Akihabara Electric Town: Best Shops and Places to Eat

Akihabara Electric Town Offers Many Enjoyable Spots!

Akihabara Electric Town is located near Akihabara Station in Tokyo.

In this article, we will introduce the features and history of Akihabara Electric Town, as well as recommend spots for shopping, gaming, and dining.

We also provide detailed access information, so please use this as a reference when visiting Akihabara.

Features and History of Akihabara Electric Town

Photo by Pixta

Akihabara, affectionately known as "Akiba," is home to a vibrant Electric Town filled with electronics retail stores.

There are many specialty shops dealing with home appliances, computers, gaming consoles, and audio equipment, making it a popular area to acquire the latest electronic devices and gadgets.

In the evening, many people visit cafes, bars, and game centers, making it a popular spot for nightlife as well.

Akihabara has a long history as a town of merchants, with many power-related companies gathering here. After World War II, it rapidly developed as a base for selling electronic devices, leading to the transformation into the Electric Town we know today.

With its diverse attractions, Akihabara Electric Town is always bustling with many visitors.

Anime and Electronics: 4 Excellent Shops in Akihabara Electric Town

Akihabara Electric Town boasts numerous stores that deal in anime and electronic products. Here, we have picked out four especially recommended spots.

1. Mandarake Complex

The Mandarake Complex is a mega-store of Mandarake, which specializes in items related to anime, manga, and subculture. On the first floor, they accept items for purchase from as little as one piece.

Every floor from the 1st to the 8th is dedicated to sales, with the 1st floor featuring cosplay items and antique goods (JPA), the 3rd floor offering boys' comics and vintage items, and the 5th floor stocking male idol goods and shoujo manga.

Mandarake Complex
Address: 3-11-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Official Website: https://www.mandarake.co.jp/

2. Radio Kaikan

Photo by Pixta

Located just a short walk from Akihabara Station, Radio Kaikan is known as a landmark in Akihabara. It houses a variety of tenants, making it possible to find the items you’ve been wanting at affordable prices, especially used ones!

With many character goods and figures for sale, this spot is particularly recommended for anime enthusiasts. The beer hall in the basement features eight types of draft beer for you to enjoy.

Radio Kaikan
Address: 1-15-16 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM; B1 Floor: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM (until 9:00 PM on holidays)
Official Website: https://akihabara-radiokaikan.co.jp/

3. Animate Akihabara

Animate is a specialty store for anime, comics, and games with locations throughout Japan. As part of the renewal plan for Animate Akihabara, the Animate Akihabara Store 1 and Store 2 opened in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Store 1 consists of eight floors, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in pop culture. The event space frequently hosts signings, talk shows, and more.

Animate Akihabara
Address: 4-3-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Weekdays 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Official Website: https://www.animate.co.jp/shop/akihabara/

4. Akihabara Gachapon Hall

Gachapon refers to machines that dispense small capsules containing toys when you insert a coin and turn a lever. At the Akihabara Gachapon Hall, you’ll find about 500 gachapon machines lined up.

New titles are added every month, with around 50 new releases, making it a popular spot to encounter the latest gachapon. It attracts many visitors not only from Japan but also tourists from Asia, America, and Europe.

Akihabara Gachapon Hall
Address: 3-15-5 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM; Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM; Sunday and holidays 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Official Website: http://www.akibagacha.com/

Best Gaming Spots in Akihabara Electric Town

Now, let’s introduce some recommended gaming spots in Akihabara Electric Town.

1. GiGO Akihabara Main Building

Photo by Pixta

At GiGO Akihabara Main Building, you can find a variety of games including crane games, music games, video games, and photo sticker booths. It’s only a 1-minute walk from the Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station, making it very accessible.

Since it’s indoors, you can enjoy it even on rainy days. Inside, you can also savor delicious taiyaki, and events are occasionally held.

GiGO Akihabara Main Building
Address: 1-10-9 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Official Website: https://tempo.gendagigo.jp/am/akiba-1

2. Super Potato Retro Building

Super Potato Retro Building is a specialty store that deals in retro games. The 5th floor features a vintage game center where you can enjoy nostalgic Japanese arcade games.

On the 3rd and 4th floors, you can find older games for sale, including some rare titles that are hard to come by even in Japan.

Super Potato Retro Building
Address: 1-11-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Official Website: http://superpotatoakiba.jp/

Best Gourmet Spots in Akihabara Electric Town

Akihabara has many gourmet spots to explore. With a variety of options including family restaurants, izakayas, and sushi shops, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to stop by after enjoying shopping and gaming.

1. Jonathan's Akihabara Ekimae

Jonathan's Akihabara Ekimae is a restaurant where families with children can enjoy meals comfortably.

The menu offers a wide variety of options including hamburgers, pasta, Japanese cuisine, and desserts, along with a well-stocked children's menu.

The spacious interior features both table and sofa seating, and free Wi-Fi is available for guests.

Jonathan's Akihabara Ekimae
Address: 1-17-4 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 6:30 AM - 3:00 AM
Official Website: https://store-info.skylark.co.jp/jonathan/map/020522/

2. Kanekoya Akihabara Electric Town Exit

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Kanekoya is a place where you can experience the unique izakaya culture of Japan.

You can enjoy popular izakaya dishes, such as sashimi and simmered dishes. Recommended items on the menu include Kanekoya's Specialty Grilled Pork, Motsu Nikomi (beef offal stew), and Gyusuji Nikomi (beef tendon stew).

Kanekoya Akihabara Electric Town Exit
Address: 4-14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 1F
Hours: Weekdays 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM / 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM; Saturday 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM; Sunday and holidays 2:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanekoyaakihabara/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ003942843/

3. Kinnodashi Akihabara

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Kinnodashi Akihabara is a sushi restaurant with completely private rooms. Its casual atmosphere makes it a great choice for those who might feel uneasy about entering conveyor belt or standing sushi restaurants.

The menu includes all-you-can-eat sushi, allowing guests to fully enjoy fresh fish sourced from Toyosu Market.

Kinnodashi Akihabara
Address: 1-13-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Akiba1131 Building, 6F, 7F, 8F
Hours: Weekdays 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Last Order for food: 10:30 PM, Last Order for drinks: 10:30 PM); Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Last Order for food: 10:30 PM, Last Order for drinks: 10:30 PM)
Official Website: http://www.kinnodashi-akihabara.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindashi1131/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001264445/

4. Maidreamin Akihabara Electric Town Exit Store

The popular maid cafe Maidreamin is located about a 1-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station.

In its pop-themed interior decorated with pink and red, you can not only enjoy meals and drinks but also experience live performances from the cast up close.

There are also kids' menu options available, making it a great choice for families.

Maidreamin Akihabara Electric Town Exit Store
Address: 1-14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 3F Taoda Chuo-dori Building
Hours: Weekdays 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Official Website: https://maidreamin.com/shop/detail.html?id=4
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maidreamin/

Access Information to Akihabara Electric Town

Akihabara Electric Town is located just a short walk from JR, Tokyo Metro, and Tsukuba Express Akihabara Stations, making access by train very convenient.

Additionally, there are many parking lots in the vicinity, which makes it easy to visit by car, especially when you have a lot of luggage to carry.

Enjoy Japanese Pop Culture in Akihabara Electric Town!

Akihabara offers a variety of attractions, including a bustling Electric Town filled with electronics retailers, specialty stores for figures and manga, game centers, and maid cafes. When you visit Akihabara, be sure to experience the vibrant world of Japanese pop culture!

Written by Cakutama editorial team