Akihabara

The Basics

If you’re looking for electronics, head to the stores in Akihabara, which range in size from tiny stalls to sprawling, multi-level department stores. In addition to the electronics, the neighborhood is also a center of "otaku," or geek culture, and is a popular haunt for diehard anime and manga fans. This is a great place to people-watch and see fans dress up as their favorite characters from anime and manga.

Peeking into otaku culture can be tricky for foreign visitors, so opt for a tour of the neighborhood with a guide who can explain the various subcultures you’ll see as you visit gaming centers, manga cafes, and other popular spots.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Most stores in Akihabara offer tax-free shopping to foreign tourists.

• Foreigners who make purchases over 10,000 yen (around $100 USD) may be required to show a passport.

• Before purchasing, check the voltage of items that you plan to use outside of Japan.

How to Get There

Akihabara Station is on the JR Keihin-Tohoku, Yamanote, Sobu Main, and Chuo-Sobu lines. It’s also on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya line. The journey takes just over 10 minutes from Tokyo Station.

When to Get There

Akihabara is lively at any time and on any day of the week, but it is especially busy on the weekends, when young people gather in large numbers. Visit after dark to enjoy the neighborhood’s glowing neon lights.

Ueno

Just a 10-minute walk from Akihabara, the Ueno neighborhood showcases a completely different side of Tokyo. This more traditional area is known for its large park, its Shinto and Zen landmarks—such as the 17th-century Benzaiten Shrine—and for its many museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and the National Museum for Western Art.

Is Akihabara worth a visit?

Yes, Akihabara is definitely worth visiting if you’re looking to buy electronics, video games, or manga. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, Akihabara Electric Town is a fun and fast-paced neighborhood to visit, browse, and experience part of modern Japanese culture.

What is the best time to visit Akihabara?

As Akihabara is mainly a retail area, it’s best to visit during store opening hours if you want to shop. Stores tend to open mid–late morning and stay open well into the evening. Bars and restaurants may have later hours. Akihabara is busiest on the weekends, so avoid visiting then if you’d rather avoid the crowds.

Which street is best in Akihabara?

Akihabara’s Chuo Dori—which can be translated as Central Avenue or Main Street—is arguably the best street to check out first. It’s the district’s main thoroughfare, and a good place to get your bearings and a feel for Akihabara. It’s pedestrianized on Sunday afternoons, making it more comfortable for browsing.

What is the best day of the week to visit Akihabara?

Akihabara can get very busy on Saturdays and Sundays, so avoid visiting on these days if you dislike crowds. However, the main thoroughfare, Chuo Dori, is pedestrianized on Sunday afternoons. While many people visit then, you won’t be dodging cars as you browse on foot. For a quieter experience, visit on a weekday morning.

Is Akihabara good for tourists?

Yes, Akihabara is a good place for tourists to visit, especially if they want to shop for electronics, video games, or manga. It’s a popular neighborhood for tourists to visit and although it’s worlds away from Tokyo’s serene traditional temples, Akihabara provides a fascinating insight into Japanese pop culture.

Is Akihabara foreigner friendly?

Yes, Akihabara is a foreigner-friendly neighborhood. Like in other parts of Tokyo, it’s helpful to know some Japanese—and even better to be able to read it—to get the most out of your visit. But foreign visitors still find plenty to enjoy (and to buy) without knowing Japanese.

Ways to explore

Whether you’re a diehard anime fan or you can’t tell the difference between Pokémon and Dragon Ball Z, a guided walking tour of Akihabara is the best way to dive into otaku or geek culture—some also include a visit to a maid café. Go-karting tours are a fun way to explore the streets of Akihabara, or combine your tour with nearby attractions such as the Tokyo Skytree or the traditional Asakusa district.

Whichever tour you choose, leave yourself some spare time for shopping, gaming, and people-watching, as this is one of Tokyo’s quirkiest quarters.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access may be limited in the smaller shops and arcades, but the main street of Chuo Dori, the larger department stores, and Akihabara Station are accessible.

Age limits

Many attractions are kid-friendly, particularly for video game-mad teens, but look out for 18+ sections in shops (usually upstairs) and adult-only theme cafés—they are often right next door to the toy shops.

What to pack

A shopping/tote bag, sunscreen or umbrella, cash (smaller shops may not accept cards), headphones (for the gaming arcades), phone with translation app (smaller shops may not have English translations)

What to wear

Your favorite manga/anime T-shirt or accessories, weather-appropriate clothing, comfortable walking shoes

Not allowed

Ask before taking photos inside shops, arcades, and maid cafés, and especially if you want to photograph people’s costumes.

Amenities

A variety of hotels, shops, cafés, noodle bars, and street food; public restrooms (including at Horin Park and Akihabara Station)

Address

Akihabara district is located on the northern bank of the Kanda River in central Tokyo, and is easy to reach by public transit.

Driving

With heavy traffic, narrow streets, and almost nonexistent street parking, driving to Akihabara isn’t recommended. Follow the lead of locals and take the train instead.

Public transportation

Akihabara Station is in the heart of the Akihabara district, served by the JR Keihin-Tohoku, JR Yamanote, JR Sobu Main, Tsukuba Express, and Tokyo Metro Hibiya line. From Tokyo Station, the Keihin-Tohoku or Yamanote line takes just 3 minutes.

Best times to visit

Most shops and cafés open at around 10am and close between 9pm and 11pm. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to shop, but mid-afternoon to early evening is usually the most atmospheric time to explore.

Best days to visit

Weekends draw the largest crowds—and liveliest scene. Sunday afternoon is the most popular time, when Chuo Dori street is closed to cars and a large part of the district is pedestrianized.

Best months to visit

If you’re planning to be in Tokyo in the summer, that’s when more pop-up events and idol concerts come to Akihabara. You could also combine a springtime visit in March or April with a stroll along the cherry tree–lined banks of the Kanda River.

Special events

While there are no major festivals held in Akihabara, keep a lookout for live performances and special events within the Akihabara Cultural Zone.