People from all around the world, not just Japan, visit this location. Because of its abundance of niche stores, Akihabara has become one of Tokyo’s most visited areas.
Anime and manga fans also flock to the neighborhood due to the abundance of dedicated stores catering to their interests. Anime and manga fans from all over the world flock to the city every year since it hosts the majority of comic conventions.
Also, because there are so many electronic stores there, the neighborhood has earned the nickname “electrotown.”
History of Akihabara
In the past, this was a major thoroughfare for traders and tourists making their way from Tokyo to the northwest. Being a major thoroughfare, it has attracted many skilled tradespeople. Additionally, it accommodated a sizable number of international and domestic merchants passing through the area on their way to or from the city.
All of Akihabara was wiped out in a fire in the late 1800s, which is how the area earned its current name. The locals have constructed a temple to the fire god because of the area’s propensity for burning. That way, hopefully, the city will be safe from any additional blazes. This place has been revered for centuries and is known as Akiba Jinja.
A station was built in the area later that century, making it a hub for both freight and passenger trains. It turns out that even in ancient Japanese times, Akihabara was a thriving metropolis.
Quickly, Akihabara became one of Tokyo’s busiest neighbourhoods as large shopping malls replaced the smaller markets.
Akihabara Tokyo Map
Located in the Chiyoda (or Chiyoda-ku) neighborhood of Chuo, Tokyo, Akihabara is a tucked-away section of the Sotokanda district. Buses and the Tokyo Metro Line’s Akihabara station provide convenient access.
The several exits from this station allow passengers to reach all points in the city. Those looking to visit the numerous electronic goods stores that have made Akihabara famous should exit the station to the west.
The stores and restaurants dedicated to Japanese animation can be found near the northern exit.
Coordinates for Akihabara
Anyone visiting Akihabara for the first time should make a mental note of the closest train stations. There are several train lines that stop at Akihabara, making it easy to get here.
This station provides access to multiple JR lines, including the Yamanote, Sobu, and Keihin Tohoku lines. The trip from Tokyo to Akihabara on the JR Yamanote line only takes around three minutes and costs about 140 yen. One can also take the JR Chuo line from Shinjuku, which will cost around 170 yen and take about 17 minutes.
Akihabara Hotels
Because of its status as a major tourist attraction, staying the night in Akihabara is not too difficult. There are many of nice, secure places to stay in and around the neighborhood, including hotels, inns, and B&Bs.
The most intriguing aspect of this is the abundance of capsule hotels in the Akihabara area. These are the hotel rooms, which are about the size of a shoebox, so you can imagine how small they are. Just the space around the bed is enclosed in this box.
A large number of past guests have praised the hotel’s level of comfort. This little bed or capsule has amenities including television, wifi, and lighting. Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado and First Cabin are two of the most well-known accommodations in the area. Depending on the accommodation category, a typical stay lasts anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.
Most hotels provide maps and guides available at the front desk to help visitors find their way about and make the most of their vacation. For guests from other countries, several hotels provide packages that include tours with guides and itineraries. Some travel agencies and hotels even have formal partnerships with one another.
Akihabara Highlight
Anime
Products based on anime can be anything. Pillows and duvet covers featuring the likenesses of popular anime characters can be purchased at a variety of stores.
You can also find businesses selling stationery and other goods with cartoon characters on them. In addition, several shops in Akihabara specialize in selling toys and other memorabilia.
According to those in the know, Radio Kaikan is the greatest spot to get your hands on anime-related merchandise. Here, you may buy or exchange for pretty much anything related to your favorite anime series.
Although the majority of Akihabara’s wares are tied to manga and anime, there are other options for video games and their protagonists.
Electric Town
Because of its reputation as “electro town,” many tech enthusiasts know that Akihabara is the best place in Japan to buy electronic devices. There are huge malls filled with nothing but electronics stores.
Keep in mind that even if this is one of the best places to buy electronics, that doesn’t mean they have the lowest prices. The only bright side is that consumers now have an abundance of choices when shopping for any given electronic device.
Sofmap, which has more than ten stores in the area, is one of the most well-known Akihabara electronics retailers. It’s well-known for selling Apple and Android devices. They provide a marketplace for video game hardware, software, and content.
The Loax is yet another well-liked shop in the Akihabara area. Popular among customers is the fact that they offer tax-free goods. They have both electronic and musical instruments on sale. Akky, a small shop, is also well-liked by those searching for tax-free goods other than just electronics. They offer a wide variety of products, including electronic devices, media, and accessories.
Things to Do and See in Akihabara
Otaku Culture
Akihabara’s prominence in Tokyo stems in part from the city’s thriving Otaku culture.
These individuals are well-known for their extreme dedication to their hobbies (some people call them diehard fans). These people, who are often referred to as “hobbyists,” invest significant amounts of time and money into pursuing and promoting their passions.
The majority of otakus fall into the category of lavish consumers of cutting-edge technology. Among them are a wide variety of electronic devices. Many people who identify as “geeks” visit the streets of Akihabara in order to purchase the newest electronic gadgets, as the area is famous for its abundance of such stores.
Cosplayers and manga fans are two examples of a different subset of otaku.
Because of Akihabara’s prominence as a hub for anime and manga, many groups gather there to share their enthusiasm for cosplaying as their favorite characters.
Cosplay has become so widespread in this region that conventions and other special events are regularly held here to accommodate the many visitors who come to participate. One of the best things to do in Japan is to visit Akihabara and immerse yourself in the anime culture there.
Maid Café
Maid cafes in Akihabara are very common because of the local Otaku subculture.
Pastry and coffee establishments of this type are often associated with waitresses dressed as adorable Victorian housemaids. These crafted establishments frequently include guest appearances by main characters from well-known anime and manga.
The cuisine is delicious, but the service is what really sets these examples apart. The “maids” are there to cater to the needs of their “lord.” Every table at some “maid” cafes is staffed by a single woman who is forced to serve the customers.
This entails more than just putting the drink in the glass and presenting the food. Some visitors seek such maid cafés not just for the food and atmosphere, but also for the novelty of the encounter.
Tokyo Anime Center
The Tokyo Anime Center can be found on the fourth floor of the UDX building in Akihabara Crossfield.
It’s safe to say that this is one of the most visited sites for anime fans. Followers visit to take in the conferences, shows, and displays. Toys, stationery, and other trinkets are also available for purchase.
You can also buy and sell uncommon and valuable goods there. Action figures and other anime souvenirs are also available for collectors. Whenever there is a comic convention or an anime event, most fans dress up like their favorite characters.
This location is normally open daily from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM. On Mondays and holidays, Tokyo’s anime center is closed.
Yodobashi
In addition to its many electronics and anime-themed establishments, Akihabara also features many other shops selling a wide variety of goods. It is stated that a person needs a whole day to properly shop at Yodobashi.
The Yodobashi Camera shop is one such location. It has nine stories and sells virtually everything. There is a specialized function on each floor. Mobile devices, including cell phones and tablets, are sold on the ground floor. Parts, software, printers, and accessories for personal computers are all available on the second floor. You may buy cameras, film, and photography equipment on the third floor.
Audiovisual equipment, such as headphones, projectors, and more, may be found on the store’s uppermost floor. Kitchen and home appliances can be found on the fifth floor.
On the sixth floor, customers can purchase instruments, musical accessories, and gaming gear. An enormous department store selling clothes, shoes, and accessories occupies the entire seventh floor.
There is a cafeteria on the eighth floor, and a driving range and golf shop on the ninth.
Akihabara’s Night Life
When these electrical stores close for the night, the normally bustling tiny town becomes eerily quiet, leaving visitors with nowhere to go. Because of its reputation as a “city that never sleeps,” Tokyo offers a wide variety of options for late-night entertainment.
There are several nightclubs and bars in the neighborhood. Izakayas and gastropubs are great options for those seeking a more authentic and local flavor.
These establishments cater to the after-work drinking needs of the salary man and the working man. There are a number of little wooden booths here, each adorned with a string of colorful paper lanterns. Cooks may be seen in the hub of the action. There are many arcades and pachinko parlors for people who would rather stay home than hit the clubs.
