Tokyo, and in particular Akihabara, has a plethora of museums, shops, cafes, and other sites targeted towards anime and manga lovers. As such, Tokyo has become a popular tourist destination known worldwide. Below we will introduce Japan's 10 most popular anime and manga spots! Take a look at Akihabara below for a glimpse of how vast the anime and manga fandom is!
1. Pokemon Center Tokyo
Pokemon's official shop, where you can buy original Pokemon merchandise, video games, card games, and other Pokemon-related goodies. The store also has a Pokemon card game teaching room, and holds regular events.
Address: 1-2-3 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Nearby Station: Hamamatsucho Station, Daimon Station, Takeshiba Station
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00am-8:00pm, Sat, Sun and Holidays 10:00am-7:00pm
Admission: Free
Other Locations: Sapporo, Tohoku (Sendai), Tokyo Bay (Chiba), Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka
HP: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/gp/pokecen/tokyo/ (Japanese)
Click here for more information.
If you are interested in Pokemon or PokemonGo, you should definitely check out the video below to learn about the 10 bestp lacs in Tokyo to play PokemonGo in!
Video courtesy of Japan Fan Youtube channel
2. Gundam Front Tokyo
Experience the world of "Mobile Suit Gundam" at this popular site. First broadcasted in Japan in 1979, and still continuing today, the Gundam series has gained much popularity over the years, especially throughout Asia. This is a perfect spot for Gundam enthusiasts.
Address: 7F Diver City Tokyo Plaza, 1-1-10 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Nearby Station: Daiba Station, Tokyo Teleport Station
Hours: Weekdays are anytime from 10:00am-8:00pm; Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays have scheduled entries - one from 10:00-12:59, one from 13:00-14:59, and one from 15:00-20:00.
Admission: Advanced tickets - 1000 yen (800 yen for elementary and middle school students) At-the-door tickets - 1200 yen (1000 yen for elementary and middle school students) * There is also a free area where no ticket purchase is necessary
HP: http://gundamfront-tokyo.com/ (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
Click here for more information.
3. J-WORLD TOKYO
The world's first indoor theme park that is based upon Japan's best-selling manga magazine, "Shonen Jump". The park features various attractions based on popular manga, such as One Piece, Dragonball, and Naruto. Other attractions include a manga character food court and a number of mini games offering original "Shonen Jump" prizes.
Address: 3F Sunshinecity World Import Mart Bldg., 3 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Nearby Station: Ikebukuro Station, Higashi-Ikebukuro Station
Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm (7 days a week)
Admission: Entry only: 1300 yen for Adults, 1000 yen for children Entry and unlimited rides: 2900 yen for Adults, 2600 yen for children
HP: http://www.namco.co.jp/tp/j-world/
Click here for more information.
4. Nakano Broadway (Nakano, Tokyo)
A shopping complex catering to Japaniacs and Otaku, offering an overwhelming number of subculture merchandise, including manga, anime, figures, and much more. This spot is also particularly popular with travelers from overseas.
Extra: If you like Japanese subculture, you may like some urban legends as well. if you do, check out this video about Japanese Urban Legends and ghost stories.
Address: 5-52-15 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
Nearby Station: Nakano Station
HP: http://www.nbw.jp/ (English, Japanese)
Click here for more information.
5. Suginami Animation Museum (Suginami, Tokyo)
A museum where you can learn all about the process of animation, and the history of anime in Japan. From time to time, the museum also holds anime-related events and offers showings of popular anime in its on-site movie theater.
Address: 3F Suginami Kaikan, 3-29-5 Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Nearby Station: Ogikubo Station, Nishi-Ogikubo Station, Kamiigusa Station
Hours: 10:00am-6:00pm
Closed: Monday (or on the following day if there is a national holiday)
Admission: Free
HP: http://sam.or.jp/ (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
Click here for more information.
6. Tokyo Anime Center
An institution located in Akihabara aimed at providing anime-related information and developing human resources in the anime industry. The center holds various anime-related events, such as autograph signings and talk show broadcasts.
Address: 4F Akihabara-UDX, 4-14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Nearby Station: Akihabara Station
Hours: 11:00am-7:00pm / Closed: Monday
Admission: Free
HP: http://animecenter.jp/
Click here for more information.
7. Yoshihiro Yonezawa Memorial Library of Manga and Subcultures
A library keeping a number of Japanese manga, anime, and video game subculture works, located inside Tokyo's Meiji University. The library was opened as a preliminary to the Tokyo International Manga Library, which will be completed sometime in 2014.
Address: 1-7-1 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Nearby Station: Ochanomizu Station, Suidobashi Station, Jimbocho Station
Hours: Weekdays (Monday and Friday only) - 14:00-20:00 Saturday, Sunday and Holidays - 12:00-18:00 / Closed - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday, New Year’s Holidays, and special organizational periods.
Admission: 1st floor exhibit is free; 2nd floor is exclusive to library members (1 day membership = 300yen) and Meiji University students and instructors)
HP: http://www.meiji.ac.jp/manga/
Click here for more information.
8. Otome Road (Ikebukuro, Tokyo)
Otome Road (literally "Maiden Road"), refers to a length of street on the west side of the Sunshine 60 Building, near Tokyo's Ikebukuro station. Here, you can find many shops selling anime-related goods and independently published manga, magazines, anime and novels - all targeted specifically to women. This style of manga/anime is called Otome-kei (literally "Maiden style") in Japanese, hence the name of the street.
Address: 3 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Nearby Station: Ikebukuro Station, Higashi-Ikebukuro Station
Click here for more information.
Check out Ikebukuro below for a glimpse of another hot spot famous for its myriad of anime and manga boutiques:
9. Asagaya Anime Street (Asagaya, Tokyo)
Newly opened under Tokyo's Asagaya station, this anime street serves to connect anime creators and fans. Along this street, you can find dozens of cosplay shops, anime-related merchandise, member's only anime screening cafes, along with other anime-packed goodness.
Address: 2-40-1 Asagayaminami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Nearby Station: Asagaya Station
HP: http://asa-st.com/
Click here for more information. (Japanese)
10. Tokyo Character Street
An underground shopping street below Tokyo station, containing several popular anime and character shops (Hello Kitty, Rirakkuma, Ultraman, Pretty Cure, etc.). You can also find official Japanese television network shops and kabuki specialty shops in this area. The street holds regular events, so visitors can enjoy something new each time they come back to this fun spot!
Address: Tokyo Station, Yaesu North Exit, B1F (First Avenue Tokyo Station, B1F)
Nearby Station: Tokyo Station
Hours: 10:00am-8:30pm (11:00am-10:00pm for the 2nd floor restaurants)
HP: http://www.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp/street/character
Click here for more information.
Pokémon Go Walking Tour in Tokyo
Fun for the whole family!
Wether you are meeting such popular cartoon characters such as Pokemon, Hello Kitty, Dragonball, or Doraemon for the kids, taking part in special anime screenings with your significant other, or buying Japanese original anime/manga goods just for yourself, Tokyo is a place anyone can enjoy! And, of course, with Tokyo being the nucleus of Japan's manga and anime, it is a must-see for anyone wishing to soak in the essence of Japanese subculture.
Need helping navigating all the anime & manga destinations in Tokyo?
Although public transportation is very convenient in Japan, it can be difficult planning your travel itinerary for Tokyo - however, with a private tour guide or private tour group, you will be able to receive a customized itinerary that will include whichever destinations above and will satisfy all your anime and manga cravings. GoWithGuide has over 1,000 local guides that you can choose from, and you should definitely check out the special local guides in Tokyo. Feel free to send any of them a message to receive a personalized trip itinerary as well as a price quotation for a hassle-free booking journey to Tokyo. If you are looking to book a tour in Tokyo, feel free to take a look at all the different tour experiences that are offered in the city.
Blogs About Anime & Manga in Tokyo
Pokemon Go Walking Tour in Tokyo - Best Tourist Places in Tokyo to Catch Pokemon
AKIHABARA: Your Destination for Anime and Electronic Needs
IKEBUKURO: Yet Another Dream Destination for Anime and Manga Enthusiasts