Location
Akihabara is the major market for electronics in Tokyo. It is bustling, busy and fun to watch, and has been around already since the world war II. Due to increased competition from denser hubs such as Shinjuku and Ikebukuro however, Akihabara can no longer claim exclusive rights to the title of the city’s electronics centre, yet it is still quite the scene. And it is also the place where many products are still market tested so wandering around the market might give you an idea of what will be coming up two years hence. In more recent years, Akihabara has gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture, and many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district. Icons from popular anime and manga are displayed prominently on the shops in the area, and numerous maid cafés are found throughout the district.
Akihabara is centered around Akihabara Station, located on the JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, and Chuo Local lines. Just take the conveniently labeled private://Akihabara Electric Townprivate:// exit to be dropped into the middle of the action. Akihabara is also the terminal of the Tsukuba Express Line, which runs to Tsukuba and other stations in Ibaraki and northern Chiba prefectures. (45 minutes to/from Tsukuba via kaisoku) Getting to Akihabara by subway is also quite easy as there is station right in Akihabara.
Most of the stores open between 9-11 and close between 19-23.
