Family Travel Guide: Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan – Anime, Arcades & Easy Day Out With Kids
Akihabara is Tokyo’s electric town – a bright, buzzy neighborhood packed with anime shops, arcade floors, capsule toy walls and giant electronics stores. It looks intense at first glance, but with a simple plan it becomes one of the easiest “wow” days for families in Tokyo.
This guide treats Akihabara as a full family day (or two) from your Tokyo base. You’ll find real-world links to official tourism pages, kid friendly shops, and tours – plus embedded affiliate links to stays, flights, and travel insurance so you can book what you need as you read.
Quick links for busy parents
Open these in new tabs so you can book things as you go.
- Official Akihabara guide: Go Tokyo – A guide to Akihabara
- Local tourist info: Akihabara Tourism Information
- Family hotels near Akihabara: compare stays on Booking.com (Akihabara & central Tokyo)
- Flights into Tokyo: check fares to Haneda and Narita with Booking.com Flights
- Car rentals (for Japan side trips): if you plan to drive beyond Tokyo, reserve through Booking.com Car Rentals
- Akihabara & anime tours: browse Akihabara and anime themed tours on Viator
- Tokyo family day tours: see more options at Tokyo family tours on Viator
- Travel insurance: check flexible family cover from SafetyWing
Tip: keep this guide open next to your Booking.com, Viator, and SafetyWing tabs. When something feels like a yes, book it and move on.
At a glance: Akihabara with kids
- Best for: Kids, tweens, and teens who love anime, gaming, gadgets, or just bright city energy.
- Plan for: One full Akihabara day plus an optional second half day if your crew is obsessed.
- Nearest station: Akihabara Station on the JR Yamanote Line, Keihin–Tohoku Line, Sobu Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, and Tsukuba Express.
- Approximate coordinates: around 35.698° N, 139.773° E for Akihabara Station and main shopping streets.
Where Akihabara is and how to get there
Akihabara sits in central Tokyo, northeast of Tokyo Station and just south of Ueno. On a map, look for the cluster of streets around Akihabara Station and the bridge over the Kanda River.
- From Shinjuku: about 18 minutes via JR Sobu Line or a quick transfer using the JR Yamanote Line.
- From Shibuya: ride the JR Yamanote Line around the loop to Akihabara.
- From Tokyo Station: just a few minutes on the JR Yamanote Line or Keihin–Tohoku Line.
Use IC cards like Suica or PASMO so you can glide through ticket gates without thinking about individual tickets. Older kids usually love tapping themselves in and out.
Why Akihabara works for families
Akihabara is intense, but it is also compact and easy to structure into short loops with clear meeting points. Most of the big-name shops and arcades are within a few minutes’ walk of Akihabara Station, and you can break the day into blocks of “looking,” “playing,” and “snacks” so kids don’t burn out.
You also get a very “this is Japan” feeling in one neighborhood: neon signs, anime characters in windows, walls of capsule toys, high tech gadgets, and themed cafés. That makes Akihabara ideal as one of your “wow” days if you are only in Tokyo for a short time.
Family friendly things to do in Akihabara
1. Wander the main streets from the station
Start by exiting Akihabara Station toward the electric town side and just walking. Look up at the giant signs, listen to the music spilling out of stores, and let kids get used to the visuals before you dive inside anywhere.
Pick a clear meeting point near the station (for example, a specific entrance or statue) and remind everyone where to come back if you get separated in the crowd for a minute.
2. Explore electronics megastores and camera shops
Akihabara grew up as a hub for electronics, and giant stores still anchor the neighborhood. The biggest name is Yodobashi Akiba, a multi-story electronics and toy paradise across the river from the main streets.
- Head for the floors with toys, games, cameras, or hobby gear – you could spend hours just looking.
- Use this time to pick up practical items too: travel adapters, SD cards, headphones, or power banks.
3. Anime, figures, and collectibles at Radio Kaikan and friends
For anime and figure fans, the classic stop is Akihabara Radio Kaikan, a tall building packed with small specialty shops selling character goods, figures, model kits, and more.
- Move floor by floor and let kids point out favorite shows or characters.
- Give each child a small budget so they can choose one or two special items rather than asking for everything.
You can also search out other anime-heavy buildings, including multi-tenant spots in the Akihabara Tourism Information recommendations.
4. Arcades and rhythm games
Akihabara’s game centers are an attraction all by themselves. Many include claw machines, medal games, rhythm games, and full arcade floors. Look for well-known chains and multistory arcades near the main intersections.
- Start with a single floor and set a time and budget – for example, one hour and a certain number of coins.
- Play co-op or side-by-side games so the experience feels shared instead of everyone scattered.
5. Gachapon (capsule toy) hunting
One of the easiest, low-cost thrills in Akihabara is the wall of capsule machines known as gachapon. A good place to see many styles in one hit is Akihabara Gachapon Hall, filled with rows of themed capsule toys.
- Let kids each pick a couple of machines that match their interests.
- Use capsule toys as rewards for making it through less kid-focused stops earlier in the trip.
6. Themed cafés (with realistic expectations)
Akihabara is known for its themed cafés, including maid cafés and anime cafés. These can be fun for older kids and teens if everyone understands the concept ahead of time.
- Look for family appropriate options recommended by the Akihabara Tourism Information site.
- Expect a cover charge or time limit at some cafés, and be ready to bail if it feels too intense for your youngest.
7. AKB48 Theater and idol culture (for music fans)
Pop idol groups are a huge part of modern Japanese pop culture. In Akihabara, the most iconic name is AKB48, whose home base is the AKB48 Theater in the area.
Even if you don’t attend a show, walking past the theater and nearby shops gives teens and music lovers a glimpse into idol culture that they might only have seen online.
8. Guided anime and Akihabara tours
If you want someone else to manage the navigation, language, and time limits, consider a guided small group tour. You can filter anime and Akihabara-focused walks on Viator’s Akihabara tour listings.
Look for tours that limit group size and mention kid or teen-friendly pacing. Use reviews to double check that the mix of shops and cafés matches your family’s comfort level.
Where to eat around Akihabara
You don’t have to overthink meals here. Focus on easy wins and kid-friendly menus, then build your day around your chosen food spots.
1. Department store food floors and chains
- Inside and around Akihabara Station you’ll find branches of familiar chains and cafés – perfect for quick breakfasts or coffee breaks.
- Look for family restaurants and casual chains where menus have photos or plastic food displays, so ordering is stress-free.
2. Ramen and curry
Many kids and teens fall in love with simple Japanese staples like ramen and curry rice. Look for smaller local shops or well-known chains clustered along the side streets.
- For ramen, choose shops with milder broth options if your kids aren’t used to spice.
- For curry, ask staff to recommend non-spicy versions for younger children.
3. Convenience store snacks & drinks
When everyone’s energy dips, duck into a convenience store (7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart) for onigiri, sandwiches, fruit, and drinks. They’re your backup plan if crowds or queues are too much.
Where to stay for an Akihabara-focused Tokyo trip
Most families use Akihabara as a day trip from a central Tokyo base like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, or Tokyo Station. But staying near Akihabara can be handy if your crew is deeply into anime and gaming.
Central Tokyo hotels with easy access to Akihabara
Start by opening Booking.com stays for Tokyo and filtering for neighborhoods like Akihabara, Kanda, Ueno, or Tokyo Station.
- Look for family rooms, twin layouts, or triple rooms with extra beds.
- Check walking time to the nearest JR or Metro station.
- Prioritize non-smoking rooms and higher floors for quieter nights.
Pair your stay with flights and onward travel
Once you’ve found a hotel, match it with flights and any potential side trips:
- Use Booking.com Flights to check routes into Haneda or Narita.
- If you’re planning to rent a car for travel outside Tokyo, reserve via Booking.com Car Rentals so everything stays under one login.
- Make sure your travel insurance (for example, SafetyWing) covers electronics, cameras, and gaming devices your kids may be carrying.
Sample 1–2 day Akihabara itinerary with kids
Day 1 – Classic Akihabara loop
- Morning: Ride the JR Yamanote Line or Metro to Akihabara Station. Take a slow first walk through the main streets so everyone can get comfortable with the crowds and visuals.
- Late morning: Head to Yodobashi Akiba for electronics, toys, and camera browsing. Keep an eye out for anything you genuinely need for the rest of your trip.
- Lunch: Pick a simple family-friendly restaurant near the station or inside a station complex.
- Afternoon: Dive into Akihabara Radio Kaikan and other anime buildings. Let everyone choose one or two souvenirs.
- Late afternoon: Finish with arcade time and a stop at Akihabara Gachapon Hall for capsule toys.
Optional Day 2 – Tours and themed cafés
- Morning: Join a small-group anime or Akihabara-focused walk booked through Viator. Let the guide handle navigation and language.
- Lunch: Try a themed café that feels appropriate for your kids’ ages, using guidance from Akihabara Tourism Information.
- Afternoon: Head back to your hotel or onward neighborhood – Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Odaiba, and Asakusa all connect easily from Akihabara.
Family tips for Akihabara and central Tokyo
- Sensory load: Akihabara is bright, loud, and busy. Plan regular quiet breaks in cafés or back streets, and consider noise-reducing headphones for sensitive kids.
- Money management: Decide a clear souvenir budget for figures, plushies, and gachapon before you arrive.
- Safety: Tokyo is generally very safe, but always set a meeting point and teach kids to stay put if they get separated rather than walking around to look for you.
- Backup day plan: If Akihabara feels overwhelming, you can pivot to nearby Ueno Park or Asakusa, which offer more open space and temples.
- Insurance: Traveling with gadgets and gaming devices? Double-check your policy (for example, SafetyWing) to make sure valuables are covered.
More Stay Here, Do That guides connected to this trip
Use Akihabara as one chapter in your bigger Tokyo and family travel story.
- Family Travel Guide: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan – Family Adventures Itinerary
- Family Travel Guide: Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan – Family Adventures Itinerary
- Family Travel Guide: Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan – Itinerary
- Family Travel Guide: Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan – Itinerary
- Family Travel Guide: Ueno, Tokyo, Japan – Itinerary
- Family Travel Guide: Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan – Itinerary
Work with Stay Here, Do That (Akihabara edition)
If you are an Akihabara hotel, anime shop, arcade, themed café, tour company, or local attraction and would like to:
- Be featured as a recommended family-friendly stay instead of generic booking suggestions,
- Have your tour, café, or shop highlighted in our Akihabara itinerary, or
- Commission a dedicated guide for your neighborhood or business,
email stayheredothat@gmail.com with:
- Your business name, exact location, and official website
- High quality photos
- A short note on what makes you especially welcoming for families
I only feature places I’d feel comfortable recommending to real families who are trusting this guide with their once-in-a-while trips.
Affiliate & transparency note
This guide includes a handful of affiliate links for Booking.com (stays, flights, and car rentals), Viator (tours), and SafetyWing (travel insurance). If you click through and book, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Those little commissions help keep stayheredothat.blogspot.com online, updated, and free for families who are planning their own adventures.
If this helped you plan your Tokyo trip, drop a comment on the blog when you get home – your notes help the next family travel smarter.
