SHOPS TO VISIT IN AKIHABARA [4 RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A TOKYO TOUR GUIDE]

Akihabara is a colorful, energetic, and vibrant neighborhood of Tokyo

Akihabara, known as Tokyo's electronic and otaku paradise, is a vibrant district that pulsates with energy and innovation. This bustling neighborhood is a haven for anime, manga, gaming, and tech enthusiasts from around the world. As you step onto the streets of Akihabara, you're immediately greeted by a kaleidoscope of neon signs, towering billboards, and stores overflowing with the latest gadgets and electronics. From multi-story arcades packed with cutting-edge games to sprawling manga stores offering an endless selection of titles, Akihabara caters to every geek's passion. The district's charm lies not only in its shops but also in its lively cosplay culture, where you can spot dedicated fans dressed as their favorite characters. Akihabara truly embodies the convergence of traditional Japanese culture and the futuristic realm of technology, making it an unmissable destination for any pop culture enthusiast. Out of the hundreds of shops in Akihabara, here are 4 must-visit shops in Akihabara, recommended by a Tokyo tour guide.

Top 4 shops in Akihabara - Table of Contents

1. GiGO Gaming Arcades

2. Yellow Submarine

3. Dragon Star

4. Super Potato

1. Gigo Gaming Arcade

The GiGO gaming arcades have multiple shops throughout Akihabara. A simple Google search will direct you to one of their shops. GiGO gaming is filled with arcade games. They are most famously known for their crane games filled with giant plush toys and rare anime/gaming items. Go to the GiGO Akihabara 5 where you will find some delicious Taiyaki in the shapes of different animes.

Guests on our small group food tour enjoying Taiyaki at Gigo gaming arcade

2. Yellow Submarine

If you enjoy board games then Yellow Submarine is the place for you. They have an abundance of almost all the board games you can think of. This includes board games made by amateurs, exclusive works, and international board games. They even have a section where you can rent some some of their board games and sit at a table to play them with your friends!

3. Dragon Star

Whether you are a trading card enthusiast or not, Dragon Star is a unique shop where you can find Pokemon cards that are well over 200,000 Yen (roughly 2500 USD)! If you own any trading cards yourself, you might have the chance to sell your cards to the shop too.

Copy and paste this address into your maps to get to Dragon Star.

〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Sotokanda, 1 Chome−18−18, Bito Akiba Plaza, 6F

4. Super Potato

Super Potato in Akihabara is a legendary retro gaming store that transports visitors back to the golden age of video games. Situated in the heart of Tokyo's bustling electronics district, Super Potato is a mecca for gaming enthusiasts seeking nostalgic treasures. The store's shelves are lined with a vast collection of vintage consoles, cartridges, and accessories from various eras, providing a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Whether you're looking for a rare find or simply want to relive the classics, Super Potato's friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to assist. Stepping into Super Potato is like entering a time capsule of gaming history, making it an essential stop for gaming enthusiasts visiting Akihabara.

A massive wooden sculpture inside the Mitsukoshi Department Store - one of the stops.

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❓QUESTION❓ While there are so many other types of Japanese food, ramen and sushi are two of the most famous Japanese foods. So, let's settle this debate, are you more of a ramen or sushi kind of person?

Take a look at these two unique photos in Akihabara. When people think of Akihabara, "The Electric Town", most imagine maid cafes, anime, gaming, pop culture, and electronic stores. But what happened to make this town so different? 📚Short history read below 📚 Akihabara is known to pick up trends. In the early 1900s, electricity was new in Tokyo. You'd have to get an electrician to come to your house to install electricity. electric wholesalers would sell motherboards, switches, and wires necessary for construction. On the other hand, in 1925 NHK started radio broadcasting which would rapidly spread as a means of entertainment and news source. Radios, unlike modern radios, were not prebuilt, meaning you'd have to build them yourself. At the time, electric wholesale stores that would help with electricity construction and radio building were located in Akihabara. During World War II the area was converted into making ammunition and radios. Post-war the electronic stores went right back to radios and electronics which were very popular in the 1950s. Along with the radio, the area slowly expanded to household appliances such as TVs, washing machines, microwaves, etc. Then in 1977, Apple released the 8-bit PC and 16-bit microprocessors. So in the 1980s, electronics stores handling computers increased in Akihabara. In the 1990s, the stores selling software for anime and game enthusiasts began to increase to replace sluggish sales of electrical appliances. Originally, PC enthusiasts called “otaku” went to specialty stores to buy PC parts but expanded their interest in games, anime, and figures, so Akihabara responded to that demand. Eventually to cater to the "otaku" Akihabara saw an increase in maid cafes. Today you can see the old electronic shops along with the animes, gaming, and maid cafe cultures. It's a unique place to visit to look for cool electronics, retro games, and pop culture goods! Posted @withregram • @m.ssaa.k @miyan_1980 . #hellofrom Tokyo #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover

📸Photo opportunity in Tokyo📸 The Tokyu Plaza entrance in Omotesando features this unique kaleidoscope for an insane photo opportunity. ••• Posted @withregram • @kohki #hellofrom Tokyo, Japan #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #instalike #instagood #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover #traveltheworld #postcardsfromtheworld #wonderfulplaces #instatravel #omotesando

Strawberry season is almost coming to an end 😨. Did you make sure to eat strawberries this year? Strawberry season typically starts somewhere around January (some places as early as December) until May. They've become quite popular internationally due to some boxes of strawberries being placed at around 50-60 USD. Are they really worth it? Well that's up to you! On our private customized tours, you can request your Tokyo tour guide to take you to eat strawberry daifuku pictured above. They are essentially mochi filled with red beans and topped with a strawberry. It's one of the most popular desserts in Japan! Expensive ones can get anywhere from 8-20 USD 😭 #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #instalike #instagood #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover #traveltheworld #postcardsfromtheworld #wonderfulplaces #instatravel