Coming into contact with the leading edge of Japanese Anime - Tokyo Anime Center

We have seen a recent rise in the number of events and facilities for transmitting the latest Japanese anime world not just nationwide but also globally. The "Tokyo International Anime Fair" is the ideal occasion for checking the latest trends each year. Also, the Tokyo Anime Center in Akihabara, as a base for disseminating anime information.

Tokyo Anime Center

"Tokyo Anime Center", a base for disseminating information on Japanese anime, is located in front of Akihabara Station in Tokyo. In addition to providing the latest news to anime fans not only in Japan but also to those coming from overseas, the center plans to organize events participated in by creators and voice actors, and offer original goods available only in its official store. Also, in the adjoining Theater Hall, previews will be shown of the latest anime films and mini concerts will be held. This Tokyo Anime Center is surely the first place anime fans will want to visit in Akihabara.

Place:4th Fl., Akihabara UDX Bldg., 4-14-1, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
Business hours:11:00-19:00
Closed:Mondays
Tel. 03-5298-1188

Access:Near the Denkigai-guchi Exit of JR Akihabara Station.

Anime Akihabara - Enjoying a Shopping Spree in Akihabara - AsoBitCity

AsoBitCity

Three-dimensional "figures" of popular characters in anime & comics are also in high demand among fans. On each of the floors from the 1st Basement Floor to the 6th Floor, AsoBitCity has a rich lineup of figures of all genres. It is characterized by its abundant stocks ranging from "shokugan" (sophisticated miniature figures sold together with sweets) to figures of hit anime characters. On the 5th Floor, there is a corner displaying life-sized figures, and the 6th Floor sells costumes for "cosplay" (costume play - having fun dressing up as anime & comic characters).

Place: 1-13-3, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
Tel: 03-3257-2590
Business hours: 10:00-22:00
Open all year round

Access: About 2 minutes' walk along the Chuo-dori in the direction of Okachimachi from the Denkigai-guchi Exit of JR Akihabara Station.

Anime Akihabara - Enjoying a Shopping Spree in Akihabara - Gamers Head Store

Gamers Head Store

"Gamers", famous for its "DiGi Charat" mascot character. Besides products related to game characters, Gamers offers a wide array of CDs, DVDs, books, magazines, etc. In particular, it boasts a rich lineup of trading cards, as well as events organized on a regular basis. There are some 20 stores in cities throughout the country, including Sapporo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, and Hakata.

Place: Takarada Bldg., 1-14-7, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
Tel: 03-5298-8720
Business hours: 11:00- 21:00 (9:00-22:00 for 1st Floor only)
Open all year round

Access:In front of the Denkigai-guchi Exit of JR Akihabara Station.

Anime Akihabara - Enjoying a Shopping Spree in Akihabara - AKA (Akihabara) Comic Tora no Ana 1

Akihabara, famous worldwide as an electronics quarter attracting countless foreign tourists, has recently risen in prominence as a sub-cultural district housing a large cluster of stores targeted at Otaku ,obsessed fans of anime & comics. Here are some popular spots in the "Otaku Mecca".

AKA (Akihabara) Comic Tora no Ana 1

"Comic Tora no Ana"achieved rapid growth as Akihabara transformed from a town of electrical appliances and personal computers into an anime & comic mecca. In addition to selling magazines, comics and AV software mainly targeted at the"Otaku", this store is characterized by its "dojinshi" (fan-produced magazines) by amateur artists. AKA Comic Tora no Ana 1 offers a wide selection of dojinshi and dojin software (only Japanese corresponds). In addition to the Tokyo stores, there are branches in Sapporo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka.

Place: 4-3-1, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
Tel: 03-5294-0123
Business hours:
11:00-21:00 (Monday - Thursday),
10:00-21:00 (Friday - Sunday, and on National Holidays)
Open all year round

Access: About 5 minutes' walk along the Chuo-dori in the direction of Okachimachi, from the Denkigai-guchi Exit of JR Akihabara Station.

Akihabara Travel Guide & Traffic

Akihabara, commonly called"Akiba" is the area around Akihabara Station, belongs to Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. A lot of shops dealing with various electronic devices and parts are gathered, and the area is known as the world's electronics quarter which is a popular among the tourists from overseas. The electronics quarter has started with shops of junk parts and electronics store at first, then specialized shops such as game shops, hobby shops and anime shops are added, it became to be called "Mecca for Otaku". Akihabara also attracted attention as a trendsetting city of subculture such as maid cafe' where service staffs dress as elegant maids, and so on. Development around Akihabara area has been proceeding rapidly, by opening of Tsukuba express in 2005 and construction of complex buildings etc.
Access
By Train
Akihabara Sta.
JR Sobu Line, Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Tsukuba Express
Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line

Akihabara - GUNDAM Café

Gundam Cafe, the base of information transmission of Gundam is an entertainment cafe where people who are interested in Gundam can enjoy the Gundam's world. At the cafe, there are about 30 kinds of drink and 35 kinds of food menu, which are inspired by the Gundam's world such as "Jaburo Coffee" (340 yen), specially blended for Gundam Cafe uses coffee beans from South America where Jaburo the critical site of Gundam series is nearby, and "Red Comet" (790 yen) a pasta dish inspired by Char's Zaku.
Gundam Cafe also sells souvenirs such as "Gunpla-Yaki" (190 yen), a pancake with red bean paste inside, in the motif of plamodel of Gundam 1/144 which was the first Gundam plamodel released in 1980, "Gundam Cafe Haroll" (950 yen), the original Swiss roll of Gundam Cafe, "a set of 6 coasters" (380 yen) and so on.
Gundam Cafe was designed to look like neo-futuristic by using curve lines a lot, and there are some spaces for getting Gundam information in the cafe. Women staff who wear costume of a character from Gundam serve customers. You can enjoy different menu in cafe time (until 5:00pm) and in bar time (after 5:00pm). Alcohol drinks are available for bar time.
Basic information
Hours
Café time
Weekdays 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sat., Sun. & Holidays 8:30am - 5:00pm
Bar time *Alcohol drinks are available.
Weekdays 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturdays 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Sundays & Holidays 5:00pm - 9:30pm
Gunpla-Yaki is sold at following time
Weekdays 11:00am - 9:00pm
Sat., Sun & Holidays 10:00am - 9:00pm
Address
1-1 Kandahanaoka-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3251-0078
Access
1 min walk from JR Akihabara Sta.
2 min walk from Akihabara Sta. on Tsukuba Express line
3 min walk from Iwamotocho Sta. on Toei Subway Shinjuku Line
Website
http://www.g-cafe.jp/english/index.html
Menu
Menu
1. Jaburo Coffee (340 yen)
Uses coffee beans from South America where Jaburo the critical site of Gundam series is nearby. There is a Gundam Cafe's logo printed on a cup.
2. A pasta dish "Red Comet" (790 yen) *Available only for bar time.
Napolitan spaghetti with plenty of tomato sauce inspired by Char's Zaku. Can you see blade antenna and mono eye?
3. A cocktail "Mono Eye" (790 yen) *Available only for bar time.
Vodka-based cocktail inspired by Zaku. Enjoy the beautiful contrast of a red cherry floating in cocktail in green color.
4. Gunpla-Yaki (190 yen)
A pancake with red bean paste inside, in the motif of the first plamodel of Gundam 1/144. There is an another taste, Bacon with mayonnaise (220 yen) is also available for sale.
5. Gundam Café Haroll (950 yen)
A Swiss roll with doughy texture made from rice powder. A plenty of powdered green tea tasted cream inside which makes the cake not too sweet and recommended for adalts.