Akihabara Otaku

If you spent the whole day hunting for retro games, you’ll end up hungry, thirsty AND feeling like actually playing some of that stuff. So what better idea than paying a visit to this off-the-beaten-path bar? A favorite among both fans and game industry insiders, the place is full of games and consoles waiting for you. They even have an impressive collection of classic controllers. The place is quite small so if you plan to go with a big group of people you’d better call in advance. Ah, and of course you must be over 20.

Since opening its first store in Ikebukuro in 1983, Animate has become Japan’s largest retailer of anime, manga and video games, with branches everywhere. The Akiba shop is a little smaller than the main store in Ikebukuro, but still features seven floors of everything including some goods that can be found only here. The event space on the 7th floor hosts authors and voice actors for autographs and handshaking. This is by no means the cheapest place in Ikebukuro but the range of goods on offer is hard to beat.

One of the most iconic landmarks in Akihabara is a towering hub of otaku culture, electronics, and collectibles that embodies the spirit of the neighborhood. This 10-story building (plus 2 basement levels) houses over 30 specialty stores across its floors, catering to a wide range of interests: anime & manga goods, figures, posters, video games, DVDs, rare merchandise, model kits & dolls at Volks, trading cards & games at Card Labo, Hobby Station, and Yellow Submarine.

A four-floor arcade institution dedicated to retro and competitive gaming. It features legendary shoot-’em-ups like DoDonPachi and Gradius on the second floor, classic 2D fighters on the third, and rhythm and card-based games on the fourth. Known for its meticulously maintained vintage cabinets and no-frills atmosphere, HEY draws serious players and nostalgic fans alike. It’s a living museum of Japan’s arcade legacy and a must-visit for anyone chasing pixel-perfect memories.

Now that Comic Toranohana has moved elsewhere and K-Books, despite its name, doesn’t carry books anymore, COMIC ZIN is a must-visit for manga connoisseurs and doujinshi hunters. This three-story specialty shop offers a curated selection of mainstream manga alongside a treasure trove of self-published works, technical books, and niche titles you won’t find elsewhere. Known for its quiet, library-like atmosphere and knowledgeable staff, COMIC ZIN also provides exclusive bonuses - like limited-edition postcards - with select releases. The steep, narrow stairs add to its hidden-gem charm, making each floor feel like a deeper dive into Tokyo’s indie publishing scene. Whether you're seeking rare cycling-themed manga or experimental doujinshi, COMIC ZIN is where Akihabara’s subcultural pulse beats strongest.

This is arguably the most famous of the retro game shops in Akiba. When the area is featured on TV, chances are they are going to show this place. They literally have EVERYTHING including Neo Geo and PC Engine games and very rare (i.e. very expensive) goods. They also sell game-related items (strategy guides, T-shirts, Super Mario glasses, etc.). The downside is that their prices are 25-30% higher than the competition. This said, they have 2-3-day bargain sales typically during holidays (the Golden Week in early May; Obon in mid-August; and New Year). There’s even a small game center on the top floor complete with glass-top cabinets for that old ‘70s feeling.

This maid café has a dedicated army of 170 maids ready to entertain the honorable goshujin-sama (master) but only for one hour at a time. There’s a cover charge and its main location (there is another store inside Don Quijote) is divided in three areas: Classical (mainly eating and drinking in a quiet environment); Entertainment (for chatting and playing games with the maids); and Bar. Depending on the course menu one chooses, it is also possible to have your picture taken and/or play games with a maid.

The popular figure and model maker’s only retail shop in Japan can be found on the fifth floor of the famed Radio Kaikan building. Kaiyodo is synonymous with beautifully crafted, highly detailed figures. Their works are so realistic that their dinosaur models, for instance, were reportedly used as material for the CG design of the monsters in Jurassic Park. Then there is the Revoltech series of figures featuring the company’s unique "Revolver Joint" articulation system. Last but not least, the garage kits displayed every year at the Wonder Showcase (see Wonder Festival) can be also bought here.

Multi-level arcade and entertainment hub offering one of the most immersive gaming experiences in the city. This six-floor venue features a dazzling array of claw machines, rhythm games, racing simulators, and retro arcade classics. The fifth floor is a haven for music game enthusiasts, with top-tier machines like beatmania IIDX, DanceDanceRevolution, and SOUND VOLTEX, while the sixth floor - branded as RETRO:G - celebrates vintage titles like OutRun, Typing of the Dead, and early beatmania mixes. It also hosts frequent anime-themed campaigns and exclusive merchandise drops, making it a dynamic stop for both casual visitors and hardcore gamers. With free Wi-Fi, electronic payment options, and a steady stream of limited-edition prizes.

Purists may scoff at the idea of shopping at this used bookstore chain (and in Akiba, of all places) as they seem to be rather clueless about the stuff they handle, but it’s always worth a look, especially if you are after video games, as they are often cheaper than other retailers. This particular branch is six-stories high and it’s on the “wrong” (east) side of the station but only a one-minute walk from the Central Exit (中央口). They even carry secondhand consoles and accessories as well as books and manga.

This small cute cafe provided the inspiration for the May Queen Nyan-nyan café in the Steins;Gate visual novel (i.e. interactive-fiction game), and is therefore a favorite destination for otaku pilgrims.. Even though it’s a typical maid café, it has a diverse clientele (office workers, students, etc.) and it features “cosplay time” and other events (usually on Wednesday). You can’t take pictures of the maids, but you can photograph the food on your table (ask the staff first). When the place is particularly crowded there’s a 90-minute time limit. Otherwise you can stay as long as you want but you have to place an order at least once every 90 minutes. They even sell maid-related good (e.g. cups, towels, etc.).

Often described as Akihabara’s best-kept secret, this tiny Shinto shrine is a hidden gem tucked away in a narrow alley near not far from Akihabara Station, just off the main street behind the electronics shops. Dedicated to Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami, a kami (deity) associated with food, agriculture, and prosperity, it was originally founded during the Edo period and was relocated and rebuilt after World War II. Despite its modest size, it retains a quiet dignity amid the neon chaos of Akihabara. As all inari shrines, it features a red torii (gate), stone fox guardians, and a compact courtyard, all nestled between buildings. It’s easy to miss unless you’re looking for it, which makes stumbling upon it feel like a secret discovery.

Looking for that elusive manga or retro game is akin to a treasure hunt. If you are superstitious and need some help from heaven, you may want to pay a visit to this beautiful shrine, one of the oldest in Tokyo, only a seven-minute walk from the station. Due to the shrine’s close proximity to the Electric Town, IT companies have come to revere the place and regularly seek out its protection by attending blessing ceremonies there. Individuals can get their share of good luck by buying their high-tech omamori (charm).

This is the first place you should check out if you are into retro toys. This tiny cramped shop bursts at the seams with all the classic products Japan is famous for: Godzilla, Ultraman, kaiju, Kamen Rider, Mazinger Z and other sofubi and chogokin; minicars; Candy Candy and other girls’ toys; tin toys; and then magazines for kids, bromides (old idol photo portraits)… It literally has things you won’t find anywhere else in Akiba. Enough said.

Tech-focused retail hub in Akihabara, offering a wide selection of electronics, gaming gear, and PC components across multiple floors. It caters to both casual shoppers and hardcore builders, with dedicated sections for laptops, peripherals, gaming consoles, and secondhand goods. The store also features a floor for anime and character merchandise, blending otaku culture with digital hardware. This is a reliable stop for upgrading gear, browsing retro games, or diving into Akihabara’s tech-meets-anime ecosystem.

Many tourists and first comers like this hobby shop because it’s close to the station and has a nice souvenir corner on the 1st floor. Also worth checking are the rental showcases where people can sell their goods on consignment. Hobby Tengoku belongs to Volks, famous for producing garage kits, mecha kits and the world-famous Dollfie line of dolls, so it’s no surprise that the 2nd floor is chockfull of robots, figurines, and pla-mo while the 3rd floor is a veritable Dollfie dreamland.

Another typical game arcade featuring crane games, purikura photo booths, rhythm games, and fighting titles, catering to both casual players and late-night wanderers. Known for its bright, accessible vibe and generous prize rotation, Leisure Land is a favorite for visitors looking to unwind after hours or dive into Akihabara’s playful side. With capsule toys, UFO catchers, and a steady stream of anime-themed campaigns, it’s a lively, all-hours stop for fans of Japan’s gaming culture.

The Heroine Special Effects Research Center is the door to a different, slightly darker side of Akihabara. Ever heard of such masterpieces as Zen Pictures’s Enormous Breasts Squadron Fiber Star or Hyper Sexy Heroine Cyber Soldier Etoile? If you are interested in Power Rangers parody, Sailor Moon-like and masked-girl fighters, Studio 2.5’s wacky Akiba-kei action porno flicks and other low budget V-Cinema (straight-to-video) stuff, this store could change your life. They even sell the original costumes used during the shoots.

The dean of maid cafes opened in 2001 and it’s still going strong. Designed to resemble an old English mansion, with dark wooden furniture and lace curtains, it has a more relaxed and refined atmosphere and attracts more ladies than your typical local maid cafe. On Saturdays there are live classical music performances at dinner time. Their original organic tea is particularly recommended.