Otaku apology: Sorry, Washinomiya Shrine. You were probably nice and quiet and peaceful until Lucky Star and its fans came around. Sorry about all of us silly guys showing up with pink hair and schoolgirl outfits on. We just had to see the place!

At first, townspeople didn't know why these cosplaying otaku were showing up. They've probably never watched Lucky Star, so they didn't know that characters Tsukasa and Kagami were shrine maidens for the animated version of their real-life shrine.  "I didn't know what it was all about," says Akemi Kishi, 65, owner of a ramen-noodle shop near the shrine.

But it wasn't long before Washimiya's chamber of commerce woke up and realized that this could be a good opportunity to bring money into their little town, which saw some 300,000 visitors over New Years. We realized this was a huge business opportunity for Washimiya," says Mr. Sakata, a chamber of commerce official.

Now the town sells Lucky Star chocolate coronets, modeled after the anime's famous snack. There's also a Lucky Star-themed Sake, and they've even made their own phone charms. The Wall Street Journal says that they've sold about 20,000 charms so far.

What interests me most is an original ramen dish at Kishi's shop, called Tsukasa's Miso Ramen with Heaps of Corn. If I ever visit Washimiya, I'll nab a bowl for 700 yen. I wonder if they have balsamic vinegar.