“Electric Town”
Akihabara, also known as “Electric Town,” is a district in Tokyo that is famous for its electronics stores and anime otaku culture. The area is a haven for tech enthusiasts, with countless electronic shops selling everything from cameras and computers to video games and gadgets. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the latest in Japanese technology and pop culture.
Anime and manga shops
In addition to electronics, Akihabara is also known for its anime and manga shops, where fans of Japanese animation and comics can find rare collectibles, posters, and figurines. The district is a pilgrimage site for otaku, or geek, culture, with themed cafes, arcades, and specialty stores catering to fans.
Maid cafes
Akihabara is also known for its unique maid cafes, where waitresses dressed in maid costumes serve customers in a fantasy-themed environment. The maids will greet customers with “Okaerinasai” (welcome home) and visitors will feel they have returned home. You can go “home” with your entire family as there is no strict age limit for visitors. A lot of the maids speak limited English but you can nevertheless have a great time communicating with gestures and elementary Japanese words. The whole experience is wholesome and decent – it is an experience you cannot get anywhere else and definitely worth it.
Cosplay culture
Akihabara is one of the best spots to get acquainted with Japanese pop culture. The district is a hub for cosplay culture, and visitors can often see people dressed as their favorite anime or video game characters wandering the streets. Young people who want to dress up as their favorite characters in Japanese anime or video games can find the best selection of reasonably priced costumes at Akihabara. Even if you’re not buying, it is a lot of fun to look at all the goods displayed at the cosplay stores: costumes, wigs, colored contacts, masks. Everything is “kawaii” (cute)! A good store is ACOS on the 5th floor of the Akiba Cultures Zone building (open 11am – 8pm)
Small children
For those traveling with smaller children, Akihabara offers a variety of activities to keep the little ones entertained. The district has several arcades with a wide range of games suitable for different ages, as well as toy stores selling the latest and classic Japanese toys. Families can also enjoy visiting the various themed cafes in the area, such as animal cafes where children can interact with cats, dogs, and even owls.
Taito Station
There are many (claw) crane games. Many families come with children.
GIGO
This place also has a lot of crane games but compared to Taito Station and Namco, the arm is placed in such a way that it’s difficult to get objects. Not recommended
Where to eat?
If you’re not going to the maid cafe, it’s best to head to the restaurant floor of the shopping mall in front of the station.
Yodobashi Akihabara
Here you can satisfy your stomach with kaiten-sushi (conveyor belt sushi), unagi (grilled eel), Japanese-style beef and pork katsu (cutlet)
Atre Akihabara
Here you can find Saizeriya (Italian), Marukame Udon (Japanese noodles) and Shabu You (shabu shabu). There are also fashionable cafes such as Starbucks and Sarutahiko Coffee.
Information on Saizeriya below
Chinese noodle Aoba
Famous ramen store with main store in Nakano. In Okachimachi area, walking distance to Akihabara. Counter seats only so difficult to go with children. It’s delicious – definitely worth trying the ramen here.
5-20-3 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00～23:00, Open all year round
How to get there
Akihabara Station is easily accessible on many lines: JR Yamanote line, Keihin-Tohoku line, Sobu line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya line.
For example, it only takes 4 minutes on the JR Yamanote line from Tokyo station to Akihabara station.
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