Akihabara is a sensory jolt and can be overwhelming, especially on your first visit. This neighborhood guide is designed to help you cut through the chaos and build an itinerary based on your own interests.

Based on personal visits and local tips, it highlights the must-see spots for a first or second trip, designed to skip the filler and get straight to what makes Akihabara strange yet wonderful.

It’s the only blueprint you’ll need to find the best things to do in the area.

Shopaholics looking to snag the latest in Japanese and international tech, lace up your comfiest walking shoes because Akihabara’s megastores will keep you on your toes. There are several stories to wander around, with areas dedicated to everything from the latest phones and retro gaming consoles to smart toilets.

Most stores offer a tax-free benefit for tourists who purchase products for over 5,000 yen.

BicCamera AKIBA
A multilevel emporium, BicCamera AKIBA spans seven floors packed with electronics, gaming gear, and everyday gadgets. Beauty lovers should head straight to the cosmetics and appliance floor. It’s one of the best spots in Akihabara for scoring deals on Japanese skincare tech and styling tools. Be sure to check out LIVE JAPAN's coupon page to bag up to 17% off (restrictions apply)!

Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba
Just steps away from Akihabara Station, this sprawling, nine-floor complex brims with every imaginable gadget. Pick up the latest mirrorless camera, take home a smart device, shop for Japanese toys with your family, or buy a fitness tracker to clock in the thousands of steps you're walking each day in Japan.

For non-shoppers, there's also a golf driving range and batting cage, as well as a slew of tasty restaurants to grab a bite.

LAOX Akihabara Main Store
This longtime duty-free favorite is built for international shoppers, with six floors of tax-free goods and multilingual staff. Start with Chow Tai Fook jewelry on the first floor, then head up for cosmetics (2F), home appliances (3F), souvenirs and medicines (4F), watches and jewelry (5F), and premium fashion on the top. Whether you're hunting for a rice cooker, face masks, or a sleek designer bag, LAOX covers all the bases. Be sure to check out LIVE JAPAN's coupon page to bag up to 18% off (restrictions apply)!

Edion Akiba
You can’t miss this bold blue building at the Manseibashi intersection: it’s Akihabara’s go-to for home electronics and portable tech. Aimed at students and solo city dwellers, EDION stocks everything from rice cookers and beauty gadgets to high-end cameras and luxury watches. Need a hairdryer, a humidifier, or health supplements? They’ve got it. With tax-free service, it’s a hassle-free stop for practical (and premium) buys. Be sure to check out LIVE JAPAN's coupon page to bag up over 10% off (restrictions apply)!

AKKY ONE Akihabara
Best known for its affordable yet stylish luggage and practical electronics, AKKY ONE offers tax-free shopping on laptops, cameras, watches, and appliances with global voltage options. Multilingual support makes it easy for tourists to browse, and most of what you’ll find here is genuinely useful once you get home.

AKKY II
Located inside the Hirose Radio Electric Headquarters, AKKY II is a smaller branch of AKKY, offering SIM-free phones, accessories, watches, and other discounted tech items. The staff are tourist-savvy, and the tax-free checkout is quick and easy.

Whether you grew up on pixelated battles or missed the golden age entirely — and want to experience it today — Akihabara is the place to track down retro consoles, cartridges, and arcades.

These shops are stocked with truckloads of nostalgia, and if you dig deep enough, you’ll stumble across some rare finds.

Super Potato - Akihabara
A mecca for retro game lovers, Super Potato stocks everything from Famicom and Sega Saturn consoles to shelves of vintage cartridges and game-themed snacks. The third floor is full of affordable second-hand finds, while the fourth focuses on PlayStation and PC titles. Prices can run higher than other second-hand shops, but the range is unmatched. You can usually find Dreamcast, GameCube, and a solid lineup of Nintendo and Sega classics.

Even if you're not planning to buy anything, it's worth browsing the shelves just to see the uncommon items on display, especially collector’s pieces that aren't for sale but feel more like relics in a mini Otaku museum.

Got time to spare? Head to the top floor to try your hand at classic Japanese arcade machines.

Trader
Want to skip the collector items and go straight to trending PlayStation and Nintendo titles? Trader is the place. Prices are reasonable, especially for common finds. Along with games, you’ll find Blu-rays, used video games, and a solid selection of anime merch.

BEEP Akihabara
Selling a range of niche and Japan-exclusive releases, BEEP is where the cool kids go to scour for obscure consoles, manuals, and vintage PC games. It's smaller than Super Potato but is known for unique treasures and collector-worthy gear.

Subcultures are stacked floor by floor inside Akihabara’s otaku megastores. Glass cases show off rare figurines, shelves are overflowing with Blu-rays and idol merch, and there are aisles of manga in every genre and subgenre imaginable.

With so much to browse (and buy), don’t be surprised if you lose track of time and all your yen.

We’ve already covered Akihabara Radio Kaikan, but don’t miss two more heavyweights: Animate Akihabara and Amiami Akihabara.

Animate - Akihabara
Animate is a must-visit for anime fans, with 16 well-organised floors split between two towers. You’ll find the latest manga, drama CDs, rare merchandise, and rotating seasonal pop-ups.

Head to Building 1 for big-name titles like Jujutsu Kaisen and One Piece, and set aside time—this place deserves more than a quick stop. Building 2 focuses on books and zines, mostly in Japanese but with a few English finds.

Come for the character goods, stay for the collab cafés and people-watching.

Amiami Akihabara Figure Tower
For slightly less sensory overload, go to Amiami Akihabara Figure Tower. This is one of Akihabara's largest figure stores and is home to detailed figures, model kits, and exclusive drops. It's where serious fans go when they know exactly what they want, or bargain hunters looking for pre-owned products.

Akihabara Radio Kaikan
This multi-floor maze is a one-stop shop for all things otaku. The capsule machines are grouped by theme, so Evangelion gachapon sits right beside Evangelion merchandise, making it easy to zero in on them based on what you're into. Along with the rows of gachapon machines, you’ll find figure shops, idol goods, electronics, and shelves of rare anime merchandise.

Don Quijote Akihabara
Don Quijote stores are retail fever dreams, with branches scattered across Japan. Can’t sleep? Go to Don Quijote. Craving snacks? Go to Don Quijote. Feel like spinning a random gachapon? Don Quijote’s got you covered.

At the Akihabara location, capsule machines are placed near the entrance and hidden throughout the store. Most themes are humorous or on the novelty end of the spectrum.

You can also shop over 40,000 products, from snacks to electronics, with tax-free options for purchases over 5,000 yen. Plus, you can save over 10% with LIVE JAPAN's coupon (tap for details).

What sets this Don Quijote apart is the AKB48 Theatre on the 8th floor (official website here). It's a live venue named after the idol group AKB48, who regularly perform there.

In Akihabara, secondhand finds are a treasure trove unlike anywhere else. Thanks to the cultural mindset of mottainai—a philosophy of not being wasteful—used items are often in near-new condition and surprisingly affordable. Mandarake Complex and Surugaya Specialty Store are goldmines for collectors hoping to score rare goods without paying full price.

Beyond used items, Akihabara's print scene is a world unto itself. It's filled with glossy artbooks, design zines, and collector editions of self-published manga you won't see outside Japan. Doujinshi (fan-made comics) are a huge draw here, with entire floors dedicated to indie work and niche fandoms, making it a vibrant hub for unique literary finds.

Mandarake Complex
A true holy grail of secondhand shopping in Akihabara, Mandarake Complex offers eight floors of organized treasures. While you might remember it for its figurines and retro games, this multi-level shop dives deep into much more. Each hyper-specific level is almost always full of people, packed with everything from retro consoles to classic anime merch. You'll find aisles of rare manga, adult-only doujinshi (fan fiction), cosplay gear, and vintage finds, with collector books spanning from 1980s shōjo gems to today's indie zines. Go with ample time to peruse its extensive collection.

Surugaya Specialty Store Akihabara
Slightly more tranquil but well-stocked, Surugaya Akihabara is where you can shop for well-priced anime merch, games, and manga. It’s less flashy than Mandarake, but you’ll often find better deals if you’re willing to dig.

BOOKOFF Akihabara
This secondhand chain has a solid selection of manga, novels, and Japanese books at discount prices. There's usually a section of dirt-cheap English books too.
It’s less niche than the others but great for casual browsing or grabbing a cheap volume for the train or easy Japanese practice.

South of the main drag, the tourist crowds give way to converted railway spaces filled with design studios, handmade goods, and low-key cafés.

2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN
Under the elevated JR lines, this minimalist space brings together over 50 independent creators. There are works for sale from insanely talented ceramicists, glassblowers, leatherworkers, and jewelers. You can meet the makers, browse their work, and pick up something one-of-a-kind. It’s chic, mellow, and the total opposite of the flashy chaos a few blocks away.

The name comes from its location exactly 2.54 kilometers away from Tokyo Station.

mAAch ecute – Kanda Manseibashi
Housed inside the red-brick remains of a former train station, mAAch ecute is heavy on both vibe and design. Inside you are welcomed by an industrial-yet-stylish setup. Walkways overlook the river, lined with small shops selling wagashi, design books, craft beer, and stationery. Some of the stores are permanent while others are temporary, and some are even weekend-only popups. It’s a favorite haunt for in-the-know locals.

Beyond shopping, Akihabara offers a myriad of interactive and memorable experiences.

In most parts of the world, women dressed in frilly maid uniforms might draw confused stares but in Akihabara, it’s just another weekday. These cafés are a big slice of the neighborhood’s identity and an amalgamation of pop culture and fantasy.

Maidreamin Akihabara Honten
Nowadays, there are plenty of places to experience this rare pop culture phenomenon, but Maidreamin has built a loyal following thanks to its cheerful atmosphere and interactive service. Kawaii Waitresses, dressed in full French maid garb, greet you as “Master” or “Princess” and sprinkle every order with smiles, giggles, and over-the-top cuteness.

Maid Cafés are typically known for having a mostly male fanbase, but Maidreamin is more playful over provocative, and performances are surprisingly wholesome and family-friendly.

There’s a table charge, and you’ll need to order something off the menu. Get cartoon-shaped omurice, pastel parfaits, or soda floats that look like props from an anime set.

Cure Maid Café
Ease into the maid cafe scene by visiting Cure Maid Café. Enjoy a toned-down maid cafe experience with a Victorian-inspired aesthetic and classical music playing in the background. It’s quieter and more relaxed than the flashier maid cafés.

Gachapon machines take Japan’s love for miniatures and make it addictive. These coin-fed gumball-like machines can be found in train stations, airports, and even BicCamera. Each spin gives you a shot at something oddly specific. Take home a tiny bowl of ramen, a lounging cat, or a mini retro arcade console.

For the wildest collections and a chance at limited-edition finds, head to one of the capsule toy hubs below.

Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan
For over a decade, Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan has been a favorite among collectors, housing over 500 gachapon machines with themes that rotate frequently. Pokémon, Gundam, and Sailor Moon are some of the most sought-after, with dozens of new sets added regularly. Expect to spend anywhere from 100 to 500 yen on these kitschy souvenirs.

Pro tip: Start saving your 100 yen coins from konbini runs, as they’ll disappear fast here.

GiGO Akihabara 1
This is the flagship arcade in the area and is packed wall-to-wall with UFO catchers, rhythm games, and floors dedicated to anime-themed prizes. Here, the UFO catchers may feature high-demand plushies, anime figures, limited-edition collaborations, or oversized toys.

GiGO Akihabara 3rd
Smaller than the main branch, Gigo Akihabara 3rd focuses on claw machines with character goods like Pokémon, Kirby, and other cute mascots. It’s great for easier wins and lower-stakes prizes.

Immortalize your time in Akihabara with a round of purikura. No, that’s not a Pokémon, these are over-the-top Japanese photo booths where you can add filters, stickers, and anime-sized eyes. You’ll find them all over, but the ones in GiGO Akihabara Building 1 and Taito Station are our top picks.

GiGO Akihabara Building 1
Put on bunny ears and strike a pose in the stylish purikura corner inside GiGO Akihabara Building 1. The machines here are constantly updated with the latest themes and filters.

Taito Station
Space Invaders glare down from the red façade, yanking you straight into a full day of clangor, lights, and intense gaming. When you’re ready to catch your breath, head to the B1F level and snap some purikura before calling it a day.

Regardless of whether you're deep into anime or just curious about cosplay, Akihabara has shops where you can step into a whole new persona. Slip into a full costume, from classic school uniforms to over-the-top character looks, and even rent one out for a stroll through the neighborhood.

GeeStore Akihabara
This is where professional cosplayers go to get their gear. Everything is official, high-quality, and screen-accurate. You will find authentic COSPA merchandise here, including uniforms from major series like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer.

Espacio
Espacio is a hidden gem for anyone curious about Gothic Lolita or maid fashion. It’s the only spot in the area where you can rent these stylish looks and actually wear them out on the town! Once you’ve picked your outfit, head to their free makeup space, complete with dressers and styling tools, to get photo-ready. Staff will even snap an Instax keepsake before you go. Afterward, hang out in the cozy rest area to meet up with friends or take more pics in your new look.

After a long day of exploring Akihabara, you're bound to get hungry. Skip a long sit-down meal and instead grab a quick snack from one of the many street-friendly options nearby.

While eating on the go isn't usually encouraged in Japan, these bites are easy to eat on the go and perfect for walking through the neighborhood.

Akihabara Gindaco
Gindaco Akiba-yokocho is a lively takoyaki (octopus ball) stand located near Akihabara Station, part of a bustling food corridor featuring about eight mini-shops that share a casual, standing-bar vibe. Their specialty is crisp-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside takoyaki, plus creative variations. Perfect for a quick snack while exploring, it’s a crowd-pleaser for both night owls and daytime wanderers looking to taste a street-food classic.

Akihabara Kurikoan
Pokémon fans should dash to this tiny, easy-to-miss spot serving Magikarp-shaped taiyaki. Fillings range from custard and chocolate to traditional red bean paste. Not sure what to try? Just ask the staff! They're happy to help you choose a sweet treat.

Anime Collab Taiyaki at GiGO Arcade
Keep an eye out for limited-time anime collab desserts. GiGO Arcade has previously run extremely cool Genshin Impact-themed taiyaki shaped like Aigis and Koromaru.

Akiba Ichi (inside Akihabara UDX)
When you need a proper food stop, head to Akiba Ichi inside UDX. It’s home to around 30 casual eateries serving everything from ramen and parfaits to Western, Chinese, and Italian dishes. Clean, air-conditioned, and ideal to chill, it's a good spot to refuel.

From anime idols to military gear and tiny trains, Akihabara’s themed cafés make even a coffee break into a full-on character roleplay.

Little TGV
Railfans, this one’s for you. Little TGV recreates the inside of a Japanese train carriage, with uniformed staff, station-style announcements, and meals served in train-shaped trays. The drink menu reads like a departure board, and the cocktails are surprisingly good. Like much of Akiba, it’s quirky but fully committed to the bit.

Akihabara UDX
This sleek complex houses a mix of around 30 restaurants and shops, but its main perk is the rare open-air seating and cozy indoor lounges. Head to the second-floor terrace for a break away from the street crowds. On weekends, it hosts a flea market on the grounds outside.

Cat Cafe MOFF Yodobashi Akiba
Inside the Yodobashi Akiba building on the ground floor, Cat Café MOFF pairs unlimited drinks with an adorable crew of friendly cats. You pay by the hour, and chances are you’ll end up staying longer than planned. Pick up some cat treats if you want to make a few furry friends fast.

Akihabara's hobby culture thrives on build-your-own kits. Gunpla, or Gundam model kits, are especially popular, but shelves are also lined with famous characters from anime, video games, and original designs. While Yodobashi Camera Akiba has an impressive selection on its Hobby Floor (located on the 6th floor), three more spots are worth checking out if you're serious about kits.

If your interests lean more towards soldering irons and circuit boards than souvenirs, Akihabara is your ultimate destination. Some of the area's best parts shops trace back to its post-war roots, packed with sensors, microchips, and everything you need for proper DIY electronics fixes.

Sengoku Densho
Calling itself a "parts and tool supermarket," this old-school shop lives up to the name. Its shelves are brimming with resistors, LEDs, and repair tools stacked wall to wall. The staff is helpful if you already know what you need.

Marutsu Akihabara
Modern, systematic, and great for both beginners and hobbyists, Marutsu stocks everything from Arduino components to soldering stations. English support is limited, but clear signage makes it easy enough to figure things out on your own.

Akihabara Denpa Kaikan (Parts floor)
Drop by the retro radio alley on the parts floor of Denpa Kaikan for a dose of Akihabara’s past. There are narrow aisles, handwritten labels, and shelves packed with wires, tools, and original parts for DIY builds. It’s a goldmine for repair work or niche projects.

Kotobukiya - Akihabara
A favorite among anime model kit collectors, Kotobukiya stocks high-quality figures, limited-edition kits, and a wide range of parts and accessories. The displays are easy to browse, and the staff actually know what they’re talking about, which makes a big difference if you're looking for something specific.

Yellow Submarine Akihabara Main Shop ★Mint
Yellow Submarine Akihabara is a specialty shop for toys, plastic models, and trading card games, located on the 6th floor of Akihabara Radio Kaikan, just steps from Akihabara Station. Part of a nationwide chain, this branch is organized by product category across separate floors. Find Tokusatsu figures like Ultraman and Kamen Rider, plastic models including Gundam, and anime character goods from hits like Dragon Ball and One Piece. Model enthusiasts will find scale kits of cars, planes, tanks, and ships, along with tools and materials. The game floor offers a wide selection of trading cards—spanning sports, idols, and games—making it a paradise for collectors.

Volks Akihabara Hobby Paradise
The name says it all—this place really is a haven for model kit fans. While prices run higher than some nearby shops, Volks carries rare character-themed kits that are tough to find elsewhere.

TamTam Hobby Shop Akihabara
Train geeks and scale model fans, this one’s for you. TamTam is loaded with tracks, tools, paints, and shelves of miniature accessories. You might walk in for glue and end up with everything you need to build an entire city block.

Hunting down a bizarre vending machine is a quintessential Japanese experience, and Akihabara delivers. You’ll find machines selling canned oden, sake, oddball toys, and mystery boxes that make no sense, but are somehow impossible to skip.

CHICHIBU DENKI Building
Don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior of Chichibu Denki, because inside this old electronics building is one of Akihabara’s strangest vending setups. You’ll find machines selling canned oden, outdated tech accessories, and even an occasional gag gift.

Weird Vending Machines Corner
Claustrophobic? You might want to skip this one. But if you’re game, this cramped building in Akihabara is home to a cluster of truly obscure vending machines. Mystery boxes are the main draw, but you’ll also find bug toys in jars, random snacks, and drinks. We drop by every time we’re in the area as the stock rotates often, and no two visits are the same.

For the uninitiated, Idol culture in Japan centers on young performers who sing, dance and build dedicated fan followers through pristinely managed personas. In Akihabara, small livehouses host these acts almost daily. Expect glow sticks, choreographed chants, and a crowd that knows every word.

Akihabara Dear Stage
A legendary multi-floor bar where aspiring idol performers work as waitresses by day and sing on stage by night. The space is tight and the line between audience and performer barely exists.

AKIBA Cultures Theater
Tucked beneath the AKIBA Cultures Zone, AKIBA Cultures Theater is a lively underground spot for pop culture fans. The space seats a little over 100 people and feels intimate, with daily shows featuring everything from up-and-coming idols to voice actors and VOCALOID acts. Expect dedicated fans, top-tier sound and lighting, and a front-row feel from almost any seat. It’s a great pick if you want high-energy performances without the overwhelming stadium scene.

AKB48 Theater
The AKB48 Theater in Akihabara is the legendary home stage of Japan’s iconic idol group AKB48, located on the 8th floor of the Don Quijote building. Since its debut in December 2005, they've performed almost daily in the intimate 250-seat space, bringing fans as close as two meters from the stage for that “idols you can meet” experience. The venue also features its signature pink-striped pillars, added each year on the group’s anniversary as a playful marker of AKB48’s legacy. Tickets are distributed via a lottery system, but even if you can’t get one, the lobby remains open for glimpses of fan events, live streams, and behind-the-scenes footage.

TwinBox AKIHABARA
A basement livehouse known for indie and underground idol acts, TwinBox is raw and experimental. Smaller crowds, cheaper tickets, and front-row energy make it feel more like a secret gig than a show.

If you’ve hit your shrine limit and they’re all starting to blur together, make an exception for Kanda Myojin. This one’s got history, personality, and a whole lot of fan culture.

Kanda Myojin Shrine
One of Tokyo’s oldest shrines, Kanda Myojin, dates back to the 10th century and enshrines a samurai from 940 AD. These days, it’s just as well known for anime tie-ins (like Steins;Gate) and limited-edition character charms. You’ll spot prayer plaques covered in fan art and maybe even a cosplay shoot happening between the main hall and vending machines.

Zip through Akihabara’s electric streets in a go-kart, dressed in full costume and cruising past arcades, billboards, and confused pedestrians. You’ll draw stares, but that’s part of the fun. It’s a wild, ridiculous, and an absolute Akihabara bucket list activity.

Street Kart Akihabara 1st
Suit up in a character onesie, grab the wheel, and drive straight into Akihabara’s streets. Tours include photo stops at landmarks like Electric Town and the Akihabara UDX building. You’ll need a valid international driving permit, but the experience is absolutely worth the paperwork.

If navigating Akihabara’s anime maze feels like too much, let someone who knows the backstreets lead the way. A guided tour is an easy way to get straight to the good stuff with someone who knows the area like the back of their hand.

Akihabara has fun things happening constantly and year-round with rotating events, cosplay meetups, and festivals that bring out both tradition and fandom.

Anime franchises often take over floors of Animate Akihabara with limited-edition merch, themed cafés, and life-size displays. These events change fast, so check ahead for what’s showing when you’re in town.

Every Sunday, local cosplayers gather near Akihabara Station, turning the area under the JR tracks into an open-air photo studio. It’s free to watch, and most are happy to pose for respectful photos.

Held every second May in odd-numbered years, Kanda Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s oldest festivals and passes right by Akihabara. There are portable shrines, street parades, and a rare mix of tradition layered over anime billboards.

The Akihabara UDX building plays host to several summer beer gardens, music events, and glorious winter light displays.

Together, these picks give a solid introduction to Akihabara’s many facets. Use them to build your route: combine anime shopping sprees with Purikura stops, fit in a peaceful shrine visit after arcade hopping, or check out retro games & handmade crafts.