# OTAKU COMPASS
> OTAKU COMPASS — your compass to otaku Japan. Akihabara shops, maid cafés, TCG tournaments, figure events and anime films & conventions, verified and explained for foreign fans: tax-free, English-OK, photo rules, how to get in.

## Akihabara
- [Mandarake Complex Akihabara](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/mandarake-complex-akihabara): Eight floors of secondhand otaku treasure: vintage figures, doujinshi, retro toys, cosplay and collectibles, each floor with its own theme.
- [Super Potato Akihabara](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/super-potato-akihabara): Akihabara's landmark retro game store: vintage consoles and software across three floors, topped by a 5F retro arcade.
- [animate Akihabara](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/animate-akihabara): Flagship Akihabara branch of Japan's largest anime/manga goods chain — a multi-floor main building plus a second building and an ANNEX.
- [Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/yodobashi-akiba): Giant electronics megastore directly at Akihabara Station, with a large toy/hobby floor of figures, models, trading cards and games.
- [GiGO Akihabara Building 2](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/gigo-akihabara-2): GiGO (formerly SEGA) Akihabara arcade focused on crane games, with a collab-cafe stand. Note: the older No.1 building closed in Aug 2025.
- [@home cafe (Akihabara Main Store)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/at-home-cafe-akihabara): One of Akihabara's best-known maid cafés, across several floors of the Mitsuwa Building, welcoming foreign 'masters' and 'princesses' home.
- [Maidreamin (Akihabara Main Store)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/maidreamin-akihabara-honten): Branch of one of Japan's largest maid café chains, with multilingual menus and overseas maids — accessible for first-time foreign visitors.
- [Twin Box AKIHABARA](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/twin-box-akihabara): Idol-focused live house in the Box'R AKIBA Building, with a basement live floor and a ground-floor 'GARAGE' space, hosting frequent idol events.
- [Hareruya2 Akihabara Tower Store](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/hareruya2-akihabara-tower): Whole-building Pokémon TCG specialty store with a 152-seat play space and daily Pokémon tournaments, from the Hareruya group.
- [Akihabara otaku guide: shops, by floor, tax-free & how to get there](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/akihabara-guide): A first-timer's map to Akihabara — what each landmark shop sells, which floors to hit, where to play cards, where to meet idols, and the tax-free + cash tips foreign fans need.
- [Maid café etiquette: a first-timer's guide (photos, charges & rules)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/maid-cafe-etiquette): Everything a foreign visitor needs before their first maid café: the charge system, the all-important photo rules, what 'moe moe kyun' means, and how to not make a faux pas.
- [Kotobukiya Akihabara](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/kotobukiya-akihabara): Flagship of figure/model maker Kotobukiya: five floors of figures, plastic models and original kits, plus the VstoreAKIBA VTuber official shops.
- [AKB48 Theater](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/akb48-theater): Home theater of idol group AKB48 on the 8th floor of Don Quijote Akihabara, hosting near-daily live stage shows by the group's teams.
- [Akihabara Dear Stage](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/akihabara-dear-stage): Idol bar and live spot in the DEMPA Building, famous as the birthplace of idol group Dempagumi.inc; staff perform between serving drinks.
- [BIG MAGIC Akihabara](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/big-magic-akihabara): Large multi-TCG store on the 9th floor of Radio Kaikan, stocking Magic, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh and more, with dueling space and official Pokémon events.
- [AmiAmi Akihabara Radio Kaikan Store](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/amiami-akihabara-radio-kaikan): Major hobby retailer AmiAmi's physical shop on the 4th floor of Radio Kaikan: figures, character goods, plastic models and trading cards.
- [Surugaya Akihabara Main Store](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/surugaya-akihabara-honkan): Surugaya's flagship Akihabara store on 'Junk Alley': a large multi-floor secondhand shop for anime goods, figures, games and trading cards.
- [Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/akihabara-gachapon-kaikan): Capsule-toy landmark open since 2002 with around 500 gachapon machines, from anime figures to quirky 'grown-up' designs. Cash only.
- [Hareruya Akihabara](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/hareruya-akihabara): Flagship Magic: The Gathering store from Japan's largest MTG chain, with daily tournaments and a large free play space. English-friendly.
- [Card Rush Akihabara](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/card-rush-akihabara): Multi-TCG store seconds from Akihabara Station with a ~45-seat duel space and strong Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, One Piece and Magic ranges.
- [Where to play card games in Tokyo: Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh & One Piece TCG](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/where-to-play-tcg-tokyo): How a foreign visitor finds and joins a TCG tournament in Tokyo this week — the best Akihabara shops, how shop events work, the OCG-vs-TCG card trap, and how to sign up despite the language barrier.
- [Tax-free shopping in Japan: how it works for otaku buys (passport, minimums, rules)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/japan-tax-free-shopping-guide): How foreign visitors save Japan's 10% consumption tax on figures, electronics and anime goods — who qualifies, the spend minimums, what the rules are, and the changes to watch.
- [Akihabara Radio Kaikan](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/akihabara-radio-kaikan): Akihabara's landmark hobby tower right by the station: ten floors of figures, anime goods, trading cards, dolls and model kits.
- [How to see idols in Akihabara: AKB48 Theater, idol bars & live houses](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/akihabara-idol-guide): Akihabara is the home of 'idols you can meet.' Here's how a foreign fan actually sees a show — AKB48 Theater's lottery tickets, idol bars like Dear Stage, and chika-idol live houses.
- [One perfect day in Akihabara: a first-timer's otaku itinerary](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/akihabara-one-day-itinerary): A practical hour-by-hour route through Akihabara for your first visit — landmark shops, a maid café, gachapon, a card-shop peek and dinner — all within a 10-minute walk.

## Den Den Town (Osaka)
- [Animate Osaka Nipponbashi](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/animate-osaka-nipponbashi): Western Japan's flagship of the biggest anime-goods chain, on Den Den Town's Otaroad — two floors of manga, character merch and game goods.
- [Joshin Super Kids Land Honten (Nipponbashi)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/joshin-super-kids-land-honten-nipponbashi): One of Japan's largest hobby superstores — five floors of plastic models, Gundam, RC, model trains and toys in the heart of Den Den Town.
- [Mandarake Grand Chaos](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/mandarake-grand-chaos-osaka): Osaka's flagship Mandarake — a multi-floor treasure house of used manga, vintage toys, figures, doujinshi and collectibles in Den Den Town.
- [Surugaya Osaka Nipponbashi Main Store](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/surugaya-osaka-nipponbashi-honkan): Big used-hobby chain in Den Den Town — figures, plastic models, retro games, toys and collectibles, open late until 21:00.
- [Maidreamin Osaka Nipponbashi Otaroad](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/maidreamin-osaka-nipponbashi-otaroad): Branch of Japan's biggest maid-café chain on Den Den Town's Otaroad — songs, moe performances and a tourist-friendly maid-café experience.
- [Yellow Submarine Namba Main Store](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/yellow-submarine-namba-honten): Hobby & TCG shop at the Namba/Otaroad edge of Den Den Town — trading cards, figures, plastic models, plus an in-store duel space.

## Ikebukuro (Otome Road)
- [animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/animate-ikebukuro): animate's flagship and one of the world's largest anime shops, anchoring Ikebukuro's Otome Road — multiple floors of anime, manga and character goods.
- [K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Otome-kan](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/k-books-ikebukuro-otome): K-BOOKS' Otome-kan on Ikebukuro's Otome Road, specializing in otome-game and BL character goods and doujin items for female fans.
- [Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/pokemon-center-mega-tokyo): The largest Pokémon Center in the Ikebukuro area, in Sunshine City's alpa mall. Temporarily closed — reopening expected around September 2026.
- [Ikebukuro Otome Road guide: otaku Tokyo for female fans (animate, BL, 2.5D)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/ikebukuro-otome-road-guide): Akihabara's female-focused counterpart: how to explore Ikebukuro's Otome Road — the flagship animate, K-BOOKS for otome/BL goods, Sunshine City, and how to get there.

## Nakano Broadway
- [Nakano Broadway](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/nakano-broadway): Iconic 1966 mall in Nakano packed with subculture shops — home to dozens of specialist Mandarake stores plus figures, retro toys, idol goods and dolls.
- [Mandarake Nakano](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/mandarake-nakano): Mandarake's original operation inside Nakano Broadway — dozens of genre-specialized shops across the floors selling manga, figures, vintage toys, dolls and rare collectibles.
- [Nakano Broadway guide: the collector's Akihabara (Mandarake, by floor)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/nakano-broadway-guide): A retro-and-rare alternative to Akihabara: how to explore Nakano Broadway's dozens of Mandarake shops and vintage stores, how to get there, and what makes it different.

## Nationwide
- [Otaku glossary: anime & otaku terms every visitor should know](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/otaku-glossary): A quick, accurate glossary of the anime, shopping, fandom and event words you'll see all over Japan — so you know your gunpla from your gachapon and your oshi from your itasha.
- [How to ship figures & anime goods home from Japan (tax-free, customs, options)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/ship-figures-from-japan): Bought more than fits in your suitcase? Here's how to ship figures and anime goods home safely — the tax-free angle, shipping options, customs in your country, and packing tips.
- [Anime pilgrimage in Japan: how to visit real-life anime locations (seichi junrei)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/anime-pilgrimage-guide): Seichi junrei — visiting the real places that inspired your favourite anime. How it works, how to do it respectfully, and six of the most iconic, verified spots from Your Name to Evangelion.
- [The Slam Dunk Railway Crossing at Kamakurakokomae (Kamakura)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/slam-dunk-kamakurakokomae-crossing): The seaside Enoden crossing from the Slam Dunk anime opening, with the ocean and Enoshima beyond — hugely popular, very crowded, and on a live public railway crossing.
- [Washinomiya Shrine — the Lucky Star Pilgrimage Origin (Saitama)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/lucky-star-washinomiya-shrine): The ancient Kanto shrine that inspired 'Takanomiya' in Lucky Star and launched Japan's modern anime-pilgrimage boom in 2007. Still a busy, working shrine.
- [The K-On! School — Former Toyosato Elementary (Shiga)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/k-on-former-toyosato-elementary-school): The 1937 Vories-designed school that modelled 'Sakuragaoka High' in K-On! Free to enter, with rooms recreated to match the anime.
- [Numazu & Uchiura — the Love Live! Sunshine!! Hometown (Shizuoka)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/love-live-sunshine-numazu-uchiura): The seaside city and Uchiura fishing village that are home to Aqours in Love Live! Sunshine!! Many real spots, plus an ongoing fan-friendly stamp rally.
- [Hakone — the Real-World 'Tokyo-3' of Evangelion (Kanagawa)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/evangelion-hakone-tokyo-3): The hot-spring resort that creator Hideaki Anno based Tokyo-3 on. Lake Ashi and Owakudani appear in the series; an easy day trip with periodic Eva collabs.

## Osaka (other)
- [AnimeJapan 2027](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/anime-japan-2027): Japan's largest anime industry expo. The 2027 edition relocates from Tokyo to INTEX Osaka, with public days announced for March 27–28, 2027.

## Shibuya
- [Nintendo TOKYO](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/nintendo-tokyo-shibuya): Nintendo's first official store in Japan, on Shibuya PARCO 6F — Mario, Zelda, Splatoon, Animal Crossing and Kirby goods, exclusives and life-size photo spots.
- [Pokémon Center SHIBUYA](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/pokemon-center-shibuya): The Shibuya branch of the official Pokémon Center, on Shibuya PARCO 6F — a darker, 'urban/mysterious' themed store with plush, cards, exclusives and a Mewtwo display.

## Tokyo (other)
- [The Gundam Base Tokyo](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/the-gundam-base-tokyo): The official Gunpla flagship in DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, Odaiba — every Gundam model kit, exclusives, builder zones, and the life-size Unicorn Gundam statue outside.
- [Ghibli Museum, Mitaka](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/ghibli-museum-mitaka): Studio Ghibli's whimsical museum in Mitaka, designed by Hayao Miyazaki. Entry is advance-ticket-only with a fixed date and time slot — and tickets sell out fast.
- [Tokyo Character Street](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/tokyo-character-street): A B1 arcade of official character shops in Tokyo Station's First Avenue — Jump Shop, Pokémon, Ghibli's Donguri, Sanrio and TV-network stores, all in one corridor.
- [Wonder Festival 2026 [Summer]](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/wonder-festival-2026-summer): The world's largest garage-kit and figure festival, held for one day at Makuhari Messe on July 26, 2026. Theme: "Exploration."
- [Comic Market 108 (C108)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/comic-market-108-2026-summer): The world's largest doujinshi (self-published comics) fair, held Aug 15–16, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight — the finale of Comiket's 50th-anniversary year.
- [Tokyo Game Show 2026](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/tokyo-game-show-2026): One of the world's biggest gaming expos, marking its 30th anniversary with a record 5-day run, Sept 17–21, 2026 at Makuhari Messe.
- [Jump Festa 2027](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/jump-festa-2027): Shueisha's free annual Weekly Shonen Jump mega-event. The 2027 edition (expected Dec 2026) has not yet been officially announced.
- [The 'Your Name' Staircase at Suga Shrine (Yotsuya, Tokyo)](https://otaku-compass.info/en/articles/your-name-suga-shrine-stairs): The red-railed stairs where Taki and Mitsuha reunite in the final scene of Your Name. A real, working shrine in a quiet Yotsuya residential neighbourhood — visit respectfully.