Anime & Manga

Concept cafes, comics, cosplay and all things otaku

Geisha, samurai, sushi and sumo have long been leading symbols of Japanese culture—or at least until recently. Nowadays, anime, manga, concept cafes, J-pop and uber-inventive street fashion appear to have taken their place, particularly for millennials and children of the digital age. At the center of this new cultural identity is Tokyo—a vibrant hotbed of Japanese pop culture.

Otaku central

Akiba, short for Akihabara, is home to otaku culture and legions of loyal anime fans. Loosely meaning geek, the otaku label has become a thing of pride, and Tokyo’s manga-loving, game-playing demographic embraces it. Head to Akiba for manga and anime specialty stores, retro games, concept cafes, or simply to experience a different side of Tokyo.

The home of happy, shiny kawaii

The undisputed home of Japanese street fashion, Harajuku has been on the global radar for some time. It has spawned fashion styles such as "gothic lolita" and more recently, kawaii fashion—think Japanese pop diva Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. Whether Harajuku fashion inspires the looks in manga and anime or vice versa, you can certainly draw comparisons. Begin your initiation to Harajuku on Takeshita-dori Street, the iconic shopping street at the heart of it all.

Karaoke crazy

Karaoke is an integral part of modern Japanese culture, popular with all demographics. The sheer number of karaoke bars and specialist karaoke box facilities in Tokyo are testament to this. Head to Akihabara or Anison Karaoke Bar Z in Nakano for anime song-themed karaoke. Some karaoke joints even have a selection of costumes to choose from for karaoke cosplay-style.

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Anime in the city

While touring the city, keep your eyes peeled. You can find attractions for anime fans and symbols of contemporary pop culture in some of the most unexpected places. The Gundam robot outside DiverCity in Odaiba is a prime example. And the Pokemon Center in Ikebukuro is a popular attraction for visitors and locals alike!