A store in Akihabara where you can play board games! [Analog Game Cafe]

Analog games are popular right now!
Apparently so.

People are shouting "e-Sports! e-Sports!" loud and clear, but thanks to the support of die-hard fans, new analog games continue to be released even now.
If you call yourself a gamer, you have to play it at least once!
That's what I thought, but first I had to find the right number of people to play the game.
At this age, I'd say, "Let's hang out now! Meet at my place!"
Even if you tell a friend something like that, they probably won't be able to get themselves to do anything.
Fortunately, recently, there has been a rise in the number of game cafes.A shop where you can play analog games even if you come empty-handed' are opening one after another.

So, I went to some stores in Akihabara where you can play analog games, and I would like to introduce them to you.

If you want to play analog games in Akihabara, this is the place to go!

Tanabota Cafe [New store opening in 2022]

Tanabota Cafe on Showa Street is a new board game space that just opened in 2022.
The building in which the store is located is old and looks rugged, but...

The inside of the store is clean and bright as you can see.

There are already so many analog games available that it's impossible to play them all, but they plan to continue adding more.

Pricing is reasonable.
We recommend the free time plan, which allows you to play all day for just 2000 yen!

Tanabota Cafe
Address: 4th floor, Matsuura Building, 1-9-4 Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0016
Telephone number: 080-6460-2019
Business hours: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 13:00 - 21:00
HP:https://tanabotacafe.com/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tanabotacafe
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tanabotacafe/

AkibaBaseJunk (formerly GameCafeJunk) [Food and drinks allowed]

We headed to AkibaBaseJunk with high spirits.
However, I can't find the store I'm looking for.
Try going back the way you came.
there were.

The entrance is in a slightly inconspicuous place, so it may be difficult to notice at first glance.
· · ·
...
...

that?
Could it be?

It's closed!

Junk is not a very large store, but it not only rents and plays analog games, but can also be used as a coworking space or event space.
A free water server and coffee maker are provided.
It is also possible to bring in food and drinks.
I wasn't able to enter the store this time, but I would definitely like to visit during business hours next time.

※Please make sure to check before you come!

AkibaBaseJunk (formerly GameCafeJunk)
Address: 2F KS Corner, 2-15-1 Kanda Sudacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 101-0041
Telephone number: 03-3525-8919
Business hours: Friday 15:00-23:00 Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 13:00-23:00

Game Cafe Akihabara Meeting Hall [Matching system available]

I stumbled a bit at the start, but decided to head to the next store.

It's about a 10-minute walk from the Akihabara Electric Town exit.
I discovered the Akihabara Gathering Hall Game Cafe on the second floor of a quiet building.

There is a sign in front of the building, so you should be able to find it without any trouble.

Go up the stairs and arrive at the store entrance.
It's a gate that makes a very bold statement.
"Tenants in the building"It's something like that.

The Akihabara meeting hall has the following features:Matching SystemWe have introduced a system called ``.''
"Game name, gameplay, and other requestsThe system works by creating a card with the name of the player you want to join, and if there is a seat available for you to join, a staff member will set up a table for you.
It's completely manual, as you'd expect from an analog game store.

Chargers and blankets are available for rental, there is a drink bar, and you can enter and leave the room as you like.
We are creating a store where customers can devote themselves to games.

Apparently, in the past, the space was so comfortable that some customers ended up studying instead of playing games and leaving.

Game Cafe Akihabara Meeting Hall
Address: 3F Isamiya 2nd Building, 3-8-5 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
Telephone number: 03-3255-5858
Business hours: Monday to Thursday 15:00 to 22:00, Friday 15:00 to 6:00 the next day
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10:00-22:00

[Closed] Private Library Schatzkiste [For those who like quiet spaces]

*Closed in January 2020

The last store we will introduce is "Private Library Schatzkiste."
The store is located on the outskirts of Akihabara and has the appearance of a traditional coffee shop.

This place is classified as a "maid cafe," but unlike other moe-style maid cafes, the maids won't actively approach you.
Although it is a "maid cafe," it is probably because it is designed to resemble a "library."

As it is a library, there are all kinds of books, some of which are apparently quite strange.
What kind of book is it...?

There isn't a wide variety, but they do have a good selection of analog games.
Get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy games in a space that feels like another world.
Here you can have the tea time and game time you once fantasized about.

How about playing games with people you meet that day while surrounded by the fragrant aroma of tea leaves and sweets?

*Closed in January 2020
Schatzkiste Private Library
Address: 1F Hasegawa Building, 6-5-11 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
Phone number: Private
Hours: 12: 00 ~ 22: 00

Analog games are the perfect way to play in this day and age!

Network technology is advancing rapidly, and it is now commonplace to be able to play games with players from all over the world, something that was unthinkable just a few years ago.
Gaming events and tournaments are increasingly being held online, but now is a good time to turn your attention to analog games.

You have to make sure there are enough players and space to play, and then go out of your way to set up the game board.
There is something enjoyable about it, precisely because it is inconvenient.
In this rapidly changing modern world, it might be a good idea to stop for a moment and enjoy the inconvenience.
Of course, with friends sitting around the same table and playing the same game.

I want to read it together

Recommended Akihabara board game and TRPG stores selling everything from classics to the latest titles

I want to read it together

A summary of rental spaces around Akihabara [offline meetups and events]