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What to do in Akihabara: 10 ideas for tourists
Not sure what to do in Akihabara? Go to a maid café, visit an arcade, and shop in the countless anime and manga stores.
In the heart of Tokyo lies Akihabara, a district renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and unique blend of modernity and tradition. Whether you’re an anime enthusiast, a tech-savvy traveler, or simply curious about Japanese pop culture, Akihabara offers an array of captivating experiences.
Even if you’re not typically interested in these things, you should still consider visiting Akihabara. No other place lets you experience the modern culture of Japan as well as Electric Town. To help you prepare better, we’ve listed out some of Akihabara’s top attractions that’ll help you decide what to do in Akihabara when you visit.
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1. Explore the Electric Town
Akihabara, affectionately known as Electric Town, is a major attraction for locals and foreigners alike. Filled with electronic stores, manga shops, and gaming arcades, it’s heaven for everyone even remotely interested in Japanese culture.
If you’re looking for your favorite video game, cosplay costume, or manga, there’s simply no better place to look for it than here. Many shops here are tax-free and offer special discounts as well, so the incredible selection is also accompanied by the best prices in town.
How to get there:
Getting to Akihabara is as easy as it gets. Simply get off at the Akihabara Metro Station, and you’ll step right into Electric Town. With bright lights, colorful billboards, and endless manga and anime shops, you definitely won’t miss it.
2. Go to a maid café
Maid cafés are one of the main attractions in Akihabara. There are plenty of options for you to choose from, each with a unique theme. You’ll quickly notice that everything in the café matches the theme, from the interior and the way the staff is dressed to food and drinks.
Some maid cafés also offer themed shows and allow you to take pictures with the staff. Typically, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee of around $10 USD, with a meal and a one-hour stay included in the price. However, these terms are not set in stone and can differ from one maid café to the next.
3. Shop in anime or manga stores
Shopping is quite a bit part of the Akihabara experience. When budgeting for your trip to Japan, leave some room for manga and anime merchandise, which are plentiful here. You’ll find comics, collectibles, merchandise, and more in a place where fiction and reality blend and become impossible to tell apart. Here are some of AKihabara’s best stores:
- Mandarake Complex
- Akihabara Kotobukiya
- Animate Akihabara
- Acos Akihabara
- Akihabara Gamers
These aren’t your tiny corner stores, either. Many of these take up entire buildings, with each story feeling like a whole new world. Even if you’re on a tight budget, it’s worth spending some time seeing all the crazy and unique things that are packed into these stores.
4. Play games at an arcade
Arcade games are just as important to Japanese culture as manga or anime, and there’s no shortage of arcades in Akihabara’s Electric Town. From timeless retro games that take you back to your childhood to modern masterpieces, there’s plenty of fun to be had here.
Some popular arcades in Akihabara are Otaku Akihabara and SEGA. SEGA actually has several stores spread around the neighborhood. Spend time in one of these arcades to experience that true Japanese game craze or even consider taking part in an arcade gaming competition, where they treat these games as a sport.
How to get there:
To get to the SEGA Building 1, just disembark from Akihabara Station and head west. After a couple of minutes, you’ll see the store on the corner.
5. Try food from a Katsu Sando vending machine
Getting hungry from all the gaming and shopping you’ve been doing? Katsusando vending machines tend to offer an array of sandwiches and are perfect for grabbing a bite while on the go.
These vending machines are part of Japanese street food culture and are something you won’t want to miss while in Tokyo. For around $6, you’ll get a mouth-watering, scrumptious, and filling sandwich that tastes much better than anything you’d expect from a vending machine.
How to get there:
Hop off the Akihabara Metro station from the west exit and take the first left to Mansei Bridge; right under the bridge, you’ll find the popular Katsu Sando vending machine.
6. Relax at Raku Spa 1010 Kanda
Forget the hustle and bustle of electronics shops and themed cafes and enjoy some quiet time at the Raku Spa 1010. As a space dedicated to hospitality and relaxation, you’ll find peace and re-energize to continue your adventure. This is the perfect spot for those traveling alone or with family to rest and reboot.
You’ll be able to use different spaces like the sauna, bath, coworking area, and even dining space. Furthermore, a relaxation room offers chiropractors and beauty salon services. Check the table below to organize your itinerary and budget so you can take some time for yourself at this spa.
| Usage type | Duration | Weekdays (11:00 – 20:00) | Weekends and holidays (11:00 – 20:00) | Late night premium (01:00 – 05:00) |
| SPA | 10 hours | $13.39 | $15.51 | $13.26 |
| Public bath | 3 hours | $5.50 | – | – |
| Sauna | 3 hours | $8.09 | $8.88 | – |
How to get there:
Exit Akihabara station at the west exit and take a left when you reach the Shohei Bridge. Head south on the bridge and take the second right. You can also just google RAKU SPA 1010 Kanda, and you’ll easily reach the spa center with the help of a map app of your choice.
7. Visit Kanda Myojin Shrine
Take some time to meditate and immerse yourself in the Japanese culture at the Kanda Myojin Shrine. Admire the beautiful torii gate at the entrance and explore the decorated halls. For an ultimate cultural experience, consider visiting the shrine in May during an odd-numbered year. That’s when the world-famous Kanda Matsuri festival takes place.
The shrine also sells talismans that are said to protect your valuable belongings. You might be surprised, but even tech geeks and manga lovers are here, getting a talisman to protect their brand-new iPhone or a rare copy of their favorite manga.
How to get there:
Get off at Ochanomizu Station and take the first right, where you’ll see a 7-Eleven convenience store. Then take the first left, and you’ll see the entrance to the shrine in front of you.
8. Explore Akihabara Uenosakuragi Park (Ueno Park)
Take some time to admire and enjoy nature in the middle of Tokyo’s concrete jungle. The Akihabara Uenosakuragi Park, or simply Ueno Park, is one of the main Akihabara attractions. It’s not just greenery that you’ll see but also a pinch of history and past glory.
Here are a few highlights that the park offers:
- Museum area in the North and West:
- National Museum of Nature and Science
- Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
- Tokyo National Museum
- Ueno Royal Museum
- National Museum of Western Art
- Shitamachi Museum
- Ueno Tōshō-gū Shrine and temples in the Centre
- The Ueno Zoo in the East
- The Shinobazu Pond in the South
One of the best times to travel to Japan is during the cherry blossom season between March and May. At this time, the park comes to life with breathtaking colors and is even a part of the cherry blossom festival that takes place in Japan every year.
How to get there:
Ueno Park is located north of Akihabara. You can take the train at Akihabara station, get off at Ueno Station, and head out towards the east directly onto the park
9. Visit the Manseibashi Station
Also known as the Ghost Station, Manseibashi Station is one of the top places to visit in Akihabara, no matter what your interests are. It was a functional station until it closed in 1943. It was refurbished and reopened in 2013, and the iconic red brick interior was kept to protect its legacy. Inside, you’ll find numerous shops and restaurants blending the past and present.
Find unique handwork and crafts, and there are even some temporary shops where you can get the perfect souvenir. Sit down and enjoy a coffee and some bakery, or simply take some time to relax and imagine what the station was like in the past.
How to get there:
- 4-minute walk from Akihabara station
- 6-minute walk from Kanda station
- 6-minute walk from Ochanomizu station
10. Have fun at Namco Akihabara
If trading cards, arcade games, and figures are your thing, there’s no better place to be than the NAMCO entertainment center. It’s so packed that it can easily keep you entertained for days. Each floor offers a unique experience in the anime and manga world that dominates Japan.
- First and Second Floor: Namco Akihabara’s first two floors are filled with crane games offering figurines and character toys, including exclusive items.
- Third Floor: The third floor boasts rhythm-based arcade games, highlighted by eight Taiko no Tatsujin drum machines.
- Fourth Floor: Ascend to the fourth floor to find approximately 800 Bandai-branded capsule toy machines, offering a chance to win various trinkets.
- Fifth Floor (Decks Stadium): On the fifth floor, known as Decks Stadium, visitors can purchase Bandai’s collectible trading cards and engage in card game battles.
- Basement Level: Explore the basement level, which is entirely dedicated to Gundam video games.
How to get there:
NAMCO is on the south left side of Akihabara station in front of the East Hotel Mets Akihabara Hotel.
General tips for tourists in Akihabara
On top of visiting the main attractions, there are a few things that can make your Akihabara experience even better. Here’s how you can make the most of your time there:
- Use the Tokyo Metro system, it’s affordable, convenient, and easily the best way to get around.
- Don’t be afraid to try new things. Maid café and vending machine sandwiches may not be what you do at home, but they’re integral parts of the Akihabara experience.
- Pack comfortable clothes and footwear. You’re likely to spend a lot of time on your feet, so make sure you can enjoy it.
- Make reservations beforehand and avoid inflated prices that may strain your budget.
- Stay connected. Maintaining an internet connection allows you to find your way around with map apps, use translator apps to communicate with the locals, and post your holiday pics on your social media.
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FAQs about things to do in Akihabara
There are plenty of things to see in Akihabara. You can start your day by exploring Electric Town and doing some window shopping, then visit a maid café for a quirky culinary experience. Continue your adventure by shopping in anime stores, gaming at arcades, and exploring historic landmarks in parks.
Akihabara is famous for being the capital of otaku culture. It’s the place to be for all fans of anime, manga, arcade games, and trading card games, with plenty of stores, themed cafes, and unique cultural experiences.
Yes, Akihabara is known for its welcoming atmosphere and is popular among international visitors. Many establishments offer English-language support, making it easy for tourists to navigate the district.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
