Nakano City Guide: Things To Do In Tokyo's Hidden Otaku Heaven

Nakano City is known as a hub for everything anime, manga and subculture-related, thanks to places such as the Nakano Broadway shopping mall.
Nakano has much more to offer, to visitors and residents alike. It's an amalgamation of two towns: Nakano-machi, and Nokata-machi. Taking the character "naka," meaning "central," from Nakano-machi, and the "no," meaning "field," from Nokata-machi, the area's name loosely translates to "central field."

With easy access to major areas, such as Shinjuku and Shibuya, Nakano is a convenient and comfortable commuter town. It's also known for its otaku culture and has lots of unmissable spots for fans of anime and manga. You can enjoy the atmosphere of bustling shopping streets and unique subcultures. The ordinary and extraordinary merge in Nakano City, where you can have an experience like no other.

How To Get There: Navigating Nakano Station

Access the area from Nakano Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu Lines and Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.

From Haneda Airport: Around 1 hour 20 minutes by limousine bus, or Around 55 minutes by train.
From Narita Airport: Around 2 hours by train.
From Shinjuku Station: Around 10 minutes by the JR Chuo Line for Nakano Station
From Tokyo Station: Around 25 minutes by the JR Chuo Line to Nakano Station
From Shibuya Station: Around 14 minutes―take the JR Yamanote Line, and change at Shinjuku for the JR Chuo Line rapid express train to Nakano Station.
From Ueno Station: Around 24 minutes―take the JR Yamanote line heading clockwise, and change at Kanda Station for the JR Chuo line rapid express train to Nakano.

Nakano Broadway: A Must-visit Mall For Otaku Fans

Nakano Broadway is a famous shopping mall in Nakano. It originally opened in 1966, during a period of rapid economic growth and cultural Americanization, and so reflects the spirit of that time. It also embodies the subculture that accompanied the decline of that era and the recession that followed the end of Japan's economic "bubble" in the late 1980s.
During those few remarkable decades, several famous shops selling goods related to anime, manga, and subculture opened in this mall, which is now a well-known symbol of Japan's otaku culture. In recent years, shops selling luxury and vintage watches have also sprung up here.
Nakano Broadway is open 10 hours a day, from 10:00 to 20:00, and is a five-minute walk north from Nakano Station. Please note that the mall does not have any parking space available, so they recommend using public transport.

Japan's legendary manga and anime stores

Stores like Mandarake and Lashinbang sell almost everything you can think of relating to manga and anime. There's a wealth of other stores too, specializing in everything from old books and retro toys to games and all things subculture.

Vintage watch shops

Vintage watch shops abound in Nakano Broadway, with famous names such as JACKROAD, Fire Kids, Universal Value, and Watchnian jostling for position. If you're into old watches and watchmaking, this place is a must-see.

JACKROAD

WATCHNIAN

Nakano Sun Mall shopping street

Nakano Sun Mall shopping street is a 224-meter covered shopping arcade stretching north from the North exit of Nakano Station. A huge variety of shops gather under one roof here, creating a lively atmosphere.
The surrounding area is also home to a wide variety of shops, from smaller stores specializing in vintage clothing and music to big chains like Don Quijote.
Camera and photography fans should definitely check out Fujiya Camera near the arcade, which offers a huge selection of both new and used cameras and accessories.
If you're tired out from shopping, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants around, and even a few video arcades and karaoke bars in which to take a break.

Local Food In Nakano City

There are all kinds of places to eat within a short walk from Nakano Station. Besides mainstream chains, there are a wealth of smaller bars, izakaya, cafes and restaurants serving up local, down-to-earth food and drink. Sushi, ramen, tempura, fried chicken, coffee, and ice cream are all within easy reach.

An alley packed with izakaya and restaurants

The yokocho (small alleys) around the station abound with funky izakaya and restaurants, serving up classic Japanese food like sushi and ramen.
Highlights include Nadai Unatoto for cheap eel dishes, and Juke 80's, a request-driven bar with around 40,000 songs to choose from, mostly specializing in 80s music.

Nadai Unatoto Nakano

JUKE 80's

Find Peace and Quiet Among Nature in the Park

Nakano may be in the city, but there are still plenty of wide, open spaces to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Take a break from the hustle and bustle by immersing yourself in the serenity of Araiyakushi Baishoin Temple, contemplating the meaning of existence at Tetsugakudo Park, or relaxing at Nakano Central Park.

Araiyakushi Baishoin Temple

Araiyakushi Baishoin is a Buddhist temple dedicated to healing eye diseases and illnesses, worth visiting for its beautiful grounds and the colorful carved figures of the fearsome Twelve Divine Generals which guard the 12 directions around the rare statues of Yakushi Nyorai and Nyoirin Kannon. Several times a month, the priests perform a fire ceremony to ward off bad luck and stress. The fires and chanting might bring you peace and comfort.

Tetsugakudo Park

Not far from Nakano Station lies the sprawling Tetsugakudo Park (also known as the Tetsugakudo Temple Garden of Philosophy), founded in 1904 by Inoue Enryo, an expert in metaphysics, who also founded a philosophy academy nearby. In the park, there are 77 small buildings and sculptures inspired by philosophical teachings, to encourage deeper thinking as you explore.

Nakano Central Park

Nakano Central Park is a popular spot for families, with fun events like flea markets and food festivals held almost every weekend. It's also located close to Nakano Broadway, so if you want to take a break from shopping, you can come here for some fresh air.