Arrived at Akihabara Station but not sure which way to go?
For most first-time visitors, the easiest rule is:
Anime, electronics and classic Akihabara → Electric Town Gate
Yodobashi Akiba → Central Gate
Choosing the right side before leaving the station can save you unnecessary walking.
1. Going to Akihabara Electric Town?
If you are using JR, look for:
Electric Town Gate
This is the convenient side for the classic Akihabara shopping area, including:
- electronics stores
- anime and manga shops
- game and hobby stores
- figure and collectible shops
Tokyo’s official tourism guide recommends the Electric Town Gate for Akihabara’s main shopping and electronics area.
JR East — Akihabara Station Official Information
GO TOKYO — Official Akihabara Guide
Popular Places Near the Electric Town Gate
Several popular Akihabara destinations are on this side of the station.
- Bic Camera AKIBA — electronics, cameras, computers and appliances
- Akihabara Radio Kaikan — figures, trading cards, anime goods and hobby shops
- Sofmap AKIBA Station Front Store — directly by the Electric Town Gate
- Akihabara UDX — restaurants, shops and event spaces
Akihabara UDX is about a 3-minute walk from the JR Electric Town Gate.
Sofmap has several stores around Akihabara, so check the exact store name before you go.
If you are visiting Akihabara mainly for anime, games, hobbies or electronics, the Electric Town Gate is usually the easiest place to start.
2. Going to Yodobashi Akiba?
If you are using JR, look for:
Central Gate
The Central Gate is on the east side of the station and leads toward Yodobashi Akiba, restaurants and hotels.
Tokyo’s official tourism guide also identifies the Central Gate as the convenient side for Yodobashi.
So remember:
Yodobashi Akiba → Central Gate
3. Electric Town Gate or Central Gate?
Here is the simple version:
Electric Town Gate
Use this side for:
- Akihabara’s main anime and electronics area
- Bic Camera AKIBA
- Akihabara Radio Kaikan
- Sofmap AKIBA Station Front Store
- Akihabara UDX
- the classic Akihabara shopping streets
Central Gate
Use this side for:
- Yodobashi Akiba
- restaurants and hotels on the east side of the station
So if you are unsure:
Anime / games / electronics → Electric Town Gate
Yodobashi → Central Gate
4. Akihabara Station Has Other JR Gates
JR Akihabara Station also has:
- Showa-dori Gate
- Atre 1 Gate
The Atre 1 Gate is for IC cards only and currently operates from 7:00 to 23:00.
For most first-time visitors, however, the easiest two names to remember are:
Electric Town Gate
and
Central Gate
5. What If You Are Using Tokyo Metro?
Tokyo Metro also has an Akihabara Station on the Hibiya Line.
Tokyo Metro uses numbered exits, which are different from JR’s named gates.
So if you arrived on the Hibiya Line, do not look for “Electric Town Gate” as a Tokyo Metro exit number.
Check the Tokyo Metro station map and follow signs toward your destination.
Tokyo Metro — Akihabara Station
6. What If You Use the Wrong Exit?
Do not worry.
The Electric Town and Yodobashi sides are on different sides of the JR station, but you can walk between them.
Before going back through the ticket gates, check your current location on Google Maps.
Sometimes walking around the station is easier.
Right Station, Wrong Exit: Why We Get Lost
Remember This at Akihabara Station
If you remember only two things:
Electric Town Gate
→ Anime and manga
→ Electronics
→ Bic Camera
→ Radio Kaikan
→ Sofmap
→ UDX
Central Gate
→ Yodobashi Akiba
And always check whether you are using JR or Tokyo Metro before following an exit name.
Related Guides
- How to Find the Right Subway Exit in Japan
- Lost at Ueno Station? Ueno Park, Ameyoko or Keisei Ueno
- Tokyo Station: Marunouchi or Yaesu — Which Exit Should You Use?
- Lost at Asakusa Station? Which Exit?
Disclaimer
Akihabara Station is served by multiple railway operators, and JR gate names are different from Tokyo Metro exit numbers.
Store locations, gate access and pedestrian routes may change. Always follow the latest station signs and check official railway or facility information before traveling.
