Akihabara: Tokyo’s electric town for hobbies and pop culture

Tokyo’s hobby hub

The initial mention of Akihabara for most people conjures up imagery of anime and manga, and for good reason. This association is something that the culture of this eclectic district has fully embraced, serving as a mecca for fans of anything otaku-related both within Japan and overseas. Many of these establishments will be located within Electric Town, the central part of Akihabara characterized by a bustling main street lined with neon signs. 

Anime and manga

• Animate Akihabara

Multiple locations throughout the city with new products constantly flowing through stock. Be sure to visit for anything regarding the newest popular anime to classic series. 

• Radio Kaikan

An iconic building of the Akihabara district that was reconstructed in 2014. There are 10 levels, with each one specializing in different products featuring different franchises.

• Amiami

World-known as the source for the latest release of anime-themed figures, collectors of such goods consider this shop a pilgrimage.

• Surugaya

Surugaya shops specialize in secondhand goods and are great for finding deals on a variety of merchandise.

Electronics, games, and photography

• Yodobashi Camera

The largest location for the camera gear and electronics purveyor, the Akihabara Yodobashi Camera store is an institution of the area that is right by the station. 

• Nisshin Camera

The bright yellow sign of this boutique camera reseller is located nearby the Hibiya Line entrance to the station. 

• BEEP Akihabara

This vintage video game purveyor is an Akihabara staple known for much more competitive pricing compared to other retailers. 

• Akizuki Electronic 

With a distinctive pink and white striped awning, this modest storefront offers very practical and affordable electronics like condensers, resistors, transistors, and basically anything else DIY enthusiasts need. 

Trading Cards

• Card Rush Akiba store 1

Located near the Kanda River, the basement location has a large selection as well as a spacious gaming area where tournaments are often held. 

• Minny

With a refined interior, this small card shop focuses primarily on well-curated card selections for dedicated collectors.

• Trading Card Shop YK

Relatively new shop with a wide array of unopened products, as well as limited plushies and graded cards. 

Other attractions in Akihabara

• Kanda Myojin Shrine

The most famous shrine in the area, Kanda Myojin, was established all the way back in the year 730 A.D. The shrine is host to the Kanda Matsuri that is held only once every two years, and typically, the festival does a collaboration with a popular anime for promotion. In 2025, merchandise and marketing materials were centered around “Apothecary Diaries.” Many items at the shrine are also anime-themed due to its proximity to Akihabara. 

• Kanda River

The Kanda River flows through and nearby Akihabara. There are river cruises that go through the area that depart from spots nearby Akihabara Station. This is a great way to enjoy the architecture of the area, especially the more retro-style buildings of the eastern part of Tokyo. 

• Mausoleum of Confucius at Yushima

This temple was erected in dedication to Confucius back in 1690. In its heyday, it served as a school for the powerful Tokugawa Shogunate through the Edo Period. Its historic relation to education makes it a popular temple to visit for students looking for blessings in regard to their own schooling. 

• Mogra

An eccentric nightclublocated in a residential part of Akihabara, the venue hosts a variety of DJ events, many of which are anime and pop-culture themed.

• Maidreamin Maid Cafe

Maid cafes are a unique institution of central Akihabara, and there are a variety of different cafes with different themes. Maid Dreamin has a number of locations throughout the area and is the most well-known and accessible. 

• AKIBA Co Gallery

An exhibition space near central Akihabara that hosts an array of different showings. An impressive roster of prominent artists will have exhibits hosted here, many of which are anime and pop-culture themed. 

• Hirose Entertainment Yard Taito

Game centers are an essential part of the Akihabara experience, with many lining the main street of Electric Town. HIrose Entertainment Yard (shortened to HEY) has multiple floors, with games, UFO catcher claw machines, and more!

Where to eat and drink in Akihabara

Akihabara has a rich food culture, with a range of different cuisines, cafes, and types of restaurants. There’s a prominent nightlife in Akihabara with great, lively izakayas around. Here are some of our favorite places for food and drink in Akihabara. 

• Choki Choki Yakitori

Located on Kiyomi-dori alongside many other yakitori establishments, this is one of the most highly rated izakayas in the area. The shop sells other izakaya staples like horse meat and fried foods and boasts a great variety of sake from around the country. 

• Cinta Jawa

Down a modest side street, Cinta Jawa is one of the most famous places in Tokyo for authentic Indonesian cuisine. Many Indonesian immigrants come for both lunch and dinner for a taste of home. Be sure to try their fried duck and rendang, a slow-simmered coconut curry beef. 

• Spaghetti no Pancho

This chain has a prominent location in Akihabara and sells “Napolitan Spaghetti,” a special Japanese-style spaghetti invented after World War II. With a sweeter flavor profile and a variety of vegetables, it's a unique take on a Western staple. 

• Amanoya 

Right in front of Kanda Miyoji, Amanoya sells traditional Japanese pickles and other fermented products. The annex is a very classically styled Japanese kissaten cafe with great desserts and drinks. During winter, their amazake (a sweetened fermented rice drink) draws many crowds. Amanoya has been run by the same family through generations since 1846. 

• VAULT Coffee

VAULT Coffee is on the third floor of a modest building in an alley in central Akihabara. It is heavily kissaten-inspired with thick-cut toast and dark-roasted coffee drinks. The atmosphere exudes old-school cool and is just as much a part of the experience as the food and drink offerings. 

Where to stay in Akihabara

Akihabara is a popular choice to stay for its central location, access to the JR Yamanote Line, and the experience of being in the center of anime culture. Here are a few places to stay within the area. 

• Nohga Hotel Akihabara Tokyo
• Under Railway Hotel Tokyo
• JR East Hotel Mets Premier Akihabara

Akihabara in history and pop culture

Akihabara didn’t just spring out of nowhere as the hub for hobbyist culture. During the Edo Period, this was a nature-rich location notable for its gorgeous foliage during fall. After World War II, the area was at the center of the black market and underground electronics trade. Eventually, the government stepped in to control these commodities, and over the years, different subcultures planted their roots. 

Akihabara’s notoriety within Japanese pop culture cannot be overstated, and thus, it is a prominent location in many pieces of media. Well-known anime and manga that either take place or have scenes in Akihabara include the following:

• Steins;Gate
• Love Live! School Idol Project
• Lucky Star
• And more!

For many, a stroll through Akihabara is like walking through an anime in real life. For those who come out to this neighborhood, it’s more than reasonable to romanticize the experience, even just a little bit. 

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