Akihabara, known as Akiba, refers to the shopping district around Akihabara Station in Chiyoda City, Tokyo.
In Sundays, the main street will be turned into a pedestrian paradise called Hokoten. The hours are as follows
- October – March: 13:00 – 17:00
- April – September: 13:00 – 18:00
Pedestrian zone at Akihabara’s main street
About Akihabara
Akihabara originally developed as an electronics district with specialty stores selling radio parts, and in recent years has become famous throughout the world as a mecca for otaku(the word means geek), including anime, manga, video game, trading card, and maid cafes.
Although today, anime stores and maid cafes are prominent, there are still specialty stores selling electronic components for computer and audio equipment, and people who enjoy building their homebuilt computer, speakers, and other products come here to shop.
Akihabara crossing
Akihabara has the largest concentration of anime stores in Japan, so it’s interesting to visit various stores.
And there are also a variety of maid cafes with different concepts, such as ninja, pop idol, cat, etc. Which have established their own unique culture.
Although Akihabara is famous for shopping, it also has many restaurants, including ramen, sushi and meat dishes.
Anime and Manga Stores
Akihabara is the mecca of anime and manga stores in Japan.
Each store has its own unique characteristics, so we will introduce the features of some of the most representative stores here.
Animate Akihabara
Animate is a store dealing with various products such as manga, magazines, art books, anime-related character goods, figures, CDs, and Blu-ray discs.
It is the largest anime and manga related store and has stores not only in Akihabara but also all over Japan.
It is particularly strong in products favored by women.
Akihabara Gamers
Akihabara Gamers is a store selling manga and anime magazines, anime-related goods and CDs.
It has an image of having many products favored by men.
Melonbooks
Melonbooks is best known for its large selection of doujinshi (Magazine that are edited and published by individuals or groups of people with the same interests).
It also sells manga, magazines, art books, CDs, and anime-related character goods.
Be aware that the store is extremely crowded during the summer and winter months when Comic Market is held.
Melonbooks Akihabara 1st Store
Meronbukkusu Akihabaratenpouketorikan
Kotobukiya Akihabara Store
Kotobukiya Akihabara Store is operated by Kotobukiya, a company that produces figures and plastic models of anime, manga, and video games.
As such, it is characterized by the large number of figures and plastic models it carries.
Comic Jiku-Chushinha Akihabara Shop
Comic Jiku-Chushinha Akihabara Shop is a store that sells mainly tapestories doujinshi, art books and goods related to painters.
Lashinbang Akihabara New Store
Lashinbang is a store that sells second hand goods such as character goods, figures, CDs and Blu-rays related to works in addition to anime, manga and games.
K-BOOKS Akihabara
Akihabara Radiokaikan
K-BOOKS Akihabara is a store in Akihabara Radiokaikan that carries second hand goods such as anime, manga, doujinshi, and video games as well as character goods, figures, CDs, and Blu-rays related to the works.
Mandarake Complex
Mandarake Complex is a second hand goods store selling anime, manga, doujinshi, and games, as well as character goods, figures, CDs, and Blu-rays related to the works.
They also carry retro items, so you may be able to find what you are looking for.
Surugaya
Surugaya is a second hand goods store that sells anime, manga, doujinshi, and video games, as well as character goods, figures, CDs, and Blu-rays related to the works of anime, manga, and video games.
There are five stores in Akihabara, some of which specialize in video games and card games.
Surugaya Akihabara Main Store
Surugaya Akihabara Station Front Store
Surugaya Akihabara Anime and Hobby Store
Surugaya Akihabara Game Store
Surugaya Akihabara Plastic Model Store
Sofmap
Sofmap is an electronics retailer that mainly sells new and second hand PCs and PC-related products, but also in Sofmap Akiba Amusement Store that carries figures, plastic models and video games.
Sofmap Akiba Ekimae Store
Sofmap Akiba PC and Digital Store
Sofmap Akiba Amusement Store
Sofmap Akiba U-SHOP
INFORMATION
NAME
Akihabara (秋葉原)
BUSINESS DAY
Every day
ADDRESS
1 Chome Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021
ACCESS
Around Akiahabara station.
STATION INFO
(JR) Akihabara station
Chuo-Sobu Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Yamanote Line
(Tokyo Metro) Akihabara station
Hibiya Line
(Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company) Akihabara station
Tsukuba Express
LINK