12 Things To Do in Akihabara Electric Town
Akihabara, or “Akiba” as it’s affectionately known to locals, is a bustling shopping district in Tokyo’s heart.
The area is world-renowned for its densely packed buildings crammed full of anime, manga, and games, making it a must-go spot for visitors to Japan who want to bask in geeky otaku culture.
Akihabara Station is conveniently located and easily accessed via the JR Yamanote Line. Once you exit the station, you’ll be enveloped in the sights and sounds of Akiba.
Colorful displays and eye-catching billboards advertising the latest anime and video games line the streets, while cosplayers and maid cafes add to the lively atmosphere.
Whether you’re looking to buy souvenirs, try out some new games, or soak up the unique atmosphere, Akihabara will delight you.
12 Things to Do in Akihabara
1) Visit Mandarake
In recent years, Mandarake has become popular as a destination for new and secondhand comics in Akihabara. While prices might add up quickly, buying secondhand is an excellent way to save money.
In addition to traditional manga, Mandarake sells doujinshi based on other manga or anime. These are typically creative and unusual, making them ideal gifts for friends back home.
Although they can be challenging to find, doujinshi is worth seeking out for any manga fan.
Mandrake isn’t the only place to find great deals on manga, but it’s the best. So if you’re looking to stock up on your favorite comics, check out Mandarake next time you’re in Akiba.
Doujinshi refers to fan-made comics and anime. In Japan, it’s common for popular manga and anime series to become doujinshi. These self-published stories can be about anything, from explicit content to comedy and severe drama.
Many doujinshi are published online, making them easily accessible to fans worldwide. While some creators see doujinshi as a way to make a quick buck, others do it because they love the series and characters.
Regardless of the motivation, doujinshi often provides an outlet for creative expression beyond what’s possible in the official canon.
So, if you’re ever in Japan and come across a copy of Doujinshi, don’t be afraid to read it. You might just be surprised at what you find.
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2) Visit Club Mogra
Club Mogra is the place to go for an immersive Otaku experience. Mogra is a club in Akihabara, Japan’s epicenter of pop culture, specializing in anime, video games, and club music.
You may dance to clubs, anime, Vocaloid, idol, and game music on the underground dance floor. After dancing, relax with a cool drink at the bar.
Club Mogra hosts the highly anticipated annual Anime Song Matrix extravaganza on the first Saturday of each month. If you’re searching for a fun and distinctive night out, check out Club Mogra.
3) Play Mario Kart in Real Life
Have you ever wished to drive go-karts through Tokyo like your favorite video games?
Street Kart offers real-life superhero go-karting experiences that will be exhilarating. You can dress up in your favorite character costume, play the music of your choice, and drive through Tokyo with all your eyes on you.
Street Kart is prepared to make your trip unique, and all you need is a Japanese driver’s license, an International driving permit, or a SOFA license. So come on down to Street Kart and realize your Mario Kart fantasies!
4) Eat at Komaki Shokudo
If you want to try shōjin-ryōri, a Buddhist-style vegan cuisine, Komaki Shokudo is the perfect place to go. This cafe, located within the Chabara food market, specializes in cooking, and its nonmeat dishes are delicious.
The restaurant sells some of the ingredients used in its dishes, so you can take a little bit of Komaki Shokudo home. After your meal, head to Yanaka Coffee for an excellent cup.
5) Yodobashi Camera Akihabara
Yodobashi Camera Akihabara is the perfect place to find all the latest Japanese products.
There is something for everyone, with a large selection of home appliances, smartphones, figurines, digital single-lens reflex cameras, cosmetics, watches, and designer bags made in Japan.
The Tax-Free service makes it easy to save money on purchases, and the English-speaking staff is available to help you enjoy your shopping experience.
Whether you are looking for the latest Japanese product or want to browse the selection, Yodobashi Camera Akihabara is the perfect place to start your search.
6) Akiba Fukurou Cafe
When you step into Owl Cafe Akiba Fukurou, you are greeted by owls hooting. The cafe is dimly lit, and the owls perch quietly on branches around the room.
As you sit, one of the owls may fly over and land on your shoulder. At Akiba Fukurou, you can order coffee or tea and snack on owl-shaped cookies while watching the owls sleep, play, and interact with other guests.
The cafe is small and intimate, and the staff is passionate about owl care. If you’re looking for a unique cafe experience in Tokyo, Owl Cafe Akiba Fukurou is worth visiting.
7) Radio Center Akihabara
A visit to Radio Center Akihabara is necessary for anyone who loves electronic gadgets. This warren of small booths beneath the rail tracks is where wireless radio technicians congregated in the post-war years, using their skills to repair radios from salvageable parts.
Today, the products on sale have certainly advanced; but the narrow tunnels of the Radio Center haven’t changed much.
Take the steps up to the second floor, where you can find retro electronic products, from Betamax players to the first Sony Walkman and Gameboys.
It’s a real treat for gadget lovers.
8) Visit Kanda Myojin Shrine
Kanda Myojin Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Japan. It is located near Akihabara, known for its many electronics stores.
The shrine was founded in 730 and has a history of nearly 1,300 years. Praying for prosperity, good luck, and marriage is a popular place.
The three significant gods enshrined at the Kanda Myojin Shrine are Daikokuten, Ebisu, and Kotoshironushi. These three gods are known as the “Gods of Fortune.”
People believe that if they pray to these gods, they will be blessed with bountiful harvests, good luck in business, and happy marriages.
9) Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan
A gachapon is a vending machine dispenses small toys or trinkets to those unfamiliar. They are often used as prizes or novelties, and Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan is a store devoted entirely to them.
There are over 500 machines inside, each filled with a different type of toy or trinket. Visitors can find everything from keychains and stickers to miniature figurines and phone charms.
The selection constantly changes, so there’s always something new to discover. And those who get lucky may even find a rare or exclusive item.
Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan is a paradise for anyone who loves surprises, and it’s one of the many unique attractions that make Akihabara stand out as a special place.
10) Experience of Ninja training at Vr Ninja Dojo
You may learn the most intense and distinctive Ninja training at Vr Ninja Dojo in Japan. Begin your Ninja career with a lesson in Ninjutsu (Ninja Techniques) and swordplay by qualified martial artists.
You will dress up as a Ninja during class and use authentic weapons. Vr Ninja Dojo is the ideal location for an unusual encounter thanks to the traditional Ninja lesson and cutting-edge VR technology.
All the lessons were instructed in English, making them easy to follow.
After the session, you can put your new knowledge to the test by battling monsters in the VR environment. Overall, it was a fun and informative experience that I would suggest to anyone interested in ninja training.
11) Visit Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
Because of its enshrined gods, it is known as “O-Ise-same in Tokyo.”
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is one of Tokyo’s top five shrines dedicated to the significant deities associated with relationships and love.
These include:
- Amaterasu, the ancestral God of the Imperial Family and the tutelary Creator of all the Japanese;
- Touyouke no Okami, the guardian deity of agriculture, industry, clothing, food, and housing;
- and Yamatohime no Mikoto, the founder of the Inner Shrine of the Grand Shrine of Ise.
In addition to its metaphysical importance, the shrine is notable for its stunning architecture and lush gardens.
It is said that the shrine can bring people together and help them find suitable partners.
Many young people visit the shrine to find a good match; the shrine is also famous for weddings.
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is a beautiful place to visit, and it is worth a try if you are looking for love or good luck in your life.
12) Try one of the many Maid Cafes in Akiba.
In recent years, maid cafes have become increasingly popular in Akihabara, attracting people who enjoy all things adorably.
While some may feel intimidated by the prospect of entering one of these cafes, they need not worry; the staff is always more than happy to welcome newcomers with open arms.
From the moment you step through the door, you will be transported into a world of fantasy and make-believe, where the maids will pamper and dote on you as if you were a royal.
The experience is unique and something anyone interested in Japanese pop culture should try at least once.
Whether you’re a Maid Cafe veteran or a complete newcomer, we guarantee you’ll have an excellent time at one of these establishments.
Gundam Cafè and akb48 cafè are Permanently closed.
Last year, it was announced that the Gundam Cafè and the akb48 cafè would be permanently closed. The closure of the cafés surprises many, as they were both popular tourist destinations in Japan.
The Gundam Cafè was especially well-known, as it was the first café in the world to be themed after the popular anime series.
The closure of the two cafés is a blow to the otaku community, as they were beloved landmarks for fans of Japanese pop culture.
However, given the recent decline in tourism to Japan, it is unsurprising that these cafés have been forced to shut their doors.
FAQ:
Why is Akihabara called Electric Town?
Akihabara is a district in central Tokyo known for its large concentration of electronics stores. The area was named Akihabara Electric Town shortly after World War II because of its many electronics stores.
It became a major shopping center for household electronic goods and the post-war black market.
Many consider Akihabara the birthplace of the modern Japanese otaku subculture, as it was one of the first places where anime and manga merchandise was widely available.
These days, Akihabara is still known for its many electronics stores and its abundance of otaku-themed shops and cafes.
Every year, Akihabara hosts several gaming and anime conventions, attracting fans from all over Japan and worldwide.
