3 Recommended Game Centers in Akihabara Where You Can Play Retro Games
Akihabara BC
AKIHABARA BASECAMP
[2025 Update] Akihabara Game Center Complete Guide! Recommended for Each Purpose & Best Route
kikka.7243@neuron-lab.net
Akihabara, the "holy land of games."
If you've come all the way here, you'll want to have fun to the fullest without worrying about time!
"Where is an arcade where I can play late at night?"
"Which one has a good selection of crane games?"
"I want to play the latest rhythm games and nostalgic fighting games!"
To help you achieve all of your goals, we've thoroughly researched the latest Akihabara game centers for 2025! If you read this article, you'll never have to worry about choosing a store again.
INDEX
- Akihabara Game Center Business Hours and Features Quick Reference
- [By purpose] Find the arcade that's perfect for you!
- 🌙 I want to play right now! Shops that are open late
- 🎮I just want to enjoy the game!
- ✨ Beautiful and spacious! Perfect for relaxing and cooling off!
- 🕹️ If you want to immerse yourself in nostalgic retro games and fighting games!
- 📸Hair irons available for rental! Perfect for taking Purikura photos!
- 🚉Direct to the station! If you want a quick and fun experience, this is the place!
- [30 minutes] The most efficient route to visit arcades
- Recommended for those who read this article
- Announcement from Akihabara Base Camp
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[At a glance]
Akihabara Game Center Business Hours and Features Quick Reference
[By purpose] Find the arcade that's perfect for you!
🌙 I want to play right now! Shops that are open late
Leisureland Akihabara 1st store
access: 3 minutes walk from the Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station
business hours: 10:00～23:55
Characteristic:A game center on the 7th floor of the building
The 1st to 6th floors are separate shops, so it's a great place to kill time!
Check out the latest updates from X
🎮I just want to enjoy the game!
GiGO Akihabara Building 1
*Scheduled to close on August 31, 2025
access: 1 minutes walk from the Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station
business hours: 10:00～23:30
Characteristic:When it comes to arcades in Akihabara, GiGO is the place to go!
The red building is an easy landmark and the arcade is perfectly on-trend, so you can enjoy the latest games to your heart's content.
[Sad news] GiGO Akihabara Building 1 will close. We will hold a final campaign to express our gratitude to all who have come so far.
During the period from July 29th to August 31st, 2025, those who check in at GiGO Akihabara Building 1 using the official app, "GiGO app," will receive a "limited edition memories icon."
This is a special design that can only be obtained through this campaign, making it a must-see for anyone visiting Akihabara during the summer holidays.
Campaign summary
- Organizer: GENDA GiGO Entertainment Inc.
- Contents: Check in with the GiGO app and receive a limited edition Memories icon.
- Participating stores: GiGO Akihabara Building 1
- period: July 29, 2025 (Tuesday) - August 31, 2025 (Sunday)
It's easy to participate, so why not check it out if you're in Akihabara?
Check out the latest updates from X
✨ Beautiful and spacious! Perfect for relaxing and cooling off!
Namco Akihabara store
access:JRAkihabara1 minute walk from the Electric Town exit of the station
business hours: 10:00～23:00
Characteristic:It's a spacious and beautiful building near the station.
The welcoming atmosphere makes it safe even for arcade beginners!
Check out the latest updates from X
🕹️ If you want to immerse yourself in nostalgic retro games and fighting games!
HEY
access:JRAkihabara3 minute walk from the Electric Town exit of the station
business hours: 10:00～23:30
Characteristic:Look for the orange building!
There are also nostalgic retro games and fighting games available!
Check out the latest updates from X
📸Hair irons available for rental! Perfect for taking Purikura photos!
GiGO Akihabara Building 3
access:JRAkihabaraWalk from the Electric Town Exit of the station3Minute
business hours: 10:00～23:30
Characteristic:Purikura galore!
Hair irons are also available for rental. Be sure to bring home a memorable memory of Akihabara!
Check out the latest updates from X
🚉Direct to the station! If you want a quick and fun experience, this is the place!
Taito Station Akihabara East-West Passage Store
access:JRAkihabaraStation Electric Town Exit/0 minutes walk from the central ticket gate
business hours: 10:00～23:30
Features:It goes directly to the station, so you can enjoy it without having to walk outside during your free time on the train.
It's also great because you can wear it quickly after work!
Check out the latest updates from X
[30 minutes] The most efficient route to visit arcades
I can't seem to find the cabinet with the goods I want!
My favorite prizes have sold out!
For times like these, here's the most efficient route to visit arcades, starting from Akihabara Station!!
The ultimate arcade tour route starts!
Starting point: JR Akihabara Station, Electric Town Exit
Let's start from here! Exit the ticket gate and head towards Chuo Dori (the main street).
↓
1. Namco Akihabara
Close to the station! First, attack head-on
The building is located immediately to the left of the Electric Town Exit. The building is large and easy to find, making it the perfect place to warm up.
↓ Cross the main street in front of you
2. GiGO Akihabara Building 1
A legendary place you must visit before it closes
Just across Chuo-dori Street, you'll see a large red building right in front of you. Burn this place, which can be said to be the history of Akihabara itself, into your eyes.
↓ Leave the store and walk a little north along Chuo-dori (towards Ueno)
3. GiGO Akihabara Building 3
A large store that inherits the spirit of GiGO
It's located on the right hand side of the same street, just a short walk from Building 1. It has a wide range of games, from the latest video games to prize games.
↓ Cross Chuo Dori here and turn left onto the side street (Kanda Myojin Dori).
4. HEY (Hirose Entertainment Yard)
A mecca for shooting and fighting games
Just across the street, on the corner, you'll find a building marked by a yellow sign. The selection of shooting games is particularly impressive, making it a popular spot for experienced gamers.
↓ With HEY in front of you, take the side street on your left and head south (towards the station)
5. GiGO Akihabara Building 5
A hidden spot where you can also enjoy retro games
You'll see it on your left about one block from HEY. It has a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, and you might even come across some nostalgic games.
↓ Continue on the same road further south
6. GamePanic Akihabara
The Hall of Fame for Music and Prize Games
Go another block and you'll see Game Panic on your right. It has a wide selection of music games and a large crane game floor.
↓ Leave the store and head east (towards Chuo-dori) and then head north along Chuo-dori (towards Ueno).
7. TAITO Station Akihabara (TAITO Station Akihabara)
Look for the white invader!
Return to Chuo-dori and walk a little north and you'll see it on your left (just past GiGO Building 3). It's a large store with the latest online games and popular Taito titles.
↓ Continue walking straight north on Chuo Dori (approximately 3-4 minutes)
8. Tokyo Leisureland Akihabara store
Playground above Don Quijote
If you keep going straight, you will see a Don Quijote on the corner of a large intersection. Leisureland is on the upper floors of this building. Its relatively reasonable prices make it a great place to enjoy yourself.
↓ This is the last long distance walk! Walk east towards Showa Dori and cross the JR tracks (about 5 minutes).
Useful to know! Akihabara Game Center Q&A
Q. Where can I exchange money? Can I use electronic money? A. Most stores have a currency exchange machine. In recent years, machines that accept Suica and other electronic transportation payments have become mainstream. GiGO, Taito, and Game Panic in particular widely accept this.
Q. Are there lockers to store luggage? A. There are a few coin lockers in larger stores, but the safest option is to use the coin lockers inside JR Akihabara Station. Enjoy a lighter trip around the arcades.
Q. Can I smoke? A. By law, smoking is prohibited inside game centers. Some stores have designated smoking rooms, but please check beforehand.
My Feelings, Then and Now
Unfortunately, there are no 24-hour game centers in Akihabara in 2025. However, there are many stores that are open late into the night and stores that specialize in specific genres, so you can be sure that your desire to play will be fulfilled.
With the maps and quick reference guide in this article in hand, enjoy the ultimate "Akihabara arcade experience"!
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[July 2025] Akihabara Event Guide | Anime and Collaboration Cafes
Announcement from Akihabara Base Camp
Akihabara Base Camp, which conveys the real atmosphere of Akihabara and the passion of otaku, is run by staff who have actually infiltrated the event site!
In fact, this mediaFriends who want to turn their love for Akihabara into a jobWe are currently recruiting.
If you're even slightly interested, please take a look at our recruitment page.
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