Akihabara is a technophile dream come true. You’ll find video games, anime, computers, manga and more; all tightly packed in shops and alleyways lining a lengthy stretch of road nicknamed Tokyo’s “Electric Town.” It’s a shrine dedicated to all things geek. Whether it’s computers, video games, manga, maids or ninjas, you can find it in Akihabara. But if Japan’s infamous otaku culture isn’t really your flair, don’t sweat it. Cheapo foodies, Tokyoites, tourist and savvy bargain hunters will find their plate full with options on things to do and see in Akihabara.
Highlights: Cheapo tech, Otaku haven, Pedestrian paradise, Maids,
Stay Here | Play Here | See here | Eat here | Live here |
Welcome to Akihabara
Located in central Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward, Akihabara; or Akiba as it’s widely known, was named for a fire deity after, spoilers, a fire devastated the area in 1869. An appropriate name, because the moment you step out of the station you will know exactly why Akihabara has earned its “Electric Town” handle. Akihabara may be a technophile dream, but it’s an epileptic nightmare. Video displays, ads and lights glow all around you, beckoning and drawing in diehards and tourist alike as if moths to the flame. The flame this time of course being a 14x48 foot neon sign flashing animated schoolgirls. It’s as if Akihabara’s architects came back time and time again, only to shout, “more Blade Runner!” before storming off again to figure out where to stick yet another shiny object.
What’s the main draw? For starters, Akihabara offers the uninitiated the prospect of really seeing Japan’s otaku on their home turf. What’s an otaku you ask? Otaku essentially refers to anyone with obsessive interest. Camera hobbyist, gamers, model fanatics, figure collectors, idol stalkers, foodies, train lovers, etc. Whatever you can think of, if you love it to the point of obsession, you’re an otaku. However, anime, gamers and idol chasers are normally the go-to stereotype in Japanese culture for otaku and have developed a sort of stigma in Japanese society. It’s like a guy just can’t brag about his AKB48 love pillow without getting thrown shade by strangers anymore. However, that’s not the case in Akihabara. Here, an otaku can chase idols and wear that t-shirt with the well-endowed catgirl on the front with pride.
That isn’t to say that only gamer, anime and computer otaku are welcomed or are the only ones that should be interested in Akihabara. Over the past couple of years, Akihabara has seen tons of overhauls and renovations to the station and market area as companies fight to take a foothold and open up shop in an already teeming marketplace, and while they compete, we win. Whether you’re a visitor or local, it pays to bargain hunt in Akihabara. Major electronic stores Softmap, Yodabashi Camera and Laox all have multi- floored shops towering above the streets competing for your business, and not competing with just each other, but the private business making up the majority of the shops below in the narrows. So the headphones you’re looking to snag might just be cheaper or on sale a few shops down from where you’re standing. You could even just forego the brand names and search the alleyways for the surplus of knockoffs with the same specs for a fraction of the price; and to the unversed, traversing Akihabara for these deals can be daunting. The whole “town” is a web of paths leading from franchise stores to niche shops; both under and above ground, cheapo eats, not-so-cheapo eats, cafes, themed bars galleries, pokemon and platonic relationships with cosplayers.
No, that’s wasn’t an exaggeration. As soon as you arrive outside the gates and into Electric Town, you’ll soon notice Akiba’s other claim to fame: The maids. You see, almost as abundant as the electronic shops are the cosplaying maids and schoolgirls passing out flyers and free smiles as they attempt to entrap you with cuteness into one the notorious maid cafes that abound in Akihabara. Maid cafes offer guys (and girls) the opportunity to hang out with cute girls in costumes, who are obligated to wait on you hand and foot while acting unbearably cute, or “kawaii” as they say. But if guys want even a glimpse into into the world of artificial amity, they got to pay. Now, that might sound a little too close to a certain other kind of experience men are known to pay for, but before you get the wrong idea, know that maid cafes are strictly nonsexual. It’s as harmless as a 12-year old’s understanding on relationships, and just as awkward. Except for the ones that offer “hando” massages and “girlfriend experience” naps. Those are pretty pervy.
Suffice to say, if you come to Akihabara without a goal in mind, don’t be surprised if you end up walking in circles. One minute you’re looking for the best deal on mousepads, the next minute you’re in a seven-story sex shop. Blink and you’re standing in front of a café dedicated to the popular Gundam franchise, with a staff decked out in Earth Federation and Zeon uniforms. Literally glance over to your right and now you’re staring at yet another café. This one dedicated to the unbelievably popular idol group, AKB48. I don’t even know what their uniforms look like. Probably more gundams. The point is if you understand just half of the references being made, Akihabara is the place for you. You will lose your day given the excess of options and you will enjoy every minute of it. And then you will top it off with an omelet shaped like a cat.
Leaving the Akihabara Electric Town Exit, you’ll find the Gundam and AKB48 cafes we mentioned almost directly in front of you. To get to the main street, just turn to your left and head straight. Here you’ll find Chuo Street, or Chuo Dori in Japanese. This will be your “home base” for finding anything and everything you want in Akihabara. Anything geek and tech related anyway. It’s all here, lining the roads and amongst the back alleys that weave in and out of Chuo Dori. From this hub and to your left, you can find the Mansei Bridge and the Kanda River. To your right and all the way down is Kuramae Street. Directly to your north is Shohei Bridge Street and Kanda Myojin Shinto Shrine even further. Directly south, back behind the station, are Shohei Street and Yodobashi Camera. These roads and landmarks are basically where the fun ends in regards to Akiba Town, so if you pass any of them, consider turning back. If you get lost, find Chuo Street. It is the easiest road to find and get your bearings thanks to prominent shops like Don Quixote, Sofmap and the innumerable Taito and Sega game stations.
Chances are, if you throw a rock in Akiba, you’re going to hit a place that specializes in one of the big three. Electronics, video games and anime (manga included). Of course there are some shops and department stores that don’t specifically accommodate geek culture, but if you’re not into tech, games, anime, or even much of a hobbyist, there isn’t really reason to come to Akihabara for shopping. Just as you wouldn’t go to Shibuya and Harajuku for deals on the latest computer hardware, you shouldn’t go to Akihabara for deals on the latest fashion. Unless of course you’re idea of the latest fashion is something out of Robotech.
That said, just a three-minute walk away from the Tokyo Electric Town Exit is one of the largest Don Quijotesin Japan. We’ve covered the “Donki” chain before, but you will basically find everything not related to the big three here; clothes, furniture, cosmetics, groceries, etc. Whatever it is, it’s probably here at a discounted price and tax-free. If you’re looking for anything not relating to computers or video games, this is where you should go. However, as this is Akiba’s Donki, there is a surplus of anime goods for sale, and even a large cosplay collection. It’s also the the largest Donki in Japan, but what really makes this Donki special is that the last floor happens to be home stage to Japan’s treasured AKB48. It’s where they get their name, and it’s here where you can see members of AKB48 performing six days a week in front of screaming roves of enamored otaku. Well, you can if you can somehow get through the long bureaucratic process of just applying for the ticket lottery days in advance of an actual concert, and then actually win despite thousands of diehard otakus that enter literally every single week. It’s only then that you have truly earned the right to sweat and cheer along with 40 year-old salary men to sexually suggestive teenagers. Other than Don Quijote, you can find department stores near the station. They’re not cheapo department stores, but they should do in case you need to keep your mom or girlfriend busy long enough to find a good deal on a Sega Dreamcast or something.
As a rule, computer parts will always be cheaper in Akihabara. Memory, hard drives, fans, video cards, etc. will in most cases be half the price for what you’d normally pay in other parts of Tokyo simply because there is so much competition for your business all congregated to one specific area, and it isn’t rare for clerks in other shops around Tokyo to point you towards Akihabara. Some of the best deals you can discover are from the smaller shops, where you’ll find that they stack boxes full of computer parts, accessories and other odds and ends right outside their doors and in the alleys, practically being given away. Keep in mind that that sometimes they’re brands you’ve never heard of, but it isn’t always the case. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the megastores. In fact, they should be your first stop in Akiba Town. You want the best cheapo deals? Use the megastores as a reference. That means that before you head-off to the basements and smaller shops, use Sofmap or YodabashiCameraas your guide.
For example, when you’re searching for new Playstation games, walk to the nearest Sofmap that specializes in video games and take a mental note of the prices on their new and used titles. After checking a couple of stores out, make your purchase at whoever has the cheapest copy. It’s the same for computers, parts and electronics. Before you buy a pair of earbuds or a couple of stacks of memory at Softmap, Yodabashi or another large store, search out the boxes and knock-offs in the alleyways first. Always keep a reference so that you make the cheapest purchase. Sofmap in particular has a dozen shops in Akiba Town that specialize in different products. For your home base on Chuo Street, the largest Sofmap for video games will be directly across the street. However, to find Akiba’s main Softmap, the one that that sells everything, turn right and make your way down Chuo Street.
This is the largest Softmap in Akihabara, but if you want to skip Softmap altogether, try Yodobashi Camera first. You can find it by taking the Showa Street Exit instead of the Akihabara Electric Town Exit. It is absolutely massive. It’s like they rented out the warehouse from Raiders of The Lost Ark and added eight floors. Beyond electronics, the Yodobashi superstore offers suits, cafes, books, massage parlors and even a batting cage. More importantly, both Sofmap and Yodobashi offer fantastic point card systems. Residents of Japan can receive 10% back on every purchase made. At Yodobashi Camera, you could even receive cash back on a large electronic purchase and immediately turn it around and buy smaller stuff like books and booze. You know, in case you want to celebrate that awesome deal on your new big screen by getting completely smashed. Tourists aren’t left out on the deals either. Visitors can use their passport and visa to receive 8% off purchases. A true cheapo needs to keep the point cards and discounts in mind when navigating Akihabara because they can be the deciding factor between the megastores and the indie shops.
The smaller shops themselves are almost too numerous to list, but almost all of the best small-scale computer and electronic shops can be found near Chuo Street. For example, there’s Shop-Inverse, which specializes in used computer parts and laptops, U&J Macs for second hand Apple products and accessories and QCPASS for more PC parts, used sim cards and other electronic goods. Or have a whole computer made from the ground up without the trouble of shop getting parts from different places at Faith. You’ll find these shops and more cheapo tech, electronics and hobbyist supplies lining two narrow roads directly north of Chuo Dori that stretch from the Kanda River all the way to Kuramae Bridge Street. If you have a guide map or phone capable of Google Maps on hand, the streets would be right on top of Chuo Dori. Of course there are other places in and about Akihabara to shop, the alleyways around the station for example, but you can’t go wrong if you stick the backstreets north of Chuo Dori. Another draw is that they seem to have the highest influx of maids and cosplay workers handing out leaflets. If you get bored of shopping and you’re with a buddy, why not try seeing who can take the most. Loser buys lunch.
Akihabara is gamer nirvana. It doesn’t matter if you’re retro, modern or something in between, you’ll find a home in Akihabara, but if you are indeed traveling to Akihabara specifically for video games, keep in mind that new ones are normally set at a fixed price no matter where you go. However, used games are not. If you’re looking for a new title, you might end up spending more than you were planning on when you factor in train fare, when you could have just stayed home and ordered from online. If you think a game is going to be 6,000 yen no matter where you look, give or take 200 yen at best, just use Amazon.jp. On the other hand, you’ll find tons of cheapo deals on used games in Akihabara at shops like Trader and even Sofmap. And unlike in the West, used game stores in Japan offer reasonable prices for trade-ins so there is an incentive for people to take better care of their games. The trade-in value is so high in fact, that it is common practice for folks to buy games and then beat them as soon as humanely possible so that they can trade it back while it is still in demand. That means that while you won’t find too many cheap deals on “new” games, you will definitely find cheapo deals on “like-new” games. Regardless of whether you’re looking for new or used, using the mega-stores like Sofmap and Yodobashi as a reference still applies.
The Sofmap (amusement store) directly across home base on Chuo Dori is a good place to start. There will be a billboard displaying a high profile game that changes every season. It often features Western titles like Left For Dead and Assassin’s Creed, so you can’t miss it. The first floor and second floor is dedicated to new console games and accessories. On upwards you’ll find used games from the first PlayStation to PlayStation 4, PC games and dating sims. You can find used imports here too. Thanks to both Microsoft and Sony games being region free, they will work whether your console was purchased in Japan, America or Bangladesh. You can actually trade-in Western copies of games. The trade-in value regularly surprises foreigners who are used to getting $5 in store credit or a copy of Superman 64 for their troubles. Unfortunately, Nintendo is still living in the `90s and doesn’t support region free games.
Additionally, a large black ominous building looking like HQ for the agents from The Matrix can be found about three blocks east from this Sofmap. This scary and out of place looking shop is Mandarake. It too is a great place to start and make price references. It’s eight floors of otaku goodness and some other stuff that will make sure you never keep a girlfriend for longer than it takes her to notice your life-sized anime doll. It also has a large collection of new and retro games, as well as a fantastic selection of rarities locked away behind glass that will make you wish you weren’t reading a cheapo’s guidebook.
To start actually game hunting, turn left from our hub on Chuo Dori and you should see the road directly under the Chuo Soba Line. If you follow this road north you’ll find Trader 2. This is one of two Traders and specializes in used games at some of the cheapest prices you’ll find in Akihabara from the last and current generations. Games here are typically in pristine condition and with the box and manual intact. Like Mandarake, you can even find some rarities locked away behind glass. They might even be closer down to a cheapo’s price range. Trader 1is about five blocks down, located in the pathways north of Chuo Dori. It is more or less identical to Trader 2, but also retails retro and imported games. It offers some of the best deals on retro classics in Akiba, but doesn’t boast the largest collection. However, If you’re a retro connoisseur and do in fact want to largest collection of retro classics, look no further than the world famous Super Potato. Super Potato is easily the most recognizable games shop in Akihabara. It’s a love letter to your childhood. They don’t retail games. They retail nostalgia.
A flood of lost memories will come rushing back as you reminiscence collecting triforce pieces and days when jumping on platforms to reach an item that allowed you to jump on higher platforms was as technical as it got. Remember when your brother showed you the secret 1-up world behind the ghost house in Super Mario World? How about when you held down on the D-pad and fell back behind the stage in Super Mario 3?
Holy crap that was amazing.
Super Potato is about a block north of Chuo Dori. It’s a goldmine of classic games. The aisles are lined with stacks upon stacks of Nintendo and Super Nintendo games. It’s a collector’s smorgasbord, but the better the quality, the higher the price. Super Potato gets a lot of well-deserved love, and you should absolutely check it out, but don’t expect cheapo prices. They’ve been known to price gouge. So unless you consider yourself something like a cheapo miser, you’re better off sticking to Trader 1 or Book-off.
Book-Off isn’t exclusive to Akihabara by a long shot and any Cheapo in the know is already well aware of the deals you can find on used games. Nevertheless, Akiba’s Book-Off, like Akiba’s Donki, has a lot of anime and game related goods. There are crates full of classics for as little as 250yen. They might have a few stains and cigarette burns sometimes, but they are classics nonetheless. Occasionally you can even find collectibles completely intact. If you don’t have any specifics in mind and you are just looking to improve your retro collection, try the Book-Off located under the station.
Another shop sometimes worth the visit is Retro Game Camp. It is a small shop just a few spots down from Don Quijote. It is tight, limited and usually sports classics at inflated prices. It isn’t really worth a cheapo’s time, but it is one of the few places that sell legit modded systems. Sure, you could buy a Nintendo that just plays Nintendo games. Or you could buy something else that plays games for Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn and probably toasts your bread for half the price. You can even buy stuff like a handheld SNES that would have made my nine-year old head explode.
No matter where you decide to shop, just be sure to check and compare the prices online first. Akihabara is gamer paradise, but sometimes the deals are just better on sites like Amazon. A tourist probably won’t mind, but long-term residents needn’t bother traveling to the Electric Town just for new releases. Not even for retro games if you have a Book-Off in the neighborhood. Tourist, keep region-locks in mind. Your Japanese exclusive will make all your friends back home jealous, but you’re going to look real dumb if it doesn’t even play on your system.
Also, no cheapo in sound mind should ever step foot into a Duty-Free store, for games or otherwise, but especially for games. They essentially push “imported” games at inflated prices. Other times they just downright lie to you. Ask them if you can play Japanese PS4 games on an American PS4 and they’ll tell you no, despite the contrary. Once I bought a “brand new American” 3DS from a Duty Free shop in Akihabara and ended up with a 3DS filled with some Turkish kid’s selfies.
So probably the first thing you’ll notice that sets Akihabara station apart from others stations is that the moment you step off the train, you will be bombarded by buxom anime girls and moe marquees. Moe? Oh, that’s just slang for anime and manga involving childlike characters. It’s cool, dude. She’s really a 7000 wizard. Why are you looking at me like that? Ok, while some of this stuff can understandably be off-putting for people, realize that anime comes in all colors and flavors. Akihabara offers something for fans of every genre. While the more popular and newest animes and manga will be more precedent, you can still find oldies like Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon. Shops in Akihabara specialize in manga, fan merch, dvds and blurays, and just like games and computer parts, it pays to shop around.
Mentioned up top was Mandarake and besides its incredible collection of videogames and smut. It also happens to be the largest anime and manga store in the world (or so they claim). Beyond the videogames, you can discover all kinds of new and second-hand manga, Blu-rays, toys, figures and even doujinshis, amateur and self-published manga. Since a lot of is indeed second-hand, you can actually find bargains amongst the rarities, and just like games, Japanese have an incentive to keep things in tip-top condition because of the high trade in value. You might also have better luck finding older manga and characters at Mandarake compared to other large shops in Akihabara. It’s located just a few blocks east of Super potato on the road just north of Chuo Dori.
However, if you’re looking specifically for manga, the Book-Off is again going to be your best bet. The top two floors deal exclusively in new and second-hand manga for cheapo prices as low as 108yen. You’ll find Book-Offs all over Tokyo, but the Akiba Book-Off has the largest selection. Like Mandarake, Book-Off is also one of your best options for finding older manga. While some manga is released monthly, a lot of it is released weekly. Shops have to keep up with demand and have shelves stocked with newer volumes, so if you miss a chapter, Book-Off can be a great place to look.
If you don’t want older or used anime and character goods, you can try mega chains Animate, Kotobukiya, and Tora no Ana, which are all found on Chuo Dori. They all deal in the latest anime merchandise. Blu-ray’s, manga, figures, bento boxes, t-shirts, posters, trinkets and all other manner of goods are to be found. They’re also probably where you’ll end up paying the most, so they’re not exactly high on a cheapo’s list. However, they often have areas set aside for discounted items that are worth checking out.
For bargain priced anime (and otaku) goods, especially figures, look no further than Liberty. There are quite a few Liberty shops in Akihabara. Some specialize in niche products like military replicas, but five of them specialize in figmas at unbelievably cheap prices. Liberty Store 8is the most well known thanks to its second hand figure collection giving Mandarake a run for its money. You could easily spend all day looking for figures here, and they may be second hand, but they’ll more than likely look just as beautiful as the day they were made.
If you need a fix of anime/game related goods but the prices of figurines have your wallet begging for mercy, Gatchapon Kaikanmight be more your speed. Don’t underestimate the quality and attention to detail put into a lot of the items available in the machines even though they might only cost a few hundred yen. But the low price is also the reason you should be careful; it can get addicting! Cheaper and more potentially exciting (if you leave the capsules unopened) than going to Donki or Village Vanguard if there’s ever a need to buy a lot of small gifts for people.
Other places worth giving a quick mention for anime and manga goods are A-stop, a rental space for secondhand anime and manga goods, RobotRobot for figures based on Western comics and games, gee!for cosplay and anime pride apparel, K-Books for its lavish manga and dojinshi collection, and the newly completed Akiba Culture Zone. The Akiba Culture zone is a large anime emporium that houses an anime themed cafe and multiple shops selling anime, figures, character goods, apparel, cosplay and much more. There’s also karaoke booths and enough staff dressed in cosplay walking around to make your head spin. The shops are not exactly always cheapo, and they’re hopelessly male dominated, but visiting the shops, reading the manga and looking at cosplay is free, so it’s worth the visit if that’s your shtick.
These are just a handful of the anime shops in Akihabara. The most fun a seasoned or aspiring otaku can have is just randomly shopping around. There’s no need to be shy in Akihabara. See a shop and not exactly sure what they’re hawking? Walk in and check it out. But keep in mind that not every shop in Akihabara is kid friendly. Most places with adult collections will have it hidden away in another room with plenty of warning signs, but the culture can be very conflicting on what is and isn’t appropriate for minors. A foreigner might not be ok with their children seeing things that the rest of Japan considers harmless. Ultimately, just plan to see a lot of cartoon boobs.
Speaking of boobs and inappropriate places for children, why not start off your Akiba sightseeing with M’s, a seven-floored temple of porn, fetish gear, adult toys and anything else you need to spice up your sex life. Don’t get the wrong idea. M’s isn’t just some average lowbrow sex shop. It’s THE sex shop. Shopping here feels as normal and comfortable as picking up your dry-cleaning, and no one is going to give you shade for being inside. If the cheapo lady in your life is game, you can even receive a discount on sexy lingerie and cosplay. All she has to do is have her picture taken in the outfit and placed on one of M’s infamous walls. Or don’t even drop cash. After all, looking is always free. You can find M’s near the station towards The Kanda River.
If M’s doesn’t turn you on, why not try a different kind of fetish like guns and ammo? Anime fans aren’t the only otaku with a home in Akihabara. At shops like AkihabaraMAD, weapon and military otaku can become the ultimate badass with replica guns, swords, smart missiles, phase-plasma pulse rifles, RPGs, sonic electronic ball breakers, knives and probably sharp sticks too. They might not actually kill you, but they’ll definitely shoot your eye out. If you consider yourself old school, try Busou Shotenfor authentic ninja and samurai gear. If you’re a tourist, good luck getting that kodachi and matchlock rifle on the plane.
Anime fans looking for free entertainment should visit the Tokyo Anime Center. This newly remodeled facility is located in the stylish UDX building found at the Akihabara Electric Town Exit. The Tokyo Anime Center is a museum of sorts; self titled “the definitive spot for anime and entertainment.” It hosts galleries; charity concerts, interactive demos and information on all the current and latest anime, all for free. It doesn’t get much more cheapo than that. The UDX building itself is also worth the visit. It offers visitor information and free leaflets on sightseeing and shopping in Akihabara, as well as a slick theater with the latest in cinema tech.
The UDX Parking Garage has also become an unofficial meeting spot for Itasha, otaku with insanely expensive cars decked out in anime, manga and video game characters. Every weekend you can find otaku showing-off and photographing their rides, and It’s not uncommon for cosplay girls to be in the garage striking a pose either. While UDX charges to actually park in the garage, it’s absolutely free to walk around on your own and take pictures.
Do you want to actually experience driving around Akihabara, freely taking in the sights of benign maids with the wind in your hair? You can do that too! Akiba Kart offers residents with a driver’s license and tourist with an international driver’s license the chance to cruise around Akihabara in stylish go-karts, as stylish as one can look in a go-kart anyway. They even recommend you do it while cosplaying. Although not exactly in a cheapo’s budget at 2700yen for an hour (3800yen for two), coasting around Akihabara while dressed as the green power ranger would definitely make for one hell of a memory.
Then there’s the arcade scene, which is alive and well in Akihabara. While it’s practically dead in Western world, arcades are thriving with no end in sight in Japan. In Akiba, there is a game station on practically every corner where you can pop 100yen coins on the latest arcade tech, or test your luck on an honest-to-God UFO machine that is actually based on skill and position, and unlike the shannanigan threatening machines found in the rest of world, UFO catchers in Japan actually offer cool prizes instead of plush dolls based on obscure minor characters from the ‘90s.
If your heart is set on experiencing (enduring?) an Akihabara maid café, your best cheapo bet is with Honey Honey and Jam Akiba. Just like every other maid café in Akihabara, they offer cute girls dressed as maids, rice omelets and deceit. What they do not offer is mandatory table charge, which is practically unheard of and makes all the difference. Other than that, they are pretty standard maid cafes. The girls will “nyah” at you like a cat, call you master and even draw cute pictures in your latte. While omelets and coffee for 800yen isn’t anywhere close to being cheap, even with someone serving it to you with the false pretense of benign servitude, they’re the cheapest maid cafes you can find in Akihabara.
Finally, if all the noise and lights of Electric Town are giving you a headache, take a break from the otaku shrine and visit a real Shinto shrine. If you stroll north of Chuo Dori and continue past Shohei Bridge Street, you will eventually reach Kanda Myojin Shrine. The Kanda shrine dates back nearly 1,300 years and is one of the major shrines in central Tokyo, as well as home to one of the three major festivals in Tokyo.
While there isn’t necessarily any particular reason for a cheapo to visit Akihabara food-wise, you can find plenty of cheapo options when you’re in need of a breather after long sessions of sightseeing or an otaku-shopping spree. Star Kebab has three locations around central Akihabara. If you’ve eaten kebab anywhere else in Tokyo, you’ve basically eaten Star Kebab too, but you can’t beat 500yen for what seems like an inestimable amount of meat and sauce compressed into an unrealistically small pocket of space. Kebab is like the Tardis of the food world.
Delicious Kyushu-style tonkatsu ramen can be had at Jangara Ramen, but for those feeling up to the challenge of finishing off a bowl of ramen the size of a child’s head, Yarou Ramen is the place for you. If you want the cheapest and arguably most convenient noodles around, try the corner of Chuo Dori. What’s that? You say there’s nothing there but a couple of large vending machines? That’s the place, friend. Amongst the Coke ‘a Cola and Calpis Soda is some of the best-canned ramen, curry and oden 300yen can buy.
Sushi lovers have a couple of options in Mawaru Ganso Sushi, a prominent conveyor belt style sushi chain off of Chuo Dori, and ZanmaiSushion the 1st and 8th floor of Yodobashi Camera. Both will suffice as cheapo sushi options as long as you stick to plates in the 90yen to 260yen range. Zanmai also offers the convenience of English menus, as well as being located in Yodobashi Camera.
If you want to end your day getting plastered, Akihabara has plenty of bars, pubs and izakayas to get the job done, particularly in the outer-areas away from the geek zone. However, seeing as this is Akihabara, don’t just get drunk at the same watering hole you could get drunk at any other night. Throw some retro-gaming action into the mix. A-Button is a friendly and cozy little bar within walking distance of Akiba with games and accessories literally hanging off the walls. ‘70s era televisions line the counters and a 42” high definition television connected to half a dozen gaming consoles is the centerpiece. You can expect to pay around 2500yen to get drunk and enjoy the games and scenery, so non-otaku cheapos will probably want to stick to the boring stuff. Drunk is drunk after all.
Akihabara is a major station easily accessible on the ever-reliable JR Yamanote loop. The station also services the Keihin-Tohoku Line Rapid and local, adjacent to Tokyo and Ueno, and Kanda and Okachimachi respectively. This means Akihabara can be a great hub to discover most of the greater parts of Tokyo. There is also the Chuo-Sobu Line Local; connecting Akihabara to Asakusabashi and Ochanomizu, the Hibiya Line; connecting Kodenmacho to Naka-Okachimachi, and the Tsukuba Express. When you step off the train, just follow the signs that say “Akihabara Electric Town Exit.”
Hotel Value |
? |
Convenience |
A- |
Eating |
A- |
Attractions |
B+ |
Nightlife |
D+ |
The main draw to Akihabara is tech and entertainment shopping. There is little to absolutely no nightlife within Akiba once the last shops close around 9:00 P.M. Nevertheless, Akihabara is a wonderfully convenient spot located within central Tokyo and is at most only 30 minutes within areas better benefitting nighttime entertainment such as Shinjuku and Shibuya. In the day, you’ll have a profuse choice of places to eat, see and do, although most of the attractions are centered towards the geek crowds. If it’s not your thing, something that is will be just a short train ride away.
-5 cheapest hotels/deals
Need to research and choose from a list. While themed hotels are stupidly expensive, there are cheapo business hotels. One in mind charges 4000 for two people. Manga Cafes are also options if they are cheap enough. Need to research. -
Need to research avg rent:
Rent Ranking |
Expensive?? |
1K avg monthly rent |
¥85000 |
Cheapo Supermarkets |
C- |
Cheap Eating |
B+ |
Parks & Public Space |
B+ |
Social Life |
C- |
Living in Akihabara is not recommended unless you don’t mind living in a one-bedroom hovel 15 minutes from the station. Moreover, apartment hunting in and around Akihabara is competitive. People fight tooth and nail for the opportunity to live in closet-sized apartments within Akiba. While there are supermarkets and department stores for all your grocery and utility needs, there is nothing particularly outstanding or worth mentioning for a cheapo outside of a few Hanamasa and Ysmart grocery stores. Akihabara is essentially a pedestrian paradise, and there is plenty to do, see and eat, but unless you are a devoted tech or anime fan, it will get real boring real fast. You are better offer apartment hunting in the surrounding and connecting neighborhoods like Ochanomizu. Akihabara might be niche, but it is the perfect hub for connection the greater Tokyo area.
here's a sample list for styling
And unordered list:
From here will be the map and listings
EXAMPLE
#AKO62
1-15-1 SotoKanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5294-2477
Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00
Price Guide: 500yen - 1400yen
A popular converyor-belt sushi chain. It has a strong fish taste for some reason.
Website
How good? One of our favourite Kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi joints
How cheapo? Cheap!
#AKO63 EAT
1-1 Kanda Hanaokacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0028
Tel: 03-5298-4798
Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00
Price Guide: 500yen - 1400yen
Another popular sushi chain. There is another Zanmai Sushi located near Akihabara Station, but being in Yodobashi can be more convenient.
Website
How good? Jiro isn't dreaming about it, but it's good.
How cheapo? Stick to the 100yen plates and you're aces.
#AKO64 DO
Tel: 03-5298-4798
Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00
Price Guide: 500yen - 1400yen
Up to a few sentences about the place. The place type in the reference about can be one of these: EAT, DO, STAY.
Website
How good? This data isn't always included How cheapo? This data isn't always included