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Anime & MangaJun 12, 20266 min readKanto

A first-timer's route through Akihabara that actually makes sense

Written by Mika T.

Akihabara is not one place — it's a stack of them. The mistake most first-timers make is wandering store to store at street level, when the good stuff is vertical: each tower is its own department store of fandom, and the best plan moves up floors, not down streets.

Start at the station's Electric Town exit in the morning, when the multi-floor shops are quiet and the staff have time. Work the figure floors first while your eyes are fresh, then drop into the retro-game basements, and save the arcades for the afternoon when the energy in the room is worth the noise.

If you only have three hours, the Akihabara pilgrimage we recommend pairs you with a local otaku who knows which floor restocked this week. It's the difference between seeing Akihabara and reading it.

We share recommendations and route ideas only — we never arrange, sell, or take payment for travel. You book each experience yourself with our trusted partners.(情報提供のみ。手配・販売は行いません。)

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We share recommendations and answer questions only. We never arrange, sell, or take payment for travel — you book each experience yourself with our partners.(回答・案内のみ。旅行の手配・販売は行いません。)