If you are under 20, please refrain from entering.
Akihabara is Chiyoda's electric town and a centre of anime and idol culture. At night, concept cafes such as maid cafes lead the way, all within a walk of Akihabara Station on the JR lines, Hibiya line and Tsukuba Express.
Akihabara Station is served by the JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku and Sobu local lines, the Tokyo Metro Hibiya line and the Tsukuba Express. The Electric Town exit opens onto Chuo-dori, and the venues gather along both sides of it and in the blocks east of the station. Ueno is two stops away on the Yamanote line, and Kanda and Ochanomizu are walkable.
Akihabara began as a shipping point on the Kanda River, and the Kanda produce market stood where Akihabara UDX now rises. After the war, returning soldiers sold radio parts from street stalls, and the district became the electric town, changing with each era: home appliances, personal computers, then the anime, manga and idol content industries. Today anime shops and maid cafes fill the back streets behind the big electronics stores and parts dealers.
The night venues follow the same character: concept cafes built around a theme such as maids or kimono are the mainstay. They are easy to enjoy without Japanese and lighter on the wallet than a hostess club (kyabakura). East of the station and beyond Showa-dori you will also find girls bars, snack bars and small lounges for office workers.
Tokyo's nuisance-prevention ordinance bans persistent touting in public places. Do not follow anyone who approaches you on Chuo-dori or in the side streets; check the price board for the hourly rate, drink charges and any cover charge before going in.
Listed in Akihabara right now: Concept Cafe (1 venue) and Girls Bar (1 venue). You pay a set fee by the hour, with nomination (shimei) and drink charges on top, so confirm the total with each venue before you sit down.
Akihabara is generally fine for a night out. The main risk is bottakuri, a padded bill at the end. Stick to venues that post their prices, skip street touts steering you into ‘free’ bars, and confirm the set fee plus any nomination or bottle charges before you order.
Payment methods vary by venue. Check the listing and confirm with the venue before booking.
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