5 Must-Visit Anime Districts in Tokyo
Japan and especially Tokyo are full of anime merchandise shops and various anime attractions. Whilst many of these are dispersed throughout Tokyo, a lot of Tokyo’s anime attractions are focused into various ‘anime districts’. These are towns or areas in Tokyo where there are tons of anime attractions all in one area, usually resulting in that are becoming quite famous amongst otakus. There are multiple anime districts and anime areas in Tokyo but in this article we are going to be showing you 5 of the main ones so you can enjoy as many anime activities as possible during your time in Tokyo. So if you’re an anime lover who is wanting to visit anime districts in Tokyo, make sure to keep reading!
1. Akihabara
Akihabara, also known as Akiba, is probably one of the most famous anime districts in Tokyo and is one of the most visited anime districts by anime and manga lovers. If you are wanting to go to an anime district in Tokyo, you are probably most wanting to go to Akihabara. In Akihabara there are tons of anime merchandise stores, Maid Cafes, cosplay stores, arcades and much more! It is the perfect place for all otakus and is the main place for Japanese anime and manga lovers to hang out. Once you go you will not want to leave because there is so much to do!
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, Akihabara has certainly taken a hit because of the decrease in tourists visiting the town. So if you are in Tokyo and you are looking for an anime district to visit in Tokyo, make sure you go to Akihabara and support the anime shops and cafes there!
Best Things to do in Akihabara:
- Buy anime merchandise: Visit animate, Mandarake, K-Books and various other anime merchandise stores.
- Visit the maid cafes: Experience a Japanese maid cafe in Akihabara and feel like you are in an anime!
- Visit the real life anime locations in Akihabara: Locations featured in Steins Gate, Love Live! and more! Read more here!
- Have fun at the Akihabara arcades: Visit SEGA arcades and various other arcades in Akihabara.
Extra Information:
Location
Access
Take the Chuo-Sobu Line from Shinjuku Station to Akihabara Station.
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2. Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is most well known for it’s amazing Pokemon Center ‘Pokemon Center MEGA Ikebukuro’ located inside Sunshine city. However the town has a lot more to offer anime fans than just the Pokemon Center. Ikebukuro is full of anime merchandise stores, anime collaboration cafes and various anime events. On top of this there are tons of cosplay and alternative fashion stores! It is also the area that hosts the annual ‘Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest’, where people from all over come to Ikebukuro and dress in cosplay. If shopping isn’t your thing, why not check out the various real life anime locations that are located here, including anime such as Durarara! The town is the perfect place to explore for all anime and manga lovers and you are guaranteed to find something fun going on here.
Best Things to do in Ikebukuro:
- Go shopping in Sunshine City: Pokemon Center, Studio Ghibli Store, Kiddy Land, anime gachapon etc.
- Explore Ikebukuro’s real life anime locations: Read more here!
- Go anime merchandise shopping: Animate, Mandarake etc.
Extra Information:
Location
Access
Take the Yamanote Line from Shinjuku Station to Ikebukuro Station.
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3. Nakano
Nakano is most famous for its department store ‘Nakano Broadway’. Nakano Broadway is full of anime, manga and cosplay stores and even sells vintage collectable items from various anime and manga. Due to this you can get some amazing collectable items for a very good price! On top of this, a lot of the shops in Nakano Broadway are independent shops so you can support small businesses that contribute to the anime and manga community. Whilst not all the shops in the department store are anime and manga themed, Nakano Broadway has certainly become famous amongst the anime and manga community in recent years. If you’re looking to buy some rare anime merchandise for a reasonable price, this is a must-visit anime district in Tokyo!
Best Things to do in Nakano Broadway:
- Visit Mandarake: Buy manga and take amazing pictures inside the store!
- Buy anime and manga collectables: Get your hands on anime figures, vintage anime merchandise and character goods.
- Eat amazing snacks: Rainbow ice cream, crepes and anime snacks!
Extra Information:
Location
Access
Take the Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to Nakano Station.
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4. Odaiba
Odaiba is a beautiful town that is located on the Tokyo Bay. Not only is it a beautiful location, it is full of amazing anime things to do! Odaiba is famous for its huge Gundam Statue, as well as the Gundam Cafe. It’s not only Gundam, but various other anime activities such as the Jump Shop, that sells anime merchandise from Jump anime, as well as Joypolis, which is an anime themed indoor theme park!
Odaiba is an amazing Anime district in Tokyo that allows you to go shopping, see an amazing view and also partake in various anime and manga activities. This is a must visit anime district, especially for Gundam fans!
Best Things to do in Odaiba:
- Visit the Gundam Cafe and Gundam Statue: The perfect places for Gundam fans.
- Buy Anime merchandise: Visit the Jump Store and other anime shops!
- Visit Joypolis: Enjoy the anime themed attractions at Joypolis.
Extra Information:
Location
Access
Take the Saikyo Line from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo Teleport Station.
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5. Shibuya
Shibuya is one of the most famous districts in Tokyo, but many people do not know that the town is also an anime district! Shibuya is full of anime merchandise stores, anime events and anime cafes! Shibuya is home to shops such as Animate, B-point store, BOX Collaboration Cafe and various other anime stores. This is the perfect anime district for everyone as you’re probably wanting to see the tourist sites in Shibuya anyway, so you can easily fit in anime activities to your travel plans by going here! If you’re looking for high quality anime merchandise, then Shibuya is definitely a must-visit anime district in Tokyo for you!
Best Things to do in Shibuya:
- Visit Animate Shibuya: Buy amazing anime merchandise
- Visit anime events: Shibuya is always home to various anime events, make sure to check out our instagram for up to date information on the events taking place!
Extra Information:
Location
Access
Take the Yamanote Line from Shinjuku Station to Shibuya Station.
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