Guidebook for Chiyoda-ku
Arts & Culture
Visit a maid café, where waitresses dressed in maid costumes will treat you as a master (or mistress)
@home cafe ドンキ店（＠ほぉ〜むカフェ）
4-chōme-3-3 SotokandaVisit a maid café, where waitresses dressed in maid costumes will treat you as a master (or mistress)
Shopping
Get lost in Akihabara's electric town, where you'll find every tech gadget you can imagine from computers to gaming consoles to vacuum cleaners offered at a cheap price
Yamada Denki LABI Akihabara
Get lost in Akihabara's electric town, where you'll find every tech gadget you can imagine from computers to gaming consoles to vacuum cleaners offered at a cheap price
Their prices are fairly reasonable – and looking is always free. You are pretty much guaranteed to see something “new” at M’s
10 locals recommend
M's
1-chōme-15-13 SotokandaTheir prices are fairly reasonable – and looking is always free. You are pretty much guaranteed to see something “new” at M’s
Buy interesting / unique stuff (souvenirs) from Donki / Don Quijote Akihabara
279 locals recommend
Don Quijote
2-chōme-19-10 AobadaiBuy interesting / unique stuff (souvenirs) from Donki / Don Quijote Akihabara
Mandarake Complex
3-chōme-11-12 SotokandaBuy toys and figures from Mandarake
After the war, candy (ame) were a luxury item, and they could be found in this area because it flourished as a black market. It became known as Ame-shi, or Ame City. Now there are more than 400 stores all linked together. It gets especially crowded at the end of the year when people do their shopping for the New Year’s meal there. The scenery of the assertive shopkeepers and the haggling customers is a famous sight.
Japanese homepage: http://www.ameyoko.net/
549 locals recommend
Ameyoko
4 Chome-7 UenoAfter the war, candy (ame) were a luxury item, and they could be found in this area because it flourished as a black market. It became known as Ame-shi, or Ame City. Now there are more than 400 stores all linked together. It gets especially crowded at the end of the year when people do their shopping for the New Year’s meal there. The scenery of the assertive shopkeepers and the haggling customers is a famous sight.
Japanese homepage: http://www.ameyoko.net/
Since you’ve come all this way to Asakusa, won’t you try wearing a kimono and taking photos? There are many photo spots in Asakusa thanks to its stone-paved roads and red-lacquered buildings. You can rent a kimono with all the necessary items for just 5000 yen plus tax. You can also take it out for photos!
English homepage: http://www.kimono-yamato.co.jp/ekiren/english
なでしこ浅草EKIMISE店
Since you’ve come all this way to Asakusa, won’t you try wearing a kimono and taking photos? There are many photo spots in Asakusa thanks to its stone-paved roads and red-lacquered buildings. You can rent a kimono with all the necessary items for just 5000 yen plus tax. You can also take it out for photos!
English homepage: http://www.kimono-yamato.co.jp/ekiren/english
Food Scene
The AKB48 OFFICIAL CAFE & SHOP Akihabara features a vast array of items from AKB48-Japan's most popular all-girl group-as well as special menu items to delight your palate.
Come enjoy the new hangout spot in Akihabara!
18 locals recommend
AKB48 Cafe & Shop Akihabara
The AKB48 OFFICIAL CAFE & SHOP Akihabara features a vast array of items from AKB48-Japan's most popular all-girl group-as well as special menu items to delight your palate.
Come enjoy the new hangout spot in Akihabara!
This French restaurant has continued business within Ueno Park since 1876. As the origin of French cuisine in Japan, it became a place of high society where many high-class people would gather. Its charms of being able to see the four seasons as well as its traditional style of French cuisine has earned it years of fans. Japanese homepage: http://www.seiyoken.co.jp/
上野精養軒
4-58 UenokōenThis French restaurant has continued business within Ueno Park since 1876. As the origin of French cuisine in Japan, it became a place of high society where many high-class people would gather. Its charms of being able to see the four seasons as well as its traditional style of French cuisine has earned it years of fans. Japanese homepage: http://www.seiyoken.co.jp/
Old Japanese yoshoku spots give me the crazy warm fuzzies and I always look forward in dropping in for a meal, but to also soak up the great atmosphere. Maybe equivalent to how American coffee/breakfast diners can evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia. While scratch made Demi Glace (that can take weeks to prepare) isn't anything rare in fancier restaurants, in commoner yoshokuya's they definitely are and what my personal noted aspect of where I divide the good with the greats.
22 locals recommend
Yoshika
Old Japanese yoshoku spots give me the crazy warm fuzzies and I always look forward in dropping in for a meal, but to also soak up the great atmosphere. Maybe equivalent to how American coffee/breakfast diners can evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia. While scratch made Demi Glace (that can take weeks to prepare) isn't anything rare in fancier restaurants, in commoner yoshokuya's they definitely are and what my personal noted aspect of where I divide the good with the greats.
Located just about a minute away from Ueno Station, this cat cafe where you can enjoy some time with a number of cats has an environment that feels like a living room. There’s a varied menu that includes sweets and alcohol. Why not stop by for lunch?
Japanese homepage: http://www.nekomarucafe.com/
Nekomaru Cafe
7-chōme-2-2 UenoLocated just about a minute away from Ueno Station, this cat cafe where you can enjoy some time with a number of cats has an environment that feels like a living room. There’s a varied menu that includes sweets and alcohol. Why not stop by for lunch?
Japanese homepage: http://www.nekomarucafe.com/
MOS Burger Akihabara Suehirochō
3-chōme-16-14 SotokandaJapanese hunberger
During this most auspicious of Japanese seasons, it seems as if just about every kind of food is imbued with momentous import. From the mochi in the o-zoni soup with which the New Year’s morning is greeted to the array of colorful but austere o-sechi ryori tidbits, many of these dishes are appreciated more for their symbolism than any out-and-out flavor. But everyone — at least among the denizens of Tokyo — likes soba.
13 locals recommend
Kanda Yabusoba
2-10 神田淡路町During this most auspicious of Japanese seasons, it seems as if just about every kind of food is imbued with momentous import. From the mochi in the o-zoni soup with which the New Year’s morning is greeted to the array of colorful but austere o-sechi ryori tidbits, many of these dishes are appreciated more for their symbolism than any out-and-out flavor. But everyone — at least among the denizens of Tokyo — likes soba.
Devil Craft, which opened its doors only a few years ago, is located just outside of JR Kanda Station, and serves the only legitimate Chicago-style pizza in Japan
Devil Craft Kanda
4-chōme-2-3 NihonbashimuromachiDevil Craft, which opened its doors only a few years ago, is located just outside of JR Kanda Station, and serves the only legitimate Chicago-style pizza in Japan
Tanaka Sobaten Akihabaraten
3-chōme-8-3 SotokandaJapanese Ramen shop 5 min by walk
McDonald's Kanda Suehirocho
5-chōme-2-1 Sotokanda2 min by walk
Royal Host
3-chōme-10-12 Meguro24 hour open Family Restaurant 3 min by walk
Located just a few strides from the Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station, Gundam Café offers an interesting adventure and a relaxing space for famished adventure-lovers, both locals and tourists alike. With the futuristic interior design, you will enjoy an out-of-this-world experience as you let the ambience take you to the imaginative world of Gundam Wings. The café creates this atmosphere with a profusion of Gundam-inspired decorations and delectable original dishes, and you can allow yourself to get lost in your anime-packed imagination.
7 locals recommend
GUNDAM Cafe
1-chōme-9-1 MarunouchiLocated just a few strides from the Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station, Gundam Café offers an interesting adventure and a relaxing space for famished adventure-lovers, both locals and tourists alike. With the futuristic interior design, you will enjoy an out-of-this-world experience as you let the ambience take you to the imaginative world of Gundam Wings. The café creates this atmosphere with a profusion of Gundam-inspired decorations and delectable original dishes, and you can allow yourself to get lost in your anime-packed imagination.
Kyushu Jangara Ramen is a Hakata ramen chain restaurant that boasts five franchises within the city, offering quintessential Hakata ramen--tonkotsu (pork bone) soup and extra-thin noodles. You can choose combinations of several types of soup and toppings. The soups include the basic and simple "Jangara," the fatty "Bonshan," the median between the two extremes, "Kobonshan," as well as the spicy "Karabon." You can get refills on noodles if you call for "Kae-dama," but keep in mind that you won't get more soup. Remember to keep enough soup to enjoy your Kae-dama when you order one. Also, the "Kakuni" (stewed pork block) and "Chashu" (pork tenderloin), and "Aji Tamago" (flavored boiled egg), are also excellent topping choices.
20 locals recommend
Kyushu Jangara
2-chōme-15-15 AkasakaKyushu Jangara Ramen is a Hakata ramen chain restaurant that boasts five franchises within the city, offering quintessential Hakata ramen--tonkotsu (pork bone) soup and extra-thin noodles. You can choose combinations of several types of soup and toppings. The soups include the basic and simple "Jangara," the fatty "Bonshan," the median between the two extremes, "Kobonshan," as well as the spicy "Karabon." You can get refills on noodles if you call for "Kae-dama," but keep in mind that you won't get more soup. Remember to keep enough soup to enjoy your Kae-dama when you order one. Also, the "Kakuni" (stewed pork block) and "Chashu" (pork tenderloin), and "Aji Tamago" (flavored boiled egg), are also excellent topping choices.
Namaiki
6-chōme-14-7 SotokandaJapanese BBQ(Yakiniku) restaurant it's just 2min by walk
Sightseeing
The current Imperial Palace (皇居, Kōkyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.
377 locals recommend
Imperial Palace
1-1 ChiyodaThe current Imperial Palace (皇居, Kōkyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.
The majority of our customers enjoy our signature Shared and Chartered cruises. While the vantage points and routes may change slightly, you can expect to see a variety of the major sights of Tokyo while cruising with friends old or even new!
http://www.yakatabune-kumiai.jp/en/plans/
6 locals recommend
Houseboat Miuraya
1-chōme-1-10 AsakusabashiThe majority of our customers enjoy our signature Shared and Chartered cruises. While the vantage points and routes may change slightly, you can expect to see a variety of the major sights of Tokyo while cruising with friends old or even new!
http://www.yakatabune-kumiai.jp/en/plans/
When Takeshiba Pier is sailed, and hotel “ Inter Continental ” on the right hand passes by, you can see Hinode Pier next.
Over “ Yurikamome-Line ”, you will be able to catch a glimpse of “ Tokyo Tower ”which celebrates the 50th anniversary in 2009.
After 10 minutes of sailing, you will pass under the landmark “ Rainbow Bridge ”. It is quite a momentary event. 20 minutes before arrival, you can see the bridge for the second time. Please don’t forget.
It continues into Odaiba area on the left where Aomi wharf appears after “ Fune-no-Kagakukan ” and “ Tele Com Center ”.
The other side of Aomi whaf is Oohi wharf. They both Aomi and Oohi wharf have large-scale cranes that are called “ Giraffe ” due to their own shape. They are container unloading bases for foreign ships.
The ship will arrive at the offing of “ Tokyo International Airport ( Haneda Airport ) ” about one hour after it sails. Many can see the airplanes that take off from “ C ” glide slope on the sea side with the background of the passenger boarding terminal 2. A new “ D ” glide slope where international flights will begin in 2010.
Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can see fireworks from “ TDL ” at about 8:30pm.
The ship slows down when approaching the pier and turns around carefully.
Finally, it docks of the mouth of “ Sumidagawa-River ”.
The last few minutes can be spent on a top deck of the ship is also recommended.
Please enjoy exquisite French cuisine as well as Tokyo Bay sight-seeing.
13 locals recommend
ヴァンテアンクルーズ
1-chōme-12-2 KaiganWhen Takeshiba Pier is sailed, and hotel “ Inter Continental ” on the right hand passes by, you can see Hinode Pier next.
Over “ Yurikamome-Line ”, you will be able to catch a glimpse of “ Tokyo Tower ”which celebrates the 50th anniversary in 2009.
After 10 minutes of sailing, you will pass under the landmark “ Rainbow Bridge ”. It is quite a momentary event. 20 minutes before arrival, you can see the bridge for the second time. Please don’t forget.
It continues into Odaiba area on the left where Aomi wharf appears after “ Fune-no-Kagakukan ” and “ Tele Com Center ”.
The other side of Aomi whaf is Oohi wharf. They both Aomi and Oohi wharf have large-scale cranes that are called “ Giraffe ” due to their own shape. They are container unloading bases for foreign ships.
The ship will arrive at the offing of “ Tokyo International Airport ( Haneda Airport ) ” about one hour after it sails. Many can see the airplanes that take off from “ C ” glide slope on the sea side with the background of the passenger boarding terminal 2. A new “ D ” glide slope where international flights will begin in 2010.
Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can see fireworks from “ TDL ” at about 8:30pm.
The ship slows down when approaching the pier and turns around carefully.
Finally, it docks of the mouth of “ Sumidagawa-River ”.
The last few minutes can be spent on a top deck of the ship is also recommended.
Please enjoy exquisite French cuisine as well as Tokyo Bay sight-seeing.
This park, now designated an important cultural property, was once the residence of the owners of a huge conglomerate. The building on this property was built in 1896. In this park there is a Western-style house, a Japanese-style house, and a Japanese-style garden. There are plenty of cherry blossoms and ginkgo trees so the view changes with the seasons.
Japanese website: http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/outline035.html
7 locals recommend
お茶席
This park, now designated an important cultural property, was once the residence of the owners of a huge conglomerate. The building on this property was built in 1896. In this park there is a Western-style house, a Japanese-style house, and a Japanese-style garden. There are plenty of cherry blossoms and ginkgo trees so the view changes with the seasons.
Japanese website: http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/outline035.html
This is an information desk in front of Sensoji for the many tourists that flock to Asakusa. You can get all sorts of information in English, Chinese, and Korean, so if there’s anything you need to know, it’s a good place to stop by. The viewing platform on the 8th floor is a little-known excellent spot where you can see a beautiful view of Skytree.
Information site: http://www.city.taito.lg.jp/ (There is English Language selection)
40 locals recommend
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
2-chōme-18-9 KaminarimonThis is an information desk in front of Sensoji for the many tourists that flock to Asakusa. You can get all sorts of information in English, Chinese, and Korean, so if there’s anything you need to know, it’s a good place to stop by. The viewing platform on the 8th floor is a little-known excellent spot where you can see a beautiful view of Skytree.
Information site: http://www.city.taito.lg.jp/ (There is English Language selection)
This is Asakusa’s first theater, opened in the same year as the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. It’s a theater that holds rakugo performances without fail 365 days a year. You can enjoy other types of performances other than rakugo as well, such as manzai comedy, mandan comedy, impressions, and more. One of the theater’s great points is that you can go in once and enjoy the day there for as long as you want; they won’t kick you out with the change in performances. It’s a theater where lots of famous Japanese comedians perform in great numbers, so definitely check it out.
Japanese homepage: http://www.asakusaengei.com/
45 locals recommend
Asakusa Engei Hall
1-chōme-43-12 AsakusaThis is Asakusa’s first theater, opened in the same year as the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. It’s a theater that holds rakugo performances without fail 365 days a year. You can enjoy other types of performances other than rakugo as well, such as manzai comedy, mandan comedy, impressions, and more. One of the theater’s great points is that you can go in once and enjoy the day there for as long as you want; they won’t kick you out with the change in performances. It’s a theater where lots of famous Japanese comedians perform in great numbers, so definitely check it out.
Japanese homepage: http://www.asakusaengei.com/
This is a spot loved by the area’s residents due to it being one of the most famous landmarks in not just Asakusa but also in Japan. Its history goes back to the year 628, and ever since then it’s been a spot where people visiting Asakusa simply can’t miss. It’s good to wander around there to learn about Japanese history. You can also take a lot of fun photographs with the five-storied pagoda, the Kaminarimon gate, the oowarashi sandals said to be worn by Buddha, as well as the statue of Buddha itself. It’s an area that you can enjoy in many ways.
Japanese homepage: http://www.senso-ji.jp/
1521 locals recommend
Senso-ji Temple
2-chōme-3-1 AsakusaThis is a spot loved by the area’s residents due to it being one of the most famous landmarks in not just Asakusa but also in Japan. Its history goes back to the year 628, and ever since then it’s been a spot where people visiting Asakusa simply can’t miss. It’s good to wander around there to learn about Japanese history. You can also take a lot of fun photographs with the five-storied pagoda, the Kaminarimon gate, the oowarashi sandals said to be worn by Buddha, as well as the statue of Buddha itself. It’s an area that you can enjoy in many ways.
Japanese homepage: http://www.senso-ji.jp/
Getting Around
Tokyo Station (東京駅 Tōkyō-eki?) is a railway station in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district.
Served by Shinkansen high-speed rail lines, Tokyo Station is the main intercity rail terminal in Tokyo. It is the busiest station in Japan in terms of number of trains per day (over 3,000), and the fifth-busiest in Eastern Japan in terms of passenger throughput.[1] It is also served by many regional commuter lines of Japan Railways, as well as the Tokyo Metro network.
558 locals recommend
Tokyo Station Gallery
1-chōme-9-1 MarunouchiTokyo Station (東京駅 Tōkyō-eki?) is a railway station in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district.
Served by Shinkansen high-speed rail lines, Tokyo Station is the main intercity rail terminal in Tokyo. It is the busiest station in Japan in terms of number of trains per day (over 3,000), and the fifth-busiest in Eastern Japan in terms of passenger throughput.[1] It is also served by many regional commuter lines of Japan Railways, as well as the Tokyo Metro network.
Akihabara
Okachimachi Station
5-chōme-27 UenoSuehirochō Sta.
3-chōme-16 Sotokanda1 min by walk
Nakaokachimachi Station
5-chōme-24 UenoUeno Station
7-chōme-1 UenoYushima Station
3-chōme-47-10 YushimaUeno-Hirokoji Station
3-chōme-29-3 UenoParks & Nature
Ueno Zoo is the oldest zoo in Japan and is a popular sightseeing spot for people from all over the country. A monorail runs through the wide park so you can easily enjoy the entire day there. The most popular attraction are the giant pandas donated from China. The line to take in how cute they are never ends.
English homepage: http://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/index.html
523 locals recommend
Ueno Zoo
9-83 UenokōenUeno Zoo is the oldest zoo in Japan and is a popular sightseeing spot for people from all over the country. A monorail runs through the wide park so you can easily enjoy the entire day there. The most popular attraction are the giant pandas donated from China. The line to take in how cute they are never ends.
English homepage: http://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/index.html
Drinks & Nightlife
This bar has been in Asakusa’s 1 chome 1 banchi neighborhood since 1880. They offer a brand of liquor called Denki Buran, and the bar is known because many of Japan’s literary masters went to the bar to partake in that deliciousness. It’s a three story building that holds a beer hall, restaurant, and counter restaurant. Bottles of Denki Buran line the counters and you can buy them as souvenirs.
Japanese homepage: http://www.kamiya-bar.com/
84 locals recommend
Kamiya Bar
1-chōme-1-1 AsakusaThis bar has been in Asakusa’s 1 chome 1 banchi neighborhood since 1880. They offer a brand of liquor called Denki Buran, and the bar is known because many of Japan’s literary masters went to the bar to partake in that deliciousness. It’s a three story building that holds a beer hall, restaurant, and counter restaurant. Bottles of Denki Buran line the counters and you can buy them as souvenirs.
Japanese homepage: http://www.kamiya-bar.com/