Ameyoko
Tokyo, Japan
Akihabara, Tokyo
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Photo: Jmho, CC0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free — it's a city neighbourhood
- Hours
- Shops usually roughly 10:00–21:00
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Chuo-dori
- Car-free on Sunday afternoons
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - What to buy
- Electronics, anime, manga, figures, retro games
- Tax-free
- From 1.11.2026 — full price, tax refunded after departure
- Nearby
- Kanda Myojin shrine — 5–10 minutes on foot
- From Tokyo Station
- ≈ 3 minutes by JR
Key facts
Electric Townthe area's nickname from its days selling home appliances
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en.wikipediaOtakuAkihabara is the centre of Japan's anime and gaming fan culture
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en.wikipediaAkibathe area's short name — from a local deity
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en.wikipedia1890the year Akihabara Station opened
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en.wikipediaMaid caféscafés with waitresses dressed as maids — a local signature
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en.wikipedia1.11.2026from this date tax-free works by refund
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japan-guide.com¥5,000minimum spend per shop per day for tax-free
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guides≈ 3 minby JR from Tokyo Station
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travel guidesWhat is Akihabara?
Akihabara is the neighbourhood around Akihabara Station in Chiyoda, known as Electric Town. It began by selling household appliances, then computers, and grew into the centre of otaku culture — fans of anime, manga and video games.
The main street is Chuo-dori. Along it and in the side streets stand multi-storey electronics stores, manga and figure shops, retro-game stores, huge arcades and maid cafés, where waitresses dressed as maids greet guests. The area's nickname is Akiba.
How the neighbourhood works
Leave the station by the Electric Town exit and you're there. The big electronics stores fill entire buildings, each floor devoted to its own thing, from cameras and headphones to figures and manga. In the side streets are small shops selling parts and retro consoles.
On Sunday afternoons, according to guides, Chuo-dori closes to traffic and becomes a pedestrian street. Shops usually open roughly 10:00 to 21:00. Maid cafés have their own rules — for example, you usually can't photograph the staff without permission.
What to see and do
- Chuo-dori — the main shopping street.
- Electronics stores spread over many floors.
- Anime and manga shops, figures and merch.
- Retro games and vintage consoles.
- Arcades and claw machines.
- Kanda Myojin shrine — 5–10 minutes on foot.
How to get to Akihabara
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Ameyoko is about 22 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Tokyo Station — JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku lines, about 3 minutes.
- Hibiya line — to Akihabara station.
- From Ueno — 2 stops by JR or about 20 minutes on foot.
- Exit — Electric Town, straight onto Chuo-dori.
- From Haneda airport — monorail or Keikyu with a change, about 40 minutes.
Weekday or Sunday
| Weekdayyou are here | Open to traffic | Fewer | Calmer | Harder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Car-free in the afternoon | Busy | More atmosphere | Shoot from mid-street |
How long do you need?
Allow 2 hours for a wander through Akihabara, or half a day for serious shopping. Anime and gaming fans can easily spend a whole day here.
Nearby is Kanda Myojin shrine, and two stops away are Ueno Park and Ameyoko market. The area is at its brightest in the evening, when the signs light up.
Is Akihabara worth visiting?
Yes: it's a one-of-a-kind neighbourhood where electronics, anime and games are packed into a few streets — impressive even if you're not a fan.
The YesGo take: electronics aren't always cheaper than at home, and tourist-oriented shops can be pricier. Compare prices, check plug and menu-language compatibility, and factor in the new tax-free process.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Tokyo shopping and markets: compare and choose
Shopping districts and markets in Tokyo rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Akihabarayou are here | 53 | 2 h | Free | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginza | 53 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 3.1 km |
| Senso-ji | 51 | 1 h | Free | 2.8 km |
| Takeshita Street | 49 | 45 min | Free | 6.9 km |
| Tsukiji Outer Market | 46 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 3.7 km |
| Ameyoko | 40 | 45 min | Free | 23 min walk |
| Toyosu Market | 37 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 6.1 km |
Akihabara and Ueno in a day
Ueno Park in the morning, Ameyoko market in the afternoon, and Akihabara's lights in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Ueno Park1 h 30 min · park free; zoo ¥600
- 7 min walk from the previous stopAmeyoko45 min · free
- 23 min walk from the previous stopAkihabarayou are here2 h · free
3 places · about 4 h 45 min with walks · 30 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- The Electric Town exit leads straight to Chuo-dori.
- Compare prices between shops.
- Carry your passport for tax-free.
- The signs are brightest in the evening.
- Nearby: Ameyoko market, 2 stops away.
Questions
How do I get to Akihabara?
By JR from Tokyo Station — about 3 minutes, Electric Town exit.
What can you buy in Akihabara?
Electronics, anime and manga, figures, retro games.
When is Chuo-dori car-free?
On Sunday afternoons (according to guides).
How does tax-free work?
From 1 November 2026 — full price, 10% tax refunded after departure; ¥5,000 minimum.
What is a maid café?
A café where waitresses dressed as maids greet guests; photos only with permission.
What are the shop hours?
Usually roughly 10:00 to 21:00.
How long do you need?
2 hours for a stroll, half a day for shopping.
What's nearby?
Kanda Myojin shrine, Ueno Park and Ameyoko market.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Akihabara — name, Electric Town, otaku culture, station
- japan-guide.com, Tokyo Cheapo, JNTO — tax-free from 1 November 2026 (tax refund, ¥5,000 minimum)
- Guides — Sunday car-free Chuo-dori, shop hours (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q418096 — coordinates
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