# Akihabara: anime, games and events

Akihabara started out selling radio parts and electronics, and today it is the best-known district in Tokyo for anime, manga and games. Next to the shops it has event halls right by the station, where figure shows, anime exhibitions and fan events run most weekends, plus collab cafés and a shrine with its own anime following. The list below is updated daily with what is on in and around the area.

## What Akihabara is like

The heart of the district is Chuo-dori, the wide avenue running north from Manseibashi bridge, and the narrow streets on both sides of it. Shops here are stacked vertically: one slim building can hold figures on one floor, trading cards on the next and a café at the top. [Akihabara Radio Kaikan](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A7%8B%E8%91%89%E5%8E%9F%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B8%E3%82%AA%E4%BC%9A%E9%A4%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B01-15-16), right outside the station, is a tower of figure, hobby and card shops. [Mandarake Complex](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%81%BE%E3%82%93%E3%81%A0%E3%82%89%E3%81%91%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%97%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B03-11-12&query_place_id=ChIJm3WItR2MGGAR05t5cpt7U4w) is the place for second-hand manga and collectibles, [Gamers](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=AKIHABARA%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA%E6%9C%AC%E5%BA%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B01-14-7&query_place_id=ChIJS6eXQB2MGGAR9W0Xk2Q7B3Y) and [Animate](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%E7%A7%8B%E8%91%89%E5%8E%9F%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B04-3-1&query_place_id=ChIJAVf7lh2MGGARJylRnQ_3dpI) sell new goods and run release events, and [Yodobashi Akiba](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%83%A8%E3%83%89%E3%83%90%E3%82%B7Akiba%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E8%8A%B1%E5%B2%A1%E7%94%BA1-1) covers electronics.

Most events here are indoor and made for fans: exhibitions timed to a new anime season or an anniversary, figure and model showcases, signings, talk events and collab cafés that change their theme every few weeks. Weekdays are calm, and Sunday afternoons are the busiest.

- Shops now charge for plastic bags or skip them. Bring a sturdy tote for boxes and posters.

- → [Anime, manga and game events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/anime.md)
- → [Pop-up stores in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/pop-ups.md)
- → [Events in Chiyoda](https://eventstokyo.com/en/chiyoda.md)
- → [Pop Culture & Conventions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/pop-culture.md)

## Event halls: UDX, Belle Salle and the shop floors

[Akihabara UDX](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A7%8B%E8%91%89%E5%8E%9FUDX%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B04-14-1), the large building beside the station's Electric Town exit, is the main event address. Its second-floor event space, Akiba Square, hosts anime anniversary exhibitions, fan markets, corporate showcases and voice actor events, and UDX Theater is used for screenings and stage events. A short walk away, [Belle Salle Akihabara](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E7%A7%8B%E8%91%89%E5%8E%9F%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B03-12-8) has event halls on the ground floor and in the basement. In recent autumns Bandai Spirits has spread Tamashii Nation, its big showcase of collector figures from anime and tokusatsu series, across both buildings and its own Tamashii Nations Store.

Smaller events happen on shop floors. Stores such as Gamers and Animate have event spaces for signings, release events and small exhibitions, and [Kanda Myojin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E6%98%8E%E7%A5%9E%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B02-16-2) up the hill has its own hall and studio in the EDOCCO building. For popular shows, check the official page for 整理券 (numbered tickets) or 事前予約 (advance reservation) before you go, because walking in on the first weekend often does not work.

- Exhibitions usually end in a goods shop with limits per person. On opening days it often has its own queue.

- → [Anime, manga and game events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/anime.md)
- → [Comiket (Comic Market) in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/comiket.md)
- → [Pop Culture & Conventions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/pop-culture.md)
- → [Gaming & Game Shows events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/gaming.md)

## Maid cafés and collab cafés

At a maid café the staff, dressed as maids, welcome you as master or princess, decorate your food with drawings, and run small games or stage shows. The pricing works differently from a normal café. Most charge an entry or table fee per person, often counted per hour, on top of at least one order, and there is usually a time limit. Taking photos of the maids with your own phone is generally not allowed. Instead you can pay for a cheki, an instant photo with a maid of your choice. Touching staff or asking for their contacts is off limits everywhere.

People in costume hand out flyers along Chuo-dori and the side streets, and not all of them work for maid cafés. Some places are bars with a very different price structure, so pick a café that shows its menu and charges at the entrance. Collab cafés are another thing again: a café takes on one anime or game for a few weeks, with themed food and a random bonus item with each order. Akihabara has several permanent collab café spaces that change theme regularly, and popular titles need a booking for a time slot.

- Read the price board before you sit down: entry fee, time limit and minimum order are usually listed there.
- Collab café seats are booked in time slots, and arriving late can cost you the seat.

- → [Pop-up stores in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/pop-ups.md)
- → [Pop-up stores in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/pop-up.md)

## Sunday on Chuo-dori, retro games and arcades

On Sundays the stretch of Chuo-dori between the Sotokanda 5-chome and Manseibashi crossings, about 570 metres, usually closes to cars for the afternoon and becomes a pedestrian zone. It typically runs from 1pm until 6pm from April to September and until 5pm from October to March, and it is called off in rain, strong wind and over the New Year. Selling goods, street performances and riding a bike are not allowed inside the zone.

For retro games, [Super Potato](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%82%B9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9D%E3%83%86%E3%83%88%20%E7%A7%8B%E8%91%89%E5%8E%9F%E5%BA%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B01-11-2) fills several floors of a building off Chuo-dori with old consoles and cartridges and has a small retro arcade on the top floor where games cost 100 yen. [Hey](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Hey%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B01-10-5&query_place_id=ChIJlUSnDx2MGGARpBmTLzsBJV0), the Taito arcade on Chuo-dori, has been running since 2001 and is known for its rows of older video game cabinets next to rhythm and crane games. [Beep](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=BEEP%E7%A7%8B%E8%91%89%E5%8E%9F%E5%BA%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E7%B7%B4%E5%A1%80%E7%94%BA15-1&query_place_id=ChIJAQAM1x2MGGAR26DxNbknq80) specialises in retro games and old Japanese computers.

- Arcade machines take 100-yen coins. Arcades have change machines for 1,000-yen notes.
- Many older Japanese consoles and cartridges are region-specific. Check that a game will run on your system at home.

- → [Gaming & Game Shows events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/gaming.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## Kanda Myojin, getting there and nearby areas

[Kanda Myojin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E6%98%8E%E7%A5%9E%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B02-16-2) sits on the hill west of Akihabara, a walk of about ten minutes from Chuo-dori, and is the guardian shrine of Akihabara, Kanda and Nihonbashi. Its [Kanda Matsuri](https://kandamatsuri.com/) in mid-May is one of the three great festivals of old Edo, and the full version, with a long costumed procession and portable shrines through the neighbourhood, takes place in odd-numbered years. The shrine appears in Love Live and has run anime collaborations for years, with character ema and charms, and its EDOCCO cultural centre has a shop, a café and a hall for events. In the first working days of January, office groups come here to pray for business luck.

[JR Akihabara Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E7%A7%8B%E8%91%89%E5%8E%9F%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B01%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) is served by the Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku and Chuo-Sobu lines, and the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and the Tsukuba Express also stop here. [Suehirocho](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%20%E6%9C%AB%E5%BA%83%E7%94%BA%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B04-7-3) on the Ginza Line is handy for the north end of Chuo-dori, and [Ochanomizu](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E5%BE%A1%E8%8C%B6%E3%83%8E%E6%B0%B4%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E9%A7%BF%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%B02-6-1&query_place_id=ChIJ9QBS1xuMGGARiADthXBhlUI) is the closest station for Kanda Myojin. Ueno is a couple of stops north on the Yamanote Line, and Ikebukuro is the other big anime district if you want a second day. Most shops close in the evening, while arcades stay open late, so an event in the afternoon and an arcade or dinner afterwards is an easy plan.

- → [Matsuri in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/matsuri.md)
- → [Ikebukuro: anime, Sunshine City and open-air stages](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/ikebukuro.md)
- → [Ueno and Yanaka: museums, parks and old streets](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/ueno.md)
- → [New Year in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/new-year.md)
- → [Events in Chiyoda](https://eventstokyo.com/en/chiyoda.md)
- → [Matsuri & Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/matsuri.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Tamashii Nation 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tamashii-nation-2026-7938)** — Fri, Nov 13, 2026 – Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · Akihabara (Bellesalle/UDX) (Chiyoda) · Free entry
- **[Yushima Tenjin Plum Festival 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/yushima-tenjin-plum-festival-2027-7926)** — Mon, Feb 8, 2027 – Mon, Mar 8, 2027 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Shrine (Bunkyo) · Free entry
- **[Keroro Gunso Character Pop-Up Store (Akihabara)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/keroro-gunso-character-pop-up-store-akihabara)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 – Mon, Nov 23, 2026 (JST) · Bandai Namco Cross Store atre Akihabara (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[GA Bunko 20th Anniversary Pop-Up Shop](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/ga20pop-up-shop-2)** — Fri, Nov 6, 2026 – Sun, Nov 29, 2026 (JST) · Kotobukiya Akihabara Store 2F (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[Delicious in Dungeon TV Anime POP UP SHOP at Volks](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tv-pop-up-shop-in)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Mon, Nov 23, 2026 (JST) · Volks Akihabara Hobby Paradise 2 (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[“Bocchi the Rock!” Anime Pop-Up Shop: Winter 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/winter-2026)** — Fri, Nov 13, 2026 – Thu, Nov 26, 2026 (JST) · atre Akihabara 1 (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[CHAOS;HEAD NOAH and CHAOS;CHILD Pop-Up Shop at Gamers](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/chaoshead-noahchaoschild-pop-up-shop-in)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 – Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · AKIHABARA Gamers Main Store (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[Devil Connection 1st Anniversary Pop-Up Store](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/1st-anniversary-pop-up)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 – Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · AKIHABARA Gamers Main Store (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[TOPPA!!! BASE TV Anime [Oshi no Ko] Pop-Up Shop](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/toppa-base-tv-pop-up-shop)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · TOPPA!!! BASE AKIBA (ecute Akihabara) (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[ARC-FLAGS Pop-Up Corner](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/arc-flags-pop-up-corner)** — Fri, Nov 6, 2026 – Mon, Nov 23, 2026 (JST) · Kotobukiya Akihabara Store (Chiyoda) · Free entry
- **[Block Art Exhibition: AKIBA BRICK CREATIONS 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/akiba-brick-creations-2026)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 (JST) · Akihabara UDX 4F Gallery Next-1 (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[Natsuiro Kokorolog 10th Anniversary Pop-Up Shop](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/10th-anniversary-pop-up-shop)** — Sat, Nov 14, 2026 11:00 – Sun, Dec 6, 2026 (JST) · Eternal Toys AKIHABARA Event Space (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[The Nutcracker Concert with Toy Instrument Orchestra](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/the-nutcracker-concert-with-toy-instrument-orchestra)** — Wed, Nov 18, 2026 – Thu, Nov 19, 2026 (JST) · Ginza Lion Classic Hall (Chuo) · ¥6,050〜
- **[5th Croatia Film Festival - Doors Open 10 Minutes Before Screening, Contact Organizers in Advance for Wheelchair Access](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/5th-croatia-film-festival-doors-open-10)** — Fri, Nov 20, 2026 14:00 – Sat, Nov 21, 2026 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Hall B1 EDOCCO STUDIO (Chiyoda) · ¥500–¥9,000
- **[283 Production Pop-Up Shop: Smiles, Eternal Light](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/283production-pop-up-shop)** — Fri, Nov 27, 2026 – Sun, Dec 13, 2026 (JST) · Bushiroad Creative Store Akihabara Main Store (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[Animal Creators Expo Vol. 1](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/animal-creators-expo-vol1)** — Sat, Dec 19, 2026 11:00 – Sun, Dec 20, 2026 (JST) · AKIBA_SQUARE (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[Kusohamu-chan Pop-up Store](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/pop-up-store-19)** — Wed, Nov 4, 2026 10:00 – Tue, Nov 17, 2026 (JST) · ecute Akihabara 1F -AKIBA LINK- (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[Kikunoshin Totani](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/kikunoshin-totani)** — Sun, Nov 29, 2026 15:00 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Hall · ¥6,600〜¥8,800
- **[REBEL - Showdown -](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/rebel-showdown)** — Sat, Dec 19, 2026 14:00 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Hall · price on the official site
- **[Kyoka Moriya's Chakadan [One Day Only] Welcome to Kyon Cafe! Part 1 / Part 2](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/kyoka-moriyas-chakadan-one-day-only-welcome-to)** — Sat, Jan 23, 2027 13:00 (JST) · Akihabara Hundred 2 · price on the official site
- **[Under 29 Board Game Social Vol.10](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/u-29-vol10)** — Fri, Nov 20, 2026 19:30 (JST) · VILLENT Akihabara (Chiyoda) · ¥4,000
- **[TECH LEADERS FEST 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tech-leaders-fest-2026)** — Fri, Dec 18, 2026 14:00 (JST) · Ochanomizu Sola City Conference Center (Chiyoda) · ¥8,000
- **[Fine Festival 2026 – You Are Not Alone in Your Fertility Journey](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/fine2026)** — Sun, Nov 29, 2026 (JST) · Urbannet Kanda Conference (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[Intermediate Training: 'The Four Tasks and the Tree of Motivational Interviewing' (Tokyo, 2-Day Program, December 2026)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/4mi-2days-202612)** — Sat, Dec 5, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Akihabara East 3F (Taito) · ¥33,000
- **[The Autonomic Nervous System Unveiled (TOTONIX 2027: Chapter One)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/totonix-2027)** — Sun, Nov 22, 2026 11:00 (JST) · Akihabara UDX (Chiyoda) · ¥7,700
- **[October 25: NSA Special Lecture - Exploring the Mysterious Properties of Dry Ice](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/1025-nsa)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 14:00 (JST) · Narika Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda) · Free entry
- **[Women Only: Kunio Yasue – Happiness Through Listening! Wisdom of the Onmyoji and Brain Science Expert (Nov 8 in Kanda)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/women-only-kunio-yasue-happiness-through-listening)** — Sun, Nov 8, 2026 14:00 (JST) · Essam Kanda Hall No.1 (Chiyoda) · ¥10,000
- **[[In-Person Event] Security Experts Explain! Comparative Seminar on Vulnerability Assessment Tools](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/in-person-event-security-experts-explain-comparative-seminar-on)** — Thu, Nov 12, 2026 15:30 (JST) · Kanda Square (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[Idolish7 'Colors of Japan: Nanairo Days'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/idolish7-colors-of-japan-nanairo-days)** — Fri, Oct 9, 2026 – Wed, Oct 28, 2026 (JST) · Nihon Hyakkaten Shokuhinkan · Free entry
- **[Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas x Power Word Villains Pop-Up Shops at SATELLITE Akihabara](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/satellite2pop-up-storedisney-929)** — Tue, Sep 29, 2026 11:00 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Akihabara Station East-West Free Passage (Chiyoda) · Free entry

Showing 30 of 54.

## Questions people ask

**When is the Akihabara pedestrian zone?**
On Sunday afternoons, usually from 1pm to 6pm between April and September and to 5pm between October and March. It is cancelled in bad weather and over the New Year.

**How much does a maid café cost?**
Most charge an entry fee per person, often per hour, plus at least one order, so a short visit costs more than a normal café. The prices are usually posted at the entrance, and photos with a maid cost extra.

**Can I take photos in maid cafés and Akihabara shops?**
Photos of maid café staff with your own camera are generally not allowed, but you can buy an instant photo with them. Many shops and arcades also ban photos, so look for a sign or ask.

**When is the Kanda Matsuri?**
In mid-May. The full festival with the big procession is held in odd-numbered years, and a smaller programme runs in even-numbered years.

**What kind of events are held in Akihabara?**
Anime exhibitions, figure shows such as Tamashii Nation, release events, signings and collab cafés. The giant conventions like Comiket are held at Tokyo Big Sight, not in Akihabara itself.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/akihabara