Anime and manga are two of the staples in Japanese culture, and Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, makes no exception. The city is full of hidden gems that are known by connoisseurs only. The first place to go to is Akihabara, also known as the mecca for anime and manga otaku, a place full of specialty stores with rich anime offerings. Those lucky enough might even catch the Comic Market (Comiket), which takes place twice a year and is the largest anime-related event and party. If you’re curious to understand otaku better, or you’re already an anime fan looking for the best shops in Tokyo, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best anime and manga shops in Tokyo, Japan.
Check out these guesthouses as well for your accommodation needs if you’re planning a trip to Tokyo soon.
Unique spots in and near Tokyo for otakus
Ghibli Museum: Studio Ghibli is an iconic part of Japanese culture, and it would be surprising to find an anime fan who hasn’t heard about the studio! There are various themed attractions in the museum, and if you’re traveling with your family, I’m sure the kids will love the large Cat Bus plush doll!
Square Enix Cafe: Final Fantasy Fans rejoice! This is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the world of Square Enix. The cafe offers themed menus according to various games published by the studio, and the cafe even sells limited addition collectibles!
1. One Piece Mugiwara Store
Named after one of the most popular anime and manga series, One Piece Mugiwara Store, is one of the best locations for anime and manga shopping in Tokyo. One Piece fans will be mesmerized by the countless memorabilia collections available.
You’ll find anything from toys, plushies, and figurines to chocolates, clothing items, and even underwear.
One Piece Mugiwara Store
Address: MAGNET by SHIBUYA109, 6th floor, 1-23-10 Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0041
Website: One Piece Mugiwara Store
Opening Hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)
2. Tokyo Character Street in Tokyo Station
Once at Tokyo Character Street, time will fly without you realizing it. Prepare yourself to enter the anime and manga paradise, with 21 themed stores dedicated to some of the most popular characters, including Hello Kitty, Snoopy, Pokemon, Rilakkuma, and plenty more.
There’s also an event space here with pop-up shops. I’d suggest you keep up to date on any events on the store’s official website so that you don’t miss out on any of your favorites!
Tokyo Character Street in Tokyo Station
Address: First Avenue Tokyo Station 1st Floor, 1 Chome-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
Website: Tokyo Character Street in Tokyo Station
Opening Hours: 10am - 8pm (daily)
3. Mandarake
Established back in the late 1980s, Mandarake is now one of the most popular anime and manga stores in Japan, with several locations in Tokyo, and the largest stores in the world.
Mandarake opens its doors to many anime and manga fans from all over the world, not just Japan, as this culture is getting more and more popular every year. The Shibuya store is perhaps the most popular outlet in Tokyo.
Mandarake
Address: 150-0042 Shibuya BEAM B2 floor, Udagawa-cho 31-2, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website: Mandarake
Opening Hours: 12pm - 8 pm (daily)
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4. Akihabara Gamers
Another place every anime and manga fan should definitely check out is the Akihabara Gamers main store, which is home to some of the latest merchandise. Get ready to explore a seven-story shop where you’ll find anything from magazines, DVDs, and CDs to character goods and some limited-time displays.
You’ll be able to buy books and magazines as a souvenir, but also fun items like anime-themed keyboards, stationery, mugs, and even clothes.
Akihabara Gamers
Address: Takarada Building, 1-14 - 7, Kotobuki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
Website: Akihabara Gamers
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)
Do you want to explore Akihabara with a tour guide? Join this popular tour!
5. Akiba Culture Zone
Easy to spot from the streets due to its cool architecture and design, the Akiba Culture Zone is home to several floors of otaku-related goods. Here, travelers can buy anything from games and manga to clothes, character figures, and lots more.
The first two floors are home to over 400,000 books, magazines, and games; the third floor sells clothes; the fourth floor sells toys and figurines; the fifth floor is for karaoke and buying souvenirs, and the sixth floor is home to a café where cosplay girls serve the customers.
Akiba Culture Zone
Address: 1 Chome-7-6 Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0021
Website: Akiba Culture Zone
Opening Hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)
6. Animate
Animate is Japan’s largest retail chain for anime goods and it has several locations open in Tokyo. Whether you’re a fan, or you’re just getting started with the anime culture, this is a great place to visit.
Animate Ikebukuro Main Store has nine floors filled with anime and gaming merchandise be it clothing, figurines, magazines, or collectibles. A visit here will definitely be an experience to remember.
Animate
Address: Multiple locations in Tokyo, most popular: Animate Ikebukuro Main Store, 1 Chome-20-7 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0013, Japan
Website: Animate
7. Nakano Broadway
As mentioned before, Nakano Broadway is an otaku’s dream come true. The shopping complex spreads over five floors and it contains a large number of outlets specializing in second-hand manga and anime offerings. Anything from CDs, DVDs, magazines, books, and other rarities can be found here.
If your time is limited, make sure you at least visit the second and third floors, as those have the best offerings.
Nakano Broadway
Address: 5 Chome-52-15 Nakano, Nakano City, Tokyo 164-0001, Japan
Website: Nakano Broadway
8. Jump Shop
With several locations in Tokyo, Jump Shop has become a popular name among anime and manga fans both inside and outside of Japan. They sell anything from DVDs, stationery, illustrations, accessories, and sundries, totaling over 3,000 different items. I’d say this is a great place to get some unique souvenirs! The best thing, however, is that the shops often organize signing events where they invite popular voice stars.
Jump Shop
Address: Multiple locations in Tokyo, popular option: JUMP SHOP - TOKYO Solamachi, Japan, 〒131-0045 Tokyo, Sumida City, Oshiage, 1 Chome−1−2 東京スカイツリータウン・ソラマチ 4階
Website: Jump Shop
9. K-Books
There are several locations where you can find K-Books stores in Tokyo, including the popular Akihabara neighborhood, an anime and manga fan’s dream. Get ready to step foot into a land of over 100,000 books on just one floor. Don’t expect your usual reading materials, but an anime and manga world where you’ll find anything you can possibly imagine.
K-Books
Address: Multiple locations in Tokyo, most popular: K-Books Akihabara, Akihabara Radio Kaikan, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Sotokanda, 1 Chome−15−16 ラジオ会館 3F
Website: K-Books
10. Taco Che
Nakano is another popular name among anime and manga fans in Tokyo and worldwide. On the third floor of the Nakano Broadway shopping complex is a store called Taco Che, home to some limited-edition titles and out-of-circulation books.
If you have a minicomic or a self-published work that you couldn’t find anywhere else, odds are you’ll be able to find it at Taco Che.
Taco Che
Address: 5 Chome-52-15 Nakano, Nakano City, Tokyo 164-0001, Japan
Website: Taco Che
Opening Hours: 12pm - 8pm
Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour
In case one anime store is not enough, why not book a tour instead? Akihabara anime and gaming adventure tour is one of the best things to do while in Tokyo! The tour will take you to various highly recommended anime and game centers around Tokyo. Travel back into the past anime world with old-school video game stores before heading over to a popular maid café where you can order a drink or two. After that, you are then free to wander around huge anime stores, with expert guidance and recommendations from your local guide. I’d love to try out this tour!
Also included in this three-hour tour is a Japanese photo booth experience called Purikura. The experience proves to be fulfilling and worth-it especially if you’re an anime or manga fanatic, make sure to bring a camera to capture unforgettable moments!
Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 85 USD
Tokyo, Japan - an anime and manga paradise
Anime and manga are, without a doubt, a significant part in Japanese culture and history, so taking the time to discover them is essential. And what better place to start than Tokyo? The city is every otaku’s dream, and I’m sure it will be a great destination to travel to with your fellow anime fans.
Apart from the free tours and Taiyaki shops, the city also boasts stores for both anime and manga rookies and buffs. Make sure you check out at least a couple of these anime and manga stores in Tokyo, Japan.