Akihabara Electric Town is located right next to JR Akihabara Station, which is so convenience for shopping or wandering around to enjoy the modern pace of this place, below is the guide of shops that offer many things from electronics to otaku related goods.
1. Yodobashi Akihabara
In Yodobashi, you can find anything and do almost everything, from looking for gadgets, mobile techs and accessories, cameras (digital and exclusive DSLR), computers (laptops and PCs), toys, games, or even just want to make digital prints right away, or to window shop. You gonna love this place because it also has coffee shops, restaurants, as well as a golf shop and batting center on the ninth floor, etc. Everyone can have fun throughout the building. There are the largest plastic model shelves!
Address:
1-1 Kandahanaokacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Access:
Central exit of Akihabara Station. Don’t worry, it’s a huge building so you can’t miss it.
Business hours:
9:30 am to 10 pm
Restaurants hours:
11 am to 11:30 pm
2. Akihabara Crossfield
The complex has 2 buildings, the Akihabara Dai Building, and the UDX Building. While the lower floors have shops and restaurants, then the upper floors are said to be the “global center for the IT industry” with offices, conference space, and showrooms. The second floor of the UDX Building is the location of the Akiba Info Center and the fourth floor is the Tokyo Anime Center (listed below).
Address:
4-14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access:
2mins walk from JR Akihabara Station
Hours:
depends on shops. Information Center: 11am – 5pm
Website:
http://www.akiba-cross.jp/english/index.html
3. Sofmap
Sofmap has 12 shops around Akihabara and the address below is main store’s address. Some stores have more specialty even than the main store such as Apple products, CDs or games, as well as a number of outlets for used products like used computers, cameras, CDs, and software.
Address:
4-1-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Access:
3mins walk from JR Akihabara Station
Hours: 10am – 9pm
Website: http://www.sofmap.com/ (Japanese only)
4. LAOX
Running three stores in Akihabara, including the Main Store and three other stores: Pocket Plus One about mobile products, Musicvox branch specializes in musical instruments and Asobitcity branch that sells hobby and game related products for otaku. All of these stores sell free-tax items (especially for foreign tourists).
Address:
1-2-9 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo
Access:
2mins walk from JR Akihabara Station Electronic Town Exit
Hours:
10am – 7pm
Website:
http://www.laox.co.jp/en/
5. Yamada Denki
Yamada Denki operates a “LABI” Akihabara PC Branch store, which specializes in personal computers, PC accessories, and household electronics.
LABI Akihabara PC Branch
Address:
1 Chome-15-8 Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Access:
right next to JR Akihabara Station
Hours:
10am – 10pm
Website:
http://www.yamada-denki.jp/ (Japanese only) or http://www.yamadalabi.com/akihabara/
6. Tokyo Anime Center
Tokyo Anime Center located on the 4th floor of UDX Building of Akihabara Crossfield. It hosts exhibitions and events related to anime, and of course, has a shop that sells toys, stationery, and other souvenirs, of anime / manga characters as well as figures.
Address:
Akihabara UDX 4F, 4-14-1 Sotokanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access:
2mins walk from JR Akihabara Station
Hours:
11am – 7pm
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays if Monday was a National holiday
Website:
http://www.animecenter.jp/ (Japanese Only)
7. Akihabara Gamers
Akihabara Gamers is the store best known for not selling goods from popular anime and manga, but also for seasonal favorite ones. They have a special area for limited-time widely popular anime, manga and games, so you can easily find out what’s on trend in Japan at the time. Besides comic books, manga, anime (collections, OST, etc.) games DVDs, Gamers also sells related merchandises such as stationaries, mug cups, clothing and so much more!
Name: AKihabara Gamers Hoten (Main Store)
Address:
1-14-7 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Takarada Building
Access:
1min walk from Akihabara Station, Electric Town Exit
Hours:
1st Floor 9am – 10pm, 2nd-7th Floor 10am – 9pm
Website:
http://www.anibro.jp/shop/2434/ (Japanese only)
8. Kotobukiya
5 floors of Kotobukiya is divided into specific areas. Of the first 3 floors, sell anime/ manga related merchandises, from daily accessories to figures and posters, etc. 4th floor offers a wide range of figures from non-manga characters, CDs, DVDs, and other supplies. 5th floor is the event space, which holds various events.
Address:
1-8-8, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access:
3mins walk from JR Akihabara Station
Hours:
10am – 8pm
Website:
http://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/
*Thumbnail image is from Wikipedia