Calling all anime and video game enthusiasts visiting Tokyo! If you’re seeking the ultimate experience, look no further than Akihabara (あきはばら). This district is an absolute must-visit, housing a plethora of stores dedicated to electronics, video games, and anime. The streets of Akihabara are a visual spectacle, adorned with vibrant advertisements and anime signs, while the charming maids beckon you into their world. As the central hub for anime and game shops, Akihabara boasts the title of the world’s largest electronics and appliance shopping destination. From PCs to robots and mobile phones, this place is a haven for tech enthusiasts and fans of otaku subculture alike. Embrace the excitement and immerse yourself in the wonders of Akihabara!
Read More: Best Places to Visit in Tokyo
Exploring Akihabara: Unveiling the Otaku Wonderland
Curiosity got the best of us, so we ventured into the heart of Akihabara, the ultimate gathering spot for Otaku enthusiasts. Our visit took place on a Monday afternoon, with many Otaku still occupied with work or school, dampening the vibrant atmosphere. Nonetheless, we found pockets of devoted fans lingering in underground anime stores and adults-only establishments. Rows upon rows of comic books adorned with various lolitas caught our eye, alongside glass cabinets showcasing jaw-droppingly expensive anime figurines. Video game shelves beckoned with new releases and prized last-season gems. As we aimlessly strolled through the streets, we were astonished to witness boys engaging in lighthearted conversations with maids, while a trail of potential customers followed them to cafes. After a day of exploring anime stores, we concluded that Akihabara is the ultimate playground for the ultra-geek. It may not be our cup of tea, but we can certainly appreciate its Otaku charm.
How to get to Akihabara?
Akihabara can be reached by JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Chuo/Sobu Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, and Tsukuba Express. Everyone can use Google Maps to confirm which line to take from their departure point to Akihabara for the fastest route.
Akihabara Shopping Map and Attractions
The main shopping areas in Akihabara are concentrated around the “Electric Town” selling various home appliances and peripherals around the “Akihabara Station” and the “Chuo-dori” which is full of shops loved by anime and game fans. Let’s follow Piao’er’s Akihabara shopping map and explore Akihabara together!
【Must-Visit Electronics Street in Akihabara】Yodobashi Akiba
- Address: 1-1 Kanda Hanaokacho, Chiyoda-ku
- Business hours: 9:30~22:00
- Transportation: 1-minute walk from “JR Akihabara Station” Showa-dori Exit
Coming out of the A3 exit of “Akihabara Station” will lead you directly to Japan’s largest electronics shopping center, “Yodobashi Akiba”. This is the largest comprehensive electronics shopping center in Japan. This store in Akihabara has nine floors, each with its own theme. The variety of products here is quite complete, so complete that you will be amazed. We only visited the 4th floor AV equipment section and spent the whole night there and still couldn’t finish exploring!
Read More: Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba| The World’s Largest Electronics Store
【Akihabara Station Electric Street Exit】Large Advertising Sign Showcasing the Charm of Akihabara
If you walk in the opposite direction of Yodobashi Akiba, from the “Electric Town Exit” of Akihabara Station, you will see a towering commercial building with plenty of anime-themed advertisements and signs, which is the biggest feature that sets Akihabara apart from other areas in Tokyo. This is also the location of popular anime series such as “Love Live!” and “My Little Sister Can’t Be This Cute”!
▼ The exit of the electric street of JR Akihabara Station leads to the 9-story “RADIO Kaikan”, which has many shops selling figurines, models, and anime peripherals.
【Akihabara Electric Town】Central Avenue with Concentrated Shops
On the road leading to the largest street, which is the main street of Akihabara, called “Chuo-dori (Chuo Street)”, if you turn right from here and head north along Chuo Street, you will find one department store after another selling discounted comics and anime merchandise, as well as specialty stores for electrical appliances. This is also known as the “Akihabara Electric Town”, or simply “Akiba”.
If you visit Akihabara at the end of November to early December, you will see ginkgo trees lining Chuo Dori. In the past, people would usually appreciate the beauty of ginkgo trees in ancient temples or vast parks, but now they are accompanied by handsome guys on electronic billboards and anime advertisements, which adds a unique flavor to the scenery.
【Must-Visit Central】Anime and Game Related Shopping Malls
Next, we will introduce several famous shopping malls in Akihabara Chuo-dori:
1. 游戏玩家
- Address: 1-14-7 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku
- Business hours: 9:00~22:00 (1F), 10:00~21:00 (2F)
- Transportation: 3-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station
“GAMERS (ゲーマーズ)” is a store targeting game enthusiasts, which can be seen from the exit of Akihabara Station. It mainly sells comics, light novels, anime, games, game cards and other products, and is a well-known store for otaku in Akihabara.
The seventh floor is dedicated to “Trading Card” with a whole floor, while the ninth floor hosts events such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and autograph sessions every weekend.
2. GiGO Akihabara
There are large electronic game centers in various bustling areas of Tokyo, but Akihabara has the most game centers.
Usually, large amusement parks in Japan have at least five floors. The first and second floors are filled with claw machines and Taiko no Tatsujin, while the third to fifth floors are filled with arcade games such as shooting and music games. There are a lot of people who play Japanese arcade games, and at this “GiGO” in Akihabara, the third to fifth floors are all arcade games. Because they are extremely popular, each floor only has one type of arcade game machine, but they are always fully occupied! The specific content of the amusement park is not described here, but you can refer to the amusement park observation diary.
▼ The craziest thing for gamers is definitely the “Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the Battlefield II” arcade machine at GiGO Akihabara 1st store, which cannot be played outside of Japan.
There are many GiGO buildings in Akihabara. Currently, the most complete GiGO buildings are 1, 3, and 5. Building 4 has already closed down, and Building 2 closed at the end of August 2020. However, on April 28, 2023, the original “KanColle Sega” location reopened as “GiGO Akihabara Building 2”. When I went there, only the first and second floors had lottery machines, and the scale was still small, so I don’t particularly recommend going there. I suggest that you search for “GiGO Akihabara + the building you want to go to” directly on Google to find the latest address, business hours, and other information.
SEGA Arcade enters history: In 2020, due to the impact of the epidemic, SEGA’s amusement parks and arcade facilities suffered serious losses in revenue. On January 28, 2022, all of the company’s shares were transferred to GENDA, and it was renamed “GENDA SEGA Entertainment”. In the post-epidemic era, when the wind and waves return, the SEGA sign has been completely renamed as “GiGO”, and there is no longer a “SEGA sign”.
3. Taito Station Akihabara Store
- Address: 4-2-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Business Hours: 10:00 ~ 21:00
- Phone: 03-5289-8445
- Website
Unlike GiGO, which focuses on arcade games, Games Taito Station is more like a typical Japanese game store commonly found on the streets. It mainly offers popular game machines, but what makes it special is the entire floor dedicated to claw machines with peripherals of popular anime such as EVA, One Piece, and Gintama. There is also a whole floor of photo sticker machines where you can rent cosplay costumes and take photos. If you enjoy playing music rhythm games, this place also has an entire floor of machines for you!
4. Softmap Anime-related Products
- Store Address: 4-1-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- PC & Digital Building Address: IMY Building, 3-13-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
“Softmap” has up to 16 branches in Akihabara, and you can recognize it by its blue sign. It mainly sells idol and anime-related products, such as anime CDs, anime DVDs, and even has a floor that is prohibited for viewing by minors under 18 years old.
Softmap’s various branches sell slightly different products from the main store. For example, the “パソコン・デジタル館” specializes in second-hand computer hybrids, while the “二手專賣店” sells more than just electronic products. If you’re looking for various electrical appliances, anime models, ACG Blu-ray discs, or OST, you can find them here.
5. Animate Akihabara Store
ANIMATE is the largest anime merchandise store in Japan. The first to seventh floors of its Akihabara branch are all sales floors, selling various products such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs of TV anime, manga and figurines, and CDs of anime songs.
What anime fans are most looking forward to, of course, are the original products and cosplay props that can only be bought at “ANIMATE”. Anyone interested can come and take a look.
6. Trader
- Address: 3-14-10 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Business Hours: Mon-Thu: 11:00~20:00, Fri-Sat: 10:00~20:30, Sun/Holidays: 10:00~20:00
Trader mainly sells games and DVDs, both new and second-hand. If you’re looking for used games, this is a great place to find some great deals. We found Assassin’s Creed for only NT$300, which was a total steal.
7. GamePanic Akihabara
The amusement center “ADORES Akihabara Store” closed at the end of 2020 and the entire building was taken over by Leisurelan Co., Ltd. to operate a game center called “Game Panic” after the pandemic. The lower floors have claw machines, while the upper floors have many novel game machines, including crane games, music games, arcade games, and video games.
【Akihabara Electronics Store】TSUKUMO eX.
Other than anime-related malls, there are also many electronics malls on Zhong Yang Tong. This “TSUKUMO eX.” mainly sells computer-related parts, including cheap Micro SD cards, SD cards, and even a Razer store!
【Akihabara Electronics Shopping】BIC CAMERA AKIBA Akihabara
When it comes to buying electronics in Japan, the first thing that comes to mind is of course “BIC CAMERA”. The branch in Akihabara is a great place to shop, with well-organized product categories and a wide variety of items, including a floor dedicated to anime and video game merchandise.
【Akihabara Pharmacy】Matsumoto Kiyoshi
From Akihabara Station, enter Chuo-dori and you will see this prominent “Matsumoto Kiyoshi” under the elevated bridge. Its prices are not the cheapest in Tokyo and it can be a bit crowded, so I wouldn’t particularly recommend visiting unless you happen to need something and want to buy it immediately.
【Akihabara Shopping Destination】Don Quijote Akihabara Store
In Akihabara, you can also buy snacks, souvenirs, medicine, and instant noodles at Don Quijote. There are many types of products available, but the selection of styles within each category is limited. The store layout is also not very easy to navigate, so it may not be the best Don Quijote branch to shop at. However, there are many anime-related products, so anime fans can still come and browse.
Akihabara Closed Facilities
During the pandemic, thousands of stores in Akihabara have closed down. Some of the well-known shopping malls include SEGA 2nd Building, Toranoana, Adores Akihabara 1st Store, Adores Akihabara 2nd Store, and more. Be careful not to miss out when you visit Akihabara!
More Tokyo closed attractions, be sure to confirm before departure to avoid disappointment: 【Best Places to Visit in Tokyo
Maid Cafe & Akihabara Exclusive Theater
Maidreamin Akihabara Electric Town Exit Store
- Address: 4-4-2 Kyoueki-Gaien, Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Business hours: 10:30-23:00, weekdays 11:30-22:00
- Transportation: 3 minutes walk from JR Akihabara Station
- Official website
The Japanese chain maid cafe “Yume no Kuni” features cute maids dressed mostly in white lace dresses, and offers live performances. With a minimum spending of around 2,000 to 3,000 Japanese yen per visit, it is a highly recommended bar-style maid cafe.
If you’re worried about communication issues on your first visit to a maid cafe, try booking a session with Chinese-speaking staff in advance: Maidreamin Maid Cafe in Tokyo
Gundam cafe & bar
- Address: Kanda Hanokacho 1-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Business hours: 10:00~23:00, starts at 8:30 on weekends and holidays
- Transportation: Right side of the Electric Town Exit of JR Akihabara Line
With the theme of Gundam cartoons, a futuristic bar-style restaurant has been created. The newly renovated store is called “GUNDAM Cafe TOKYO BRAND CORE”, but it has announced that it will close on January 30, 2022. Fans who want to see if there is any information about reopening after the epidemic should refer to the official website.
Don’t miss out on Gundam fans: [Tokyo Odaiba Attraction] Unicorn Gundam: Light Show Transformation Time at “Diver City Tokyo Plaza”
AKB48 咖啡厅&商店
- Address: 1-1 Kanda Hanakawadocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: 03-5297-4848
- Theater Area 11:00~23:00 (Doors open at 10:45)
Cafe Area 11:00~23:00 (Last order at 22:00)
Private Rooms 11:00~23:00
Shop Sun-Thu 11:00~22:00 Fri, Sat, and the day before holidays 11:00~22:30 (Takeout area closes at 22:00)
The AKB48 Cafe located at the exit of Akihabara Station features daily performances by non-fixed members and an AKB48 Shop where related merchandise can be purchased. Dine-in coffee and meals are also available, and takeout is an option!
AKB48 Theater Performance Location
- Address: 4-3-3 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 8th floor of Don Quijote Akihabara store
- Transportation: 5-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station Electric Town Exit
- Official website
The 8th floor of Don Quijote in Akihabara is the small theater where AKB48 originated and rose to fame. Inside the store, you can see the signatures and photos of the members, as well as cosplay costumes of all AKB48 members.
家庭咖啡馆
- Address: 1-11-4 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Business hours: 11:30~22:00
- Transportation: 5-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station Electric Town Exit
Sit face to face with the maid at the bar and interact directly. You can also pay extra to play games and take photos with the maid. It is important to note that the minimum charge is 1100 yen for meals and 500 yen for coffee, and taking photos inside the store is not free.
【Akihabara Hipster Attractions】Kanda Manseibashi mAAch ecute
Kanda Myojin Bridge is a red brick bridge completed in 1912. After planning, it has become a new cultural and artistic attraction with historical architecture. The mAAch ecute space, which opened after planning, is now filled with various Japanese-style handmade grocery stores and cafes, combining the old and the new. Walking on the bridge is like traveling through time and reviewing the prosperity of the past. Float recommends everyone to come to Akihabara and definitely visit the super easy-to-shop Kanda Myojin Bridge.
Akihabara Food Recommendations
Akihabara is not an area that I would specifically come to when looking for Tokyo cuisine, so I don’t have any recommended must-eat foods here. Instead, I will introduce from the perspective of what you can eat when you get tired of shopping.
Godly Seat Ramen
Originating from Osaka’s Dotonbori, “Kamikura Ramen” is the largest chain ramen restaurant in Kansai, famous for its Chinese-style cabbage soup base. Recently, it has also started selling yuzu-flavored ramen to keep up with the trend!
Kebab
One of the specialties in Akihabara is Turkish cuisine “Kebab”. There are many shops selling this popular food in Akihabara, and the most famous one is “Star Kebab” which has three branches in the area.
微笑薄饼
There are also many crepes in Akihabara, and this popular snack that you can eat while standing is quite popular. The “Smiley Crepes” on the first floor across from the AKB48 theater’s Don Quijote Akihabara store has a wide selection of flavors.
Recommended Akihabara Hotels
The “JR East Japan Akihabara METS Hotel”, which is directly connected to JR Akihabara Station in just 1 minute, is a new hotel that opened at the end of 2019. It has a bit more design and liveliness than traditional Japanese chain hotels, and caters to a younger clientele, while still providing all the necessary basic amenities.
The hotel breakfast is very rich, with ingredients from various regions of Japan. The lobby also offers free coffee, DHC skincare trial packs, and bath salts. Most importantly, the hotel is located at the intersection of the electronics street, and there is a NewDays convenience store downstairs. The location is really great.
Check JR East Japan Akihabara METS Hotel Room Rates
More Tokyo Destinations to Explore: Asakusa｜Harajuku｜Kamakura｜Shibuya｜Ginza｜Shinjuku
Everything You Need to Know about Tokyo
Explore more of our adventures around Tokyo:
- Guide: A Comprehensive Tokyo Travel Guide
- Attractions: Best Places to Visit in Tokyo
- Food: Ultimate Tokyo Food Guide
- Hotel: Where to stay in Tokyo
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