9 Things To Do In Japan's Electric Town, Akihabara

Akihabara, Japan's number one electric town, is a popular tourist spot, welcoming hoards of visitors every day. In this article, we give you the breakdown of four main ways to spend your time in this city. Make sure to keep this useful guide on hand when you visit!

Discover the History of Akihabara

Post-War to 1950s: Sale of Electrical Parts

After World War II, Akihabara began to take shape as a center for electrical appliances. In 1945, makeshift markets selling electrical parts, especially for radios, emerged in response to the scarcity of goods.
By the 1950s, as household electrical appliances gained popularity, stores in Akihabara expanded to sell televisions, refrigerators, and other household electronics. The area became recognized as a shopping district for electrical goods, attracting increasing numbers of consumers.

1960s-70s: Home Appliances and Computers

In the 1960s, with the mass adoption of televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines, Akihabara became a central hub for these household appliances.
By the 1970s, the market expanded to include electronics and personal computers (PCs), and Akihabara began to cater to enthusiasts building their own PCs. This marked the beginning of the area's association with tech culture.

1980s-90s: Rise of Otaku Culture and Computers

The 1980s saw the rise of personal computers and the beginning of Akihabara’s transformation into the center of the "otaku" (geek) culture. Specialized stores selling computer parts, video games, and anime goods started to fill the area. In the 1990s, Akihabara became the unofficial mecca for otaku culture, with more and more stores dedicated to anime, manga, and video games, attracting enthusiasts from Japan and abroad.

2000s: Maid Cafes and Tourism

In the 2000s, Akihabara experienced another shift with the introduction of maid cafes, a unique concept where waitresses dressed as maids serve food and drinks. This attracted new crowds, particularly tourists and anime fans.

2010s-Present: Redevelopment and Global Appeal

Digital devices and cutting-edge technology now complement its long-standing focus on anime and gaming. As a result, Akihabara has evolved from a mere "electric town" to a global destination for both tech lovers and tourists, further cementing its status as a multifaceted urban hub.

1. Buy Cutting-Edge Japanese Electronics

Souce: From Electronics to Otaku: 7 Picks for Akihabara Souvenirs.

Akihabara is best known for its many electronics stores. You can find all sorts of products here, from the latest kitchen equipment to unique beauty gadgets. That's why so many visitors come here to buy electronics to take back home.

But the extensive range of goods isn't the only reason. Due to Akihabara's popularity with people from all over the world, many of the stores deal in several languages, so even if you can't speak Japanese, you can receive the same service as anyone else. What's more, they often have duty free counters and can accept credit cards, making them more advanced than most.

What sort of product are you looking for? What functions does it need? What's your budget? If you discuss your needs with one of the staff members, they're sure to advise you and help you find what you want.

2. Immerse Yourself in Otaku Culture

Akihabara is the birthplace of Japan's otaku culture, including but not limited to anime, manga, and cosplay.

In Akihabara, you can not only find the latest anime goods, but also rare manga, retro games, and figures that you wouldn't find anywhere else.

Source: Cosplay Photo Shoot Experience in Akihabara’s Studio Crown!

Amongst the many stores, you can even find places where you can experience your very own cosplay photo shoot. If you want to submerge yourself in the depths of otaku culture, there's no better place to do so than here.
Stores like Mandarake and Animate are a paradise for anime, manga, and game fans. You’ll find everything from rare collectible figures to the latest manga releases and cosplay items.

3. Experience the Healing Power of Maids

Source: An Icon of Akihabara’s Otaku Culture: What’s a Maid Cafe?

Have you heard of maid cafes? These are a unique style of cafes created right here in Akihabara, where you're served by adorable maids.

Souce: Akihabara Sightseeing Tour With Maids

The number of these maid cafes in Akihabara is nigh uncountable. Cafes where you're served by samurai-style maids have recently surfaced, and you can even get your very own maid tour guide.

Next time you find yourself in Akihabara, make sure to experience the unique entertainment and service that you can only get at a maid cafe.

4. Buy Japanese Souvenirs

Source: Don Quijote Akihabara: Japanese Souvenirs for Great Prices

Whether its electronics or otaku merchandise, there are many places to buy one-of-a-kind souvenirs in Akihabara. But that's not all - it's also filled with stores where you can buy souvenirs more commonly associated with Japan, such as Japanese-style products and cheap old-school Japanese candy.

Recently, there are more and more stores that focus on Japanese goods, like Kuramoto Stand, where you can buy original bottles of sake.

Thanks to this, you don't have to go out of your way to buy souvenirs at Asakusa or Ginza - you can find everything you need in Akihabara alone!

5. Visit a Themed Cafe (e.g., Gundam Cafe)

Akihabara has several themed cafes, including the Gundam Cafe, inspired by the famous anime. Here you can enjoy Gundam-themed food and drinks and immerse yourself in the anime’s universe.

6. Play in Retro and Modern Arcades

Gaming arcades in Akihabara are legendary. Visit Club Sega Akihabara or Taito Station to play a mix of retro and modern games, including claw machines, rhythm games, and classic fighting games.

7. Shop for Rare and Vintage Video Games

For gaming enthusiasts, Akihabara has shops like Super Potato that stock rare, vintage video games and consoles. From original Nintendo cartridges to Sega Dreamcast accessories, it’s a trip down video game memory lane.

8. Browse Akihabara Radio Kaikan

This multi-story shopping complex offers everything from electronics and hobby goods to anime merchandise. It’s also one of the iconic buildings in Akihabara and is perfect for finding unique collectibles or gifts.

9. Discover Gachapon (Capsule Toy) Stores

Gachapon are Japanese capsule toys, and Akihabara has entire stores dedicated to these vending machines. You’ll find quirky, limited-edition items, from miniature figures to keychains.

How Much Time Should You Spend in Akihabara's Electric Town

Overall, a half-day (3-5 hours) is a good amount of time to explore the key highlights of Akihabara’s Electric Town. If you're planning to dive deep into the culture, subculture, or tech scene, consider extending your visit.

For Tech Enthusiasts: 3 hours

• Electronics Stores: If you're mainly interested in electronics, such as cameras, gadgets, or computer parts, you'll want to check out the large electronics stores like Yodobashi Akiba. You can spend around 1-2 hours exploring these.

• Specialty Stores: If you're into niche tech like vintage electronics, DIY computer parts, or gaming accessories, you might want to spend another hour or so exploring the specialized shops.

For Otaku Culture Lovers: 5 hours

• Anime, Manga, and Video Game Stores: If you’re interested in Akihabara's famous otaku culture, you’ll want to visit stores like Mandarake, Animate, or Radio Kaikan. You could easily spend 1-2 hours just browsing through the various anime, manga, and gaming merchandise.

• Maid Cafes and Themed Cafes: If you plan to experience a maid cafe or other themed cafes, expect to spend at least an hour enjoying the experience.

How to Get to the Electric Town from Akihabara Station

Akihabara is served by three major stations, each providing easy access to the Electric Town. Whether you’re arriving from JR Akihabara Station, Tokyo Metro Akihabara Station, or Tsukuba Express Akihabara Station, getting to the heart of the district is straightforward. The article below will guide you through the routes to take from each station, including the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Lines, Sobu Line, and the Tokyo Metro. Follow these directions to quickly navigate your way to Akihabara's vibrant Electric Town, where technology, anime, and gaming culture await.

How to Get to the Electric Town from Akihabara Station

An Ever-Evolving City

Whether for good or bad, the city of Akihabara is forever changing. Stores that we at MATCHA have introduced in the past may be replaced by another next year.

But that also means that there's always something new to experience here. That's why even if you've already been to Akihabara, next time you go you're sure to discover something else to love about it. In the future, there's sure to be something new and exciting to do other than the four broad themes we introduced today.

Even if you don't have any interest in Akihabara right now, make sure to visit one day. It's sure to surprise you!