Trystan Casey
Tokyo's Electric City, Akihabara, is a neighbourhood in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo, Japan. Akihabara Station, which opened in 1890, became a major freight transit point, allowing a market to spring up. After World War II, the black market thrived, and Akihabara grew as a market city. In the 1950s, Akihabara became a market region specialising in household electronics, earning it the nickname Electric Town. Today, Akihabara is known as the hub of Tokyo's otaku (geek) culture, with many anime and manga-related shops, arcades, and maid cafes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Akihabara, Kanda and Jimbocho districts, Chiyoda ward of Tokyo |
| History | Earned the nickname "Electric Town" after World War II for being a major shopping centre for household electronic goods and the post-war black market |
| Attractions | Electronics shops, anime and manga-related shops, maid cafes, retro game shops, figure shops, arcades, restaurants, and bars |
| Hotels | NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO, MONday Apart Premium AKIHABARA, ICI HOTEL Asakusabashi, Sakura Cross Hotel Akihabara |
| Transportation | Accessible from Akihabara Station, Tokyo Metro, and Tsukuba Express lines |
| Tours | Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour, Chris Rowthorn's private tours |
| SIM Cards | eSim, Japan SIM card, or unlimited data pocket wifi router |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Explore Akihabara Electric Town's anime and manga shops, cafes and arcades
Akihabara Electric Town in Tokyo is a haven for anime and manga enthusiasts, with plenty of shops, cafes, and arcades to explore. Here's a guide to help you navigate this exciting area:
Anime and Manga Shops:
Start your journey by exiting JR Akihabara Station through the "Electric Town" exit, and you'll be greeted by Radio Kaikan, a red and yellow building with nine floors packed with anime-related shops. Explore stores like K-Books, Kaiyodo, and Volks, which offer a wide range of manga, models, toys, trading cards, figurines, and collectibles. If you're a collector, head to Mandarake, a massive retailer with each floor dedicated to a specific genre, offering rare manga, figurines, dolls, posters, and other collectibles. For retro gaming enthusiasts, Super Potato is a must-visit, located near Mandarake, with several floors of retro gaming machines and a top floor retro arcade.
Cafes and Themed Establishments:
Akihabara is also renowned for its unique cafes and themed establishments. Experience the famous maid cafes, such as @Home Cafe, where waitresses dress up and act like maids or anime characters, creating a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Manga cafes (manga kissa) are another attraction, offering a blend of internet cafe services, comics, and videos for customers to enjoy.
Arcades and Entertainment:
The streets of Akihabara are lined with arcades and game centres, featuring crane games (UFO catchers) and a mix of retro and modern arcade games. Super Potato, in addition to its retro gaming offerings, also has arcade machines. Taito Center is another popular spot for arcade enthusiasts, easily accessible from JR Akihabara Station via the Electric Town Exit. For a unique nightlife experience, visit Club Mogra on a weekend for an anime song club night, attracting otaku and clubgoers alike for all-night dance parties.
Other Attractions:
Akihabara also offers a range of other attractions beyond anime and manga. You can catch daily performances by the girl pop group AKB48 at their theatre. The area is also known for its electronics stores, including the large Yodobashi store near the station, and smaller shops specialising in various electronic components. Chuo Dori, the main street, is closed to car traffic on Sundays, making it a great day to explore the area.
The Evolution of Comfort: Electric Lazy Boy Chairs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Visit the Kanda Matsuri festival and buy good luck charms
If you're looking for things to do in Electric City, Tokyo, the Kanda Matsuri festival is a must-visit! This festival is held in the Kanda and Jimbocho districts, which are known for their electric town atmosphere. The festival is centred around the Kanda-jinja Shrine, which is associated with prosperity and good fortune.
The Kanda Matsuri festival is one of Japan's biggest and most important festivals, with a history of over 1300 years. It is dedicated to three Shinto deities: Daikokuten, the god of fortune and wealth; Ebisu, the deity of luck and fishermen; and Taira no Masakado, a legendary samurai from the Heian period. These deities are known as the guardians of 108 neighbourhoods in Tokyo.
The festival features over 200 floats and portable shrines called mikoshi, as well as parades of musicians and priests on horses. The main parade travels through the heart of downtown Tokyo, with routes stretching from the shrine to Otemachi and Marunouchi. The festivities last for about a week, with the most lively events taking place on the weekend before May 15th. Saturday is dedicated to parades, while Sunday features a portable shrine procession.
During the Kanda Matsuri festival, you can buy good luck charms called kumade. These charms are believed to bring business and good fortune. The purchase of these charms is a traditional part of the festival experience and adds to the festive atmosphere.
When attending the Kanda Matsuri festival, it is important to plan your visit accordingly. Due to the festival's popularity, it can be challenging to navigate through the crowds and get close to the shrine or the major streets where the parades pass by. Checking for the latest information on crowds and viewing locations at the station is recommended to ensure a smooth experience.
Building Your Own Electric Hydraulic Press: A DIY Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tour retro game shops and figure shops
Akihabara, also known as Electric Town, is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops and has also gained recognition as the centre of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture. Hundreds of shops selling electronics, video games, and anime figures line the main Chuo Dori street and the crowded side streets.
For retro gaming consoles, Surugaya Specialty Store is the place to be. They have a vast selection of retro video games and some rare (and expensive) pieces displayed in cabinets. Super Potato, located down the street from Mandarake, is another popular retro gaming shop. It occupies several floors dedicated to various retro gaming machines, with a full retro arcade on the top floor. However, it can be slightly overpriced.
Retro Game Camp, located on the main shopping street in Akihabara, is another excellent option for retro games and gaming consoles. They have a wide selection of well-maintained games, and the batteries are changed and renewed to ensure they work perfectly.
Traders is another great spot for retro games. Make sure to head to the first floor, as the ground floor is where modern games are sold.
If you're looking for anime figures, Radio Kaikan, Akiba Cultures Zone, Sugugaya, Mandarake, and Kotobukiya are all known stores in Akihabara. Gamers is another store for anime and manga fans, with eight floors of merchandise, including figures.
Jail Security: Can Power Cuts Open Cell Doors?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Enjoy the nightlife in Roppongi
Roppongi is one of the nightlife centres of Tokyo, with a huge range of bars and clubs to choose from. It is easily accessible, being located in the heart of Tokyo, close to bustling Shibuya, the Imperial Palace, fashionable Aoyama, and Tokyo Tower.
If you're looking for a wild night out, Roppongi is the place to be. You can find craft beer, wine, shots, and music to dance the night away to. Roppongi is also home to EX THEATER ROPPONGI, a 920-seat entertainment space that often features performances from movie stars and musicians.
For a more relaxed evening, Roppongi has some of the top fine dining establishments in Tokyo, including around ten Michelin-starred restaurants. Reservations are mandatory, but you will be rewarded with some of the best sushi at Sushi Saito, Sukiyabashi Jiro, and Ichi, or French fare at Édition Koji Shimomura, Ryuzu, and Le Sputnik.
If you're looking for a fun night out, Burlesque Tokyo is a modern cabaret with a friendly atmosphere and a variety of performances. There is a flat entrance fee, and you can buy drinks and tip the performers.
For a more casual dining experience, Roppongi has a range of options, from high-end gourmet to casual izakaya. One popular spot is the Roppongi branch of Sukiyabashi Jiro, made famous by the movie "Jiro Dreams of Sushi". However, reservations are hard to come by. For a more relaxed drink, BrewDog Roppongi offers 22 taps of Scottish IPAs and Japanese craft beers, while Two Dogs Taproom has 25 beers on tap and wood-fired California-style pizza.
Electric Chair: States That Still Use This Method
You may want to see also
Shop at Yodobashi-Akiba for electronics, games and toys
Akihabara, also known as Akiba, is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops. It is also the centre of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture. Akihabara Electric Town is filled with shops selling anime-related merchandise, manga, retro video games, figurines, and card games.
Yodobashi-Akiba is a well-known electronics chain in Japan with a store in Akihabara. The store is located near Akihabara Station and is hard to miss with its bright cartoon character decorations. It is the largest electronics store in Akihabara, offering a wide range of products across multiple floors.
The first six floors of Yodobashi-Akiba are dedicated to electronic goods, with the latest items available at discounted, tax-free prices. You can find a variety of gadgets, major electronics brands, and Apple products. The store also offers seminars, demonstrations, and familiarization lessons for buyers.
For those with children, the sixth floor features a range of toys and video games. You can also find other products such as yoga mats, eyeglasses, unicycles, and golf equipment. If you're looking to treat yourself, the top-floor cameras are a must-see, with staff who are experienced in assisting tourists.
When you need a break from shopping, head to the eighth floor, which houses a restaurant offering light refreshments. With its wide aisles and family-friendly atmosphere, Yodobashi-Akiba is a great destination for shoppers of all ages.
Electric Menorah: To Turn Off or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Electric City in Tokyo, also known as Akihabara, is famous for its many electronics shops. It is also the hub of the city's otaku (geek) culture and is known for its anime and manga shops.
There are plenty of things to do in Electric City, Tokyo. You can visit the nine-storey Yodobashi-Akiba, which stocks all kinds of electronics, games, toys, and more. You can also visit Akihabara UDX, which is just a 2-minute walk from Akihabara Station. There are also various maid cafes, anime and manga-related shops, and arcades in the area.
Electric City, Tokyo, also known as Akihabara, has a different atmosphere at night. The main streets are crowded and well-lit, and there are various anime and manga-related shops open until late. There are also maid cafes that are open until late, such as the one located at 3F–7F, Mitsuwa Building, 1-11-4 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021.
There are plenty of dining options in Electric City, Tokyo. Yodobashi-Akiba, for example, has an eighth floor dedicated to dining, with over 20 restaurants serving Japanese dishes such as ramen, sushi, and tonkatsu. There are also vending machines in the area that sell deep-fried cutlet sandwiches from Niku no Mansei, a popular steakhouse and meat restaurant.
Electric City, Tokyo, is located in the Akihabara, Kanda, and Jimbocho districts. Nearby attractions include the Kanaami Inari Shrine, Izumi Park, and the Kusawakeinari Shrine. There is also the Roppongi Hills Observatory "Tokyo City View," which offers a glittering night view of the city.
