Akihabara, popularly known as Akiba
Beginning its existence as a center of postwar black-market activity, Akihabara later became the showcase of Japanese tech, jam-packed with shops selling all kinds of electronics and IT to the world. More recently, it has also become the cultural home to the diehard fans of gaming, manga and anime—the otaku. The area is an urban temple for worshippers of Japanese subcultures with pop idols, and cosplayers. Stroll Akihabara’s avenues for a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.
Whether you like anime or not, it’s a great place to spend a few hours. The crazy colorful multi-story stores, maids on the street, and hole-in-the-wall cafes and restaurants will give you an experience you will never forget.
Akihabara developed as an electric town
Akihabara, now known as a sacred place for otaku, developed as a black market in post-World War II Japan, and later developed into one of the world’s leading electronics districts with stores selling a wide variety of electronic devices, parts (hardware), and software as the country experienced rapid economic growth.
Subculture Revolution - Otaku's Playground
Otaku culture, with its focus on subcultures such as games, manga, figures, and anime, has its roots in Akihabara. For example, Akihabara Radio Kaikan and the Akiba Culture Zone are home to many stores specializing in anime, manga, and games. The shelves of the Gundam Cafe are lined with character goods, and Tokyo Leisure Land has Gachapon, a gachapon with capsule toys, and other fun things that are typical of Akihabara.
Akihabara is known for its underground idols.
Akihabara is home to another hallmark of Japanese pop culture: underground idols. the AKB48 Theater is the birthplace of one of the most popular music groups in recent years, AKB48. There are many idol theaters in Akihabara, and the theaters are small, allowing you to see your favorite members up close and personal. You also get a chance to shake hands with them.
You can't miss the maid cafes.
A maid café is a coffee shop where the staff dressed as maids serve customers as if they were their masters. There are also cafes with a stage where you can watch live performances by idols. On the street, many maids advertise their cafes. The service concept varies from “healing” themed cafes to “moe” themed cafes. Communication with the maids is also one of the attractions.
A cosplay restaurant for geeks
It is a restaurant where the staff dress up in cosplay to serve customers, adopting the subculture of manga and anime, especially otaku culture. In recent years, in addition to anime and game cosplay and maid uniforms, stores have emerged that use a variety of costumes as seifuku, such as shrine maidens, sisters, high school girls, gothic lolita, ninjas, etc., and have their own unique worldview.
