Photo Credit: kawamura_lucy on Adobe Stock
Wonder around Tokyo’s electronic hub and otaku capital: Akihabara, Japan
Get ready to say KonnichiWOW as Japan opens its doors for travel! With the good news of travel coming back in full swing, we’ve asked our Japan Klookers for some local insights to help you navigate Akihabara just like a local. Prepare your pen and paper or notes app or — actually, you could just bookmark this page 🤪, as we share with you our Japan team’s recommended spots, what’s worth trying, where and what to eat, and so much more. Let’s get planning!
The famous district that’s depicted as Tokyo in anime
Photo Credit: Luciano Mortula-LGM on Adobe Stock
Bright lights, wide streets, and the biggest screens will greet you the moment you step out of Akihabara station, it’s like you jumped in your favorite anime (that is– if your fave does have Tokyo as a setting)! You’ll also immediately notice the hustle and bustle of Akihabara but believe it or not, there’s a certain calmness while you’re walking around this busy Tokyo district. The streets are wide enough for a leisurely walk, so you could browse through all the colorful shops as well as the famous Akihabara arcades.
Klook Tip: If it’s your first or nth time, it’s always a good idea to brush up on your Japan etiquette. Check out our tourist guide on Japan Etiquette - 15 Do's and Don'ts You Should Know.
During your stroll, you’ll surely find electronic shops and a whole lot of anime and manga goods – in case you didn’t know, these are the top things people look for when they come here, the multitude of electronics and the center of otaku culture!
Otaku: The term has many layers and has shifted meaning throughout the years but generally, it’s a word that refers to people who are big fans of anime and manga.
You can find almost all your favorite characters from classic video games and animated series like Final Fantasy, Doraemon, Cowboy Bebop, Slam Dunk, and many many more! There’s even a massive building with all things otaku – collectibles, comics, anime merch, cosplay goods… it has EIGHT FLOORS but more on that later.
Activities you can add to your Akihabara itinerary
1. Drive around Akihabara on a go-kart
MARIO KART IN REAL LIFE – need we say more? Experience Tokyo from a unique perspective with a go-kart experience! Drive around the streets of Akihabara with a local tour guide and feel the thrill of driving through the vibrant district.
Klook Tip: Apart from providing an international driver’s license, make sure you bring your passport as the staff may need this for additional verification.
2. Bless your electronics and pray for prosperity at Kanda Myojin Shrine
Photo Credit: Susann Schuster on Unsplash
There’s a Shinto shrine that’s just about a 9-min walk from Akihabara station, as pointed out by our Japan Klookers, Emily from Marketing, Reina from PR, and Veronica from the Legal Team. You’ll find Kanda Myojin Shrine, made even more popular by the anime series, Love Live! School Idol Project. Many fans have since flocked to the shrine, even taking cosplay photos! You’ll even notice that the shrine has embraced its anime-culture fame with Love Live! School Idol Project themed omamori and ema.
Ema: These are the small board pieces you see in Shinto shrines where you can write a prayer or wish on then eventually hang them in a designated area in the shrine’s grounds.
Omamori: These are Japanese amulets that contain prayers and are used for specific purposes but generally used for protection and good luck.
The shrine is also widely visited by those who want to seek help with business, finding a spouse, and for protection from bad elements. There’s also EDOCCO Studio within the grounds where you could find souvenir shops and cultural experiences like matcha tea making, origami, and also witness Nihon-buyō, a traditional Japanese performing art of dance.
3. Find unique collectibles at Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan
Photo Credit: Ned Snowman on Adobe Stock
On your walk along Akihabara, spot the big yellow signage with “秋葉原ガチャポン会館” – that’s Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan! While you’ll spot many of these capsule toy machines in the area, our Japan Klooker, Emily from Marketing, recommends to drop by Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan for its 500+ machines all neatly stacked up from floor to ceiling – the machines can even reach well beyond the signage!
Gachapon: Gachapon are capsule toy machines, unique to Japan. The best ones are said to be in Akihabara.
The toys you can find in these machines are A LOT. You can find Pokemon figurines, Gundam toys, food keychains, even animals acting like office workers – the options can be so quirky and random but that’s what makes gachapon so much fun!
Klook Tip: If you find a ball that has a sticker on it, show it to the store clerk because it’s a chance for you to get a free turn!
Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan is one of the oldest operating gachapon shops and what makes this shop even better is that they have about 50 new releases each month! So if you happen to drop by Akihabara again after some time, you’re sure to find a new set of figurines to collect.
Interesting dining spots and Akihabara cafes to try
1. Owl Cafe Akiba Fukurou
As suggested by our Japan Klooker, Emily from Marketing, one of the most unique cafe experiences you’ll have in Tokyo is having a cup of coffee alongside the most adorable owls! At Owl Cafe Akiba Fukurou, you can see all kinds of owls up close and even get a chance to have them perch on your arm.
Klook Tip: Bring an extra shirt and or a pair of pants because the owls can have happy little accidents while you’re interacting with them (hint: it’s poop).
We highly recommend booking your reservations ahead because the owners limit guest capacity to provide a relaxing environment for all and more importantly, to not stress the owls. The cafe also has sufficient lighting that you won’t need flash, so please turn your flash settings off as it can stress our owl friends.
When you see, Akiba, know that it’s also what the locals call Akihabara. Akiba comes from the fire protection deity, Akiba Daigongen. Akiba also means “autumn leaves” and is a euphemism for fire – fire was actually a main problem in Japan before the 20th century and Akihabara was set up as a “fire-proof area”.
2. Maid Cafe Experience at Maidreamin Tokyo
A trip to Akihabara isn’t complete if you don’t step into the super kawaii world of Maid Cafes! A must-visit as suggested by our Japan Klookers, Emily, Reina, and Veronica, Maidreamin Tokyo is a dreamland where all things are cute and fun, you’ll even be given your very own “passport”!
Klook Tip: You’ll encounter the word, “moe” in Maid Cafes and this just means, “cute” or “endearing” 💖
The waitresses are dressed in cosplay maid outfits and are friendly and very approachable, they’ll even ask you what you would like drawn on your food (they really make it look so easy). Be prepared to take a lot of photos because it will definitely be the cutest food you’ll ever have.
3. Aki-Oka Artisan
Photo Credit: @with_brompton on Instagram
One of the nicest strips of boutique shops and cafes you’ll see is Aki Oka Artisan. As recommended by our Japan Klooker, Yuri from Marketing, it’s the perfect chill spot where you can find locally-made clothes, jewelry, bags, and coffee shops that you probably won’t find anywhere else. You can find this artisan street under the JR railways tracks between Okachimachi and Akihabara stations and trust us, it really is a pretty place!
Mandarake, Radio Kaikan, and more places for your shopping needs
1. Super Potato
Photo Credit: @kiwisteena on Instagram
If you love video games (especially retro games), our Japan Klooker, Emily from Marketing, says you should definitely add Super Potato to your list. It’s a major retail shop that has all kinds of games and gadgets for video gaming! You could even find a collection of old games and even vintage video game arcade machines.
2. Radio Kaikan
Photo Credit: 健太 上田 on Adobe Stock
One of the most iconic buildings in Akihabara you should check out is Radio Kaikan. It’s that tall and colorful building with bright yellow signage and red and blue font that’s hard to miss! Our Japan Klookers, Emily, Reina, and Veronica share that you can find lots of things in this massive building from comic books, computers, even CDs, and so much more.
3. Ecute
Photo Credit: kawamura_lucy on Adobe Stock
Take your window shopping up a notch when you visit Ecute. Our Japan Klooker, Yoshifumi from Business Development, shares this beautiful shopping spot where you’ll see an historic Tokyo train station built under a railway bridge back in 1912 and has since been restored into a trendy shopping area. You’ll immediately notice the warm hue of the red bricks that line the former railway station and once you enter, not only will you find shops but you’ll also notice the many remaining details of the old station that the developer made sure to keep.
4. Mandarake
Photo Credit: @how_youfigure on Instagram
An 8-floor emporium of all things otaku… prepare yourself for Mandarake! It’s known as the largest store that sells all things otaku in Akihabara where you can find the best deals. You could even sell some of your collection if you’ve been meaning to give them to a more loving home, you can find these buy-back counters right in the first floor.
Other things you can find in Mandarake are cosplay items, all kinds of manga, DVDs (yes, people still sell and buy DVDs), rare anime figures, and so much more… you might actually need a whole afternoon for Mandarake.
Are you excited for your Akihabara trip yet? Because honestly… we got excited just by writing this! 🙈Before you go, make sure to stay up to date with Japan’s travel requirements. Happy exploring!
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