"OTAKU" Tour
Let's discover the exciting Japanese pop culture of anime, games, and all sorts of J-pop using the JR Yamanote Line!
- 10:00
- Akihabara: Tokyo Anime Center
- 12:00
- Akihabara: Maid cafes
- 14:00
- Akihabara: Gee! Store Akiba
- 15:30
- Tokyo: Tokyo Character Street
- 17:00
- Shibuya: CD shops
- 18:00
- Harajuku: Takeshita Street
10:00
Go to Akihabara, the famous mecca for otaku
There's no place like Akihabara! After checking out the overwhelming number of electric products at Yodobashi Camera, go to the Tokyo Anime Center in the UDX building just in front of Akihabara Station. The shop is filled with information and goods to please all types of anime freaks. You will find all your favorites from the well-known works to the latest works.
on foot
12:00
Visit the "Eccentric" Cafes!
"Welcome back, Honey!" The waitresses in French maid outfits welcome you with a bright and alluring smile at a "maid cafe," a unique place to have lunch. After lunch, relax at the "Gandam Cafe" and partake of one of their extremely original menu items or at one of the manga cafes and read manga as long as you like.
on foot
14:00
Check Anime Goods and Costumes!
If you want to pick up a few anime souvenirs, try the Gee! Store Akiba for T-shirts and a wide variety of goods with anime characters. Naruto and Evangelion are popular even among adults. They also have costumes for cosplay.
3 minutes from Akihabara to Tokyo by JR Yamanote Line
15:30
Tokyo Character Street
Soon after stepping through the underground exit gates on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station, you will see Tokyo Character Street. There is a street full of shops selling popular character goods of Studio Ghibli's movies, Ultraman, Snoopy, and Hello Kitty as well as "JUMP SHOP" where One Piece goods are sold. It's difficult to make a choice. Which characters do you like best?
20 minutes from Tokyo to Shibuya by JR Yamanote Line
17:00
Let's find your favorite J-pop
Next, let's check out Tower Records, the huge music store. They have a huge selection of CDs of J-pop, enka (Japanese ballads) and overseas artists. There are many listening corners and the clerks are quite knowledgeable. They are very good at helping you find what you're looking for.
3 minutes from Shibuya to Harajuku by JR Yamanote Line
18:00
Takeshita Street
Takeshita Street is alive with many young people shopping for the latest trends and you can see many photos of teen pop stars. If you are a Johnny fan, don't miss "Johnny's Shop". Another unforgettable experience is shopping at "Kiddy Land," the internationally known Japanese toy store chain that sells many only-in-Japan items. (Now, Kiddy Land is currently under reconstruction but the temporary store is open in Ura-Harajuku area.)
Tips～Other Special Anime Spots
- Suginami Animation Museum (JR Chuo Line Ogikubo Station)
- Toei Animation Gallery(Seibu Ikebukuro Line Oizumi-gakuen Station)
- Ghibli Museum, Mitaka(JR Chuo Line Mitaka Station/Kichijoji Station)