Akihabara (Japanese: 秋葉原) is a neighborhood in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo, Japan. Akihabara is supposedly, the world’s leading electric town, and the epicenter of modern Japanese Otaku culture. Otaku (Japanese: おたく, オタク, or ヲタク) is a Japanese word that describes people with consuming interests, particularly in anime, manga, video games and computers.
Akihabara’s Architecture
From postwar black-market activity, to showcasing Japanese technology, Akihabara has jam-packed stores with all kinds of electronics.
It is also the best place to experience the underground culture of Japan and shop for high-tech gadgets.
Stroll through Akihabara’s avenues for a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. It is Amazing!
How to get there
Akihabara Station is on the JR Yamanote and JR Sobu lines. Visitors can also take the Keihin Tohoku Line, TX Tsukuba Express, and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.
Some “Must Do” Best Places in Akihabara
Yodobashi Camera
Do you want to buy the latest electronic product?
Then visit Yodobashi Camera, one of the best electronics stores in Japan. The department store has nine floors and sells a wide variety of electronic gadgets. You can easily spend 2–3 hours there.
There is also a wide range of other products such as video games, toys, luxurious brand products and cosmetics products.
Location: In front of Akihabara Station.
Maid Cafe
A Must do! Akihabara is home to many maid cafes! There are essentially cosplay restaurants where waitresses dress as maids and serve their “masters,” or visitors.
It’s one of the top attractions in Tokyo.
Akiba Fukurou (Owl Cafe)
Owl Cafe, a unique animal cafe, is one of the top tourist attractions in Japan. Visit and play with these adorable owls!
Mandarake
Madarake is often called “the largest manga and anime store in the world”. Mandarake deals with secondhand items related to manga, anime, game, dolls. This also includes lots of rare items which you can probably find only in Mandarake.
Radio Centre
If you wish to see what Otaku really means, visit Radio Center. It’s where the story of Akihabara culture began, selling millions of electronic components in narrow alleys. Radio Center is located at the Akihabara Electric Town right off the train station.
J-Pop’s biggest idol group – AKB48
Akihabara is the birthplace of one of J-Pop’s most prominent girl groups.
AKB48. AKB stands for “Akiba,” or “Akihabara,” while 48 is the number of members in the group.
Akiba is where idols—and not just AKB48—hold fan meets for their otaku fanbase.
Wotagei (ヲタ芸), also known as otagei (オタ芸), are events which are made more interesting & fascinating by the light-stick waving otagei, which refers to the cheering gestures by high-spirited otaku fans.
Anime, Manga & Gaming
Anime and Manga are very popular in Japan
Laox Akihabara
Tokyo’s largest duty-free store! From electronics to cosmetics, multilingual staff and currency exchange machines, it’s a very convenient place to shop for the latest technology.
