Akihabara (秋葉原), also called Akiba after a former local shrine, is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops and has also gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture. Many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are dispersed among the electronic stores in the district. On Sundays, Chuo Dori, the main street through the district, is closed to car traffic from 13:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October through March).

Akihabara has seen some redevelopment over the past years, which added some large, modern buildings to the mix of small to medium-sized shops and buildings. Most prominent among them is a huge Yodobashi electronics store just next to the station.

Electronics

Hundreds of electronics shops, ranging from tiny one-man stalls specializing in a particular electronic component to large electronics retailers, line the main Chuo Dori street and the crowded side streets around Akihabara. They offer everything from the newest computers, cameras, televisions, mobile phones, electronics parts and home appliances to second-hand goods and electronic junk.

A few chain stores such as Sofmap and Laox each operate multiple specialized branches along the main roads, while small independent shops can be found in the side streets. The only mega sized store is the Yodobashi Camera complex on the east side of the station.

Note that some of the electronics on sale are only intended for use in Japan due to voltage and other technical differences, Japanese language documentation and limited warranties. However, several stores also feature a selection of international models intended for overseas use, and most also offer tax-free shopping to foreign tourists.

Otaku goods

The character of Akihabara has constantly changed over the decades and continues to do so. In recent decades Akihabara has emerged as a center of Japanese otaku and anime culture, and dozens of stores specializing in anime, manga, retro video games, figurines, card games and other collectibles have filled the spaces between the electronics retailers.

In addition to shops, various other animation-related establishments have become popular in the area, particularly maid cafes where waitresses dress up and act like maids or anime characters, and manga cafes (manga kissa), a type of internet cafe where customers can read comics and watch videos in addition to having access to the internet.

Major electronics stores

  • Sofmap
    Hours: 11:00 to 20:00
  • Laox
    Hours: 10:00 to 19:00
  • Akky
    Hours: 10:30 to 19:00
  • Yodobashi Camera
    Hours: 9:30 to 22:00 (restaurants from 11:00)

Otaku attractions

  • Maid Cafes
  • Don Quijote
    Hours: open 24 hours
  • Radio Kaikan
    Hours: 10:00 to 20:00
  • Super Potato
    Hours: 11:00 to 20:00
  • Gamers
    Hours: 11:00 to 21:00
  • Mandarake
    Hours: 12:00 to 20:00

Getting there and around

Akihabara Station is a busy station served by the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, JR Sobu Line, the Tsukuba Express and the Hibiya Subway Line. Suehirocho Station on the Ginza Subway Line is located around the northern end of the district.

From Tokyo Station

Akihabara is two stations north of Tokyo Station by JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line (3 minutes, 150 yen one way).

From Shinjuku Station

Take the JR Chuo Line (orange colored rapid service) from Shinjuku to Ochanomizu (10 minutes) and make an easy transfer to the JR Sobu Line (yellow colored local service) for one more station to Akihabara (2 minutes). Alternatively, take a yellow colored train all the way from Shinjuku to Akihabara (17 minutes). The one way fare is 180 yen in either case.

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Hotels around Tokyo

Top rated in Akihabara
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    • MONday Apart Premium AKIHABARA ASAKUSABASHI Sta.
      Luxury
      Located in the centre of Tokyo within 200 metres from Hulic Hall and Hulic Conference and 400 metres of Ichogaoka Hachiman Shrine, MONday Apart Premium AKIHABARA ASAKUSABASHI Sta. Provides accommodation with seating area and a kitchenette. This 4-star aparthotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The aparthotel features family rooms. Featuring free WiFi, the units have a safety deposit box, a washing machine and a flat-screen TV with streaming services. There is a private bathroom with bath in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the aparthotel, all units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Kusawakeinari Shrine, Sakuma Park and Kanaami Inari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from MONday Apart Premium AKIHABARA ASAKUSABASHI Sta..
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    • NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO
      Luxury
      Situated in Tokyo, 200 metres from TKP Garden City Premium Akihabara, NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO features accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking, a restaurant and a bar. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is 4.5 km from the city centre and 400 metres from Akihabara Convention Hall. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the hotel. Popular points of interest near NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO include Yushima Seido, Fujisoft Akiba Plaza and EDO Culture Complex. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 21 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Resol Stay Akihabara
      Mid-range
      Attractively set in the Chiyoda district of Tokyo, Hotel Resol Stay Akihabara is situated 300 metres from Akihabara Park, 500 metres from Old Manseibashi Station and 600 metres from Fujisoft Akiba Plaza. This 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. The property is 4.3 km from the city centre and 60 metres from Yanagimori Shrine. The rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. At Hotel Resol Stay Akihabara rooms have bed linen and towels. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese, and guests are invited to request advice on the area when needed. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Enjuinari Shrine, Koobu Inari Shrine and Kusawakeinari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from Hotel Resol Stay Akihabara.
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    • MONday Apart Premium AKIHABARA
      Luxury
      MONday Apart Premium AKIHABARA features accommodation within 4.8 km of the centre of Tokyo, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a toaster, a fridge and a stovetop. This 4-star aparthotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All units are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. There is a seating and a dining area in all units. At the aparthotel, each unit includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Kusawakeinari Shrine, Sakuma Park and Kanaami Inari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from MONday Apart Premium AKIHABARA.
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    • THE TOURIST HOTEL & Cafe AKIHABARA
      Mid-range
      Located in Tokyo, THE TOURIST HOTEL & Cafe AKIHABARA provides accommodation with a restaurant, private parking, a bar and a shared lounge. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation features luggage storage space and free WiFi. All units in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. At THE TOURIST HOTEL & Cafe AKIHABARA every room comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Selected rooms feature a private bathroom with a shower and bathtub, while other rooms come with a private shower. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Fujisoft Akiba Plaza, Izumi Park and Kanaami Inari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 27 km from THE TOURIST HOTEL & Cafe AKIHABARA.
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    • ICI HOTEL Asakusabashi
      Mid-range
      Ideally set in the centre of Tokyo, ICI HOTEL Asakusabashi is within 200 metres of Ichogaoka Hachiman Shrine and 100 metres of Hulic Hall and Hulic Conference. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site. All rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. At ICI HOTEL Asakusabashi the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Non-stop assistance is available at the reception, where staff speak English and Japanese. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kanaami Inari Shrine, Izumi Park and Kusawakeinari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from ICI HOTEL Asakusabashi.
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    • Hotaku HOTEL Akihabara
      Mid-range
      Hotaku HOTEL Akihabara is well located in the centre of Tokyo, and provides a shared lounge, free WiFi and a terrace. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 500 metres from Jisshi Park. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Yanagimori Shrine, Akihabara Park and Ryoshainari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 19 km from Hotaku HOTEL Akihabara.
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    • Nplus Tokyo Akihabara Premium
      Mid-range
      Located in the Chiyoda district in Tokyo, Nplus Tokyo Akihabara Premium offers 3-star rooms with free WiFi. This property is set a short distance from attractions such as Akihabara Park, Izumi Park, and Asakusa Mitsuke Memorial. The property is 500 metres from the city centre and 500 metres from Kusawakeinari Shrine. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a coffee machine, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. Each room includes a private bathroom with a hot tub, a hairdryer and slippers. At the hotel every room has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near Nplus Tokyo Akihabara Premium include Sakuma Park, Yanagimori Shrine and Kanaami Inari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from the accommodation.
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    • Super Hotel Premier Akihabara
      Mid-range
      Set in the centre of Tokyo, 100 metres from Yanagimori Shrine, Super Hotel Premier Akihabara offers air-conditioned rooms and free WiFi. The property is close to Kusawakeinari Shrine, Akihabara Convention Hall and Sakuma Park. The property is allergy-free and is situated 200 metres from Akihabara Park. At the hotel, all rooms are fitted with a desk, a TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Super Hotel Premier Akihabara offers 3-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Old Manseibashi Station, Fujisoft Akiba Plaza and Koobu Inari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from Super Hotel Premier Akihabara.
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    • MONday Apart Asakusabashi Akihabara
      Luxury
      MONday Apart Asakusabashi Akihabara provides accommodation within 200 metres of the centre of Tokyo, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with a toaster, a fridge and a stovetop. This 4-star aparthotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The aparthotel features family rooms. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. There is a seating and a dining area in all units. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Kusawakeinari Shrine, Sakuma Park and Kanaami Inari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from MONday Apart Asakusabashi Akihabara.
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