[Otaku’s Sacred Ground] What is “Akihabara Electric Town”? What’s there? A Detailed Explanation!

Akihabara—it’s a place that has been known as the “sacred ground for otaku” both in the past and present.

Amidst maid cafés, Animate stores, countless card shops, and merchandise shops, Electric Town still thrives.

After all, this area of Akihabara originated as Japan’s largest electronics district after World War II, evolving from a black market into one of Japan’s premier sightseeing destinations, recognized worldwide.

Over time, alongside the traditional electronics stores, anime shops and card shops have also lined its streets.

In this chaotic, modern-day Akihabara Electric Town of the Reiwa era, it’s not always easy for first-timers to adapt to the atmosphere. Questions like, “Where should I go?” or “What’s fun to do here?” are common.

To help you navigate this unique district, TOKYO LOCAL has curated a selection of recommended sightseeing spots in Akihabara’s Electric Town. Be sure to use this guide as a reference!

Akihabara Radio Kaikan

The “Akihabara Radio Kaikan” is one of the most iconic establishments in Electric Town. Its distinctive yellow signboard with the red “Radio Kaikan” lettering stands out.

This multi-purpose commercial facility offers a variety of shopping experiences, from anime goods, card games, and figure shops to specialty stores dealing in vintage audio equipment.

On weekends, the building gets so crowded it’s almost overwhelming, a testament to its popularity. If you’re visiting Akihabara, this is a must-see spot. You can fully immerse yourself in the Akihabara vibe just by exploring this building.

Yellow Submarine Akihabara Main Store ★ Mint

“Yellow Submarine Akihabara Main Store ★ Mint” is located on the 6th floor of the previously mentioned Radio Kaikan.

Here, you’ll find a variety of new and used figures, plastic models, trading cards, and character goods.

In addition to sales, the store also offers a buy-back service for used items, which is a notable feature.

With a large store area and extensive inventory, this is the perfect place to check out if you’re searching for specific merchandise or items related to your favorite works.

You can start here and continue your treasure hunt at other stores!

Super Potato Akihabara Store

“Super Potato Akihabara Store” is a spot you absolutely must visit when in Akihabara.

The shop specializes in retro games, offering items such as used Famicom game cartridges and consoles at affordable prices. If you were born in the Showa era or the early Heisei era, the nostalgia will be overwhelming.

Even if you’ve never experienced Famicom games, this place is highly recommended! You can explore and interact with gaming goods from the good old days.

Additionally, the 5th floor houses a retro arcade specializing in vintage games. Playing here is a fun way to relive or discover the charm of older gaming eras.

Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba

“Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba” is a complex commercial facility connected directly to JR Akihabara Station’s Central Exit. For Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line users, Exit 3 is the nearest.

This store offers an extensive range of products, including home appliances, computers, CDs, books, and even fashion items.

On the 8th floor, you’ll find restaurants, and on the 9th floor, there’s a batting center, golf equipment, and a practice range.

As a well-known Store of “Yodobashi Camera,” this store is particularly welcoming and easy to navigate, making it a comfortable spot amidst Electric Town’s deep subculture.

This is also an excellent starting point for shopping in Akihabara.

Animate Akihabara

“Animate Akihabara” is a specialty store dedicated to anime, comics, and games, located near Akihabara Station’s Electric Town Exit.

Animate is a nationwide chain, and anime enthusiasts have likely visited at least one of its stores.

This large store is packed with fascinating items, allowing you to spend an entire day browsing. It caters to a wide range of interests, offering sections for general anime/manga, male-oriented works, and female-oriented works alike.

In addition, the “Animate Akihabara Building 1” has been reopened next to Building in 2023.

Tokyo Leisure Land Akihabara

“Tokyo Leisure Land Akihabara” is a gaming arcade open relatively late compared to others in the area.

There are two locations: the 1st store and the 2nd store. Both feature numerous crane game machines.

The 1st store spans five floors, offering “crane games, rhythm games, medal games, and video games” across various genres. The 2nd store occupies the 6th and 7th floors of the Don Quijote building.

Both locations are highly recommended for gaming enthusiasts and are ideal spots for dates.

Additionally, the 2nd store sometimes hands out free coupons for crane games at the elevator entrance on weekends—catch them if you’re lucky!

Akihabara Gachapon Hall

The “Akihabara Gachapon Hall” is one of Akihabara’s popular gachapon (capsule toy) spots. Here, you’ll find over 500 gachapon machines.

The location is about a 7-minute walk from the Electric Town Exit of JR Akihabara Station.

From character goods to humorous items, there is a wide variety of gachapon available, making it a fun place to visit even just for browsing.

Since gachapon prices start at just 100 yen, why not give it a try as a small game of chance? With so many machines available, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for!

at-home cafe

“at-home cafe” is one of Akihabara’s famous maid cafés.

Even for first-time visitors, the staff provides a thorough explanation of the store’s system and menu, making it a welcoming place for beginners. As expected of a major chain!

If you’re a maid café novice seeking “moe” and relaxation in Akihabara, a well-established café like this is a must-visit.

Before visiting, it’s recommended to check the official website to see which maids are currently serving.

Since weekends can be crowded, if you want to enjoy a more leisurely time, visiting on a weekday during the day is ideal. Especially for first-time visitors, it’s better to go when the café isn’t too busy, so you can enjoy the experience at your own pace.

Summary

That concludes our introduction to recommended sightseeing spots in Akihabara’s Electric Town! Did you find it helpful?

The spots introduced here are all fascinating places that can become a memorable part of your journey, so be sure to visit them at least once!