Gundam Cafe

The cafe dedicated to Japan’s famous robotic anime series: Gundam. Since airing in 1979 the Gundam franchise has snowballed into a household name, and now represents one of Namco Bandai’s main revenue streams.

2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan

Aki-Oka Artisan is a line of about 50 craft stores, galleries, and cafes located under the rail tracks. The unusual name refers to the fact that it is 2km and 540m from Tokyo Station.

Akiba Cultures Zone

This shopping complex opened in 2012 and is dedicated to anime and manga, including a floor dedicated to all manner of cartoon pornography (if that’s your thing…). On the 6th floor you can find Akihabara Backstage Pass Cafe, which is staffed by costume-adorned females.

mAAch ecute

The viaduct in which this shopping arcade is housed lay derelict for the best part of 60 years before re-opening following refurbishment in 2013. The interior arches of the old structure have been preserved, and these now act as dividers for the boutiques and coffee vendors inside.

Radio Kaikan

Iconic building near the JR Akihabara Station Electric Town exit that reopened in 2014 following the demolishing of the old building in 2011. When it first opened in 1962, it was the first “high-rise” building in Akihabara. Today, it has moved with the times and the focus has shifted away from electronics to manga, anime, and “otaku” goods.

Yodobashi Camera Akiba

A 9-floor shopping complex, the first six floors of which are occupied by the electronics chain Yodobashi Camera. This branch is the biggest consumer electronics store in Japan (and maybe the world). There is a tax-free counter and English speaking staff are on hand. Heaven for gadget-lovers.

Kanda Matsuri

Kanda Matsuri is held in mid-May at Kanda Myojin Shrine on odd numbered years (so intense was the…

Daikoku Matsuri

The association of Kanda Myojin with wealth and good fortune (it is after all home to two of…

Kanda Myojin

Beautiful 1,300 year-old shrine where two of the Seven Gods of Fortune are enshrined (Daikokuten and Ebisu) and the home of the Kanda Festival.

Akihabara Radio Center

Warren of booths under the rail tracks selling retro gadgets and electronic components that is an icon of Akihabara.