Japan - Tokyo
Animate
By @giannisimone
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.
Address: 4-chōme-3-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
About @giannisimone
I’m a writer, teacher, and tour guide from Italy, based in Japan since 1992. I help travelers make sense of Tokyo, Yokohama, and the rest of Japan with practical insights on culture, neighborhoods, walking routes, and slow travel. I also cover otaku culture, and you’ll often find me scouting cemeteries, backstreets, and local eats so your trip runs smoothly and stays curious.
