The hundreds of girls dressed as maids, handing out pamphlets and luring you to come into their cafes may come as a surprise for first timers. Akihabara is arguably the center for maid cafes in Tokyo and takes up much of the otaku culture that revolves around the area. Guests are served by “kawaii" waitresses dressed up as maids. You can enjoy drinks and foods while they accompany you with kawaii dances, songs and performances that the maids will put on for entertainment. Depending on the menu selection, often times guests are asked to join the performances with the maid to help make your drink or food taste better and take commemorative pictures with the maid. If you’re looking for the bizarre and unique side of Japan and want a fun little treat, ask a maid on the streets of Akihabara to show you to their store!

Photo credit: JW Magazine

Location: Around Akihabara Station

Hours: Typically from around 11:00am - 7pm ish.

Website: N/A

How to get there: Akihabara Station is on the JR Lines Keihin Tohoku, Yamanote and Chuo-Sobu Lines. The Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line also runs through it.

 

Akihabara is dubbed electric town for a reason. Although the focus has shifted to otaku culture, Akihabara used to be the district to get all your electronic goods. Among the many electronic stores here, the one that stands out the most is Yodobashi Camera. This 9 storied department store is dedicated to one of the largest varieties of electronic goods. If you are into the latest gadgets, you can spend hours here. Aside from the massive amounts of electronic products, they sell toys, luxurious brand items, cosmetic products and video games/goods.

Photo credit: JW Magazine

Address: 1-1 Kanda Hanaokacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0028

Hours: 9:30am - 10pm

Website: http://www.yodobashi-akiba.com/

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Akihabara Station on the JR Line.

 

Radio Kaikan is an iconic building in Akihabara, towering over the area with 10 stories of shopping. It first opened up in 1962 as a massive electronic store - one of a kind for its time. Akihabara used to be known as the district to sell electronic goods, but as the area shifted its focus to otaku culture (otaku culture includes anything to do with idols, manga, anime, maids and games) so did the contents of Radio Kaikan. Radio Kaikan now serves as a super store that sells Akiba-cultural items such as action figures, dolls, TV and media idol goods, miniature model trains, and costumes. They also have some stores dealing with CDs, computers and comic books.

Photo credit: Muzuchan

Address: 1-chōme-15-16 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tōkyō-to 101-0021

Hours: 10:00am - 8pm

Website: http://www.akihabara-radiokaikan.co.jp/

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Akihabara Station, Electric Town South Exit on the JR Line.

 

Spanning over 5 generations and more than 100 years, Bunsendo Sensu (Sensu= folded fans) Shop has been hand crafting their fans to perfection. They have two locations, one right on the Nakamise Shopping Street at the Sensoji Temple and one at Kaminarimon Yanagikoji where you can find a large variety of hand made folded fans. They are perfect for souvenirs especially during the summer time!

Address: 1-30-1,Asakusa,Taito-ku,Tokyo / 1-20-2,Asakusa,Taito-ku,Tokyo

Hours: 10:30am - 6pm

Website: http://asakusa.gr.jp/en/archives/81

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line

 

This traditional box wood comb shop started out in modern day Bunkyo, Tokyo in 1717 and moved to it’s current spot in Asakusa in the early 1900s. Yonoya has passed down their comb making traditions throughout all these generations and have kept the same exact way of making it since they opened up 300 years ago. Originally made only for professional hairdressers to style women and mens hair, they now sell combs to regular people and is said to help improve your scalp and hair health. Get your own, traditionally wooden comb here.

Photo credit: Yonoya website

Address: 〒111-0032 1-37-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Hours: Closed every Wednesday (occasional Thursday), 10:30am-6:00pm

Tel: 03-3844-1755

Website: http://en.yonoya.com/

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line.

 

Sakai Kokodo has been reproducing some of Japan’s most famous woodblock prints for over a century now. They sit on the Nakamise shopping street that leads up to the famous Sensoji temple in Asakusa and sell some of the finest reproductions. Here you’ll find famous works like Hokusai’s Great Wave and Mt. Fuji prints in all different sizes. They even sell prints as postcards which could be the perfect souvenir to take back from Japan.

Photo credit: Sakai Kokodo website

Address: Sakai Kokodo, 1-20-1 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo

Hours: 9:00am -6pm

Tel: +81 3-3841-0850

Website: https://www.ukiyoegallery.net/html/english/shop.html

How to get there: Located inside the Nakamise Shopping Street on the way to Sensoji Temple. A 1 minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line.

 

Kamiya Bar opened up in 1880 and is the first western style bar in Japan. Their special house drink, Denki Bran (Electric brandy), has been served here for over a century. Its a mix of brandy, gin, vodka, curacao, herbs and other secret recipes to make this tasty alcoholic drink. It use to have a 45% percent alcohol content back in the day, but has been dropped down in recent times. You can order two different Denki Brans, one with 40% or one with 30% alcohol content. But beware, its tasty and cheap (about 2 US Dollars for a generous pour) so choose wisely!

Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

Hours: Closed Tuesday, 11:30am - 10pm Monday-Saturday

Website: http://www.kamiya-bar.com/

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Asakusa Station, Exit 3 on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line

 

Everyone has heard of the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo before. If you’re looking to watch a bizarre show with robots of ninjas, dragons, dancers, drummers, neon lights and loud music, then look no further. No doubt you’ll be exploring Japan’s traditional temples and shrines and seeing the wonderful nature and culture of Japan. However, this is the “crazy and weird” side of Japan. Entrance into the restaurant is reservations only as shows start at certain times of the day.

Photo Credit: Swedish Nomad

Address: 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−7−7 新宿ロボットビル B2F

Hours: 4pm -11pm

Website: http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, East Exit on the JR Line.

 

These superb quality towels has been leading the towel industry for over 120 years in Japan. The softness and ability to absorb water well has put its name in the books around the world and has also appeared in many exhibitions. The towels are produced in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture where they use the natural soft water nearby which is gentle to the yarn of the towel. Each towel goes through a 5 second test where if after 5 seconds, the towel sinks, then it passes.

Address: 2F 203, 5-3-10, Minami-aoyama, minato-ku, Tokyo 〒 107-0062

Hours: Closed every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 11:00am - 7:30pm

Tel: ＋81-3-6427-2941

Website: https://www.imabaritowel.jp/en

How to get there: A 7 minute walk from the Omotesando Station, Exit A5 on the Hanzomon or Ginza Lines.

Video Credits: Youtube

 

Omotesando is known for its unique and groovy architecture. Among these buildings, the Prada Tokyo Aoyama Store stands out. The lozenge shaped, glass building makes up the facade of the store and makes for a visually impressive building. It was completed in 2003 as was built by a Swiss architecture from the notable firm Herzog & de Meuron. even if your wallet might not be able to afford some of the products inside, you can still enjoy the view from outside!

Photo Credit: Timeout Tokyo

Address: 5 Chome-2-6 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062

Hours: 11am - 8pm

Website: https://www.prada.com/jp/ja.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb&utm_term=S443

How to get there: A 4 minute walk from Omotesando Station, Exit A5 on the Hanzomon Line.