Visiting Akihabara Electric Town
Located to the north and west of the station is the Akihabara Electric Town, a shopping district famous for its many electronics shops. Shops range in size from tiny stalls selling specific computer components to large global retailers. Popular stores include Yodobashi Camera, Sofmap, Laox, and the Akihabara Crossfield business complex. Some stores offer international tourists a tax-free shopping experience. The district’s main street, the Chuo Dori, is closed to vehicles on Sundays to allow for increased pedestrian traffic.
Buying Otaku Goods
Akihabara is also known as the center of otaku culture, and as such, many manga and anime-themed shops can be found within the shopping district. Video game and card game shops are also popular. Internet manga cafes and maid cafes – restaurants in which the waitresses dress and act as anime characters – attract many diehard fans. The purpose of such shops is to “create an atmosphere as close as possible to the game and anime worlds.” Cosplayers – fans in costume – can be seen on the streets, often advertising businesses or handing out flyers.
Some Otaku related stores: @Home Cafe, Radio Kaikan, Gamers, Mandarake, Gundam Cafe, etc.
Watch a AKB48 show
The area is also home to a theater run by the musical group AKB48, whose name is derived from that of the district. In fact, the trains of the Metropolitan Intercity Railway play a song by the group upon the train’s departure. Special events, such as anime conventions, are frequently held in Akihabara.
AKB48 related destinations: Don Quijote (store chain where AKB48 perform daily shows at their theater on the 8th floor of the store), AKB48 Cafe and Shop, etc.
Visiting Kanda Myojin Shrine
Finally, you can also visit Kanda Myojin Shrine, which dates back to the year 730, although it has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes and fires. A funny fact is that this shrine sells talismans to protect the electronic devices of the Akihabara regulars. Kanda Matsuri, one of the major Shinto festivals in Tokyo, is also held around May 15th of every odd year.
Shopping at Manseibashi
Manseibashi Station is a station in Chiyoda ward, Tokyo which closed in 1943. The station took its name from the nearby bridge “Manseibashi” which connect Akihabara and Kanda and after 100 years, this red brick bridge building has renewed as a commercial facility called “mAAch ecute”.
mAAch ecute is located under the railway bridge between Akihabara and Kanda area. Numbers of shops and restaurants are located inside yet remaining its historical look with red brick interior. At those selected unique and cultural shops, visitors can enjoy shopping very original products and craft works. Temporary pop-up shops take places, too. There are several cafe and bars serving organic coffee, craft beer and fresh bakery. mAAch ecute is a true hidden gem for those seeking for peaceful and relax time in a heart of Tokyo by the canal.