# Things to do in Nakano: Nakano Broadway, izakaya and parks

Things to do in Nakano start with Nakano Broadway, a 1960s shopping complex full of second-hand manga, figures and retro toys, but the streets around it are just as good for an evening: a covered shopping arcade, lanes of small izakaya and a park that hosts festivals and flea markets. It is about five minutes from Shinjuku on the Chuo Line. The list below is updated daily with festivals, markets, concerts and plays in and around Nakano.

## What Nakano is like

Nakano is a residential ward just west of Shinjuku, and most of what visitors come for lies within ten minutes of the [north exit of Nakano Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E9%A7%85%20%E5%8C%97%E5%8F%A3%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E5-31-1&query_place_id=ChIJAd2PRJHyGGARrOFDaTPF6Us). Straight ahead is [Nakano Sun Mall](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E3%82%B5%E3%83%B3%E3%83%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E5%95%86%E5%BA%97%E8%A1%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E5%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE), a covered shopping street of about 220 metres with more than a hundred shops, and at its far end stands [Nakano Broadway](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E3%83%96%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A7%E3%82%A4%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E5-52-15). On both sides of Sun Mall, narrow lanes such as [Fureai Road](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E3%81%B5%E3%82%8C%E3%81%82%E3%81%84%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E5%95%86%E5%BA%97%E8%A1%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E5%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) and [Showa Shindo](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%AD%E5%92%8C%E6%96%B0%E9%81%93%E5%95%86%E5%BA%97%E8%A1%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E5%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) are packed with izakaya, yakitori counters, ramen shops and small bars, which makes Nakano one of the easiest places in west Tokyo for a cheap night out.

The area by the station is changing. Nakano Sunplaza, the 2,222-seat hall that opened in 1973 and was known for decades as a landmark stage for Japanese pop concerts, closed in July 2023. The first redevelopment plan fell through in 2025 as building costs rose, and the ward is now revising it, aiming for a new centre for culture and the arts that carries on Sunplaza's role, with completion expected in the mid-2030s. At the station itself, a new west gate with a passage across the tracks and a new station building are due to open in December 2026, but the decks and plazas around it will be finished step by step until about 2029, so construction fences will stay for a while.

- → [Events in Nakano](https://eventstokyo.com/en/nakano.md)

## Nakano Broadway and Mandarake

[Nakano Broadway](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E3%83%96%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A7%E3%82%A4%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E5-52-15) opened in 1966 as one of Japan's first buildings to put shops and apartments together, and people still live on the floors above. About 200 shops fill the basement to the fourth floor. The basement and ground floor are everyday food, clothing and household shops, while the second to fourth floors are where collectors go: second-hand manga, anime cels, figures, retro toys and games, idol goods, trading cards and model kits. The building is also known for a dense cluster of watch dealers selling vintage and luxury pieces.

Mandarake opened its first tiny shop here in 1980 and now runs more than thirty specialist sections around the building, each with its own focus, from cosplay and trading cards to anime goods and music. [Mandarake's Nakano shops](https://www.mandarake.co.jp/dir/nkn/) open at noon every day, and most other hobby shops keep similar hours, so a morning visit finds many shutters down. Weekday afternoons are the calmest time to browse.

- Prices in second-hand shops are fixed. Haggling is not part of the deal.
- Ask before taking photos inside shops. Many do not allow pictures of their stock.
- The building's entrances close late at night, so the shortcut through it only works by day.

- → [Anime, manga and game events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/anime.md)
- → [Akihabara: anime, games and events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/akihabara.md)
- → [Shopping in Tokyo: where to go for what](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shopping.md)
- → [Events in Nakano](https://eventstokyo.com/en/nakano.md)
- → [Pop Culture & Conventions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/pop-culture.md)

## Nakano's parks and the festival year

A few minutes north of the station, [Nakano Shiki no Mori Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%9B%9B%E5%AD%A3%E3%81%AE%E6%A3%AE%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E4-13) and the office towers of [Nakano Central Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%AB%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E4-10-2) opened in 2012 on the site of a former police academy. The open plaza of the park and Park Avenue, the tree-lined walkway between the towers, have become Nakano's main event ground, and most of the area's festivals happen here.

The MOTTAINAI flea market regularly sets out up to 300 stalls on Park Avenue at weekends, and in summer a barbecue beer garden opens there. In early August the Nakano Ekimae Dai Bon Odori, held since 2013, brings a big bon-odori dance to Park Avenue. The Nakano Champuru Festival, running since 2005, is an Okinawan festival with eisa drum dancing, music and food around the north side of the station, and it has recently moved from summer to autumn because of the heat. In autumn the park also fills with food festivals, from ramen to roasted sweet potatoes.

- Flea market and festival stalls are usually cash only. Bring coins and a bag for what you buy.
- Park events are mostly free to enter. You pay for food, drink and anything you take home.

- → [Flea, antique and craft markets in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flea-markets.md)
- → [Summer festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/summer-festivals.md)
- → [Food festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/food-festivals.md)
- → [Beer gardens and beer festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/beer-gardens.md)
- → [Events in Nakano](https://eventstokyo.com/en/nakano.md)
- → [Flea & Antique Markets events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/markets.md)
- → [Food & Drink events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/food-drink.md)

## Concerts, plays and an evening out

[Nakano Zero](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%81%AA%E3%81%8B%E3%81%AEZERO%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E2-9-7), about eight minutes on foot from the south exit, is the ward's cultural centre, with a large hall of about 1,300 seats, a small hall of about 500 and a planetarium. Its programme runs from classical concerts, ballet and amateur orchestras to comedy, theatre and children's musicals, and it holds a classical music festival in autumn. Nakano also has small fringe theatres such as [The Pocket](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BB%E3%83%9D%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E3-22-8) and [Terpsichore](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%83%86%E3%83%AB%E3%83%97%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E), where new plays and dance pieces run for a few days at a time.

A good evening here goes like this: Broadway in the afternoon, then the lanes around Sun Mall for yakitori or ramen and a drink at a small bar. Many izakaya have only a counter and a few tables and fill up on Friday nights, so go early or be ready to try two or three. Trains run until around midnight, and Shinjuku is only a few minutes away if you want to carry on.

- Cash still helps in the smaller izakaya and bars around the station.
- Check which exit is closest to your venue: north for Broadway and the parks, south for Nakano Zero.

- → [How an izakaya works: a first-timer's guide](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/izakaya.md)
- → [Concerts in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/concerts.md)
- → [What to eat in Tokyo and how to order it](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/what-to-eat.md)
- → [Events in Nakano](https://eventstokyo.com/en/nakano.md)
- → [Concerts in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/concerts.md)
- → [Tonight in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/tonight.md)

## Getting there and nearby

[Nakano Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8E5-31-1&query_place_id=ChIJC17HspbyGGARpEmAXIoZPzQ) is on the JR Chuo Line, with both rapid and local trains, and the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, which runs through to Otemachi and Nihonbashi. From Shinjuku the Chuo rapid takes about five minutes. Koenji, with its vintage shops, live houses and the huge Awa Odori dance festival in late August, is the next stop west. On weekends and public holidays Chuo rapid trains do not stop at Koenji, so take the yellow Chuo-Sobu local for that one stop.

Further west on the same line are Kichijoji and [Inokashira Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BA%95%E3%81%AE%E9%A0%AD%E6%81%A9%E8%B3%9C%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%AD%A6%E8%94%B5%E9%87%8E%E5%B8%82%E5%BE%A1%E6%AE%BF%E5%B1%B11-18-31), and to the east Shinjuku has Golden Gai, Kabukicho and the free observatory of the Metropolitan Government Building. For new anime goods and big stores rather than second-hand finds, Akihabara is about half an hour away on the Chuo-Sobu Line. Put together, Nakano, Koenji and Kichijoji make an easy day along the Chuo Line.

- → [Koenji: punk live houses, vintage and Awa Odori](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/koenji.md)
- → [Kichijoji: Inokashira Park, live music and yokocho](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kichijoji.md)
- → [Things to do in Shinjuku: bars, Kabukicho and free views](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shinjuku.md)
- → [Anime, manga and game events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/anime.md)
- → [Events in Nakano](https://eventstokyo.com/en/nakano.md)
- → [Events in Suginami](https://eventstokyo.com/en/suginami.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Roasted Sweet Potato Festival TOKYO 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tokyo-2026-5)** — Fri, Oct 30, 2026 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · Nakano Shikinomori Park (Nakano) · Free entry
- **[Nakano Central Park 'MOTTAINAI' Event](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mottainai)** — Tue, Nov 3, 2026 (JST) · Nakano Central Park (Nakano) · Free entry
- **[Sachiko Shiina](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/sachiko-shiina)** — Mon, Nov 2, 2026 15:00 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Small Hall (Nakano) · ¥9,000–¥12,000
- **[Carlos Toshiki 40th Anniversary Live Tour 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/40-carlos-toshiki-40th-anniversary-live-tour-2026)** — Fri, Dec 4, 2026 18:00 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Main Hall (Nakano) · ¥7,700–¥11,000
- **[62nd Japanese Court Music Society Gagaku Performance](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/62nd-japanese-court-music-society-gagaku-performance)** — Mon, Oct 26, 2026 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Small Hall (Nakano) · ¥3,000
- **[Ureshino Tea Garden](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/ureshino-tea-garden)** — Wed, Oct 28, 2026 – Tue, Nov 3, 2026 (JST) · Nakano Marui · price on the official site
- **[MOCHI CREAM Pop-Up Shop (1st Floor)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mochi-cream)** — Wed, Oct 28, 2026 – Tue, Nov 3, 2026 (JST) · Nakano Marui · price on the official site
- **[Butt Detective Birthday Party 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/butt-detective-birthday-party-2026)** — Tue, Nov 3, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Nakanoba & Naka no Sotonowa (Nakano) · Free entry
- **[Sheep Festival 2026 at Nakano Antenna Street](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/sheep-festival-2026-at-nakano-antenna-street)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 11:00 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · Nakano Central Park (Nakano) · Free entry
- **[ARTE Y SOLERA New Performance: 'Errantes – The Wanderers'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/arte-y-soleraerrantes)** — Thu, Nov 19, 2026 – Fri, Nov 20, 2026 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Hall, Small Hall (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Shunputei Shota & Yanagiya Sansan with Tablet Jun New Year Special Performance [Daytime]](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/with-9)** — Wed, Jan 6, 2027 13:00 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Main Hall (Nakano) · ¥4,000
- **[Shunpūtei Ichinosuke, Ichizō, and Ikka Sibling Showcase: New Year Special Evening Performance](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/shunputei-ichinosuke-ichizo-and-ikka-sibling-showcase-new-year-special)** — Wed, Jan 6, 2027 18:30 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Main Hall (Nakano) · ¥4,000
- **[New Year's Rakugo Performance by Sansa Yanagiya and Kenko Sanyutei](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/new-years-rakugo-performance-by-sansa-yanagiya-and-kenko-sanyutei)** — Thu, Jan 7, 2027 13:30 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Small Hall (Nakano) · ¥3,500
- **[Nakano Central Park MOTTAINAI Flea Market (January)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mottainai1)** — Sat, Jan 16, 2027 – Sun, Jan 17, 2027 (JST) · Nakano Central Park Park Avenue (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Non-Destructive Inspection Presents: BS Nippon Heartfelt Songs Special Concert Tokyo 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/presents-bs-2027)** — Tue, Feb 9, 2027 18:30 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Main Hall (Nakano) · ¥8,000
- **[Wadaiko Akatsuki Concert 2027: Harmony of Japanese Sounds](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/wadaiko-akatsuki-concert-2027-harmony-of-japanese-sounds)** — Mon, Jan 11, 2027 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Small Hall (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Nana Produce Vol.30 “It’s Not Over Yet” 20th Anniversary Performance Part 5](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/nana-produce-vol30-nana-produce-20-5)** — Wed, Dec 2, 2026 19:00 – Sat, Dec 5, 2026 (JST) · Nakano The Pocket (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Rabbit Troupe 40: The Ant and the Sun](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/rabbit-troupe-40-the-ant-and-the-sun)** — Wed, Oct 28, 2026 – Tue, Nov 3, 2026 (JST) · Nakano Studio Actre (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Dansho Tachikawa Monthly Solo Rakugo Performance Vol. 284: Year-End Special](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/dansho-tachikawa-monthly-solo-rakugo-performance-vol-284)** — Tue, Dec 8, 2026 19:15 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Small Hall (Nakano) · ¥3,800〜
- **[Solo Rakugo Performance by Yanagiya Kohune: Mastering the Classics, Part 2](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/solo-rakugo-performance-by-yanagiya-kohune-mastering-the)** — Fri, Nov 27, 2026 18:45 (JST) · Nakano Performing Arts Small Theater (Nakano) · ¥2,100
- **[Koman Yanagiya: Long and Short Storytelling Session – Full Performance of 'Kojizawa' Plus a Rare Sequel (Kojizawa I & II) and Short Stories](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/iii-3)** — Sun, Jan 31, 2027 13:30 (JST) · Nakano Performing Arts Small Theater (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Mima and Futatsume Fourth Year: New Material Showcase – Taking on Challenging Routines! Guest: Azumi Hayashiya with Talk Session](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mima-and-futatsume-fourth-year-new-material-showcase-taking)** — Mon, Nov 9, 2026 18:45 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Small Hall (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Eleki Comic 36th Performance: Milk & Beer](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/36milk-beer)** — Thu, Nov 26, 2026 19:00 – Sun, Nov 29, 2026 (JST) · Nakano The Pocket (Nakano) · ¥6,000〜
- **[Sanyutei Kenko Weekday Afternoon Solo Performance in March – With Guest Performer (One Act)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/sanyutei-kenko-weekday-afternoon-solo-performance-in-march)** — Wed, Mar 3, 2027 14:00 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Small Hall (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Aomori Gourmet Fair](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/aomori-gourmet-fair)** — Tue, Oct 27, 2026 – Sat, Nov 7, 2026 (JST) · Nakano Marui · price on the official site
- **[7th Irifune-tei Senshichi Solo Performance: 'Mourning Dress Hostess Club - Written by Sanyutei Wanjou' and More](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/7th-irifune-tei-senshichi-solo-performance-mourning-dress-hostess)** — Sun, Nov 15, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Nakano Performing Arts Small Theater (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Sanyutei Kenko February Weekday Afternoon Solo Rakugo Performance (featuring one junior guest act)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/sanyutei-kenko-february-weekday-afternoon-solo-rakugo-performance)** — Tue, Feb 16, 2027 14:00 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Small Hall (Nakano) · price on the official site
- **[Nakano Central Park 1025](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/nakano-central-park-1025)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Nakano Central Park (Nakano) · Free entry
- **[Getters Iida's Fortune Telling: Happiness in Full Bloom! Public Talk and Recording Event](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/getters-iidas-fortune-telling-happiness-in-full-bloom-public-talk)** — Sat, Nov 14, 2026 19:15 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Main Hall (Nakano) · ¥3,000〜
- **[Errantes: Wanderers – On the Endless Road to Freedom](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/errantes-por-los-caminos-de-la-libertad)** — Thu, Nov 19, 2026 19:00 – Fri, Nov 20, 2026 (JST) · Nakano ZERO Small Hall (Nakano) · ¥8,000〜

Showing 30 of 47.

## Questions people ask

**What is Nakano Broadway known for?**
Second-hand manga, figures, retro toys, idol goods, trading cards and vintage watches on the second to fourth floors, including more than thirty Mandarake sections.

**What time does Nakano Broadway open?**
The building opens in the morning, but most hobby shops, including Mandarake, open around noon and close in the evening. Go after lunch.

**How do I get to Nakano from Shinjuku?**
Take the JR Chuo Line, about five minutes on a rapid train. Use the north exit for Sun Mall and Nakano Broadway.

**Is Nakano Sunplaza still open?**
No. The hall closed in July 2023, and the ward is revising its redevelopment plan for the site, with a new culture and arts centre in mind.

**Is Nakano better than Akihabara for anime shopping?**
For second-hand and rare items, Nakano Broadway is often more fun to dig through. For new releases, big stores and events, Akihabara has more.

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