The moment you step into Akihabara, you’ll be greeted with buildings featuring façades designed with your favorite anime and manga characters. Named after a local shrine known as Akiba, this area has become not just a shrine but an urban temple for worshippers of Japanese pop culture, cosplay, electronics, and video games.
Some of the best things to do in Akihabara are perhaps riding a go-kart – just like Super Mario – shopping for electronics and otaku goods, visiting a salon so you can look like your fave anime character, and playing at the game centers. But what about the food culture in Akiba? Is it worth your experience?
Tonkatsu Marugo
Just a few minutes walk from Akihabara Station, Tonkatsu Marugo will make you want more of the famous Japanese pork cutlet. They say, if you're going to eat the best tonkatsu in Japan, do it in Tokyo. In fact, Akihabara is touted as the number one spot for tonkatsu lovers – the pork is tender, juicy, and won’t hurt your budget.
Price: From 2,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-2 PM, 5-8 PM (closed on Mondays)
Contact: +81 3-3255-6595
Address: 1 Chome-8-14 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
Yonpachi Gyojou Akihabara Showa Doriguchi
Do not let that name intimidate you because the best seafood is here. In their branch in Akihabara, be sure to order their fresh fish processed with local techniques known as “Shinkei-jime” or destroying the fish’s spine first before letting it rest in the tank, a technique called “Ikekoshi.” Many of the dishes here may be paired with Japanese sake as well. But, their price range is a bit pricey, so prepare, budget-wise.
Price: From 4,000 yen
Hours: 5-10 PM Saturdays, 4-9 PM Sundays, 11:30 AM-2 PM, 5-9:30 PM Tuesday to Friday (closed on Mondays)
Contact: +81 3-5298-2755
Address: 1-9 Hanaoka-cho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tsumakoizaka Keigo
Ah, the first restaurant on this list that holds a Michelin star. Some of the best tempura and soba-udon are here. This award-winning restaurant is run by a Japanese chef named Abe, regarded a soba prodigy who left his apprenticeship to open his own business with his wife. He prepares each dish at Tsumakoizaka Keigo in front of his guests. He also uses 100 percent buckwheat soba. The perfection of his craft reflects the personality of his wife and how she influences his ways. Interestingly, the prices of their food are a bit shocking.
Price: From 15,000 yen
Hours: 6-10 PM
Address: Yoshizawa Building 1F, 3-10-10, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Roast Beef Ōno Akihabara
For a restaurant whose wagyu steak can make you forget your name, visit Roast Beef Ōno Akihabara. The meat is tender, and once you taste it, you will go back to this place. They also serve mouthwatering roast beef bowls and toppings you can choose from. Just be prepared to line up in long queues.
Price: From 1,000 yen
Hours: 11 AM-10 PM Sundays, 11 AM-11 PM Monday to Saturday
Contact: +81 3-3254-7355
Address: Tsuchiya Building B1F, 1-2-3 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
Yaneura
Meanwhile, for something completely unique, head over to Yaneura, a creative dining bar – almost a bistro – that serves Italian-Japanese fusion cuisine, such as the Chef’s Pizza baked in a stone oven, and get this, can be prepared based on a taste that suits you. Also a must-try in this restaurant whose name means “attic,” is the colorful Freshly Harvested Vegetable Bagna Càuda. They are open after midnight, so it’s perfect for conversations with friends or coworkers.
Price: From 3,000 yen
Hours: 5 PM-5 AM
Contact: +81-3-6206-8900
Address: BiTO AKIBA 4F, 1-18-19 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan
naoto.K
Also a short walk from Akihabara Station, naoto.K is owned by Chef Naoto, who worked 13 years in the kitchen of a Western restaurant, Radberry's, before he made up his mind to start his own restaurant. naoto.K services authentic French food prepared the Japanese way. With a whopping 12 Michelin stars under his belt, this chef will surely wow you. Did you know he sources his ingredients from his friends, who are farmers and ranchers who share his vision in cooking? The place also has an in-house sommelier.
Price: From 22,000 yen
Hours: 6:30 PM until last order Monday to Saturday, 12-6:30 PM Sundays
Contact: +81-80-7960-9445
Address: 2-1-1 Kanda Nishiki-cho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan
Wineshop & Diner FUJIMARU Asakusabashiten
This place is a wine bar with a wine shop in the back area of the restaurant. It stocks not just wine in Japan but from around the world. You must try the Namataru wine, a beverage that inspires the taste of their dishes. Freshly caught seafood and freshly harvested vegetables are also available.
Price: From 6,000 yen
Hours: 1-10 PM (closed on Tuesdays, second Wednesday of the month)
Contact: +81 3-5829-8190
Address: S Building 2F, 2-27-19 Higashinihonbashi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0004, Japan
No one could ever think that amid the buildings here in Akihabara screaming with posters of anime and manga, there are restaurants that serve tasty food. In fact, there’s no better way to dine with your family and friends than with the atmosphere of Japanese pop culture all over you.
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