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 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.)
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 visit Akihabara, I would like to share my family-friendly recommendations so that families with small children aren’t stuck for options.
BREAKFAST OPTIONS IN AKIHABARA WITH KIDS:
Dennys, Akihabara (from 6:30am)
Scrambled eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches and pancakes.
Royal Host, Akihabara (from 8am)
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.
LUNCH 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)
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)
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
THINGS TO SEE IN AKIHABARA WITH KIDS
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.
