often bonkers (and somewhat homophobic), it’s still a part of those core memories that helped shape who I am today, particularly when it comes to creativity. Sailor Moon introduced me to strong characters—especially women and members of the LGBTQ+ community—and to this day, in every story I write, there is a trace of Naoko Takeuchi’s brilliant influence.

When I found myself in Japan for the first time, there were a few things I knew I had to see. The Sailor Moon store in Tokyo and the Sailor Moon Museum in Osaka. Thankfully, my friend (and amazing tour guide) moved heaven and earth to make sure I could experience both.

And let me tell you—they were nothing short of magical.

The Sailor Moon store, though small, was packed with all the memorabilia a fan could dream of. Keychains, talismans, acrylic figures, stuffed animals—if you could think of it, they had it. And, of course, there was art. Tons of art—books, folders, postcards, posters, you name it, you could buy it. And I did. My most treasured purchase? A plush Luna from the COSMOS films. She’s soft and adorable and—being the careful collector I am—will never again be removed from her plastic casing.

A signed piece of art congratulating the store from Sailor Moon’s Creator Naoko Takeuchi

As I browsed through the store, I couldn’t help but call my best friend, who shares my deep obsession with Sailor Moon. We used to role-play as kids, with me always as Sailor Moon and her grudgingly taking on the role of Queen Beryl—an assignment she hated so much that she once broke my finger in protest. We laughed about that while I wandered through the aisles, surrounded by our shared childhood love for the series.

Then, there was the Sailor Moon Museum. The experience was like stepping into another world. Multiple rooms filled with an array of products and displays from the franchise awaited, each corner offering something new. There were costumes—both iconic and lesser-known—original artwork, fashion inspired by the series, and, of course, nearly every type of Sailor Moon product ever released. If you could think of a piece of Sailor Moon merchandise, it was likely there on display.

One of my favorite rooms was one that showcased designs from the original anime. I love seeing the art behind the art. The foundation that built the fun.

Sailor Moon Art room – Photo- Sony Creative Products Inc

The store inside the museum was expansive, too, with exclusive items like limited-edition art books, posters, and an adorable coffee tumbler that I couldn’t resist. I lost myself completely in the nostalgia of it all, wandering from room to room, reliving my childhood love for Sailor Moon.

These two stops—small but so significant—became one of the most unforgettable parts of my trip. While the museum has since moved on to a new location, the Sailor Moon store remains open in Harajuku, and I can’t wait to return. There’s something truly special about standing in the place where so much of your childhood magic was born. It’s a feeling I’ll carry with me, and I look forward to reliving it again.

If you’re a Sailor Moon fan, I can’t recommend making the pilgrimage enough—it’s a journey through time and nostalgia you’ll never forget.

A very happy (but also incredibly tired) me.

There will be more Sailor Moon soon so…

Stay Tuned!