Comic-Con every day of the week? That’s only possible in Tokyo. A trip to Tokyo’s otaku (hobby enthusiast) districts will drown you in cosplay, games, merchandise, and maybe even a gigantic mecha or two.
Odaiba
There’s a lot of things to do in Tokyo, but if you want to get your geek on — you need to visit Odaiba. Just the giant Gundam is enough reason to visit the district. Take some photos in the morning, but don’t forget to return when the sun comes down as that Gundam will light up as if gearing to battle those dreaded Zakus. The giant mecha attracts a lot of attention — especially from cosplay enthusiasts. If you’re looking for an interactive adventure — Sega’s Joypolis allows you to play interactive games as you are speeding on a rollercoaster. The indoor theme park is filled with Sega’s iconic games and characters. The interactive games/rides will blow you away — whether you’re driving an actual car, shooting aliens, or spinning in all directions in a spaceship. If you’re thinking of bringing back a trinket or two — Odaiba has some of the best specialty stores. Get memorable merchandise from some of your most favorite anime — whether it’s Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, One Punch Man, Samurai X, or Dragonball Z — by visiting Shonen Jump’s apply named Jump store. If you want a more immersive experience — then hop on the Thousand Sunny and be part of an actual (fictional) pirate cruise.
Ikebukuro
Girl power rules in Ikebukuro. Not the extreme kind of feminism we see nowadays — but the actual celebration of being a woman and femininity. Get your fill of kawaii (cute) merchandise specifically made for the fairer sex. With its shopping district geared towards women — a male companion may raise a few (envious) eyebrows. Female cosplayers roam the streets — while the more reserved prefer to keep their cosplay private in studios that provide costumes and take your photos in various backgrounds. Ikebukuro has more than just a few maid cafes but with a certain twist — well-built butlers will be the ones serving you and attending to your needs.
Nakano
If you’re shopping for anime collectibles or forgotten relics of the 80s — Nakano is the best place to find it. Nakano has huge shopping districts containing everything a geek can ask for. For more eclectic items, you can head to the Broadway — one of Tokyo’s biggest shopping centers that deal in anime, manga, 80s collectibles, wrestling memorabilia, and more edgy anime collectibles.
Akihabara
Akihabara has a little bit of everything — although it doesn’t dive as deep as the previous 3 districts. However, when it comes to electronics (old games and consoles) — Akihabara is king. The district has numerous shopping centers that deal in Otaku culture — and an actual building named Akiba culture zone. Maid cafes are everywhere but they can be a little expensive.
Tokyo is the beating heart of geek culture and you’ll never know how hard you can geek out until you actually visit. Focus on one particular district or give all four a go. It’s everyday Comic-Con without the political correctness.