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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kanto - Tokyo - Central Tokyo
Akihabara	# 3   of 60 most visited sights in Tokyo
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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 Ishimaru Denki Hours: 10:00 to 20:00 Closed: No closing days Ishimaru Denki operates three stores near Akihabara Station, which include the Main Store, the Akiba branch specializing in computers and cell phones, and the Soft branch selling CDs, DVDs, games and anime related goods. Sofmap Hours: 11:00 to 20:00 (some branches have different hours) Closed: No closing days Sofmap operates 12 shops around Akihabara. In addition to their main store, they have many specialty branches that feature a type of item such as Apple products, CDs or games, as well as a number of outlets for used products such as used computers, cameras, CDs and software. Laox Hours: 10:00 to 20:00 (branch store open until 21:00) Closed: No closing days Operating four stores in Akihabara, including the Main Store and Pocket Plus One mobile products store that both sell duty free items, as well as the Musicvox branch specializing in musical instruments and Asobitcity branch that carries hobby and game related products. Yamada Denki Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 Closed: No closing days Yamada Denki operates a "LABI" store just across the street from the Akihabara Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station. It specializes in personal computers, pc accessories and household electronics. Akky Hours: 9:30 to 20:00 Closed: No closing days Akky specializes in duty free goods and operates three shops around Akihabara Station. Akky sells a variety of electronic equipment for overseas use, including cameras, computers, televisions, DVD players and software. Some branches carry used or refurbished items. Radio Market Hours: Varies by store Closed: Varies by store Radio Market is a former black market zone that specialized in selling radio and electronic parts after World War II. Today it is a collection of narrow alleys lined by small stalls where hundreds of electronic components, security monitors, radios and computer parts are laid out for customers to browse through. Components are typically sold from wholesale lots at cheap prices and without packaging. Yodobashi Camera Hours: 9:30 to 22:00 Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00 Closed: No closing days The Shinjuku based discount electronic store giant Yodobashi Camera opened its huge Akihabara branch in September 2005. Unlike most other electronic shops, it is located on the east side of Akihabara Station. This branch offers one stop shopping for computers, games, watches and cameras, and sells duty free and international models. Otaku Attractions Maid Cafes Maid cafes are cosplay themed restaurants where guests are served by waitresses that are typically dressed as French maids. In addition to serving food, the maids engage in conversation and games with the customers and treat them with the care and respectful language due to the master of a house. Maid cafes are popular with both men and women, and some cafes, like the @Home Cafe, offer English speaking maids. Tokyo Anime Center Hours: 11:00 to 19:00 Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday) The Tokyo Anime Center is found on the fourth floor of the UDX Building of Akihabara Crossfield. It stages anime related exhibitions, hosts anime related events and contains a shop selling toys, stationary and other souvenirs. Don Quijote Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 Closed: No closing days Don Quijote is a discount store chain that carries everything from groceries and toys to electronics and high end fashion goods. The Akihabara branch is home to the girl pop group AKB48, who perform daily shows at their theater on the 8th floor of the store (3000 yen). There is also a branch of the @Home Cafe maid cafe on the 5th floor of the store. Radio Kaikan Closed permanently in July 2011 Radio Kaikan closed permanently in July 2011. It will be torn down, and a new building will be constructed in its place. Super Potato Hours: 11:00 to 20:00 (from 10:00 on weekends and national holidays) Closed: No closing days Super Potato sells all types of video games and video game consoles, and specializes in retro systems and games. Here you can find practically every game system ever produced along with a huge selection of used game cartridges, discs and game accessories. Gamers Hours: 9:00 to 22:00 (upper floors 10:00 to 21:00) Closed: No closing days Gamers sells a wide range of anime and manga related goods including movies, video games, CDs, stationary, software and character goods. Mandarake Hours: 12:00 to 20:00 Closed: No closing days Mandarake, the self described largest "manga and anime shop in the world", operates a large branch in Akihabara. Specializing in pre-owned goods, it is a good place to find rare and collectible manga, figurines, dolls, posters, CDs, toys and other types of manga and anime related goods. Other Attractions Akihabara Crossfield Info Center: 10:00 to 17:00 (closed weekends and national holidays) The Akihabara Crossfield complex consists of the Akihabara Dai Building and the UDX Building. The lower floors have shops and restaurants, while the upper floors aim to be the "global center for the IT industry" and accommodate offices, conference space and showrooms. The second floor of the UDX Building houses the Akiba Info Center while the fourth floor is home to the Tokyo Anime Center. Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there

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

Hotels and Ryokan

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

Recommended Hotels around Akihabara - with lowest rates by selected hotel reservation websites Akihabara Washington Hotel Reliable business hotel just a short walk from Akihabara Station. Agoda from $118 (1 person) from $155 (2 persons) Dormy Inn Akihabara Business hotel with large bath near Suehirocho Station. Remm Akihabara Hotel Chic hotel adjacent to Akihabara Station. Agoda from $151 (1 person) from $151 (2 persons)

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News and Reports

December 13, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by schauwecker December 5, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by scott November 27, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by scott November 22, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by scott November 15, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by scott November 14, 2011 Christmas lights in Roppongi Hills Tokyo by aginorz October 24, 2011 Halloween in Tokyo by aginorz October 13, 2011 Tokyo Fall Colors? by schauwecker More reports...

Travel Community

Ratings for Akihabara: japan-guide.com Rating:   outstanding   User Rating (by 1982 users): 84/100   recommended 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. Have you been to Akihabara? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

Shop Directory

Animate (Akihabara) If you're looking for popular anime and game merchandise, please come check us out! Animate Akihabara is part... Chinese Cuisine of the Northeast Tiger Takeya General Discount Store Sakura Horikiri Our specialty shop sells 800 types of yuzen-dyed Japanese paper and original handicraft kits. They make delightful... @Home Cafe More shops...

Tours and Packages

Tokyo Tours Various tours and travel packages for Tokyo and surroundings. Akihabara Walking Tour Visit the center of the Otaku universe, Akihabara!

English Links

Akihabara Official English website by the Akihabara Tourism Promotion Board. Akihabara Crossfield Official English website. Don Quijote Official English website. Mandarake Official English website. Yamada Denki Official English website. Akky International Official English website.

Product Links

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.

Japanese Links

Akihabara Official website by the Akihabara Tourism Promotion Board. Akihabara Crossfield Official website. UDX Building Official website. Tokyo Anime Center Official website. Don Quijote Official website. Radio Kaikan Official website. Super Potato Official website. Gamers Official website. Mandarake Official website. Ishimaru Denki Official website. Sofmap Official website. Laox Official website. Yamada Denki Official website. Akky International Official website. Yodobashi Camera Official website.