Even the entrance to Otachu Akihabara is a bit bizarre, as you’ll technically enter the store via Toei Land on the ground level. Proceed on to the second floor and tadah – you’ll find yourself in a bargain paradise of everything that Akihabara is so famous for.

A colorful bargain ocean of games, consoles, figurines, and all sorts of merchandise and memorabilia awaits at Otachu Akihabara! Especially the shop’s selection of trading cards is astonishing, dealing in things like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Kancolle Arcade, and Vanguard.

There’s even a trading card gatcha in the store, so maybe you’re lucky and snatch a rare card? Or just have a nice and very reasonable memento of your otaku trip. Collector or not, Otachu Akihabara represents the spirit of Akihabara like barely any other shop, so it is a definite must-see!

Another highlight of Otachu Akihabara is the selection of figurines, all neatly and densely arranged. Hand-written signs for pretty much every figurine adds a bit of character to each of them, making for a treasure trove of unique discoveries.

Akihabara is dotted with game centers big and small, but the one that we love the most is Club Sega’s Akihabara Building No. 1. It has been renovated in 2012 and sets itself off with a fancier, more modern appearance than many of the area’s other game centers. It is also wonderfully spacious and not as crammed as what you might be used to or imagine, so this Club Sega is the perfect spot for both gamers and the curious.

Floors one to three are all filled with various crane games, and a hard-earned prize might just be the perfect souvenir to take home from Akihabara. The upper floors are home to various video games, from fighting to shooting, from action to sports. In theory, you could easily spend an entire fun-filled day at Club Sega’s Akihabara Building No. 1!

As already mentioned, Club Sega has several game centers around Akihabara and each of them boasts their own characteristics. The Club Sega Akihabara Building No. 2 is recognized by its blue and orange colors and known for being the game center for hardcore otaku. The first floor may seem a bit narrow but offers an excellent choice of various games. Among them, we especially recommend Sega’s famous and immensely popular Sangokushi Taisen.

Created as the game center for otaku, Club Sega Akihabara Building No. 2 features an amazing lineup of prizes to win that you probably won’t find anywhere else. On top of that, the female staff impresses with their intricate cosplays, and the entire interior of the game center is fashioned in a very fun and futuristic style.

For everyone who doesn’t consider themselves a particular fan of anime and manga but still wantｓ to get a good whiff of Akihabara air, head over to Club Sega Akihabara Building No. 3. This game center has attracted quite a lot of attention in June 2017, when VR has been introduced to the complex’s 6th floor. Whether you’re a gamer or not, the world of virtual reality is sure to amaze!

Another characteristic of this place is the prize lineup in the crane games. While the regular anime merchandise is plentifully represented, the game center also offers an irregularly large variety of plushies and Disney character goods.

Club Sega Akihabara Building No. 4 is right outside Akihabara Station if you take the Electric Town Exit, thus making it the first stop for both locals and tourists alike. From the basement to the fourth floor, this game center is chock-full with crane games offering figurines, plushies, and other merchandise of Japan’s latest hit anime, especially on the first and second floor.

The characteristic of Club Sega Akihabara Building No. 4 is its abundance of both new and classic merchandise, meaning that you’ll likely find some old favorites among the character and goods selection. If you’re not sure how to tackle a crane game best, feel free to ask the staff! Also, make sure to try out some of the many rhythm and music games, or beat up your friends (virtually of course!) at one of the fighting and action games.

Club Sega Akihabara Building No. 4
1 Chome-15-9 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo-to 101-0021
TEL: 03-3254-8406
Access: Akihabara Station (Sobu Main Line, Keihin Tohoku Line, Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Tsukuba Express); 1 minute on foot via Electric Town Exit

Kanda is a neighborhood adjacent to the uniquely bizarre Akihabara and offers a bit of chic and calm – thus, it’s the perfect place to kick back and find a souvenir or two for your non-otaku friends. We highly recommend to check out Showa Yakuhin, a drug store with other 8,000 items, including medicine, cosmetics, and daily necessities, but also some handy Only in Japan goods.

Especially Japanese cosmetic brands like Shiseido and Kanebo are highly sought after by many a tourist, as the selection is naturally bigger in Japan and lots of bargains can be made as well.

Showa Yakuhin Kanda deals in a lot of sample products that are sold particularly cheap, so for all of you looking to go on a bit of a shopping spree while exploring Akihabara, this is a must-visit!

Nothing screams “Akihabara otaku culture” more than Japanese maids. While you might be familiar with maid cafés, we have found something even more exciting and out of the ordinary: a maid massage salon! Make no mistake, however – these maids know what they are doing and are perfectly capable of giving you a proper massage!

Look forward to reflexology with aroma oil (2,580 yen) for your feet or hands, or let your neck, shoulder, and back be massaged by the skilled hands of the massage maids in the “eyestrain recovery” (2,580 yen). Another recommendation is the Detox foot bath (5,150 yen) that seeks to flush all sorts of toxins from your body!
Naturally, the maids tend to be quite the otaku themselves, so feel free to chat away about your favorite show or character while being massaged for both fun and relaxation!

Maid Reflexology Cutie Relax
1-16-10 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo-to 101-0021
TEL: 03-5296-8030
Access: Akihabara Station (Sobu Main Line, Keihin Tohoku Line, Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Tsukuba Express); 1 minute on foot via Electric Town Exit

With so many things to do and buy in Akihabara, you might find yourself running out of cash at some point. Worry not, though, as a shop called Adores Exchange Akihabara will supply you with all the cash you need, easy and just outside of Akihabara Station. It is open every day until 9:00 p.m., so even night owl can get some cash stress-free. The staff is able to speak both Japanese and English.

Adores doesn’t just operate money exchanges, though, but also game centers and karaoke parlors. The crane game specialty store Adores Akihabara shares a building with the exchange, as well as Karaoke Adores Akihabara. Once you’ve stocked up on cash, why not kick back and sing for an hour or two?

In this day and age, staying connected is important, no matter where you are. In an “electric town” like Akihabara, that does, of course, not pose a problem! With rental Wi-Fi, traveling around Tokyo and Japan becomes so much more comfortable, as route guidance, sightseeing tips, and more is at your fingertips.

Wi-Fi Rental Store in Akihabara offers internet “cheap, fast, and easy.” Visitors traveling to Japan regularly seem to swear by this service! You can make an order for a rental Wi-Fi router before even coming to the store, eliminating basically any waiting time. You can even have it delivered to your hotel or an airport for maximum comfort and instant connectivity. The best part: the router can be returned via mail, so you can return it from any mailbox in Japan – even at the airport.

Wi-Fi Rental Store
1-5 Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo-to 101-0041
TEL (Japanese): 03-3525-8351
TEL (English): 03-3525-8359
Access: Akihabara Station (Sobu Main Line, Keihin Tohoku Line, Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Tsukuba Express); 5 minutes on foot via Electric Town Exit

Whether you’re an otaku or an adventurer, Akihabara has many charms to discover! From game centers to maid massage parlors, one day might not be quite enough to explore the bizarre, fun jungle that is Akihabara, but we hope that our list gave you some ideas to enhance your trip!