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Akihabara after dark: arcades, shops and manners

How to spend an evening in Akihabara: game arcades, lit streets and shops that close early, plus the manners that keep the area easy for everyone.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · Guides · TokyoRead the post

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Guides5 min readAkihabara and Ikebukuro: anime, games and shopsAkihabara and Ikebukuro are Tokyo's two best places for anime, games and character goods. Here is how to plan a day in both, with food and rest breaks.

Guides5 min readMount Fuji from Kawaguchiko: views without a climbHow to see Mount Fuji from Kawaguchiko on a day trip from Tokyo, without climbing it. Routes, viewpoints and why the weather decides the day.

Guides5 min readFurano and Biei: fields, hills and slow roads from SapporoA day or two in Furano and Biei from Sapporo: the flower fields, the hills and the roads, and why a car or a tour helps.

Guides5 min readGinza and Tokyo Station: a base for a short stayA base near Ginza and Tokyo Station suits a short stay: walk to the shops at night, reach the shinkansen early, and rest in a calm, polished area.

Guides5 min readHakone from Tokyo: onsen, ropeway and lakeA day or two in Hakone from Tokyo: the train, the ropeway, the lake and the onsen. Tips on tattoos, the volcano and the order of the day.

Guides5 min readIkebukuro as a base: shops, anime and trains northIkebukuro is a busy station hub with big stores and many train lines. Here is how to decide if it is a good base, and how to pick the right exit.

Guides5 min readIkebukuro for fans: shops, cafes and fan cultureIkebukuro has anime store floors, a street of romance-story shops and character cafes. Here is how to plan a fan visit and shop with good manners.

Guides5 min readKamakura from Tokyo: temples, Great Buddha and coastA calm day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura: how to get there, which temples to pick, and what to check before you go.

Guides5 min readNikko from Tokyo: a long day for shrines and fallsHow to spend a long day in Nikko from Tokyo: the shrines, the waterfall and the lake, and what to check before you travel.

Guides5 min readNoboribetsu from Sapporo: hot springs and valley walksA day or a night in Noboribetsu from Sapporo: the steaming Hell Valley, the hot spring baths and the bathing rules to check first.

Guides5 min readOtaru from Sapporo: canal, glass and sushiA day in Otaru from Sapporo: the old canal, the glass and music box shops, the seafood and what to check in winter.

Guides5 min readRoppongi for art museums and a late night outRoppongi suits travellers who want art museums by day and a polished, lively area at night. Here is how to plan both, and how to stay safe after dark.