From Vintage Circuits to Cutting-Edge Gadgets — Welcome to the Original Otaku Zone
🌟 What is Akihabara Electric Town?
Before Akihabara became the global hub of anime and gaming, it was known as Electric Town — a post-war black market that evolved into a mecca for electronics, gadgets, audio equipment, and DIY tech parts.
Today, Akihabara Electric Town still thrives with rows of narrow alleys, independent tech shops, and pro-level gear, offering an authentic, retro-modern vibe for tech enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.
🔭 Why Visit Electric Town?
- 🔌 Electronic Components Paradise: Diodes, resistors, IC chips, LEDs, sensors — you name it
- 🎧 Audio Perfection: Try hi-fi headphones, amps, and DACs from audio specialist shops
- 🛠️ DIY & Makers: Build your own PC, mod a console, or repair your own gear
- 📻 Vintage Electronics: Radios, vacuum tubes, and nostalgic gadgets
- 📷 Hidden Treasures: Find rare cameras, cables, and tools in tiny back-alley stores
- 🌍 Unique to Japan: Many of these shops can’t be found anywhere else in the world
🏪 Featured Shops & Areas
1. Akihabara Radio Center (ラジオセンター)
- 🧲 A retro alleyway full of tiny booths selling everything from circuit boards to sensors
- 👨🔧 Great for hobbyists, engineers, and repair pros
- 📍 Beneath the JR train tracks (right outside Electric Town exit)
- 🕒 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
2. Akihabara Radio Kaikan
- 🏢 Multi-story building mixing electronics and anime, includes PC parts, cables, meters, and test tools
- 🎯 Bonus: Also has figure and model kit shops
- 📍 Across from JR Akihabara Station
- 🕒 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
3. Marutsu (マルツ) Akihabara
- 🔧 Specializes in electronic parts: microcontrollers, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, prototyping kits
- 📘 Staff often speak some English — great for makers
- 📍 1-14-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku
- 🕒 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
4. Tsukumo Akihabara
- 🖥️ Massive PC and peripheral shop with pro-grade gear and niche brands
- 💡 Also sells custom-built PC kits and water-cooling parts
- 📍 Multiple branches in Akihabara
- 🕒 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
5. Aisan Denki (愛三電機)
- ⚙️ Focus on industrial parts: cables, adapters, connectors, switches
- 👨💼 Used by professionals and tech hobbyists alike
- 📍 3-15-1 Sotokanda
- 🕒 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (closed Sundays)
📸 What to Look Out For
| Iconic Sights | What Makes It Cool |
|---|---|
| 💡 Neon kanji signs | Retro signage, glowing in vintage colors |
| 🧰 Overflowing bins | Parts and cables piled in plastic crates outside stores |
| 🕹️ Sound from above | Ambient noise of game arcades & train lines |
| 🖨️ DIY print circuit stalls | Custom PCB engraving and component soldering services |
🎟️ Entry & Hours
- 🎫 Entry: Free, open to public
- 🕒 Best time to visit: Weekdays 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- 🗓️ Some shops closed on Sundays or national holidays
🚨 Tips for Tech Travelers
- 💬 Some staff speak basic English or use translation devices
- 📷 Photography is allowed in most outdoor areas, but ask inside shops
- 🪙 Many shops are cash only, though more accept credit cards than before
- 🧴 Bring a list if searching for specific parts — staff can help!
🚉 Access
- JR Akihabara Station – Electric Town Exit (5 sec walk)
- Suehirocho Station (Ginza Line) – 3 min walk
- Follow the signs for “Electric Town” or look for the glowing signs and narrow alleys
🔁 Sample Plan: “Akihabara Tech Dive”
🕐 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- 🔌 Start at Radio Center to explore tiny component shops
- 🛠️ Visit Marutsu for DIY kits or Raspberry Pi
- 📷 Snap retro shots of neon signs & shop exteriors
- 🧰 Check Aisan Denki for tools, switches, and pro parts
- 🛍️ End with Tsukumo to compare gaming gear or build-a-PC kits
- ☕ Grab a break at a hidden tech-themed café
📍 Address & Map Center
Akihabara Electric Town
Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
📍 Located directly outside JR Akihabara Station – Electric Town Exit
Tourist Help Point
📞 Akihabara Tourist Info: +81-3-3251-8080