Japan Journeys

Are you a gamer? Love a bit of anime? Well, then you’ve probably already heard of Akihabara. Located less than 20 minutes from Shinjuku Station, this is the otaku capital of Tokyo—a place for collectors, gamers and cosplayers. Think dark arcades, packed collector shops and myriad gachapon capsule toy machines. But, Akihabara has another nickname: electric town. It’s also the place to go hunting for diodes and spare parts, or a talking washing machine from Yodobashi Camera by the station. The electronics shops here are a go-to for tax-free shoppers, as are the maid cafes and idol performances by local men. Akihabara also has a gentler, historic side and is great for photography, take a walk and see what you can find. While you’re in the area, you could explore the nearby neighbourhoods of Ueno and Asakusa or the imperial Palace. There’s a lot to see, so for the lowdown on the best things to do in Akihabara, check out the articles below.