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Akihabara Electric Town
Akihabara (秋葉原), also called Akiba after a former local shrine, is a district in central Tokyo, that is famous for its many electronics shops. In more recent years, Akihabara has gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture, and many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district.
Akihabara has also been undergoing some major redevelopment recently with the addition of the Akihabara Crossfield complex aimed at promoting Akihabara as a center for global electronics technology and trade, and a major renovation of Akihabara Station and surroundings. On Sundays, the main street is closed to car traffic from 13:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October through March).
Side streets lined by electronics shops and maid cafes
Electronics
Hundreds of electronics shops, ranging from tiny one man stalls specializing in a particular electronic component to large electronics retailers, line the main Chuo Dori street and the crowded side streets around Akihabara. They offer everything from the newest computers, cameras, televisions, mobile phones, electronics parts and home appliances to second-hand goods and electronic junk.
A few chain stores, such as Sofmap, Ishimaru and Laox, each operate multiple specialized branches along the main roads, while small independent shops can be found in the side streets. The only mega sized store is the Yodobashi Camera complex on the east side of the station.
Note that some of the electronics on sale are only intended for use in Japan due to voltage and other technical differences, Japanese language documentation and limited warranties. However, several stores also feature a selection of international models intended for overseas use, and most also offer duty free shopping to foreign tourists on purchases of over 10,000 yen (passport required).
Game center and vending machines selling soft drinks and canned oden
Otaku Goods
The character of Akihabara has constantly changed over the decades and continues to do so. In the last decade Akihabara has emerged as a center of Japanese otaku and anime culture, and dozens of stores specializing in anime, manga, retro video games, figurines, card games and other collectibles have filled the spaces between the electronics retailers.
In addition to shops, various other animation related establishments have become popular in the area, particularly maid cafes where waitresses dress up and act like maids or anime characters, and manga kissaten ("comics cafes"), a type of internet cafe where customers can read comics and watch DVDs in addition to having access to the internet.
Major Electronics Stores
Otaku Attractions
Other Attractions
Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.
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How to get there
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Akihabara Station is a busy station served by the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, JR Sobu Line, the Tsukuba Express and the Hibiya Subway Line. Suehirocho Station on the Ginza Subway Line is located around the northern end of the district.
From Tokyo Station
Akihabara is two stations north of Tokyo Station by JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Line. The trip takes about three minutes and costs 130 yen. During weekday daytime, the Keihin-Tohoku Line skips the station between Tokyo and Akihabara, which shaves off a few more seconds from the travel time.
From Shinjuku Station
Take the JR Chuo Line (orange colored rapid service) from Shinjuku to Ochanomizu Station (10 minutes) and make a quick and easy transfer to the JR Sobu Line (yellow colored local service) for one more station to Akihabara (2 minutes). Alternatively, take a yellow colored train without transfer all the way from Shinjuku to Akihabara (17 minutes). The one way fare is 160 yen in either case.
Orientation in Tokyo
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Hotels and Ryokan
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A small number of hotels around Akihabara Station and across the district offer the ideal choice for those seeking proximity to Akihabara's otaku culture. Its location along the Yamanote Line makes Akihabara also a convenient base to explore the rest of Tokyo.
Read more in our Tokyo Hotel Guide
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Recommended Hotels around Akihabara - with lowest rates by selected hotel reservation websites
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Travel Community
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Ratings for Akihabara:
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japan-guide.com Rating:
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outstanding
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User Rating (by 1982 users):
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84/100
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recommended
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Popularity of Akihabara:
Users who have been to Tokyo: 5855
Users who have been to Akihabara: 3463 3rd of 60 most visited sights in Tokyo. 3rd of 726 most visited sights nationwide.
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Product Links
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Tokyo Realtime - Akihabara Audio Guided Walking Tour
(CD with photobook)
Get an insider's tour of Akihabara, a subculture hotspot for anime, manga, games and figures that attracts hardcore fans - and curious visitors - from all over the world. Internationally recognized experts take you on this unforgettable behind-the-scenes tour of the area.
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