5 Things to do in Akihabara

Japan is most notably famous for its buzzing electronic scene as well as its absolute love for video games, manga and anime. In Akihabara (秋葉原), you will find all these things in abundance. Situated within the ward of Chiyoda, Tokyo, is Akihabara. The city is named after a fire-controlling deity of a shrine that was built in the area after a fire occurred in 1869. Here are five fun things to do in Akihabara.

1. Anime Shopping

Akihabara has various anime shops situated all over the city. Some of the more popular ones include Surugaya and Akihabara Gamers Main Store. Surugaya has 6 stores all around Akihabara

Another favourite to visit is Mandarake which is one of the biggest second-hand manga and anime stores in the world. As they specialise in second-hand goods, it is an excellent place to find collectible figurines and posters.

One can easily spend an entire day moving from shop to shop and trying to limit yourself as you would want to purchase everything you see.

2. Games and arcade centres

There are numerous game and arcade centres which fill the streets of Akihabara. Some of the popular centres include Super Potato, SEGA Game Centre and Taito Centre.

Are you are enjoying this, check out the previous post on the 5 Things to do in Asakusa, Tokyo, which gives you 5 Things to do in the city of Asakusa. Ultimate Five Day Itinerary for Tokyo

3. Themed Cafes

There are also a host of maid cafes wherein guests are served by “french maids” dressed in cute costumes. Whilst walking on the streets, these maids will show you the menus of these cafes in the hope to entice you to enter. Each maid cafe will be cosplay themed. And dishes served will be in accordance with this theme.

There are also manga cafes which are similar to an internet cafe where you are able to read comics and watch videos. One of the most famous themed cafes is the Gundam Cafe which offers a Gundam theme inside. Gundam is a popular robot animation from Japan.

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4. Electronics

Akihabara is a shopping hub for electronics. The stores mainly line the Chuo Dori street and its surrounds.

Yodobashi Camera is one of the more popular stores offering you nine storeys of mainly electronic goods. It is located in front of the Akihabara train station at the Showa-Dori exit. The range of goods offered includes games, computers, cameras, appliances and watches. In addition, they also have a food court and clothing section. Other popular stores include Onoden, Sofmap, Yamada Denki LABI,

However, some of the electronics sold may only be compatible in Japan and the language used will be Japanese, so pay close attention to this. There are however electronics which would be suitable for international use to you can definitely find electronics to purchase.

5. Gachapon

Akihabara capsule toy centre also known as Akihabara Gachapon Hall is a shop that sells capsule toys. The store is completely filled from floor to ceiling with these capsule toy dispensers known as “gachapon”. And each capsule toy dispenser costs between a hundred yen to five hundred yen.

What did you think of this list of things to do in Akihabara? So do you have more to add on? Let me know in the comments below.

* Please note that all prices and contact information are correct at time of publication. Please check the venues websites as prices may change without notice. *