Once In A Lifetime Journey
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Djibouti
      • Kenya
      • Madagascar
      • Malawi
      • Namibia
      • Rwanda
      • Somaliland
      • South Africa
      • Sudan
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Europe
      • Albania
      • Andorra
      • Azerbaijan
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Germany
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Kosovo
      • Macedonia
      • Malta
      • Monaco
      • Montenegro
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom
    • North & Central America
      • American Samoa
      • El Salvador
      • Guam
      • Guatemala
      • Hawaii
      • Honduras
      • Mexico
      • United States
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Peru
    • Middle East
      • Oman
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Sudan
      • United Arab Emirates
    • Pacific
      • American Samoa
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
      • Fiji
      • French Polynesia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Kiribati
      • Micronesia
      • Nauru
      • New Zealand
      • Palau
      • Samoa
      • Solomon Islands
      • Tonga
      • Tuvalu
      • Vanuatu
    • Southeast Asia
      • Brunei
      • Cambodia
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Central & North Asia
      • Bhutan
      • Bangladesh
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Japan
      • Macau
      • Maldives
      • Mongolia
      • Nepal
      • North Korea
      • Pakistan
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Tibet
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      Cool & rare passport stamps from around the…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Is El Salvador safe to visit for tourists…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Simple steps to controling pre-flight anxiety

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      How to combat the fear of flying (Aerophobia)

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      Top tips for family travel stress

      January 21, 2021

  • Reviews
    • Hotels & Resorts
    • Train, Planes & helicopters
    • Food & Drinks
    • Spa & Wellness
    • Tour & Activities
  • Resources
  • Wine Tourism
    • Australia
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Thailand
    • US
    • South Africa
  • Solo female travel
  • Countries visited: 115
  • Currently in : Singapore 🇸🇬
  • Partner with us
  • SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS COMMUNITY

Once In A Lifetime Journey

Once In A Lifetime Journey
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Djibouti
      • Kenya
      • Madagascar
      • Malawi
      • Namibia
      • Rwanda
      • Somaliland
      • South Africa
      • Sudan
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Europe
      • Albania
      • Andorra
      • Azerbaijan
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Germany
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Kosovo
      • Macedonia
      • Malta
      • Monaco
      • Montenegro
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom
    • North & Central America
      • American Samoa
      • El Salvador
      • Guam
      • Guatemala
      • Hawaii
      • Honduras
      • Mexico
      • United States
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Peru
    • Middle East
      • Oman
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Sudan
      • United Arab Emirates
    • Pacific
      • American Samoa
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
      • Fiji
      • French Polynesia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Kiribati
      • Micronesia
      • Nauru
      • New Zealand
      • Palau
      • Samoa
      • Solomon Islands
      • Tonga
      • Tuvalu
      • Vanuatu
    • Southeast Asia
      • Brunei
      • Cambodia
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Central & North Asia
      • Bhutan
      • Bangladesh
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Japan
      • Macau
      • Maldives
      • Mongolia
      • Nepal
      • North Korea
      • Pakistan
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Tibet
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      Cool & rare passport stamps from around the…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Is El Salvador safe to visit for tourists…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Simple steps to controling pre-flight anxiety

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      How to combat the fear of flying (Aerophobia)

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      Top tips for family travel stress

      January 21, 2021

  • Reviews
    • Hotels & Resorts
    • Train, Planes & helicopters
    • Food & Drinks
    • Spa & Wellness
    • Tour & Activities
  • Resources
  • Wine Tourism
    • Australia
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Thailand
    • US
    • South Africa
  • Solo female travel

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Never leave without travel insurance.

Things to do in Akihabara

by Mar January 6, 2019
Written by Mar
Things to do in Akihabara Japan feature
Things to do in Akihabara Japan main

Akihabara is Tokyo’s anime and manga mecca and one of the most famous places to visit in the city. There are hundreds of places to visit and things to do in Akihabara and possibly the best part of it all is simply wandering the streets on a Sunday, when the main thoroughfare is closed off, and people watch, you are bound to see that side of Japan that fascinates travelers the most.

When thinking about what to do in Akihabara you will no doubt read about the Maid cafes, the streets are filled with Japanese girls dressed in cute outfits ready to make all your dreams come true. But there is more to Akihabara than Maid Cafes.

There are manga stores, second hand shops, electronics malls, cafes, collectible havens and pretty much anything from all your otaku fantasies. So here are the best places of interest in Akihabara.

Don’t forget to save our 4 day Tokyo itinerary to find out when to visit Akihabara on your journey. For further reading when you’re done with this article, here’s our complete guide of the best things to do in Japan for first time or even seasoned travelers. We have also written about the most delicious Japanese food to try, a complete shopping guide to Tokyo, some inspirational facts about Japan to know before you go, or a list of the best movies about Japan. 

Sega anime
Sega anime

Contents

  • Have coffee with a Maid
  • Be amazed at Chuor Dori
  • Yodobashi, the center of all things electronic
  • Fulfil all your gaming fantasies
  • Watch famous a J-Pop performance
  • Pray to the IT Gods
  • Robotise yourself

Have coffee with a Maid

Let’s get this out of the way. If you want to visit a Maid Cafe, Akihabara is the place and so this is one of the most common things to do in Akihabara and perhaps even the main reason for most visitors to end here.

The streets are filled with girls dressed as maids in all versions you can image and calling you into one of the hundreds of maid cafes. Some give out leaflets with coupons, others just flyers and pretty much all of them will have clear signs stating no photographs. They are notorious for not being happy at all when you take their photo, and with reason, so just ask first. For the original experience head to Cure, the first ever Maid cafe to open in 2001.

Showing up at Cure is not a good idea as the cafe is permanently fully booked and you will not be allowed in without a reservation. And that is not an easy feat. To book a time at Cure, you will need to become a member and then book a table, and a Japanese friend to help mediate as they don’t speak English. The privileges of being the first one. Otherwise, fret not, the area is full of maid cafe and you can just walk into most for the most famous thing to do in Akihabara.

Akihabara
Akihabara

Another alternative is to book online at Madreamin where the staff is friendly and the food very kawaii. This is a more relaxed, coffee-shop atmosphere where waitresses are dressed in French Maid outfits and also conduct performances. For a full immersive experience, book your own personal maid guide who will take you on a personal tour of Akihabara!

Be amazed at Chuor Dori

Akihabara vending machines
Akihabara vending machines

Chuor Dori is the main thoroughfare in Akihabara and is where lots of different stores are lined up. Along the road you will find anything, from stores devoted exclusively to specific anime characters or series to others that stock a bit of everything. There are gaming centers, shops selling paraphernalia and merchandising, collectibles, etc. everything and anything and lots of useless stuff you will regret having bought when you get home. But, hey, this is what you came to Japan for. Spend some time inside these stores and marvel at the great finds.

Yodobashi, the center of all things electronic

Before you even consider jumping on the shopping wagon and spending your pay day money on great Japanese electronics, bear in mind that, to avoid export, all things sold in Japan are usually just in Japanese. So, unless you speak the language, no point buying a camera that can’t be changed into english.

Yodobashi is however great for browsing the largest ranges of cameras and all other types of electronics and, if what you are looking for does not require language skills, then this is the perfect place. It is also a great store to ask questions and get advise on the right product for you, as well as trying it on. I managed to find a rare lens I was looking for and could even place it on the camera to check as they have items on display from pretty much every product.

Fulfil all your gaming fantasies

Mandarake
Mandarake

The most impressive store in Akihabara is Mandarake. This building version of a Batmobile is the center of all things anime and weird. Think porn comic books, all the robots and little figurines of every potential cartoon or Japanese character available on any size, old Game Boys and Nintendo gaming consoles, in short, all sorts of collector’s stuff to fill your wildest hoarder dreams.

Nintendo console at Madarake

Mandarake is a collector’s paradise and all the items are in good condition, some are even new, sold in their original packaging.

This is the place to spend money on things you don’t need and will not have a place for when you get home. But they look oh-so enticing and underground. This is Japanese subculture paradise and the heartbeat of Akihabara, at least in my mind. Climb up all the floors because every one of them is devoted to a specific topic from J Pop CDs to comic books, from the oldest items to the newest raging trend.

Make sure not to get lost in a world of magic and role play. Mandarake has other branches in other parts of town but the one here is the most authentic because of its location at the center of Tokyo’s subculture play. For a top-rated guided tour that includes Mandarake in Akihabara, click here.

Mandarake
Mandarake

Watch famous a J-Pop performance

The place for a unique break in Akihabara. AKB48 is the name and performing headquarters of Japans’ largest Pop girl group. The group is made of over 140 girls today although it started with just 48, hence the name with the letters of Akihabara and 48 in it. Not all the band members perform on stage all the time, but they actually split with several performances of the band in various locations across the world concurrently.

J-Pop is an authentic phenomenon in Asia with a large following not only in Japan but across the continent. Following its success, Korea took over and started its own K-POp movement. Both are a favorite of the young populations across Asia which follow their style and fashion sense. The members of a J-Pop band will usually have alter egos and a dress style which they remain loyal to and which identifies them. This is one of Japan’s most fascinating cultural aspects.

AKB48 cafe
AKB48 cafe

The building is split into 3 parts: a theatre, where live performances take place, a shop and a bar. The theatre is where live performances take place when the band is in town. You can buy tickets from the counter by the street. If there is any during your stay in Tokyo, I guarantee this will be an experience to remember.

If you are just popping by, the bar is where you can enjoy some not so great food and drinks with a somewhat kawaii design, while watching some of their performances on the large TV screen. It is slightly strange to the visitor but the place is permanently full with girls, couples and older men, a very unusual crowd, all peeled to the large TV screen as if they were watching a live sports game.

If you are a fan of J-Pop or have a friend who is, the store is full of memorabilia, merchandising and other items that will make for the cheesiest souvenir.

Pray to the IT Gods

Kanda Myojin Temple – Photo by Yoshikazu TAKADA CC BY 2.0

Kanda Myojin Shrine is the chosen Shinto shrine for IT geeks and companies to get their blessings and ask for redemption or good fortune. The shrine is famous for new startups to come seeking good luck with their new launch and it is not uncommon to see entire companies praying to the gods.

Kanda Myojin – Photo by Toshihiro Oimatsu CC BY 2.0

Its success as the place to go stems from the two Gods enshrined there: Ebisu and Daikoku, both known as the Gods of fortune, fishermen and agriculture. What to buy to give back to your fellow geeks back home? An especially designed charm courtesy of the shrine’s monks and which is made of three pieces, a credit-card-sized one for your wallet, a sticky strip for your computer and a tiny SD-card-shaped sticker for your phone so all your devices are properly protected.

As blessings and chanting ceremonies are common at the shrine, it is not unusual to find one ongoing when visiting. Quite a display of good fortune.

Robotise yourself

If you are a robot fan, and have already visited the eccentric Robot Cafe, you could try Gundam Cafe instead. The futuristic looking bar is filled with Gundam inspired foods and drinks. While it is not as crazy as other cosplay elements of Japan it adds a bit of Anime flavour into the day.

  • Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa.
  • Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing.
  • I find all of my flights on KAYAK. Check their Deals section too.
  • Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway.
  • I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide, they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
  • Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb.
  • Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com.
  • Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com
AkihabaraJapanTokyotravel guide
0
FacebookTwitterPinterest

You may also like

Where to stay in Barcelona – Best areas...

What to do in Yap, the complete guide...

What to do in Chuuk, the complete guide...

What to do if you only have 1...

Weird and wonderful truly Japanese experiences

United Airlines Business Class Review, San Francisco –...

Tuvalu: All you need to know

Travel to Tibet – Everything you need to...

Travel in Albania: Best things to do &...

Travel guide and things to do in Somaliland

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Maldives vs Bora Bora, where will YOU have the best vacation?

    June 30, 2020
  • 2

    All the hipster, fun and cool things to do in New York

    June 30, 2020
  • 3

    Original and fabulous gifts for travelers for any occasion

    December 3, 2017
  • 4

    The world’s least visited countries – Unknown and rare destinations

    June 22, 2020
  • 5

    300+ Instagram bio quotes and captions to rock your feed

    December 14, 2019
  • 6

    100+ Great Things to do in Seoul

    August 18, 2020

Recent Posts

  • 50+ Insider South Korea travel tips from a long term expat

    April 7, 2021
  • 10 things you didn’t know about traveling to South Korea

    April 5, 2021
  • Cool & rare passport stamps from around the world

    March 18, 2021
  • How to move to Australia

    March 18, 2021
  • Day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona by a local

    March 18, 2021
  • Is El Salvador safe to visit for tourists and travelers in 2020?

    March 18, 2021

follow US on instagram

DIVING INTO THE WEEKEND FEET FIRST - Who else is r DIVING INTO THE WEEKEND FEET FIRST - Who else is ready for an amazing weekend of sun, sand and vitamin C 😎
.
#bensleycollection #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #hotelpool #siemreap #luxuryhotel #BillBensley @shintamani.angkor.bensley
MY FAVORITE VIEW - I love walking around the other MY FAVORITE VIEW - I love walking around the other side of @gardensbythebay and this particular spot. There is a bench there that has the best view. I take my cycle, stop at the hawker on the other side, and take my dim sum and fresh fruit to eat with this view. Sunsets from there are amazing.
.
#gardensbythebaysingapore #MarinaBaySands #marinabay #marinabayeast #SingaporeContentCreator #singaporesunset #singaporeflyer @singaporeflyer #flowerdome
SINGAPORE'S G-SPOT πŸ˜…πŸ˜… Just kidding. Drone sh SINGAPORE'S G-SPOT πŸ˜…πŸ˜… Just kidding. Drone shot taken from Lazarus Island one of 60+ offshore islands in Singapore. I only realised it had this G shape when I took the drone up. Always love to see the view from above.
.
#DroneShot #dronephotography #girlswhodrone #dronepilot #Singaporedrone #dronelife #DjiMavic #viewfromabove #Fromwhereidrone
HIGHER UP - Gardens by the Bay view from above, my HIGHER UP - Gardens by the Bay view from above, my favorite place in Singapore for sure. This was taken from @marinabaysands not from a drone.
#Singaporeview #Singaporedrone #SingaporeFromAbove #GardensbytheBay #MarinaBaySands #gardensbythebaysingapore #SingaporeIG #SingaporeContentCreator
JEWEL - Without travelers Jewel is just another sh JEWEL - Without travelers Jewel is just another shopping mall, but with an incredible design. There's something about the water and the greenery that makes it feel wet, humid and jungly.  There's nothing at the mall I'd like to buy, (I dislike malls anyway) but love checking out the place and explore the wall gardens around the central area.
.
#JewelSingapore #Jewel @jewelchangiairport #ChangiAirport #SingaporeAirport #SingaporeTravel #ExploringSingapore #DomesticTravel
TIME TO RELAX - As the Chinese New Year holiday se TIME TO RELAX - As the Chinese New Year holiday sets in I'm enjoying the silence I had missed for last many months working from home in Singapore.
.
So many of you asked what I was up to since I have barely posted in the last year, I have been in Singapore with borders closed and no ability to travel. After 16y as an expat and 50% of the year on the road it has been difficult to not be able to for so long. I also thought nobody really cares to see Singapore and, to be fair, I don't usually post the typical IG shots here so didn't want to just share the pictures of Singapore you probably have see a million times. But tell me:
.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO POST PICTURES OF MY LOCAL EXPLORATION IN SINGAPORE? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS πŸ€—
.
#luxurytravel #shintamani #billbensley #ShintaManiSiemReap #Bathtubshot #flowerbath #girlsgetaway #luxuryhotel #BensleyCollection
@shintamani_wild knows me wel: Wine + wilderness + @shintamani_wild knows me wel: Wine + wilderness + jungle + a pile of @natgeotravel magazines = Happy Mar
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #NatGeo #NatGeoTravel #ShintamaniSiemReap #bensleycollection #Cambodia #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #luxuryvillas #underthestars #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravelgirlswhotravel
A bathtub with a view and with its own waterfall s A bathtub with a view and with its own waterfall soundtrack - Result!
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #NatGeo #NatGeoTravel #ShintaManiWild #BensleyCollection #Cambodia #luxuryvillas  #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravel
DREAMING OF TRAVEL AGAIN - I have finally booked a DREAMING OF TRAVEL AGAIN - I have finally booked a flight again, not to an exciting place but to one that I'm very excited about: home.
.
And talking about travel dreaming...
This photo was taken at Bill Bensley @shintamani_wild at the @natgeo tent hence the many magazines, the tent was full of them some of the issues were 50+ years old, it was fascinating to read the first issues that covered Dian Fossey or some of really remote tribes. It was hard to peel my eyes off the stunning photos and enjoy the remote and beautiful destination, the piece of wild forest where the camp is.
.
I don't think I'll be doing much travel before the end of the year but I hope to travel to west Africa in November/ December / January, for a real adventure and maybe a safari too.
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #NatGeo #NatGeoTravel #ShintamaniSiemReap #bensleycollection #Cambodia #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #luxuryvillas #underthestars #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravel
A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS - have you ever slept unde A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS - have you ever slept under the stars? Where?
.
I did in Tanzania and in the Maldives at @gili.lankanfushi but I am sometimes worried about the mosquitoes πŸ˜‚ thankfully, @shintamani.angkor.bensley sorted this with nets!
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #ShintamaniSiemReap #bensleycollection #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #luxuryvillas #underthestars #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravel
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin

About

  • ABOUT ONCE IN A LIFE TIME JOURNEY
  • ABOUT THE TEAM
  • WHERE WE HAVE BEEN
  • PRESS
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Reach Out

  • CONTACT US
  • PARTNER

Quick Links

  • SITEMAP
  • BOOKS
  • INCOME
  • DIGITAL MARKETING
  • DISCLAIMER

Copyright © 2019 . All Rights Reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program