Tokyo Travel Guide: 16 Fun Things to Do in Akihabara

The central Tokyo district of Akihabra, also known as simply Akiba, is a prime destination for fans of anime and manga. Here, visitors can peruse dozens of comic and book stores, play endless video games, enjoy cosplaying adventures and shop the hundreds of electronics shops dotted along the district’s Main Street, Chuo Dori. Can’t decide where to begin your tour of this fascinating neighbourhood? Here are 16 fun things to do in Akihabra.

1. Stock up on comic books and anime-themed merchandise at ANIMATE

Set aside an afternoon to explore the Akihabara branch of ANIMATE, a massive department store filled with comic books, CDs, DVDs, games, posters, keychains and other anime-related merchandise. This is also a great place to pick up limited edition goods and original products that are only sold in ANIMATE stores. Products are spread over 7 floors, and friendly staff members are always on hand to help you locate just the item you’re looking for. Animate is located within a 5-minute walking distance from Akihabara Station (Electric Town exit). Hours of operation are from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.

ANIMATE floor guide

• 1F – Souvenirs, Magazines

• 2F – Comic books, light novels,

• 3F – Comic books, novels

• 4F – Character-related merchandise

• 5F – Figurines, trading cards

• 6F – Games, game soundtracks, voice actor CDs

• 7F – DVDs, Blue-Ray discs

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2. Shop for handicrafts at 2K540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN

This 5,000-square-foot shopping center features dozens of craft studios, artisanal shops and galleries selling various handmade goods. Many of the stores host workshops, giving shoppers the opportunity to try their hand at making their own arts and crafts. Be sure to check out Nippon Department Store, located near the entrance of the shopping arcade on Kuramae-dori. Here, you’ll find a wide assortment of Edo Kiriko glass work, Nambu ironware and Yosemite wooden mosaic art created by craftsmen from across the county. 2k540 Aki-Oak is located within a 4-minute walking distance of Okachimachi Station (South Exit). The stores are typically open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., although these hours may vary depending on the shop.

Popular stores at 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan

• Tokyo Noble

• Glen Clyde Sock Club Tokyo

• Borsa

• @griffe Tokyo

• Toumei

Facilities 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan

• Restaurants

• Cafes

• Accessible restrooms

• Baby changing facilities

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3. Grab a bite to eat at a FINAL FANTASY EORZIA CAFE

Whether you’re a gamer or not, Akihabara’s Final Fantasy Eorzia Cafe is definitely worth a visit. Here, diners immerse themselves in a recreation of the fictional city Gridania while munching on Final Fantasy-themed foods and drinks. Guests are given a time limit of 2 hours in the cafe, but most will find that this is more than enough time to enjoy a three-course meal, view artwork based on Final Fantasy characters and even play the game itself on one of the cafe’s computers. Tickets for Final Fantazy Eorzia Cafe can be purchased in advance, either online or onsite. Alternatively, you can enter a ticket raffle to win a same-day time slot. The cafe is located within a 5-minute walking distance from JR Akihabara Station (Electric Town exit) in the Pasela Resorts building.

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4. Pay your respects to the Gods of Fortune at KANDA MYOJIN SHRINE

Kanda Myojin Shrine‘s history dates back to the Edo period (1603-1867). Two of the seven Gods of Fortune are enshrined here: Daikokuten, the god of marriage and fruitful harvests; and Ebisu, the god of business and fisheries. The shrine also houses a memorial to Taira no Masakado, who famously rebelled against the Hei’an government. Pray to the gods for good luck and fortune, and be sure to pick up a talisman on your way out to protect your electronic devices. Kanda Myojin Shrine is located within a 5-minute walking distance of Ochanomizu Station (Marunouchi Line), near Akihabara Electronics Town. The shrine is open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Check In to First Cabin Akihabara Hotel, Step Out to Kanda Myojin Shrine

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5. See the world’s largest statue of Confucius at YUSHIMA SEIDO TEMPLE

Located just outside of Akihabara in the neighbourhood of Yushima, Yushima SEIDO Temple is home to the largest statue of Confucius in the world. The temple, whose history dates back to 1630, also houses an impressive collection of artifacts, paintings and sculptures. Yushima Seido Temple was the original site of the Tokyo Normal School and once served as an academy for Tokugawa officials during Japan’s Edo Period. Yushima Seido Temple is located within a 5-minute walking distance of Shin-ochanomizu Station (Chiyoda Line). The temple is open to the public daily from 9:30 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.

Statues at Yushima Seido Temple

• Mencius (famous Confucian scholar)

• Yan Hui (disciple of Confucius)

• Zengzi (disciple of Confucius)

• Zisi (grandson of Confucius)

Annual Events at Yushima Seido Temple

• Acupuncture and Moxibustion Festival

• Confucius Festival

• Early Confucianists’ Festival

• New Year Ceremony

• Shunning Festival

Check In to Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akihabara, Step Out to Yushima Seido Temple

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6. Immerse yourself in otaku culture in AKIHABARA ELECTRIC TOWN

Situated in the heart of the city, Ahikabara Electric Town is a veritable paradise for lovers of otaku culture. Here, you’ll find dozens of shops selling anime, manga and game-related merchandise, as well several as arcades, cafes and figurine shops. Start your tour at Radio Kaikan, a nine-story megastore filled with anime-themed products, then head to the top-floor retro arcade at Super Potato to enjoy some gaming. When you’re ready to take a break from shopping, stop by one of Electric Town‘s maid cafes to be served food and drinks by cheery waitresses who are dressed up as popular anime characters.

Popular shops at Akihabara Electric Town

• Mandarake

• Radio Kaikan

• Yodobashi Camera

• SEGA

• Gachapon Kaikan

• JANPARA

• Gacha-pon Kaikan

• Don Quijote

Check In to Henn na Hotel Tokyo Asakusabashi, Step Out to Ahikabara Electric Town

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7. Enjoy cosmic themed cocktails and food at LOOP Bar

Japan is famous for its unique themed eateries, and LOOP is easily one of the best of them. Guests enjoy cosmic-inspired cocktails and drinks at this spaceship-themed cafe, which also boasts private darts and karaoke rooms. Loop Bar is situated at 3-1-2 Sotokanda Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, within a 7-minute walking distance of Akihabara Station. Hours of operation are from 6:00 p.m. to midnight Monday to Saturday, and from 5:00 pm.m to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays.

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8. Shop for deals at MOTTAINAI FLEA MARKET

Bargain hunters won’t want to miss a visit to Mottainai Flea Market, located next to the Akihabara UDX building. Here, you’ll find excellent prices on everything everything from second-hand clothing to DVDs to state-of-the-art electronics. The market also accepts used clothing donations in keeping with its 3R and R (reduce, reuse, recycle and respect) initiative. Mottainai Flea Market moves around the city, coming to Akihabara one a month (usually on a weekend). Hours of operation are typically from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Akihabara UDX building is located within a 2-minute walking distance of Akihabara Station (Electric Town Exit).

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9. Shop for souvenirs and enjoy local cuisine at the AKIHABARA UDX building

The Akihabara UDX building is a multi-purpose complex boasting 15 floors of shopping, dining and entertainment. The complex also houses a theater, event spaces and an open college. Start your tour of the complex at the ground-floor tasting market, where you can sample delicious local cuisine, then head to the LAOX Akihabara Main Shop to pick up a few duty-free souvenirs. When you’re done shopping and eating, be sure to check out the itashi (anime-themed) cars on display in the building’s parking garage. The Akihabara UDX building is open 24 hours a day, but hours of operation for individual shops and restaurants may vary.

Popular shops at Akihabara UDX

• YURINDO Yodobashi AKIBA Shop

• Akiba Cultures Zone

• EDION Akiba

• Akihabara Radio Center

• BIC Camera

• Comic Toranoana Akihabara

Facilities at Akihabara UDX

• WiFi

• Restaurants

• Baby changing facilities

• Accessible elevator

• Accessible restrooms

• Wheelchair rental

Check In to Hiromas Hostel, Akihabara, Step Out to Ahikabara UDX

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10. Browse books, manga comics and anime-related merchandise at K-BOOKS

No manga fan’s tour of Akihabara is complete without a visit to K-Books Akihabara Shinkan. The store stocks hundreds of books, ranging from manga comics to graphic novels, as well as original artwork and anime-related merchandise. K-Books store is managed by Mr. Yamada, a publisher of over 2000 comics. Despite housing an almost overwhelming assortment of merchandise, the store is exceptionally well organized, with books grouped into sections like the Death Game Special Editions Corner and the Anime and Media Corner. There is also an entire section dedicated to works that have been adapted into anime series and films. K-Books Akihabara Shinkan is located within a 1-minute walking distance of Akihabara Station (Electric Town Exit), on the third and fourth floors of the Akihabara Radio Kaikan building. Hours of operation are from 11:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m, 7 days a week.

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11. Belt out a tune (or two) at a karaoke bar

When you’re ready to take a break from sightseeing, head to one of Akihabara‘s fun and affordable karaoke lounges. Most have private rooms, and songs are available in English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. The most popular karaoke bars in the district are located within a short walking distance of Akihabara Station. They include Adores Akihabara, which features an animal cafe and claw crane machines; Karaoke-Kan Akihabara, which offers bottomless cocktails; and Pasela Akiba Showa-dorikan, which boasts several anime-themed concept rooms as well as more traditionally styled rooms such as a Japanese tea room and a Bathhouse-style room.

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12.Dine on bottomless ramen bowls at HAKATA FUURYU

Got a craving for Japanese noodles? Head to Hakata Furyu to enjoy a bowl of delicious ramen. Bowls cost just 500 yen, and refills are unlimited. Popular menu choices include tonkatsu (boiled pork bone) ramen, black garlic oil ramen and spicy miso chasm ramen. Hakata Fuu Ryuu is located at 3 Chome-15-6 Sotokanda, within a 7 minute walking distance from budget-friendly accommodations near Akihabara Station.

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13. Relax and surf the web at iCAFE

iCafe is a women’s only Internet cafe located in the Akiba Place building. Here, you can enjoy a soft drink from the cafe’s free-flowing drink bar, read comic books, charge your mobile devices, take a nap and even take a shower. AkibaPlace is located at 3 Chome-15-1, within a 5-minute walking distance from Akihabara Station.

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14. Shop for hobby-related merchandise at VOLK’S HOBBY TENGOKU

The three-story Volk’s Hobby Tengoku (Hobby Paradise) is a great place to shop for toys, games, figurines, crafting tools and other hobby-related products. The store also stocks a wide range of anime-themed merchandise. Be sure to check out the photo studio on the third floor, which houses a fascinating collection of dolls. Volks Hobby Tengoku is situated at 1-15-4 Sotokanda, within a 2-minute walk from Akihabara Station (Electric town exit) Opening hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Volk’s Hobby Tengoku floor guide<

• Floor 1: Anime/otaku-themed souvenirs

• Floor 2: Figurines , plastic models

• Floor 3: Dolls, doll-related merchandise

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15. Take a break from it all at YANAGIMORI SHRINE

Situated just south of Akihabara Station, Yanagimori Shrine is the perfect place to escape the bustling crowds of the district. The Shinto shrine is dedicated to the the tanuki (raccoon dog), a mythological creature that features in Japanese folklore. Yanagimori Shrine‘s history dates back to 1457 when it was established by warlord Ota Dokan as a branch of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. The shrine’s association with the tanuki began in the 17th century, following the birth of the fifth Shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Today, the complex comprises seven shrines and serves as the site of the annual Yanagimori Shrine Festival. Yanagimori Shrine can be accessed via the pedestrian bridge located between Jonathon’s restaurant and the duty-free camera shop.

Yanagimori Shrine features

• Honden (main shrine)

• O-Tanuki-san shrine

• Gyoiku Sakura

• Lifting stones

• Tanuki statue

Yanagimori Shrine features

• Honden (main shrine)

• O-Tanuki-san shrine

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16. Play old-school video games at Club SEGA

A visit to Club Sega is a must for any video game enthusiast. Here, you can play classic Sega games like Sonic the Hedgehog and try your hand at various prize games. The arcade also features a Purikura photo sticker booth, where you can take pictures in virtual cosplay costumes. Club SEGA can be accessed via the Denkigai exit of budget-friendly accommodations near Akihabara Station. The complex is open from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily.

Activities at Club SEGA

• Prize games

• Music games

• Video games

• Medal Game

• Purika photo sticker booth

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