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Tokyo Sights

Akihabara Electric Town (Denki-Gai)

6 reviews | Write a review

Good for: gadgets, electronics

Not good for: idle browsing, crowds

  • Address
    • 1-12-1 Soto-Kanda Chiyoda-ku
  • Transport
    • JR Yamanote or JR Sōbu Line to Akihabara (Denki-gai exit), Hibiya Line to Akihabara (exit 3)

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Lonely Planet review for Akihabara Electric Town (Denki-Gai)

What the Tsukiji Central Fish Market is to the food trade, Akihabara is to Japan’s legendary electronics industry: bustling, busy and fun to watch, and you don’t have to get up early in the morning to catch the action (afternoon is prime time). Akihabara can no longer claim exclusive rights to the title of the city’s electronics centre (thanks to increased competition from denser hubs like Shinjuku and Ikebukuro), yet it is still quite the scene. Akihabara is where many items are market-tested, so even if you have no intention of shopping now, it’s worth a peek to see what you may be buying two years hence. As the electronics business has moved elsewhere (Korea, China and Taiwan), Akihabara has turned to the boom market in cartoon manga, often pornographic, to round out its fiscal activity. If you like your pornography of the PG-13 variety, don’t miss the opportunity to have a cup of coffee and curry rice in any of Akihabara’s unique maid cafes. Superfans might consider visiting Tokyo Anime Center, a rather underwhelming exhibition hall that springs to life when there are anime related special events.

 

Traveller reviews for Akihabara Electric Town (Denki-Gai) (6)

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    Lots of Gadgets.

    shanghaied2011 does not recommend this,

    My husband is really into technology and I went along for the ride. I found it large, expensive, and not terribly special. If you have specific things in mind to buy it is fine but in general it doesn't look that special and isn't terribly exciting.

    Not good for: idle browsing

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    Like no where else I have ever been

    nat_twinkle recommends this,

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    For the anime & the nerd in you

    nomortal recommends this,

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    Interesting but hard to find unique gadgets

    scottlerch recommends this,

    I was a little disappointed with Akihabara since it was overwhelming and I didn't know where to find unique Japanese gadgets. Most of the stuff looked pretty typical but there was lots of it. I did find some really cool covers and bling for my iPhone down one of the smaller side alleys but that was about it.

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    Nerd paradise!

    matpalm recommends this,

    Straight out of a william gibson novel! An electronics wonderland with some seriously weird, but very friendly, people. Head out there at night for the true neon experience!

    Good for: gadgets, electronics

    Not good for: crowds

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    Chess with a French maid?

    markw85 recommends this,

    Akihabara sums up everything you associate with modern Japan in one brash, noisy and hugely enjoyable area. Here you can browse state of the art electronics in the plethora of gadget shops, join the 'otaku' to browse manga and anime, or pop in for a coffee and a game of chess with a French maid (yes,really) in one of the many maid cafes.

    No matter how many times you go there, it never fails to surprise and entertain. Get your camera at the ready, you won't want to miss some of the bizarre things on show!

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