Electronics shops in Akihabara

Hello all

My kids (aged 12 & 9) and my hubby want to spend an entire day shopping for electronics in Akihabara.
I have read that this area is not appropriate for kids.
Is there a mall or shop that is a one-stop shop for electronic items?
Thank you .

I have read that this area is not appropriate for kids.

Who said that? I did notice some scary English articles that were 2 decades old.

Whatever it meant, I think that no vast and busy place in the world including airports is appropriate for pre-teens to be walking around on their own, simply because they can easily get lost. As long as they stick to their dad, as they should in any busy area, I'm sure they'd be fine.

Akihabara aside, you'd also want to let everybody memorize the location or phone number of their hotel (whichever is easier to remember). Instead of carrying a note, moreover a phone, everybody should keep it recorded in their heads. And if anyone happens to get lost, or lose something, or feel danger, the person should seek help at a Koban police box.

Also, most if not all game arcades have a section that is off-limits to those under age 18 or 16.

So, with all that said, the place your boys want to visit is the "Denki-gai" which means "electronics street" which is actually a more of an area than a street. Here are some more info.
https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-akihabara/spot-lj00...
https://akiba.or.jp/town

As far as safety is concerned, here is some info to back up what I just wrote, except that I don't necessarily agree with the part where the writer says that teens would be ignored. Shops and game arcades have pretty strict rules against teenagers coming into off-limits sections. A uniformed staff would quite often politely suggest a kid to leave if they see one.
https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-akihabara/spot-lj00...

As a mom of a former boy, I hope it helps.

is not appropriate for kids.
as in 'adult' 'pornographic' .. ?

as long as you/kids don't venture inside adult related shops, then there is nothing to be concerned about. you may find few young maid dressing standing around, those are for maid cafe.

manga shops or shops will have sign +18 or something, special corner hidden out by the corner. most are properly marked/sign.

other than it is quite family oriented place, just don't venture behind alley especially after dark.

yamada denk/labi sofmap dospara

I remember reading a blogpost where the parent mentioned that she will never take her kid to Akihabara again. So was a little concerned.

Thank you for clarifying this for me. In that case, we will spend half a day in this area.

To further put the OP's mind at ease, generally shops that do stock erotic/adult games and comics have dedicated floors for them. These floors are usually on the highest or lowest level of the store, so that people who don't want to see such things won't have to pass through them while shopping for non-adult items.

I have taken my kids there a few times. All under ten. No issues.

You wrote g My kids (aged 12 & 9) and my hubby want to spend an entire day shopping for electronics in Akihabara.h
And g Thank you for clarifying this for me. In that case, we will spend half a day in this area.h

I totally get it that you donft want to spend an entire day there (I wouldnft want to spend more than 30 min in Akihabara shopping) but maybe consider splitting up and you can do something that your kids/husband arenft that interested in and they can have their full day in Akihabara. For anyone not interested in this shopping experience I think that electronic shops can be extremely tiring. They are often very loud, a bit chaotic and full of colours and advertisement everywhere. Quite a sore to the eye. I can see why kids would enjoy it. But can see also why to many people Akihabara can be torture.

Even if your family spends only half a day there I think it can be a very tiring day so plan something very calm for the rest of the day. So that the kids can sleep at night.

Just to add to LikeBike, I'm not interested in the Akihabara atmosphere at all (have to go once in several years for repair, friend's gig, dining etc.), but I loved walking through the "Aki-Oka Artisan" which extends under the JR railway track all the way from Akihabara to the neighboring Okachimachi Station.

It can be a bit tricky finding the entrance, but you can ask at the JR train station, because JR is collaborating with that marketplace. Once you do find the entrance, it's very easy and safe to walk through alone. I'm sure your boys would be bored of it anyway!

https://www.jrtk.jp.e.wz.hp.transer.com/2k540/access/

@ LikeBike
I like your idea! Since my attention span with regards to electronic items is very little, I was thinking of a couple of options. Let the boys have their time in Akihabara meanwhile I have my quiet time somewhere else.
Or we all spend half a day there and for the rest of the day, do some other activity. We have only four days in Tokyo so want to make the best.
Thank you all!

Plenty of non electric shopping at Akihabara. Do your own thing.

As basically everything's been said, just a small comment:

Last time when our daughter got annoyed after a while in Akiba, we went to Cat Cafe MoCHA, which is right on the main street and allows children.
https://catmocha.jp/shop/akihabara/

Just a thought if that might also be an option for you.

You could also go to one of the other Bic Camera or Yodobashi in multiple areas of Tokyo.
Therefs hours of electronics shopping there, you miss the arcades/manga:maid cafe stuff of Akihabara though

Other than the big brand stores (which are everywhere), the attraction could be the smaller component stores that have a big cluster around the station, and a few further out.
And, that comment about unsuitable for kids is just weird - you'll see thousands.

You could also go to one of the other Bic Camera or Yodobashi in multiple areas of Tokyo.
Therefs hours of electronics shopping there, you miss the arcades/manga:maid cafe stuff of Akihabara though

BicCamera and Yodobashi for me is shopping for washing machines , computers or hair dryers. I canft really see teenagers that interested in this kind of gelectronicsh

They are interested in watches/smartwatches, camera, mobiles, games and accessories for consoles.
I am sure there are a lot of shops for these items.

I think this is the day when you need to split up...
For me Akihabara is ok, but not to spend there more than necessary (two hours in Yodobashi to buy new rice cooker), but my HB can spend there a day or more. Same for son, and it would be heartless to deny them this fun. No risk that they will be lost in some porn cave.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Any particular shop/area that you recommend for smartwatches?