Affectionately referred to as Akiba, the district is brimming with gadgets, anime, maid cafes, computer parts, idol merchandise, and a seriously buzzing energy. It holds an unimaginable treasure trove of rare electronics, manga, video games, and pop culture-inspired collectibles for purchase, drawing geeks and nerds from remote corners of the planet. If that's you, come with a full wallet and an empty day, because once you walk into Akihabara, you may never want to leave.

In the 2017 Survey of Behavioral Characteristics of Foreign Travelers by Country: Ranking of Towns Visited in Tokyo, Akihabara ranked amongst the top ten in all Asian and Western countries. In fact, Akihabara is the second most popular city in Tokyo among foreign tourists, following Asakusa. It is lovingly known as 'Akiba' by people worldwide.

Sadly, this Electric Town's colors have started to fade over the past few years. However, many shops still sell goods you can only find in Akihabara. People from all circles gather from all over to enjoy shopping in Akihabara for models, anime, and electronic parts.

The industries that support Akihabara were greatly affected by the pandemic and the sharp tourism decrease since 2020. Many of them are still closed, despite the gradual return of tourists to the area. People worldwide recognize Akihabara as a source of Japan's unique culture, and many await the day that it returns to its former vibrancy.

You need to spend between half a day to one full day, browsing through stores, buying from bins of second-hand goodies, sampling local grub, and dropping by maid cafes.

Conventional sightseers unfamiliar or uninterested in Japanese pop culture should also make a trip to Akihabara as a part of their Tokyo exploration. Leaving Japan without spending at least one afternoon taking in its unique atmosphere would be a crime.

Plus, besides the flashy neon streets, Akihabara offers reflective strolls through ancient shrines, lunch at famous restaurants, and colorful drinks & desserts to savor. In other words, it's absolutely unmissable!

Maid Cafes
Maid Cafes in Akihabara are, as the name suggests, cafes with staff dressed up as maids. Tourists and locals flock to them to be served beverages like beer, coffee, tea, and snacks by cutely dressed women in French-style Maid outfits. While this may seem odd to foreigners, maids have been a recurring theme in Japanese media like manga and anime for years. Book your maid cafe spot to enjoy this quintessential Akihabara attraction. Most of the Maid Cafes are family-friendly, but it would be wise to reach out to the place before bringing in your little ones.

Other themed cafes
・Square Enix Cafe is a mecca for fans of Square Enix's iconic game titles, serving an ever-changing interior that enthralls you in the world of your favorite games. Devour mouth-watering and Instagram-friendly dishes and drinks that are crafted to match the theme of all things Square Enix.
- Address: 1 Chome-6-1, Kanda Sakumacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0025

・A train-themed izakaya, Little TGV serves dishes inspired by trains and shinkansen. From rice balls to omelets and cakes, each plate is a delightful train-inspired creation. Authentic train seats add a charming touch, while train decor and model trains immerse you in the experience.
- Address: Isamiya Daisan Bldg. 4F, 3-10-5 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021

You can visit Akihabara at any time throughout the year. Visitors gather on weekdays, weekends, and holidays, regardless of time or season.

On Sundays, Chuo-dori (Akihabara's main street) transforms into a 'pedestrian paradise' (Hokousha Tengoku), becoming especially lively with guests.

Around May 15 in odd-numbered years, you can also experience the Kanda Festival in Akihabara. The highlight is a Jidai Gyoretsu, a procession of 2,000 people dressed in historical costumes, centered around three beautiful portable shrines.

Most shops sell goods at below-market prices, so you can always find a good deal. Tourist facilities are always available, too. As you can see, Akihabara is a great city to visit, regardless of the season.

(*Date/time of pedestrian paradise and shop business hours subject to changes, cancellations, and closings.)

Akihabara is a major transfer point for commuters from suburban towns in Saitama, Chiba, and Ibaraki. Many lines connect to the city center, making for convenient access. JR Akihabara Station even ranks top 15 among all stations in Japan.

You can also go directly to Tokyo, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro without a transfer.

This ticket includes the Skyliner and a Tokyo Subway Ticket, which allows you to ride the entire Tokyo Subway lines for 24, 48, or 72 hours.

Prices:
・Adults: From 2,840 yen (24 hours/One way) to 5,480 yen (72 hours/Round trip)
・Children: From 1,420 yen (24 hours/One way) to 2,740 yen (72 hours/Round trip)

There are four exits in Akihabara Station. Which exit you use will depend on where you plan to visit, so we recommend checking locations in advance.

You can reach most of Akihabara's main attractions on foot. However, if you don't want to walk, you can consider these options.

A one-day unlimited ride ticket for non-reserved seats on regular trains (including rapid trains) within the 23 wards of Tokyo. Recommended for traveling with the Yamanote Line to areas like Tokyo, Ueno, Shinjuku, and Shibuya.
・Price (per day): Adults 760 yen, children 380 yen

As a place that attracts many foreign visitors, Akihabara naturally has plenty of tourist-friendly accommodations. It's not uncommon for visitors to come to Akihabara for big shopping hauls, for goods such as home appliances, which is why we recommend it as a travel base.

With plenty of commercial facilities, restaurants, and drug stores, you won't have a problem finding food, drinks, or daily necessities.

Akihabara has tons of restaurants, which is another attraction point for tourists. Many call it Japan's 'fierce battleground' for cheap and delicious B-class gourmet, such as curry and ramen.

Some of the many popular chain restaurants include CoCo Ichibanya and Curry Shop C & C (for curry), Kyushu Jangara Ramen and Menya Musashi (for ramen), and Mita Seimensho (for tsukemen). Many of these shops also feature special menus limited to their Akihabara locations. There are even tasty sushi buffets that serve huge portions at bargain prices!

You'll also find eateries on the restaurant floors of commercial buildings like Akihabara UDX and Yodobashi Akiba. Your only trouble may be deciding where to go! If possible, we recommend checking out original shops with special Akihabara-limited menus.

One thing you'll love about Akihabara is how there seems to be a bit of everything in this neon town. It's a great place to wander around and explore for half a day.

Whether for niche subcultures known by few, or pop culture enjoyed by the masses, you won't want to miss out on these shops and goods!

Check out Akihabara Radio Kaikan, said to be the birthplace of the PC, and Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan, which maintains over 500 Gashapon machines at all times. AKIBA Cultures Zone displays goods such as figures, doujinshi (fan-made manga), and idol performances.

We also recommend Akihabara's unique cafes, such as the Square Enix Cafe, which collaborates with works like Final Fantasy.

Akihabara is a sanctuary for people of various subcultures. One such subculture is that of 'survival games'. You'll find many shops selling military and survival game goods, as well as places with real survival games and air gun experiences. Although uncommon, you may even find an 'amusement casino', where you can play casino games without spending any real money.

Finally, don't miss out on Japan's largest owl cafe, Akiba Fukurou. It ranked second place among popular tourist attractions in a 2017 TripAdvisor survey as a super-popular tourists experience you don't usually find anywhere else. Both the advanced reservation system and signs in the shop include English translations for a stress-free visit for tourists.

Home appliances, electrical parts, PC equipment, and of course, anime, figures, and games, are all indispensable parts of shopping in Akihabara.

We also recommend checking out 2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN, an artisan-themed shopping strip with stores, restaurants, and galleries extending through the railroad underpass.

This area truly symbolizes Akihabara, with mass retailers of home electronics such as LAOX, Onoden, and Bic Camera, as well as shops like Animate, Sofmap, Mandarake, which specialize in anime and character goods, or Super Potato, which specializes in secondhand consoles and games.

There are also many private businesses and long-established shop that deal with rare parts and goods not usually available at larger stores. For those who want a deeper Akihabara experience, window shopping alone can be a treat!

The area opposite the Electric Town Ticket Gate. Here you'll find shopping centers like Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba and Akiba Trim.

Just past the station, the hustle and bustle of Akihabara settles down to an unrecognizable level. We recommend visiting the Kanda Myojin shrine, one of Japan's most popular power spots for anime lovers, and Yushima Seido, a sacred shrine dedicated to higher learning.

People have dubbed Akihabara a paradise for lovers of not only anime and electrical goods but all kinds of subcultures. It is the birthplace of the image that Japan has impressed upon the entire world.

With so many shops of so many different genres, Akihabara is a city that easily meets any traveler's needs, regardless of age or interest. Visit Akihabara, and immerse yourself in shopping, food, and entertainment that you can only find here!

Translated by: Krys Suzuki