Tokyo Anime Guide: Things to Do in Tokyo Anime & Nakano Broadway

Tokyo's anime landscape is vast, shifting from the neon-drenched high-rises of Akihabara to the nostalgic alleys of Nakano Broadway. If you want to dive straight into the heart of this electric subculture without getting lost in the sensory overload, our custom walks are the ultimate shortcut. Join our private Ueno Temples & Akihabara Tour - Private Day Tour to uncover hidden maid cafes, massive figure towers, and retro arcade hubs alongside a local expert.

Where is the ultimate physical hub for anime figures in Tokyo?

Located right outside Akihabara Station, the iconic ten-story Akihabara Radio Kaikan is Tokyo's premier one-stop destination for anime figures, trading cards, and rare pop culture collectibles, housing legendary vendors like AmiAmi and K-Books under one massive roof. Step through the glass doors and feel the sensory overload: neon lights flash, high-energy J-pop blares, and glass display cases groan under the weight of thousands of pristine character figures. It is a vertical maze of subculture where casual buyers and hardcore collectors rub shoulders in narrow aisles.

💡 Insider tip: Head straight to AmiAmi on the fourth floor for the best tax-free deals on pre-ordered and pre-owned figures, but go early as the narrow aisles get congested by noon.

🕐 Daily 10:00–20:00💴 Free entry🚶 1 min walk from JR Akihabara Station (Electric Town Exit)

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Where can you visit the world's largest anime shop?

Officially recognized by Guinness World Records in 2024 as the world's largest anime store, the newly renovated nine-story Animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store is a massive, state-of-the-art otaku paradise specializing in merchandise, manga, exclusive character goods, and interactive themed cafes. This towering complex in Ikebukuro smells of fresh ink and glossy paper. Each floor has a distinct theme, from walls of character keychains and custom "ita-bag" accessories to specialized comic sections. It is a highly polished, interactive cultural hub that serves as the beating heart of Tokyo's female-focused otaku community.

💡 Insider tip: Check out the basement "Animate Theater" schedule or visit the Gratte cafe on the upper floors to grab an espresso with your favorite anime character's face printed in edible foam.

🕐 Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat–Sun & Holidays 10:00–20:00💴 Free entry🚶 5 min walk from JR Ikebukuro Station (East Exit)

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Where is Tokyo's best spot for rare vintage anime toys?

Tucked away on the fourth floor of the retro Nakano Broadway shopping complex, Mandarake Henya is an eccentric, museum-like specialty shop renowned for its striking red torii gate entrance and unparalleled inventory of rare, vintage Japanese toys, antique tin figures, and classic subculture memorabilia. Stepping past the glowing torii gates feels like entering a futuristic sci-fi temple. Eerie, hypnotic music plays as you browse floating glass shelves loaded with rare Astro Boy figures and out-of-print manga. To hunt for more retro subculture treasures across the city, check out our Tokyo Vintage Shopping Tour - Hidden Gems in Harajuku + Shimokitazawa.

💡 Insider tip: Nakano Broadway houses over thirty different tiny Mandarake stalls, each dedicated to a hyper-specific niche like vintage cosplay, animation cels, or retro video games—budget a full afternoon to explore them all.

🕐 Daily 12:00–20:00💴 Free entry🚶 5 min walk from JR Nakano Station (North Exit)

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Where can you find the ultimate collection of Gunpla models?

Situated on the seventh floor of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, The Gundam Base Tokyo is the world's premier official flagship store dedicated entirely to Gunpla plastic models, offering thousands of model kits, an interactive assembly workshop, and a spectacular historic gallery. The air here is charged with creative focus. Thousands of boxes stacked floor-to-ceiling depict giant battle mechs in dramatic poses. You can buy highly exclusive, limited-edition kits, watch master builders paint custom models in the gallery, and immediately sit down at the in-store workshop tables to assemble your fresh purchase.

💡 Insider tip: Time your visit with the transformation show of the giant 19.7-meter Unicorn Gundam statue standing right outside the shopping mall's second-floor festival plaza.

🕐 Weekdays 11:00–20:00, Sat–Sun & Holidays 10:00–21:00💴 Free entry🚶 5 min walk from Daiba Station (Yurikamome Line) or 3 min walk from Tokyo Teleport Station (Rinkai Line)

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Where can you find Tokyo's original capsule toy paradise?

Operating for over a decade in Electric Town, the legendary Akihabara Gachapon Hall is a narrow, nostalgic basement store packed with approximately 500 capsule toy machines, offering a constantly rotating selection of quirky miniatures, anime keychains, and bizarre pop-culture trinkets. The metallic clink of coins and the rhythmic, satisfying clack-clack-clack of turning plastic dials fill this tight space. From high-quality anime miniatures to hyper-realistic plastic food rings, it is a low-cost, high-thrill playground of surprises. Fifty new collections land here monthly, making every visit a treasure hunt.

💡 Insider tip: Bring a heavy pocket of 100-yen coins, but if you run out, use the exchange machine inside or ask the English-speaking shop staff for help.

🕐 Mon–Thu 11:00–20:00, Fri–Sat 11:00–22:00, Sun & Holidays 11:00–19:00💴 Capsules range from ¥200 to ¥500🚶 7 min walk from JR Akihabara Station (Electric Town Exit)

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