Location: Tokyo

546 posts

Kukansha in Long Beach 1983

Beautiful cafe in one of the most remote areas of the island—which must also qualify as Tokyo’s most distant (after all, you’re still in Tokyo Metropolis in Hachijojima). The cakes were excellent and the views from the upper balcony magnificent.

Hachijo Onsen Hotel

One of Hachijojima’s hidden spots—an abandoned hotel on the south side of the island. The hotel is now…

Hachijojima History and Folk Museum

A museum of Hachijo Island that explores the island’s history. The museum is broken into sections that deal…

Fureai Bokujo Farm

Farm half way up Mount Nishi where Hachijo cows graze. Would be an unremarkable tourist spot were it not for the observation deck which provides one of the best views of the island. Admission is free.

Hachijo Botantical Garden

Large botanical garden opened in 1962. The grounds includes greenhouse with plants native to the island, a view point, and woodland. The Hachijo Visitor Center is also located in the grounds and is a good place to start to get maps and plan what you’re going to see (you an also see the glowing mushrooms native to the island!).

Tokyo Imperial Palace Cycling Course

On Sundays, Uchibori Dori (the main road east of the palace) is partially closed to traffic to make way for a 3km cycle course.

Wadakura Fountain Park

A small park to the east of the Imperial Palace opened in 1961 to commemorate the wedding of the Emperor and Empress, and refurbished in 1995 to celebrate the wedding of the Crown Prince and Princess.

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.