Akihabara

If you’re looking for electronics, head to the stores in Akihabara, which range in size from tiny stalls to sprawling, multi-level department stores. In addition to the electronics, the neighborhood is also a center of "otaku," or geek culture, and is a popular haunt for diehard anime and manga fans. This is a great place to people-watch and see fans dress up as their favorite characters from anime and manga.

Peeking into otaku culture can be tricky for foreign visitors, so opt for a tour of the neighborhood with a guide who can explain the various subcultures you’ll see as you visit gaming centers, manga cafes, and other popular spots.

• Most stores in Akihabara offer tax-free shopping to foreign tourists.

• Foreigners who make purchases over 10,000 yen (around $100 USD) may be required to show a passport.

• Before purchasing, check the voltage of items that you plan to use outside of Japan.

Akihabara Station is on the JR Keihin-Tohoku, Yamanote, Sobu Main, and Chuo-Sobu lines. It’s also on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya line. The journey takes just over 10 minutes from Tokyo Station.

Akihabara is lively at any time and on any day of the week, but it is especially busy on the weekends, when young people gather in large numbers. Visit after dark to enjoy the neighborhood’s glowing neon lights.

Just a 10-minute walk from Akihabara, the Ueno neighborhood showcases a completely different side of Tokyo. This more traditional area is known for its large park, its Shinto and Zen landmarks—such as the 17th-century Benzaiten Shrine—and for its many museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and the National Museum for Western Art.

Yes, Akihabara is definitely worth visiting if you’re looking to buy electronics, video games, or manga. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, Akihabara Electric Town is a fun and fast-paced neighborhood to visit, browse, and experience part of modern Japanese culture.

As Akihabara is mainly a retail area, it’s best to visit during store opening hours if you want to shop. Stores tend to open mid–late morning and stay open well into the evening. Bars and restaurants may have later hours. Akihabara is busiest on the weekends, so avoid visiting then if you’d rather avoid the crowds.

Akihabara’s Chuo Dori—which can be translated as Central Avenue or Main Street—is arguably the best street to check out first. It’s the district’s main thoroughfare, and a good place to get your bearings and a feel for Akihabara. It’s pedestrianized on Sunday afternoons, making it more comfortable for browsing.

Akihabara can get very busy on Saturdays and Sundays, so avoid visiting on these days if you dislike crowds. However, the main thoroughfare, Chuo Dori, is pedestrianized on Sunday afternoons. While many people visit then, you won’t be dodging cars as you browse on foot. For a quieter experience, visit on a weekday morning.

Yes, Akihabara is a good place for tourists to visit, especially if they want to shop for electronics, video games, or manga. It’s a popular neighborhood for tourists to visit and although it’s worlds away from Tokyo’s serene traditional temples, Akihabara provides a fascinating insight into Japanese pop culture.

Yes, Akihabara is a foreigner-friendly neighborhood. Like in other parts of Tokyo, it’s helpful to know some Japanese—and even better to be able to read it—to get the most out of your visit. But foreign visitors still find plenty to enjoy (and to buy) without knowing Japanese.