Once known as a black market where people dealt in random items from international troops stationed in Japan after World War II, Akihabara is now a paradise for those looking to find electronic equipment and for otaku (fanatics) looking for the latest anime and manga related merchandise!
Akiba, as it's known to the locals, is a great place to spend a day traveling and sightseeing. Being close to Asakusa and Ueno, there are a variety of interesting shops and cafes such as the ever-popular maid cafes, where you can be a “master” for a day as elegant young ladies and/or gentlemen cater to your needs!
If shopping is on your mind, there are a ton of electronic shops, some as small as an office cubicle and others with more than 10 floors of the latest technology! Once you finish shopping, you can head to Ueno or Asakusa and relax and take in the atmosphere of many temple and shrine grounds or visit one of the many museums. With so many things to do in Akihabara, you are sure to have an amazing time!
Akihabara Shopping District
From the second you step foot into Akihabara, you will be greeted with brightly lit neon lights, music coming from every corner, and the sights of hundreds of people looking to buy the latest goods. Starting from JR Akihabara Station’s Electric Town Exit, you can find a variety of arcade game centers, electronic shops, cafes, and a variety of restaurants to choose from.
One of the first places to check out is Akihabara Radio Kaikan, where you can find a variety of electronic and anime related goods. Right next door, test your luck at one of the many UFO machines at the SEGA arcade! There are tons of popular game, anime, and manga themed goods to win!
After winning your share of prizes at the arcade, head on over to the Akihabara Kotobukiya shop to check out the latest game and anime figures and merchandise! If you are feeling a little retro, you can quickly swing by Super Potato to check out the relics of gaming past. On the other side of the station is one of the biggest electronic goods shops in Japan: Yodobashi Camera Akihabara! Loaded with the latest and greatest tech and goods, the Yodobashi Camera Akiba shop offers 9 floors of shopping goodness as well as a variety of restaurants to choose from on the top floor! Though, if you want to really enjoy a good meal, we suggest you head on over to Mai:lish, @home cafe, or Maidreamin for an exciting experience at a maid cafe!
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Address
1-15-16, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
View Map -
Nearest Station
Akihabara Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Tsukuba Express / JR Sobu Line)
9 minutes on foot
- Phone Number 03-5807-7787
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Address
1-15-16, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
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Address
1-8-8, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
View Map -
Nearest Station
Akihabara Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Tsukuba Express / JR Sobu Line)
3 minutes on foot
- Phone Number 03-5298-6300
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Address
1-8-8, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
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Address
Kitabayashi Building 3F, 4F, 5F, 1-11-2, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
View Map -
Nearest Station
Akihabara Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Tsukuba Express / JR Sobu Line)
4 minutes on foot
- Phone Number 03-5289-9933
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Address
Kitabayashi Building 3F, 4F, 5F, 1-11-2, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
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Address
1-1 Kanda Hanaokacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0028
View Map -
Nearest Station
Akihabara Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Tsukuba Express / JR Sobu Line)
1 minute on foot
- Phone Number 03-5209-1010
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Address
1-1 Kanda Hanaokacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0028
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Cafe Mai:lishカフェ メイリッシュ
- Address 2F FH Kyowa Square, 3-6-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
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@home café Honten@ほぉ~むカフェ本店
- Address Mitsuwa building 4-7F, 1-11-4 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
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Maidreamin Akihabaraめいどりーみん 秋葉原本店
- Address Sumiyoshi Building 6F, 3-16-17 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
Museums in the Akihabara Area
Museum lovers are in luck! There are many museums spread all throughout the Tokyo area, with a few in Akihabara and the surrounding areas! First off is the Origami Kaikan, located a few blocks from Akihabara or Ochanomizu Station. Here you can participate in origami-folding classes and entry is free! On the other side of Ochanomizu Station, you can find a darker view into the past at the Meiji University Museum. Here you will find torture and physical restraint tools from Japan and other countries, along with many archaeological items excavated in Japan.
Back in the Akihabara area, you can find 3331 Arts Chiyoda, which opened in 2010. The name 3331 expresses the rhythm of the Edo era Ipponjime hand clap, a traditional Japanese custom used to express gratitude.
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Address
1-7-14, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0034
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Nearest Station
Ochanomizu Station (JR Chuo Main Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / JR Sobu Line)
7 minutes on foot
- Phone Number 03-3811-4025
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Address
1-7-14, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0034
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Address
Academy common B1, the second floor, 1-3, Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062
View Map -
Nearest Station
Ochanomizu Station (JR Chuo Main Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / JR Sobu Line)
5 minutes on foot
- Phone Number 03-3296-4448
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Address
Academy common B1, the second floor, 1-3, Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062
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Address
6-11-14, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
View Map -
Nearest Station
Suehirocho Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
1 minute on foot
- Phone Number 03-6803-2441
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Address
6-11-14, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
Temples and Shrines in the Akihabara Area
Not quite known for their shrines, Akihabara has a few places that are definitely worth a visit on your next time in Tokyo. Starting off, make sure to head out to Kanda Myojin where you can experience a fusion of Japanese tradition with anime influences. The shrine is known in their area for their unique festivals and events that draw many people, from businessmen and -women to otaku!
Next, we have Yushima Seido, a temple that dates back to the late 1600’s. It has a long scholarly history and was a school that used to be managed by the shogunate and is considered as the birthplace of modern Japanese education. Lastly, we have Nikolai-do, which is not a shrine or temple in the traditional sense, but has become a landmark in the area for its Byzantine-style cathedral and plays a central role in the area.
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Address
2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
View Map -
Nearest Station
Suehirocho Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
5 minutes on foot
- Phone Number 03-3254-0753
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Address
2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
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Address
1-4-25, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0034
View Map -
Nearest Station
Ochanomizu Station (JR Chuo Main Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / JR Sobu Line)
2 minutes on foot
- Phone Number 03-3251-4606
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Address
1-4-25, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0034
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Address
4-1, Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062
View Map -
Nearest Station
Ochanomizu Station (JR Chuo Main Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / JR Sobu Line)
2 minutes on foot
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Address
4-1, Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
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