AKIHABARA WITH KIDS

Here are my recommendations on how to make the most of the day with kids in Akihabara!

To be completely transparent, I don’t really like Akihabara and don’t like recommend it for families.
HOWEVER, I do know that some families have one or more members who love electronics, anime, manga, figurines and searching for vintage or used computer parts.

If you were to ask me why I really don’t like it? I feel that the kinds of shops and restaurants ( maid cafes etc.) draw in a weird kind of clientele – so, to me, it just feels seedy (although I have never ever felt in danger – it’s still Japan.) It also was harder for me to find as many family-friendly dining options here as so many cafes here allow smoking.

So… I definitely don’t believe Akihabara to be a must-see.  Some guidebooks will tell you otherwise and some people want to be amongst all of the lights and the big screens – I feel that you can get plenty of this in Shibuya and Shinjuku (and even some parts of Ikebukuro) to not need to visit.
But if you DO decide to go – here are my recommendations on how to make the most of the day !

When staying in or visiting Akihabara – remember that you are also close to Ueno, Otsuka, Ikebukuro and relatively close to Asakusa – so you may also want to look at kid-friendly activities in those areas too.
If you decide to stay in Akihabara with kids – I can recommend this hotel.

PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

If you ever wanted to find a random computer piece from a computer you had in the 90s? This is your place!
This is also a good place to see new electronics or the newest models of tvs or phones or home goods etc (it’s expensive because it’s the latest -but still cool to look at, right?). Start by checking out the big electronic stores and also Yodobashi Camera shopping mall.

Also, look in Yodobashi Camera for Nintendo Amiibo.
I must admit that I know NOTHING about Amiibo. However, my son always tells me that the Amibo selection in Japan is way better than other countries. If you are amiibo “shopping” then I recommend first going to your closest Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera. Toys R Us Japan also has a good selection of Amiibo.

Another thing that’s good to shop for here? Collectable anime figurines etc (also expensive but if you are a serious collector – you will be in heaven.) 

Did you know that (although it is a 20 min+ walk) Ueno is walking distance from Akihabara?

But… if you do visit Akihabara, I would like to share my family-friendly recommendations so that families with small children aren’t stuck for options.

Random recommendation:   There is a vending machine on the Yamanote Line Platform at Akihabara Station that sells Cookie Time Gluten Free cookies. 


Leisureland, Akihabara
The name sounds super dodgy but it’s just an arcade with arcade games and crane machines. Super retro. Super kitschy (in the best way.) There are actually two branches in the area – I’ve only ever been to this one though. Best to bring cash.

LEISURELAND AKIHABARA
千代田区外神田1-9-5
1-9-5 SOTOKANDA, CHIYODA
OPEN 10AM-11:55PM

BREAKFAST OPTIONS IN AKIHABARA WITH KIDS: 
Dennys, Akihabara (from 6:30am)
Scrambled eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches and pancakes.
Denny’s have a zero meat (plant based)  burger steak option. Denny’s Japan (note, not the same as Denny’s in the US.)

Open from 10am -10pm. Please note that there are “smoking sections” of the restaurant on weekdays. 
They have a low common allergens menu.   There is a change table in the toilets here.  No bookings. Walk-in only.  They accept most major credit cards. 
See the full Denny’s Japan menu here.  　Please note, if you are vegan,  that Denny’s in Japan do have a zero meat hamburger steak (like a vegan rissole – for the fellow aussies.) 

 

Doutor for a light breakfast or lunch
There are a few Doutor branches in this area. The Doutor Kanda-Izumicho, Akihabara store is 3 mins walk from Akihabara Station.
This is a chain of casual coffee shops and they also sell a light breakfast. Walk-ins only. They accept most major credit cards. See the Doutor menu here. This cafe is small so you might also want to consider getting takeaway. The cafe is non-smoking but there is an enclosed smoking booth.

DOUTOR KANDA IZUMICHO
千代田区神田和泉町1-2-19 石井ビル1F
GROUND FLOOR ISHII BUILDING, 1-2-19 KANDA-IZUMICHO, CHIYODA
OPEN WEEKDAYS 7AM-7PM
OPEN SATURDAYS 7:30AM-6PM
OPEN SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 8AM-5PM

Coffee Taishikan (Coffee Embassy)
If you want to try a retro Japanese “morning” (= morning breakfast set) then I recommend having breakfast at Coffee Taishikan. Open from 8am, closed Sundays. Breakfast options include mixed sandwiches, pizza toast, crossiant sandwiches, honey or jam on toast. Every one of these breakfast options is less than 700 yen! Pretty amazing value! For kids who can’t have coffee, they also have hot or cold cocoa, cola floats, orange or grapefruit juice. They accept most major credit cards.
Warning: smoking is allowed in some sections of this cafe. This is a walk-in only cafe.
The coffee is american style drip black coffee. It is 7 mins walk from Akihabara Station.

COFFEE TAISHIKAN (COFFEE EMBASSY) AKIHABARA
台東区台東1-3-1 FUDO PAPYRUS HEIGHTS 1F
GROUND FLOOR, FUDO PAPYRUS HEIGHTS BUILDING, 1-3-1 TAITO
OPEN WEEKDAYS 8AM-6PM
OPEN SATURDAY 8AM-3PM
CLOSED SUNDAYS

Royal Host, Akihabara (from 8am-10pm)
Diner style breakfasts. The Akihabara branch of Royal Host has beautiful big windows and is quite spacious. The staff also speak a bit of English.
The entrance is on the ground floor but you will need to take a set of stairs up to the restaurant (on the second floor.)  There is no elevator access. 
Breakfast menu here is available until 10:30AM. Royal Host stores accept most major credit cards. I have written more about dining at Royal Host in Japan here.  This diner style restaurant is also a great family-friendly option for lunch and dinner. 
Please note that this restaurant does not accept reservations- walk in only. 

 

 

LUNCH AND DINNER OPTIONS IN AKIHABARA WITH KIDS:
Pomme no Ki, Akihabara 
Omurice restaurant. Omrice is a rice dish served with a large omelette. It’s really good and you can choose the type of sauce/flavour of your omrice dish.
I would budget around 2000 yen per person when dining here. This restaurant is casual and it is fine to take children. Pomme no ki accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.  This restaurant is two minutes walk from JR Akihabara Station.
POMME NO KI, AKIHABARA
東京都千代田区神田花岡町1-1 ヨドバシAkiba 8F
8TH FLOOR OF YODOBASHI AKIBA DEPARTMENT STORE, 1-1 KANDA HANAOKA-CHO, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO
OPEN 11AM-11PM (LAST ORDER 10PM)

McDonalds Akihabara
This is a random recommendation but the McDonalds on Showa Dori in Akihabara has the best views for train lovers. My little boy could sit there and watch them all day long! It’s open 24 hours a day! They also have high chairs. It’s just 1 min walk from the Showa-Dori exit of Akihabara Station.

MCDONALDS, AKIHABARA SHOWA-DORI STORE
千代田区神田佐久間町1-21-1 CHIYODA TERRACE
CHIYODA TERRACE, 1-21-1 KANDA SAKUMACHO, CHIYODA
OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY

Tonkatsu Wako, Akihabara
On the same floor in the same store is Tonkatsu Restaurant Tonkatsu Wako.  They do accept most major credit cards and they do have high chairs here. The restaurant seats 48 people. They do not take reservations. 
See the full Tonkatsu Wako menu in English here.  And the adorable kids menu plates here.  Each kids meal comes with a small toy.

 

Please see my article here on how to go about making a reservation for a restaurant in Japan when the website doesn’t have an English website option. 

Did you know that Japan has all you can eat restaurant Sizzler?
There is one on the second floor of Tokyo Dome Hotel.   *This restaurant is 10 minutes in a taxi from Akihabara
It is an easy option for families who want to eat lots of salads and American style meals.  It is also an easy option for gluten free visitors -they have a detailed allergen menu for their steak sauces and also for salad options etc.  
Budget for adults for lunch – 3000 yen and approx 6000 yen at dinnertime. 
Sizzler accepts most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.  There are spaces for strollers and there is also a kids menu. 
See the children’s menu at Sizzler here. 
SIZZLER TOKYO DOME
文京区後楽1-3-61 東京ドームホテル2F
2F TOKYO DOME HOTEL, 1-3-61 KORAKU, BUNKYO-KU
OPEN 11AM-10PM (LAST ORDER AT 9:30PM)*OPEN FROM 10AM ON WEEKENDS

If you would like to visit a beautiful izakaya as a family, I recommend Kichiri, Akihabara.  
This restaurant welcomes babies and children.  It is a shoes off restaurants so make sure you wear your nice socks!
The food is Italian x Japanese fusion.  Kichiri is just to the right of the Chuo (Central) Exit of Akihabara Station (on the 3rd floor.)  Budget wise: approximately 4000 yen per adult when you dine here. There is a 561 yen service charge per person (and you will receive an ootoshi when you sit down as a thank you.)  As with all izakayas – each dish is a small tapas size portion and you order lots and share. 
You can see the full Kichiri menu here (in Japanese and English.)

 

KICHIRI, AKIHABARA 
千代田区神田佐久間町1-13チョムチョム秋葉原
3RD FLOOR, CHOMU CHOMU AKIHABARA BUILDING, 1-13 KANDA SAKUMACHO, CHIYODA-KU
OPEN MON-THURS & SUN 5PM-11PM (LAST ORDERS 10PM)
OPEN FRI, SAT & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 5PM-1AM (LAST ORDERS AT MIDNIGHT)

Other Family friendly restaurants in Akihabara:
The Shopping Centre in Akihabara called Akiba Tolim has quite a few kid-friendly eateries. It is just to the right when you exit JR Akihabara Station via the Chuo (Central) Exit.  If you arrive by Tsukaba Express, use Exit A1 to get here. 
On the 5th floor, you will find Toraji, a Yakiniku restaurant. This restaurant welcomes families (although it is best to make a reservation.) The entire restaurant is non-smoking and they do accept most major credit cards. For lunch here I would budget for 6000 yen per adult and more like 13,000 yen at dinner time. Wagyu is also on the menu here.  See the full Toraji Akihabara menu via this link here. As it is Yakiniku, you will have your own barbeque grill in the middle of the table and a variety of marinades.  It’s a great meal for kids to join in on.  This restaurant is wheelchair accessible.  You can ask for tatami or horigotatsu style seating.  The interior of this restaurant is very beautiful. 

TORAJI, AKIHABARA
5TH FLOOR, AKIBA TOLIM SHOPPING CENTRE, AKIHABARA 
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11AM-3PM (LAST ORDERS AT 2:30PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER  5PM-11PM (LAST ORDERS AT 10:30PM)

Also inside of Akiba Tolim, you can find Yakitori (grilled and chargrilled chicken skewers) restaurant Torimitsukuni on the 5th floor. This restaurant welcomes young families.  This restaurant is entirely non-smoking and they also accept most major credit cards.  I think this restaurant is really pretty inside. Some tables even have views of Akihabara and are great for people-watching.  In terms of budget, I would set aside 2000 yen per adult at lunchtime and more like 5000 yen at dinner time.  Unfortunately it is only in Japanese but you can see the menu online with pictures here – and you can put it through Google translate if you like.  In the actual restaurant, however, they do have an english menu (you just can’t check it out in English ahead of time.) 
If you are gluten free in Japan- Yakitori can be a good option. But be sure to ask for it to be prepared with salt, not tare (sauce/marinade as “tare” is made using soy sauce.) Ask your hotel to phone ahead and see if this is possible. 
TORIMITSUKUNI, AKIHABARA
5TH FLOOR, AKIBA TOLIM SHOPPING CENTRE, AKIHABARA 
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11AM-2PM & 5PM-11:30PM
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 11AM-2:30PM & 5PM-11:30PM

Or how about family-friendly sushi? 
Tsukiji Sushiko welcomes kids and sushi and sashimi is delivered from Toyosu fish markets daily.  They have a kids menu here too (only sushi though so if your kids don’t eat sushi it’s best to go elsewhere.)  This sushi restaurant accepts most major credit cards and is non-smoking.  Lunch is approximately 2000 yen per person and I’d budget for 4000 yen per adult at dinner time. Here is the Tsukiji Sushiko individual sushi menu in English and Japanese.   Here is the sushi set / sushi small platter menu for Tsukiji Sushiko.  This is the Tsukiji Sushiko seafood rice bowl and sushi roll menu. This link leads to the side menu for Tsukiji Sushiko – includes salads and cooked fish. 

TSUKIJI SUSHIKO, AKIHABARA
5TH FLOOR, AKIBA TOLIM SHOPPING CENTRE, AKIHABARA 
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11AM-2PM & 5PM-10PM (LAST ORDERS 9:30PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS 11AM-10PM (LAST ORDERS 9:30PM 

A Pizza Restaurant
Nohga Pizzeria & Bar has delicious woodfire pizzas. I recommend budgeting approx 2000 yen per adult for lunch here and more like 5000 yen at dinner time. Children are welcome here and they also have space to store your stroller while you dine.  They also do takeaway – so you could always get a pizza to go and take it back to your hotel.   This restaurant is on the ground floor of the Nohga Hotel.  They accept most major credit cards (actually they don’t accept any cash at all.)   Please note that there is a 10% service charge added to the bill for both lunch and dinner service. At dinner time, the restaurant requires all diners to order at least one food and one drink item each.  This restaurant is popular so it is a good idea to ask your hotel to make a reservation on your behalf. 
This restaurant is 6 mins walk from the Electric Town exit of Akihabara Station or 3 mins walk from Suehirocho Station via exit 3. 
See the Nohga Pizzeria & Bar lunch menu here.  See the Nohga Pizzeria & Bar dinner menu here. 

NOHGA PIZZERIA & BAR
千代田区外神田3-10-11 NOHGAHOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO 1F
GROUND FLOOR, NOHGA HOTEL, AKIHABARA, 3-10-11 SOTOKANDA, CHIYODA-KU
OPEN 11:30AM-11PM (UNTIL 10PM ON SUNDAYS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS)*This restaurant is used as the hotel breakfast restaurant before 11:30am.

A sushi train with video games
This Sushiro branch is the Sushiro, Akihabara Chuo-Dori Store. This sushi train option is 2 minutes walk from Suehirocho Station.
I recommend visiting between meal times if you can OR first thing in the morning (10:30am on weekends) to avoid having to wait.
Just a warning – the games appear after you’ve ordered a certain number of plates (every 4-5 plates or so) but they only last for a few sections. So best to get kids to take turns and warn them that it will be very quick.
If you order from the kids section of the menu, you will get a gatchapon coin for kids to use on the gatchapon machines within the restaurant. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
They accept most major credit cards here. I recommend budgeting 3000 yen per adult for a meal here. See the full Sushiro menu here. Sushiro is great for gluten free diners as they have an allergen menu.
Please note that Sushiro technically doesn’t have any truly vegan sushi options as they use fish extract-vinegar – you may want to look at alternative sushi train restaurants if this is a deal breaker for you.

SUSHIRO, AKIHABARA-CHUO BRANCH
千代田区外神田3-15-1 アキバプレイスビル 8F
8F AKIBA PLACE BUILDING, 3-15-1 SOTOKANDA, CHIYODA-KU
OPEN 11AM-11PM (FROM 10:30AM ON WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS)

A family-friendly izakaya where every single table has it’s own private booth/room
Jibundoki Akihabara is a great izakaya to eat at in Japan with kids ( or with girlfriends for a catch up, actually.)  YOU MUST MAKE A RESERVATION AHEAD OF TIME IF DINING HERE WITH CHILDREN.
This izakaya specialises in general izakaya foods but also does tempura beautifully.  Every single table has a private room/booth – which really takes off the pressure for kids to sit still the whole time and it also means they could quietly colour or do a puzzle or play nintendo with the sound turned down.  The doors are slider doors that are opened frequently to serve food, so I recommend sitting kids on the far side and put adults next to the door.  
Like most izakaya in Japan, the idea is that you order lots of little dishes and keep on ordering as you go (more of the same or to try something else.) 
They accept most major credit cards.  I recommend budgeting approximately 4000 yen per adult to dine here.  
This is also a wonderful restaurant for adults to try hot or cold sake or different flavours of sours (sake with soft drink mixers) while still dining with the family. 
There are some booths/rooms that do allow smoking so please ask your hotel to ask for one far away when you get them to make a reservation on your behalf. 
It is 1 min walk from the Akihabara Station Electric Town exit.

JIBUNDOKI AKIHABARA
千代田区外神田1-18-19 BiTO AKIBA 8F
8TH FLOOR, BITO AKIBA, 1-18-19 SOTO-KANDA, CHIYODA
OPEN WEEKDAYS 5PM-11:30PM
OPEN WEEKDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 3PM-11:30PM

For even more restaurant options, head to the 8th floor of Yodobashi-Akiba Shopping Mall Building.  
Most restaurants on this floor open at 11am and can get very busy on weekends so, with kids, I recommend going right at 11am or after 2:30pm.
Family-Friendly Restaurants on the 8th floor include:
– Tajimaya (Sukiyaki & Shabu Shabu) *All you can eat Shabu Shabu hot pot for 90 mins & All you can eat dessert
– Craft Beer Tap Akihabara (Beer & Burgers) *Open everyday of the year
–Wanzhuji (Ramen & Gyoza) 
–Cobara Hetta Indian Curry Dining (Indian Curry served with Naan or French Fries!) *This restaurant has a kids plate ( a small mild curry, naan, a few veggies and some fries) and also has space to store strollers while you dine.  They also have some gluten-free curry plates.  This a small and casual food court style restaurant. 

and
Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Yodobashi Akiba

And if you’re looking for a bit of a lush dinner or lunch with a reasonable price tag at a restaurant that also allows children in Akihabara,  I recommend Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Yodobashi Akihabara (inside Yodobashi Akiba Shopping Complex ) for Kobe Beef and Wagyu.   It’s a Beef Cutlet restaurant.  It is high quality beef, crumbed and fried so that the outside is crunchy and served with a range of sauces (dipping sauces) and rice.  The restaurant is entirely non-smoking.   They have an English menu.   They also accept most major credit cards. 
Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Yodobashi Akihabara is 2 mins walk from Akihabara Station. This restaurant welcomes children and babies.  
Each meal is approx 2000 yen.  You can see the full Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu menu here. (Click bottom right to change the language to English) 　This restaurant is walk-in only.  

GYUKATSU KYOTO KATSGYU YODOBASHI AKIBA
千代田区神田花丘町-18F
8TH FLOOR, YODOBASHI AKIBA, 1-1 KANDA-HANAOKACHO, CHIYODA-KU
OPEN EVERYDAY  11AM-10PM (LAST ORDERS AT 9PM)

There is also a Vie De France Bakery on the ground floor of this building.  Take out only. There is another branch in Akihabara that has a seated area with places to charge devices and free wifi. See items sold at Vie de France here. I recommend trying one of the three types of curry pan.

Vegan and Vegetarian options in Akihabara
Cocoichibanya Curry is probably your best bet.  Vegan and Vegetarian curry options available here and don’t forget you can add extra veggies like spinach or eggplant.  Cocoichibanya in Akihabara is 1 min walk from Akihabara Station. 

Donuts
Jack in the Donuts donut store is at the bottom of Yodobashi Camera right at Akihabara Station. Open 10:30am-9pm. Take out only. We love the colourful Galaxy Donut.

Japanese Bakery
Vie de France is a casual Japanese bakery at the bottom of Yodobashi Camera right at Akihabara Station and it’s perfect for grabbing something yummy to go with kids. Open 7am-9pm (from 8am on weekends.)

Yummy Ramen (including one vegan ramen option)
7 mins walk from Akihabara Station is Kyushu Jyangara Ramen. This is a walk-in restaurant only so you may have to wait to dine here – so, with kids, best to go a few mins before they open. Budget 2000 yen per person here. They have one vegan ramen option. As I always say with ramen spots and small children- please consider if this is the right time to try a ramen spot – little hands dipping in or spilling over boiling hot bowls of ramen is not always the best idea with babies and toddlers. The restaurant seats 18 people. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. They accept most major credit cards.

KYUSHU JYANGARA RAMEN
千代田区外神田3-11-6
3-11-6 SOTOKANDA, CHIYODA-KU
OPEN 11AM-10PM

A diner that serves Italian food
Saizeriya is a diner chain in Japan – well known for extremely cheap meals in Japan – diner food at fast food prices. Pizza and pasta, mostly – and unlimited soft drinks. The restaurant is filled mostly will solo diners, uni students and some families. It’s cheap and cheerful and my kids like it. It’s not fab quality of anything but if you think of it as an alternative to McDonalds – it’s fine. There are two Saizeriya branches in Akihabara. The restaurant seats 148 people so you shouldn’t have to wait long at any time of day. If you like this restaurant- you’re in luck as they are all over Japan and you can google “Saizeriya near me” at any time.
SAIZERIYA AKIHABARA
千代田区神田花岡町1-9 アトレ秋葉原2 6F
6TH FLOOR, ATRE AKIHABARA, 1-9
OPEN 11AM-11PM (FROM 10:30AM ON WEEKENDS)

Standing sushi
This restaurant is casual but I think the sushi here is really yummy and it’s perfect with kids who are picky eaters too as it’s just a standing spot and you order what you’d like and can keep moving. Also, as it’s in the Atre Building, it is possible for one parent to stop for sushi while the other parent takes kids up to the other toy and character goods shops floors and then switch! The restaurant is called Sushi Uogashi Nihonichi and they welcome children. It is less than 1 min from Akihabara Station. If you are eating a meal here then I recommend budgeting approx 2000 yen per adult. They accept most major credit cards. This is also a good place for grown ups to try some hot or cold sake. They can also do take-out. See pictures of the Sushi Uogashi Nihonichi menu here. This is a walk-in restaurant only.

SUSHI UOGASHI NIHONICHI, AKIHABARA
千代田区外神田1-17-6 アトレ秋葉原1
ATRE AKIHABARA 1, 1-17-6 SOTO-KANDA, CHIYODA
OPEN 10AM-10:30PM

Indian Curry & Japanese Curry House
This curry house is like a diner style cafe. The restaurant is called Ethiopia. They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Budget 1000-2000 yen. It is 1 min walk from the Electric Town exit of Akihabara Station. This is a walk-in only restaurant. They are a great option if you have allergies as all allergens are marked clearly on their website here. See the full curry menu at Ethiopia here. 　The breakfast curries start at just 450 yen. They can also do take-out.

ETHIOPIA, AKIHABARA
千代田区外神田1-17-6 アトレ秋葉原1 1F
GROUND FLOOR, ATRE AKIHABARA 1-17-6 SOTO-KANDA, CHIYODA
OPEN 8AM-10:30PM

THINGS TO SEE IN AKIHABARA WITH KIDS
Even just exciting the station and walking in any direction you will see lots of arcades with gatchapon and crane machines. 

Pokemon Trading Card Vending Machines
Accessible 24 hours a day. They can be found at this address 千代田区外神田３丁目１４−５ 久郷ビル 1階 (Ground floor, Kugo Building, Soto-Kanda Building, Chiyoda-ku) It is 8 mins walk from Akihabara Station. Pay with credit cards, suica or pasmo.

Katsu Sandwich (Katsu-sando) vending machine!
This unique vending machine is just 6 mins walk from the Electric Town exit of Akihabara Station.  It’s just next to the shopping mall called “Maach Acute Kanda Manseibashi.”
As well as Katsu-sando you can also find Hamburg Steak sandwiches. Prices range from 750 yen to 1150 yen.

Super Potato
Retro video game store is a great option for collectors (or for parents who just want to take kids for a little walk down memory lane. Open 11am-8pm. The aisles are tiny and squishy and there are some stairs inside so I don’t recommend trying to do this with toddlers.

Book Off
This second hand store is popular with “treasure hunters” in Japan for a reason. This store stocks books, electronics and cds. Open 10am-10pm. It is 1 min walk from Akihabara Station.

A shop where they sell “un-boxed” gatchapon to buy and collect
Habikoro Toys Radio Kaikan Store isn’t exactly a cheap shop but it is a good option if you have, say, a child who has collected almost every Pokemon character, for example, except for one or two and this is somewhere they can buy exactly what they need. Please be warned that the more rare the item – the higher the price so best to tell little kids your max spending amount before you go in.
Open everyday 11am-8pm .

Or perhaps you would like to take part in a Taiko Drumming Class (kids 3 and older can also participate with parents/guardians) at the Taiko Center in Akihabara? Make a taiko class reservation here.

Should you visit Maid Cafes with kids in Japan ? (my thoughts below) 

If you’ve been reading up on Akihabara, you’ve probably read about Maid Cafes.  
Can you take kids to a maid cafe? Yes – they aren’t anything sexual ( at least not to the innocent eye.)   
Maid Cafes is young girls and women as waitresses serving customers in little maid outfits. The food is cutesy (bad quality and doesn’t taste great but I doubt that the repeat customer clientele care….).  The wait staff refer to the customers as “master” and often participate in “dancing” (or, more than dancing its more like hand gestures to music.) *A little warning – gluten free options are almost non-existent in Japan AND even if the maid cafe menu says gluten free – just be warned that many of my readers have had issues with cross-contamination and have still gotten sick.
You can probably tell that I don’t recommend it, personally.   Bad food and it’s just a bit icky to me.  I’ve been when I was University Student age – but I just don’t know how I could go about explaining it to my kids (and, more to the point, explain the weirdo old man sitting at the table next to us and loving it and knowing all the dance actions ….) 
But if you want to go – do it.  Maid Dreamin’ is the most well known brand of Maid Cafes in that area. Just maybe go out for a real meal afterwards, ok?

Did you know that there is an undercover artisan market not far from Akihabara Station (8 mins on foot) under the railway line?  This viaduct area is full of small and local businesses and craft stores.  It is also 14 mins on foot from Ueno Station or 5 mins from Okachimachi Station.  You can also walk here from Akihabara Station in 8 mins. 
This area is called 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan.  

I highly recommend checking out a store called Toumei Store. I adore their clear Japanese mini plates (for jewellery etc).  Toumei Asia also have an online site here.  They ship within Japan so, you could be super clever and order them just before y0ur holiday and have them send to your hotel.  There is also a physical store at Narita Airport Terminal 2 (4th floor before security) called Mono to Art – who also stocks these beautiful products. 
Toumei Asia products are also sold in some Tsutaya stores and online at  Yahoo Shopping Japan.
The store in 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan is open 11am-7pm (Closed Wednesdays.)

 

 

I recommend walking here from any of the stations mentioned above – perfect with a baby in a stroller. Grab some food along the way and let little alleyways determine where you wander. 
There is a public bathroom (with a change table) at 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan.   

 

2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN 
OPEN 11:00AM-7PM 
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS

Tokyo Butchers is a beer & steak restaurant that welcomes kids 6 years and older (if you have younger kids you can buy a steak bento from here for around 1000 yen to take back to your hotel.)   It is a lovely vibey restaurant underneath the train tracks. They serve several different types of craft beer and Australian wine. They serve beef, pork, lamb, chicken and grilled veg here.  They have three types of pasta here too and they have french fries and some salads. It is 11 mins walk from Akihabara Station and 10 mins walk from Ueno Station OR 2 mins walk from Okachimachi Station (take the South Exit).   Tokyo Butchers accepts most major credit cards.  There is a 440 yen per person service charge (as a thank you for that additional payment you will receive an appetizer when you sit down. This, in Japan, is called otoshi. You don’t have to eat it but just leave it on the table if you don’t want it.)  At lunch, I would budget for 2000 yen per adult and more like 5000 yen per adult at dinner time. 　Best to ask the hotel to make a reservation for you. 

TOKYO BUTCHERS 
台東区上野5-10-9
5-10-9 UENO, TAITO-KU
OPEN MON -THURS 11:30AM-2:30PM & 5PM-11PM
OPEN FRI 11:30AM-2:30PM & 5PM-11:30PM
OPEN SAT 2PM-11:30PM
OPEN SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS  11:30AM-11PM
*There is also “Egg Baby Cafe” next door (same owners) but I don’t really recommend going here with kids as the lines are just too long – takes the chill and the relaxation out of a meal with kids. 

Depending on what your family needs, you may also like to check out Eusa Halal Mart.  A small Halal Grocery Store.  It is 11 mins walk from Akihabara Station open 10am-11pm.  You can also buy hot, ready made samosa here. 

You can also book the Owl Cafe Experience in Akihabara here.

SUPERMARKETS IN AKIHABARA
Life Supermarket (10 mins walk from Akihabara Station)
*Life Supermarkets have an allergy section with options such as a gluten free version of kewpie mayonnaise.

And just across the road from Life Supermarket is a local fruit and veg stand called Maya Fruits Stand. Open from 7am – 7:30pm ( Monday from 8:30am, Closed Sundays.) Cash only.

Seijo Ishii, Akihabara (1 min walk from Akihabara Station)
Seijo Ishii – probably my favourite brand of supermarket in Japan (mostly because they have the best bentos, amazing cheese options (for Japan) and lots of international food items.)*This supermarket stocks a rice flourgluten free bread made by a company called “Happy Bakery.”
The Akihabara branch is inside Atre and is just 1 min from Akihabara Station.
Open 8am-10:30pm (from 10am on weekends.) This supermarket has lots of ready-made meals and salads and bentos.

And if you have a member of the family who loves cars – Akihabara on a Friday night is a bit of an unofficial “catwalk” for expensive tuned cars with flashing lights etc.

If you are looking for Pokemon cards in Akihabara I recommend heading to Card Kingdom or Bic Camera in this area. See here for my full list on places to buy Pokemon cards in Japan.

Drugstores in Akihabara
Welcia near Akihabara Station is open 24 hours a day.

9 mins in a cab from Akihabara (or 10 mins by train) is the most incredible playcentre for little kids:
ASOBONO, TOKYO DOME
This large playcentre Asobono is just by Tokyo Dome.  It is the largest, cleanest and most multi-dimensional playcentre I have ever visited. See opening hours and admission fees for Asobono here.

My kids get so excited when we go here but.. I must admit, I sometimes had a love/hate relationship with this place when the kids were small and I took them on their own.  Just because it is massive. We do have to have a bit of a ‘team meeting’ about staying together and going through each section – bit by bit.  Don’t worry, kids can’t leave the play centre without you but.. still.. I don’t like not being able to see both kids at the same time.   But if your kids are “runners” – this probably isn’t the place for you (or bring a parent per child.)

That being said – this place is a sight to be seen!!!!!! It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen! A play supermarket, a play restaurant, a doll section, a train room, a jumping castle, a ball pit, slides… everything.

If it wasn’t for the long lines to get in I would go much more often.  I strongly recommend arriving 15-20 minutes before opening time.  Especially on weekends and rainy days.

My kids love the jumping castles, giant ball pit, pretend supermarket and restaurant and the model train room.

ASOBONO
ASOBONO
1-3-61 KORAKU, BUNKYO-KU
文京区後楽1-3-61
OPEN: 10AM-6PM WEEKDAYS, 9:30-7PM WEEKENDS

There is a food court just across from Asobono! which makes it easy for a meal afterwards.  6 minutes walk from the exit is Shake Shack Tokyo Dome, too.
*Side note: Shake Shack in Japan is a fab idea for those who aregluten free as you can order a burger in a lettuce wrap. You can also ask for a triple patty with sauce, no bun, bacon, avocado and cheese.    Just a warning incase you are very gluten sensitive – fries might not be a good idea as they reuse the oil between products. 

See here for all of my favourite playcentres in Tokyo.