
Akihabara (秋葉原) is an electric town located in the center of Tokyo. It is also known as a mecca for anime, manga, and games.
Akihabara has a long history dating back to the Edo period. It was then called “Akiba-ga-hara” (meaning “Akiba’s field”). In the Meiji era, a railway station was built and the area began to develop as a commercial district.
After World War II, Akihabara flourished as a black market. Many stores selling home appliances and electronics gathered, and it became known as an electric town. From the 1980s onwards, Akihabara saw a succession of anime, manga, and game stores opening, and it is now known worldwide as a mecca for ACG.
Akihabara has a variety of stores, including electronics retailers, anime shops, game shops, figure shops, and maid cafes. Many events and campaigns are also held, attracting many tourists from both Japan and abroad.
Attractions in Akihabara

Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba is a large electronics retail store that forms the core of the Yodobashi Akiba commercial complex located in front of JR Akihabara Station. 6 floors from the 1st floor to the 6th floor offer a wide range of electronics products including games, home appliances, audio-visual equipment, cameras, watches, brand goods, PCs, PC peripherals and cell phones. The store offers a full range of electronics products. It is a shopping spot visited by many people not only from Japan but also from overseas. The third floor has a section for Japanese souvenirs and products for tourists.

Akihabara UDX is an office complex located in Akihabara Crossfield. It is known as one of the symbols of Akihabara. In addition to offices and conferences, the building houses restaurants, specialty stores, event space, a theater, a hospital, and various other facilities that are used for a wide range of purposes.
Kotobukiya Akihabara Store is a popular figure store located in Akihabara, a mecca of subculture. A wide variety of figures from video games, anime characters, and even movie characters are available. In addition to figures, plush toys and plastic models are also available for purchase. Many women and visitors from overseas come to the shop, and the lineup meets the needs of a wide range of people.
Animate Akihabara 1 is one of the largest chains in Japan specializing in anime, manga, and game-related goods, and is located along Chuo-dori Avenue. The six-floor store offers a wide variety of art supplies, character goods, CDs, DVDs, and games, in addition to new comics, light novels, and coterie magazine books. Many events featuring anime song singers and voice actors are held here, as well as limited-time-only stores.

Akihabara Radio Kaikan is a landmark commercial building full of Akiba culture with stores selling figurines, idol goods, electrical parts, and more.
This building has 10 floors above ground and 2 floors below. Originally, the majority of tenant stores dealt in electronic parts and radio equipment, but now it also offers figures, dolls, idol goods, model trains, costumes, audio, PCs, DVDs, comics, and more. The wide selection of goods attracts visitors from all over Japan and even from abroad to find what they are looking for.
Getting there
From Tokyo Station to Akihabara Station:
Train | Tokyo Station ↓ Yamanoto, Keihin-Tohoku Line ↓ 4 minutes (1 stop) Akihabara Station (Cost 150 yen) |
Walk | About 28 minutes (1.9 km) |
Nearby Attractions

