Japan’s popular culture shines all over the world. Its high-quality video games, manga and fascinating animated films have crossed borders. Today, every geek and otaku dreams of visiting Tokyo’s famous Akihabara district. Discover the must-see nuggets and the history of this paradise nicknamed Akiba. From arcades to exclusive manga figurines, you won’t be disappointed.
Akihabara: the origins of a mythical district
Akihabara wasn’t always the electronics and japanimation district we know today. In the 20th century, people bought fruit and vegetables here. But after the bombings of the Second World War, the area was unfortunately destroyed.
The district rose from the ashes and reinvented itself to offer electronic accessories and household appliances. It became Tokyo’s benchmark for high-tech, home to many technological innovations such as television, and then computers in the 1980s. These revolutionary inventions forever changed the notion of “entertainment”, enabling the development of video games and hit animation series (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Dragon Ball…). As a result, many stores specialized in electronics, anime and manga. Akihabara, the promised land of geeks, was born.
Best tips for getting the most out of Akihabara
This legendary district, with its multicolored neon lights, original signs and ambience, can seem intimidating. Here are our tips and a list of must-do activities to make the most of Akihabara.
- Tip: Akiba’s stores don’t open until 10am. Avoid going before then, or you’ll miss out on the unique atmosphere of this district.
- Shopping: Move away from the shops near the station, and you’ll find much more affordable electronics, video games, figurines and manga. The Chuo Dori shopping street is impressive. We recommend the Super Potato store for retro video game fans, the Akihabara Radio Center for nostalgia, Mandarake for manga and the mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi shopping mall.
- Tourist attractions: mpossible to get bored. Step into a Maid Café, play in a GiGO arcade, visit the Akihabara Museum of Technology, the AKB48 theater and the Kanda Myojin temple. You’re sure to get the chance to see a cosplayer dressed as your favorite fictional character!
- Restaurants: Choose from a number of surprisingly themed cafés, cozy izakaya bistros and restaurants for a taste of Japanese gastronomy. At the Chabara Aki-Oka Marche, you can buy tasty regional produce.
As you will have understood, Akihabara is an essential destination for visitors to Tokyo. A veritable temple of Japanese popular culture, you will no doubt leave with mangas, goodies, J-Pop albums or retro video games in your suitcase! Who knows what technological innovations will welcome the electric city in the future.
Photo by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash
