Planning to go to Akihabara? The area is famous for being a Otaku town, but it also has a lot of other great attractions to offer. If you’re looking for a fun and unique experience in Tokyo, Akihabara is a must-visit. Check out this Akihabara guide and plan your visit before you go.

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What is Akihabara Famous for?

Akihabara is a neighbourhood in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. The vibrant area around Akihabara Station is  the Akihabara Electric Town, also known as Akiba. Akihabara is best known as the world’s leading electric town and the center of Otaku culture. It’s home to hundreds shops that are specialized in anime, game, manga and underground idols as well as large shopping complexes of electronics products. The district also offers unique experiences such as maid cafes, arcade games and go-kart. It’s the perfect place to explore Japan’s thriving subculture. Let’s check out the best things to do in Akihabara from the following list!

What to Do in Akihabara

1. Yodobashi Camera

One of the best electronics stores in Japan to buy the latest electronics products, the 9 storied department store “Yodobashi Camera” is where the widest variety of electronic gadgets can be found. If you are into the latest high-tech products, you can easily spend 2–3 hours there. Besides electronics products, there are a wide range of products in various categories available such as video games, toys, luxurious brand products and cosmetics products. Yodobashi Camera is located in front of Akihabara Station.

More info ▶ Yodobashi-Akiba: Largest Electronics Store in Akihabara

2. Maid Cafe

Maid Cafe (Meido Kissa in Japanese) is one of the most bizarre Japanese subculture and now a top attraction in Tokyo among foreign visitors over the past decade. Maid Cafe is where waitresses (maids) serve guests in cute and girly costumes and call you a Master (goshujin-sama) or a Princess (ojo-sama). Guests can interact with maids while enjoying food and drinks. Akihabara is considered to be the birth place of maid cafe and many of them are located within the area.

▶ Click HERE to book Maidreamin Akihabara now!!

3. Akiba Fukurou

Akiba Fukurou is an animal cafe specializing in owls and there are approx 40 owls. The cafe aims to create the space where both people and owl can spend a relaxing time together. The unique animal cafe was chosen as one of the top tourist attractions in Japan by Tripadvisor for several years, and it’s a popular spot for a range of people from children to adults. Reservation must be made in advance.

▶ Make a reservation for Owl Cafe Akiba Fukuro!

More info ▶ Akiba Fukurou: Owl Cafe in Tokyo

4. Mandarake Complex

Mandarake is a franchised retailer specialized in used anime/manga products. There are over 10 stores across Japan and one of the largest store, Mandarake Complex is located in Akihabara. The 8-story store sell and buy a wide range of otaku-related items including toys figurines, cards, video games, cosplay items, books, DVDs and CDs. It’s a particularly popular place to hunt for rare and vintage items among anime and manga fans.

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GC5B8sDHmNZChzzv6

Related article ▶ Mandarake

5. Cyberpunk Tokyo

Cyberpunk Tokyo in Akihabara is a nighttime activity that lets you enter the world of cosplay with expert makeup, custom costumes, and immersive photoshoots in Tokyo’s iconic neon-lit streets. Guided by professional staff, you’ll explore photogenic spots that capture the essence of Akihabara’s cyberpunk vibe. Perfect for solo adventurers or groups, this unforgettable experience is a creative way to immerse yourself in Japan’s culture while taking home stunning, professionally retouched photos to remember your journey.

More info ▶ Cyberpunk Tokyo

6. Go-Kart

Go-kart is one of the most popular activities among tourists today and it’s available in several district including Akihabara. You can disguise yourself as your favourite anime/game character and drive through the otaku district just like the famous computer game! Check the following link and find the detail about the go-kart experience in Akihabara!

▶ Book Street Go Kart Experience in Akihabara, Tokyo!

7. Radio Center

Akihabara Radio Center is a commercial facility in Akihabara, located under the train track of Akihabara Station on the Chuo-Soubu Line. It houses many small retail stores selling electronic components and gadgets. Long before gaining its fame as the center of Otaku culture, Akihabara grown as the Electric Town dealing with electronic items and the post-war black market. Radio Center is one of few remaining places where you can feel the old-fashioned ambience in the Akihabara even though there has been a lot of changes in the neighbourhood over the decades.

More info ▶ Akihabara Radio Center: The Old-School OTAKU Paradise in Tokyo

8. Kanda Myojin Shrine

Kanda Myojin Shrine is a shinto shrine near Akihabara. It’s one of the most important shrines in Japan which was founded in 730 and has the history of over 1300 years. The shrine is known for Kanda Matsuri which is held in odd-numbered years. Since it’s close to Akihabara, the epicenter of anime culture and it has become the setting for several animes and light novels, the shrine attracts pilgrimages to the area.

More info ▶ Kanda Myojin Shrine

9. Kanda Matsuri

One of the most famous Japanese festivals is held in Akihabara: Kanda Matsuri (Kanda Festival). The shinto festival dating back to the Edo period is known as one of the three great Edo festivals along with Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa and Sanno Matsuri in Chiyoda; also as one of the great festivals of Japan along with Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. Kanda Matsuri is held in the middle of May in odd-numbered years by Kanda Myojin Shrine, which features the main parade with hundreds of people carrying 100 Mikoshi floats.

10. Tuna Cutting & Fresh Sushi Experience

For international visitors seeking an authentic slice of Japanese culinary culture without the early morning start, the Tokyo Tuna Cutting & Fresh Sushi Experience in Akihabara offers a perfect alternative. Starting at a comfortable 10:30 AM, this tour showcases a skilled chef demonstrating the traditional art of tuna cutting. Participants can indulge in a variety of fresh tuna dishes, including sashimi and sushi, complemented by an array of Japanese sake. This experience not only delights the taste buds but also enriches your understanding of Japan’s deep-rooted connection to tuna as a culinary staple.

More info ▶ Tokyo Tuna Cutting & Fresh Sushi Experience in Akihabara

11. Anime and Gaming Adventure Tour

One of the best way to explore Akihabara’s deep Otaku culture in one day is joining a guided local tour! Anime and Gaming Adventure Tour in Akihabara by Magical Trip is a popular half-day tour introducing some classic and hidden Otaku spots by a local guide! The tour also takes you to one of the famous Maid Cafes in Akihabara!

If you want to get a sense of the bustling city of Akihabara and learn about recommended spots in a short amount of time and at a reasonable price, it is recommended to join Akihabara Anime Tour offered by Japan Wonder Travel.

12. Animate Akihabara

Animate is Japan’s biggest anime shop chain that has outlets across the country. In 2023, one of the largest Animate shop opened in Akihabara. The brand-new anime complex building comprises 8 floors in total and sells a wide variety of anime-related products such as character goods, comics, game, DVD, Blu-ray and CD. There is an event space on the top floor where various events are held.

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HVGoQZAqh25W2USU7

13. 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan

2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan is a modern shopping complex opened in 2010, located underneath the elevated railway tracks between Akihabara Station and Okachimachi Station. It has the theme of making things that is inspired by the Edo culture of traditional crafts. There are around 50 shops that offer products produced by artisans in small quantities, which are categorized as accessories, interior, leather, clothing and so on.

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dyabiBJ4Fnoaapux8

14. Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

Tokyo Dijingu Shrine is a shinto shrine located in Chiyoda ward. The shrine is counted as one of top 5 shrines in Tokyo. The shrine is the Inner Shrine of Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture, therefore it’s known as O-ise-sama in Tokyo. The shrine is also known as the place where the first Shinto wedding took place in 1901, and became a popular place for wedding and is believe to have a divine favour of love knots.

More info ▶ Tokyo’s Must-Visit Shrine for Marriage Tie and Love Knot: Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

15. Janpara

Janpara is a franchised retailer specialized in secondhand hardware products. It has many branches across Japan and 6 stores are located in Akihabara area. It’s a great place to shop high-tech gadgets such as smartphones and PC with bargain price.

Map: https://bit.ly/41avIAR

16. Eat Ramen

Akihabara is known as one of the most competitive districts of Ramen restaurants. There are numbers of Ramen restaurants which take their pride to serve the best Ramen dishes. If you are a Ramen lover, Akihabara is the best area to eat out 🙂

▶ Best Ramen Restaurants in Akihabara, Tokyo

17. mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi

mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi is a commercial complex with the original redbrick structure, renovated from the abandoned train station. It’s located off the main shopping arcade of Akihabara. It consists of shops, cafes, restaurants and an art space.

More info ▶ Manseibashi: The Phantom Station of Tokyo

-Where to Eat in Akihabara

Beside the unique otaku experience, Akihabara offers a diverse of culinary scene for everyone, from traditional Japanese food to a bowl of ramen to die for. Check the following link to find the best places to eat in Akihabara area!

▶ Best Restaurants in Akihabara

-Access to Akihabara

Akihabara Station is served by the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, JR Sobu Line, the Tsukuba Express and the Hibiya Subway Line. Alternatively, you can access the area from Suehirocho Station on Ginza Subway Line.

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For more info about Akihabara, please check out these links, too!

▶︎Akihabara Food Guide: What to Eat in Akihabara
▶︎Akihabara Shopping Guide: 10 Best Shops in Akihabara
▶︎1 Day Itinerary in Tokyo: AKIHABARA

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