Access Akihabara From Four Major Stations In Tokyo

Akihabara, Tokyo is known as an "otaku" town. Thanks to the popularity of Japanese anime and manga, the number of tourists from abroad visiting Akihabara has been growing every year.

Due to the complexity of the Japanese transportation system though, some tourists have trouble reaching Akihabara.

In this article, we will show you how to get to Akihabara from the following major stations:Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, and Tokyo.

The following passes and tickets are convenient and will save yen on travel in and around Akihabara and the rest of Tokyo: Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, and 72-hour passes available), Japan Rail Pass, Suica IC Card Reservation

1. From Shinjuku to Akihabara

Shinjuku Station is said to see the highest number of passengers each day out of all the stations in the world. This station has various subway lines, the JR Lines, and private railway lines, so many passengers switch trains here.

To get to Akihabara from Shinjuku JR Station, board the JR Chuo Line headed for Tokyo. Next, switch to the JR Sobu Line at JR Ochanomizu station. Be sure to check where the trains are headed. The Chuo Line has orange trains and the Sobu Line has yellow trains.

Trains: JR Chuo Line and JR Sobu Line
Change Trains At: JR Ochanomizu Station
Fare: 165 yen, with an IC card
Time: About 12 minutes

2. From Shibuya to Akihabara

Shibuya Station is known for its accessibility, and probably most people visiting Tokyo must have used it at least once. It is also famous for Hachiko, the statue of that beloved dog. The nearby intersection, Shibuya Scramble Crossing, is a popular spot with tourists too. It really is impressive to see so many people crossing simultaneously at such a large intersection.

To get to Akihabara from JR Shibuya Station, board the JR Yamanote Line headed for Shinagawa and Tokyo. It is a direct line, so there is no need to switch trains.

Trains: JR Yamanote Line
Fare: 194 yen, with an IC card
Time: About 30 minutes

3. From Ueno to Akihabara

Ueno Station has direct access to Narita Airport and is a shinkansen or bullet train stop, making it very convenient for both domestic and international tourists. In spring, the station is crowded with people coming to see the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park.

There are two ways to get to Akihabara from Ueno. The first route is to board the green JR Yamanote line from JR Ueno Station, headed for Shinagawa and Tokyo. The second route is to use the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, a subway. At the Hibiya Line Ueno Station, take the Hibiya Line headed for Nakameguro. Both routes take about three minutes.

Trains: JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Fare: 133 yen, with an IC card (Yamanote Line); 165 yen, with an IC card (Hibiya Line)
Time: About 3 minutes

4. From Tokyo to Akihabara

Tokyo Station is near Marunouchi, the center of Japanese commerce, so you will see many suit-clad business people in the area. It is a hub station for travelers in Japan, as many trains, including the shinkansen, stop here.

To get to Akihabara from JR Tokyo Station, board the JR Yamanote Line headed for Ueno and Ikebukuro.

Trains: JR Yamanote Line
Fare: 133 yen, with an IC card
Time: About 4 minutes

Whether you're a fan of Japanese electronics, video games, manga and anime, or just want to see what an "otaku town" is like, Akihabara is a great place to visit and shop!