How Persona 5 Royal Became One Editor's Virtual Return to Japan

Missing Japan? One editor turns to Persona 5 Royal to wander Tokyo's streets again—virtually. The game's details bring her travels back to life.

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2026 March 26 . 10:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a painting of a city with boats in the water, surrounded by trees, houses, hills,... — The image shows a painting of a city with boats in the water, surrounded by trees, houses, hills, and a sky with clouds. At the bottom of the image, there is text which reads "Sakurajima, Japan, from the east".

How Persona 5 Royal Became One Editor's Virtual Return to Japan

Jasmin Fell, anime editor for MeinMMO, has long dreamed of Japan—ever since watching anime on RTL 2 as a child. Her passion for the country grew stronger after her first work trip there in 2019, though she barely had time to explore. Now, to ease her longing, she's revisiting Japan through Persona 5 Royal on PS5.

Fell's first visit to Japan in 2019 was brief and work-focused, leaving little room for sightseeing. Two years later, in 2021, she returned on her own terms, finally experiencing Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Miyoshi. She even stopped by Sangenjaya, the real-life district that inspired Persona 5 Royal's Yongen-Jaya. Another highlight was visiting the café that served as the model for Café Leblanc in the game, where she enjoyed coffee and ice cream.

The game's free-time system, which lets players explore Tokyo's streets and activities, mirrors her own memories of Japan. Its detailed recreation of the city—from vertical urban sprawl to bustling crowds—makes it feel like a virtual return. Fell has also taken Japanese language courses to deepen her connection to the culture. No new expansions or DLCs have been added to *Persona 5 Royal* since its 2020 Enhanced Edition launch. All existing content, including costumes and battle bundles, was available at or before release. Despite this, the game remains a vivid escape for Fell as she plans her next trip to Japan in 2025.

For now, Persona 5 Royal helps Fell relive her Japanese adventures from home. The game's immersive world keeps her connected to the country she loves. Meanwhile, her 2025 vacation plans bring her one step closer to returning in person.