Akihabara, Kanda And Jimbocho

The world's largest electronics bazaar and center of otaku (geek) culture, Akihabara ("Akiba") must be seen to be believed. Nearby Kanda is home to temples, shrines and some good restaurants.

Akihabara electronics hub: f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Known to the locals as "Akiba," Akihabara is where Tokyo's geek culture and legions of curious tourists come to shop for the latest gadgets, software, electronics, manga and toys. It's also known for its "maid" cafes, where awkward geeks can enjoy the fantasy of being waited on by Lolita-esque waitresses who call them "go shujin-sama" (master). Nearby, Kanda is famous for its Shinto shrines and Jimbocho is Tokyo's bookshop district.

Things to Do and See in Akihabara, Kanda and Jimbocho

• Akihabara Electronics Town/Akiba Denki-gai (electronics, hobby and geek culture area)
  This is Tokyo's center for geek/otaku culture. It's got endless electronics, game, camera, computer and hobby shops, and all the services geeks need to be happy: maid cafes, cheap fast food and pop idol theatres. It's fun to walk around even if you're not a geek. Needless to say, it looks best after dark, when the neon is all lit up.
• Final Fantasy Eorzea Cafe (gamer culture)
  Do you love Final Fantasy games? Ever wish you could spend time in one of its magical realms? Then visiting Final Fantasy Eorzea Cafe in Akihabara is a no-brainer. Our guide shows you how to get tickets and what to expect on your visit.
• Yushima Seido (Confucian temple)
  Yushima Seido is something of a rarity in Japan: a Confucian shrine. It's a simple and peaceful place to gather your thoughts and take a break.
• Tokyo Dome City
  Tokyo Dome City is an entertainment, shopping and dining complex in the center of Tokyo that includes an amusement park, spa land, baseball stadium and a good variety of shops and restaurants.
• Kanda Myojin Shrine (Shinto shrine)
  This popular shrine is a great place to check out an active Shinto shrine. Several festivals take place here every year and if you're lucky, you'll catch a traditional Shinto wedding in progress.
• Jimbocho Bookshop Neighborhood (bookstore area)
  Because Tokyo University is nearby, this is the most intellectual area of Tokyo. It's full of bookstores and coffee shops where serious minds meet to discuss big ideas. Most of the bookstores only stock Japanese books, but you can find English sections here and there.

Places to Eat in Akihabara, Kanda and Jimbocho

There are plenty of good restaurants in Akiba, and some even better ones just across the river/canal in Kanda and down toward Jimbocho. For a huge selection of excellent restaurants right in Akiba, head to the UDX building, which just north of Akihabara Station. The UDX Building website has details in English on all the choices.

• At Home Café (maid café)
  You've probably heard about Tokyo's "maid cafes". These are places where young geek males go to have coffee and food served to them by young ladies dressed as maids. This is a tourist-friendly place where you can experience a maid café for yourself.
• Marugo Tonkatsu (tonkatsu)
  This is a great place to indulge in that rich meaty treat: tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlets). There's often a line to get in.
• Matsuya (soba noodles)
  This tiny traditional soba restaurant serves some of Tokyo's best soba in lovely old Japan surroundings.
• Joto Curry Akihabara
  Japanese-style curry rarely gets better than Joto Curry. Head over to the Akihabara outpost of this beloved Osakan curry chain for a hearty plate of curry that’s sure to blow you away.
• Kandayunrin (Chinese)
  For a break from Japanese, try this slightly upscale Chinese restaurant. It's definitely a step up from the usual Chinese fare available elsewhere.
• Kandashinodazushi (sushi)
  This is a good spot to pick up some takeaway sushi rolls to power you through a day of geeking out in Akiba.
• Soup Curry Kamui
  Fancy your soup curry with a dose of kawaii? Soup Curry Kamui in Akihabara is the place to go. You get anime-style artwork on the walls, and the waitresses are decked out in maid costumes on the weekends. It’s a novel treat, that’s for sure!
• Maruka (udon noodles)
  The locals here line up for the delicious and filling noodles here and you should too – they're excellent!
• Mandara (Indian)
  This is a tasty Indian restaurant where you can fill up on excellent curries. It's a nice break from Japanese food.
• Hinoya Curry Akihabara
  For a gut-busting, deeply flavourful plate of curry rice, look no further than Hinoya Curry Akihabara. A single meal might smash your calorie count for the day with toppings like cheese, deep-fried pork, and buttered corn – but it’s so good that you just won’t care!
• Kanda Yabu Soba (soba noodles)
  This is a classic old soba restaurant in a beautiful traditional building. It's highly recommended not just for the soba but also for the ambiance.
• Tatsukichi (kushikatsu/kushiage)
  For mouth-watering skewers of deep fried goodness, don't miss this awesome kushikatsu place on the 3rd floor of the UDX building.
• Kikanbo (spicy ramen)
  This devilishly spicy ramen joint just a bit north of Kanda Station is worth the trip if you like your noodles with a bit of kick.
• Audrey
  Few districts in Tokyo are better than Jimbocho and its environs for curry. And when it comes to soup curry in the area, Audrey is the joint to hit up. Their pork bone and vegetable bowl is like a hug for your stomach.
• Chantoya Coconut Curry (coconut soup curry)
  I happened upon this interesting little curry joint while exploring Jimbocho. I'm glad I did. The curries here are based on coconut soup and they contain all kinds of interesting things. This is the first and only place I've ever had a curry with camembert cheese in it!

Akihabara Eat Like A Local:

Want an even more adventurous eating experience where you mingle with Akihabara locals? Try these places;

• Karē wa Nomimono
  Curry rice isn’t pretty, but it is soulful and immensely satisfying. Karē wa Nomimono in Akihabara serves voluminous plates of curry rice that’s pure comfort food on every level.
• Browse all Eat Like A Local In Tokyo places across the city

Luxury Hotels in Akihabara, Kanda and Jimbocho

• Hotel Ryumeikan Ochanomizu Honten
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The most distinctive hotel in the city, this superb boutique hotel offers attentive service, wonderful Japanese design and a quiet, dignified location. It’s one of a kind!

Mid-Range Hotels in Akihabara, Kanda and Jimbocho

• Remm Akihabara Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Directly connected to JR Akihabara Station, this fresh new hotel is one of the best values in the area. And, there are in-room massage chairs!
• Ochanomizu Hotel Juraku
  (View on Agoda.com)
  This business hotel in Ochanomizu is a short walk from Akihabara. It’s a step up from your typical business hotel.
• Comfort Hotel Tokyo Kanda
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  This standard business hotel in Kanda is close to endless good restaurants and it’s only a stop away from Tokyo Station.

Budget Hotels in Akihabara, Kanda and Jimbocho

• Akihabara Washington Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  If you want to be close to the action in Akiba, this is a great choice. The rooms are small but acceptable and the price is very reasonable.
• Dormy Inn Akihabara
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Free ramen, a sento (public bath) and very reasonable rates all within walking distance of the sights of Akihabara.
• Hotel MyStays Ochanomizu
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  In Ochanomizu, but within easy walking distance of Akihabara, this simple business hotel offers budget rates in a nice, quiet location.
• Kanda Grand Central Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A standard-issue business hotel with low rates a relatively location in the salaryman district of Kanda.
• The b Tokyo Ochanomizu
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Located in Ochanomizu, within easy walking distance of two subway stations, this simple business hotel has some of the lowest rates in town.

Shopping in Akihabara, Kanda and Jimbocho

• Mandarake Complex (Japanese pop culture stuff)
  For all your Japanese pop culture needs, this manga, anime and character emporium is sure to please.
• Yodobashi Camera Akihabara (cameras, computers, electronics etc)
  For electronics, cameras, computers and gadgets, this big Yodobashi Camera is a good one-stop shop. It's also a good place to buy SIM cards.
• Don Quijote (daily goods, novelties and a lot more)
  Selling cosmetics, food, medicine and a variety of novelty and kitschy items, The Don is always an interesting place to start.
• 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan (handmade and craft items)
  Built under the train tracks north of Akihabara Station, this collection of shops is a mixed bag of interesting and not-so-interesting shops.

Nightlife in Akihabara, Kanda and Jimbocho

• Maltan (craft beer and whiskey bar)
  A small and interesting basement bar with Japanese craft beers, good whiskies and bar food very close to Kanda Station.
• Brasserie St. Bernardus (Belgium Beer bar)
  If you’re yearning for Belgian beer in Tokyo, a good place to visit is Brasserie St. Bernardus in Kanda. It’s not the cheapest place around, but it does cost less than a round-trip ticket to Belgium.

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