Guidebook for Taitō-ku
Food Scene
If you ask for a decent Japanese sake place in Kanda area, any of them would name Kanda Kohju. They have various good dishes but we suggest “Kanda Kohju no Otooshi”, a plate of assorted sides which should be more than enough to go with your sake. It has rare brands of sake so ask a member of staff for recommendations.
http://www.kohju.com (Japnaese Only)
かんだ光壽
2-chōme-9-7 KajichōIf you ask for a decent Japanese sake place in Kanda area, any of them would name Kanda Kohju. They have various good dishes but we suggest “Kanda Kohju no Otooshi”, a plate of assorted sides which should be more than enough to go with your sake. It has rare brands of sake so ask a member of staff for recommendations.
http://www.kohju.com (Japnaese Only)
Ippudo Ueno Hirokoji shop
3-chōme-17-5 UenoRestaurants Specializing in Classic Tonkotsu Ramen -From the 60s-
ICHIRAN is the most dedicated Ramen Company to the study of Tonkotsu Ramen in the whole World. Instead of diversifying our menu, we concentrate only on Tonkotsu Ramen. There are over 40 specialists involved in every single bowl. We always pursue a higher level of Ramen. We only offer the highest quality and the safest products,so you can fully enjoy the authentic deliciousness of Tonkotsu. We wish to bring delight into your life. That is why every day we apply ourselves intensively at work, try new ideas and inventions, and care for the detail of everything involving your Ramen Experience.
49 当地人推荐
Ichiran
Restaurants Specializing in Classic Tonkotsu Ramen -From the 60s-
ICHIRAN is the most dedicated Ramen Company to the study of Tonkotsu Ramen in the whole World. Instead of diversifying our menu, we concentrate only on Tonkotsu Ramen. There are over 40 specialists involved in every single bowl. We always pursue a higher level of Ramen. We only offer the highest quality and the safest products,so you can fully enjoy the authentic deliciousness of Tonkotsu. We wish to bring delight into your life. That is why every day we apply ourselves intensively at work, try new ideas and inventions, and care for the detail of everything involving your Ramen Experience.
CoCo Ichibanya
5-chōme-8-8 NishishinjukuPopular curry shop
Yabu Soba was founded in 1880. The antiquated building that stands quietly in the middle of private houses is a very local Japanese style where you will find a beautiful scenery of the garden at the entrance that will make a good picture. Having marvelous soba in a perfect atmosphere already sounds worthy enough for coming here but it is no joke at all. The Seiro soba (700 yen) here, with a great chewy texture called "koshi", has an outstanding flavor of the noodles that wows customers with every strand. Many locals come here to have a serious soba, and it is probably why standards are raised and kept so high, as if it is almost unattainable. Dipping those perfect al dente into the tasty tsuyu sauce that best enjoyed with Tendane (1400 yen) was a life changing to say at least, we never knew such simple buckwheat noodles with Kakiage (mixed vegetable and seafood tempura) could blow our minds that way. The soba that has a remarkable depth of flavor in Yabu Soba restaurant with a long history, is definitely worth to stop by if you ever had a chance to visit Akihabara.
13 当地人推荐
Kanda Yabusoba
2-10 神田淡路町Yabu Soba was founded in 1880. The antiquated building that stands quietly in the middle of private houses is a very local Japanese style where you will find a beautiful scenery of the garden at the entrance that will make a good picture. Having marvelous soba in a perfect atmosphere already sounds worthy enough for coming here but it is no joke at all. The Seiro soba (700 yen) here, with a great chewy texture called "koshi", has an outstanding flavor of the noodles that wows customers with every strand. Many locals come here to have a serious soba, and it is probably why standards are raised and kept so high, as if it is almost unattainable. Dipping those perfect al dente into the tasty tsuyu sauce that best enjoyed with Tendane (1400 yen) was a life changing to say at least, we never knew such simple buckwheat noodles with Kakiage (mixed vegetable and seafood tempura) could blow our minds that way. The soba that has a remarkable depth of flavor in Yabu Soba restaurant with a long history, is definitely worth to stop by if you ever had a chance to visit Akihabara.
Not many Yakitori restaurant has 40 years of history like Kushisuke. People often come here to have Kushisuke's big juicy meat with glasses of beer on their hands. When you come, order some Tebasaki (chicken wing), Shisomaki (meat rolled with Japanese basil), and Tsukune (chicken meatloaf) so that you don't have to miss out anything in Kushisuke. They have good selections of Japanese shochu as well. Nice to have especially when you are having Yakitoris but be careful of drinking too much!
串焼処 串助
4-chōme-14-1 SotokandaNot many Yakitori restaurant has 40 years of history like Kushisuke. People often come here to have Kushisuke's big juicy meat with glasses of beer on their hands. When you come, order some Tebasaki (chicken wing), Shisomaki (meat rolled with Japanese basil), and Tsukune (chicken meatloaf) so that you don't have to miss out anything in Kushisuke. They have good selections of Japanese shochu as well. Nice to have especially when you are having Yakitoris but be careful of drinking too much!
U.S. President Barack Obama dined at the restaurant with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe on April 23, 2014.[8] There are conflicting reports as to whether he finished the sushi, though Prime Minister Abe said "Obama proclaimed it 'the best sushi I’ve ever had in my life
41 当地人推荐
Sukiyabashi Jiro
4-chōme-2-15 GinzaU.S. President Barack Obama dined at the restaurant with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe on April 23, 2014.[8] There are conflicting reports as to whether he finished the sushi, though Prime Minister Abe said "Obama proclaimed it 'the best sushi I’ve ever had in my life
A ramen full of lard! I know it doesn't sound nice. But each and every ramen shop has it's original combination of the soup, the noodle and the toppings. Tonkotsu (port based) soup with grated lard adds richness to it's taste. The noodle is not only made from flour but also with tapioca to add elastic texture to the noodle, and also tangles well with the soup.
Shouyu (soy sauce) ramen 680yen, Miso ramen 750yen.
ごっつ 秋葉原店
A ramen full of lard! I know it doesn't sound nice. But each and every ramen shop has it's original combination of the soup, the noodle and the toppings. Tonkotsu (port based) soup with grated lard adds richness to it's taste. The noodle is not only made from flour but also with tapioca to add elastic texture to the noodle, and also tangles well with the soup.
Shouyu (soy sauce) ramen 680yen, Miso ramen 750yen.
Honey Toast Cafe Akihabara
1-chōme-1-10 SotokandaBest Sweets cafe
Arts & Culture
The most famous maid cafe in Akihabara, a place where it is frequently broadcasted in news programs!
9 当地人推荐
@Home Cafe
1-chōme-11-4 SotokandaThe most famous maid cafe in Akihabara, a place where it is frequently broadcasted in news programs!
Ueno is in a low lying area of Tokyo formerly known as Shitamachi (literally "low town"). Shitamachi was a large area of merchants, artisans, peasants and pleasure districts. The Shitamachi Museum examines what life was like in this area of Tokyo in the late 19th and early 20th century.
22 当地人推荐
下町风俗资料馆
2-1 UenokōenUeno is in a low lying area of Tokyo formerly known as Shitamachi (literally "low town"). Shitamachi was a large area of merchants, artisans, peasants and pleasure districts. The Shitamachi Museum examines what life was like in this area of Tokyo in the late 19th and early 20th century.
The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan is a 2000 seat performance theatre in Ueno Park. Its schedule is packed with cultural events and musical performances.
8 当地人推荐
东京文化会馆
5-45 UenokōenThe Tokyo Bunka Kaikan is a 2000 seat performance theatre in Ueno Park. Its schedule is packed with cultural events and musical performances.
Shopping
Ground zero for all things electrical. If you like gadgets, mobile tech, cameras, computers, want to make digital prints in any way, shape or form, or just want to window shop, you are going to love this enormous retail outlet.
122 当地人推荐
Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba
1-1 Kanda HanaokachōGround zero for all things electrical. If you like gadgets, mobile tech, cameras, computers, want to make digital prints in any way, shape or form, or just want to window shop, you are going to love this enormous retail outlet.
Being a fan girl or fan boy is very mainstream in this country. Collecting and a passion for all sorts of odd things is not limited to the socially awkward. Trains, planes, and automobiles have rabid followings just as much as Ultraman, Godzilla, manga, and Hello Kitty. It really transcends age and gender.
Mandarake (man-da-ra-kei, pronounce each syllable) is eight floors of anime, TV superheroes, characters and mascots, and manga comics, new and used. Start at the top and work your way down.
16 当地人推荐
Mandarake Complex
3-chōme-11-12 SotokandaBeing a fan girl or fan boy is very mainstream in this country. Collecting and a passion for all sorts of odd things is not limited to the socially awkward. Trains, planes, and automobiles have rabid followings just as much as Ultraman, Godzilla, manga, and Hello Kitty. It really transcends age and gender.
Mandarake (man-da-ra-kei, pronounce each syllable) is eight floors of anime, TV superheroes, characters and mascots, and manga comics, new and used. Start at the top and work your way down.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi
3-chōme-40-13 HigashinipporiThe Biggest Drug store you can find anything !
Crossfield’s two highrises - UDX and Daibiru - represent the hopes of city planners to transform Akihabara from retail district into an IT business center. Which is great for them, but hugely unexciting for visitors. Crossfield is mostly about upmarket office space, but not entirely.
The complex is connected to the West exit area of the station by a footbridge, so access is easy. If you’re looking for electronics, turn around and go back to Yodobashi Camera or the shops on Chuo Dori. This is not the place for you.
13 当地人推荐
Tokyo Anime Center in DNP Plaza
1-chōme-14-1 IchigayatamachiCrossfield’s two highrises - UDX and Daibiru - represent the hopes of city planners to transform Akihabara from retail district into an IT business center. Which is great for them, but hugely unexciting for visitors. Crossfield is mostly about upmarket office space, but not entirely.
The complex is connected to the West exit area of the station by a footbridge, so access is easy. If you’re looking for electronics, turn around and go back to Yodobashi Camera or the shops on Chuo Dori. This is not the place for you.
Entertainment & Activities
AKB48 is a massively popular, manufactured J-pop group made up of girls, girls and more girls. Forty-eight of them in several troupes. They are so hot, they’ve created official spin-off clones in several other Asian countries. The phenomenon got its start here in Akihabara - that’s what AKB stands for. They have nothing to do with electronics and technology but everything to do with boyish fantasies.
31 当地人推荐
AKB48剧场
4-chōme-3-3 SotokandaAKB48 is a massively popular, manufactured J-pop group made up of girls, girls and more girls. Forty-eight of them in several troupes. They are so hot, they’ve created official spin-off clones in several other Asian countries. The phenomenon got its start here in Akihabara - that’s what AKB stands for. They have nothing to do with electronics and technology but everything to do with boyish fantasies.
Getting Around
Akihabara
Ueno Station
7-chōme-1 UenoOkachimachi Station
5-chōme-27 UenoEssentials
7-Eleven
5-chōme-12-1 ToranomonNearest convenience store open 24 hours.
Sightseeing
Ueno Park (上野公園, Ueno Kōen) is a large public park next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo. The park grounds were originally part of Kaneiji Temple, which used to be one of the city's largest and wealthiest temples and a family temple of the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo Period. Kaneiji stood in the northeast of the capital to protect the city from evil, much like Enryakuji Temple in Kyoto.
779 当地人推荐
上野公园
8 UenokōenUeno Park (上野公園, Ueno Kōen) is a large public park next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo. The park grounds were originally part of Kaneiji Temple, which used to be one of the city's largest and wealthiest temples and a family temple of the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo Period. Kaneiji stood in the northeast of the capital to protect the city from evil, much like Enryakuji Temple in Kyoto.
The Tokyo National Museum is Japan's oldest and largest museum. Each of its five large buildings could be a decent museum on its own. The museum holds over 110,000 items including 87 priceless national treasures. These include historical artifacts and art.
The museum is a bargain at 600 yen (general admission). Attractions supported by the government are generally inexpensive (as are all the attractions in Ueno Park).
206 当地人推荐
东京国立博物馆
13-9 UenokōenThe Tokyo National Museum is Japan's oldest and largest museum. Each of its five large buildings could be a decent museum on its own. The museum holds over 110,000 items including 87 priceless national treasures. These include historical artifacts and art.
The museum is a bargain at 600 yen (general admission). Attractions supported by the government are generally inexpensive (as are all the attractions in Ueno Park).
Ueno Toshogu Shrine is one of the few Edo-era structures in Tokyo to have survived Tokyo's turbulent history of earthquakes and wars. It's dedicated to the Tokugawa Shoguns.
There are 50 large copper lanterns on the grounds of the shrine that were donated by territorial warlords (Daimyo). These lanterns are unusual artifacts not commonly seen at shrines (usually such lanterns are made of stone). The shrine itself is intricately decorated with wooden carvings.
38 当地人推荐
东照宫
9-88 UenokōenUeno Toshogu Shrine is one of the few Edo-era structures in Tokyo to have survived Tokyo's turbulent history of earthquakes and wars. It's dedicated to the Tokugawa Shoguns.
There are 50 large copper lanterns on the grounds of the shrine that were donated by territorial warlords (Daimyo). These lanterns are unusual artifacts not commonly seen at shrines (usually such lanterns are made of stone). The shrine itself is intricately decorated with wooden carvings.