[First half of 2021] Summary of Akihabara store closures [Closings, relocations, and mergers]

Akihabara has seen fewer people due to the coronavirus pandemic, as it did last year.
The state of the station front, where vacant storefronts are prominent, is often reported on social media.
Let's take a look back at how many stores in Akihabara have closed in the first half of 2021.

*If you have any omissions or corrections, please contact us (@akihabara_bc) or let us know in the comments.

Stores closing in the second half of 2020 are listed below:

https://akihabara-bc.jp/akihabara-heiten-202007-12/

Other closing information:

https://akihabara-bc.jp/akihabara-heiten/

Akihabara store closures and relocations between January and June 2021 (in chronological order)

Store closures in January 2021 - Mass restaurant closures

・Jungle Akihabara 1st store basement floor
・Komoro Soba Akihabara store
・Kushisuke Akihabara store
・Tonkatsu Hamakatsu Yodobashi Akiba store
・Kinki Nippon Tourist Yodobashi Akihabara Office
・GLOBAL WORK Yodobashi Akiba
・RAGEBLUE Yodobashi AKIBA
・Hidakaya Akihabara Chuodori store
・Cafe Renoir Akihabara branch
・WeGet AKIHABARA
・Override Atre Akihabara
・Bref Akihabara store
・Toranoana Akihabara Store B: Women's merchandise floor

This month, a "free information center" opened on Junk Street, becoming a hot topic in the area.
The closure of restaurants was particularly noticeable under the second state of emergency.
In addition, the discount store "WeGet AKIHABARA" closed just one month after opening and is now being used as a PCR testing center for COVID-1.

Click here for details ↓

https://akihabara-bc.jp/akihabara-heiten-202101/

Store Closures in February 2021 - Famous Card Shop Closes

・Seikatsu Saika Akiba Trim Store
・PLUM LIVE SHOP Akihabara store
・Renoir New Akihabara store
・AKIBA★BASE (relocated)
・Hokkai Bakery
・Smartphone Repair Workshop Akihabara Branch
・Lantis Station AKIHABARA
・MTG specialty store Yumeya
・Tomatina Akihabara store
・Typhoon Akihabara

This month saw the popularity of PUIPUI Molcar, which began airing in January, explode.
Yumeya, a store specializing in the card game "Magic: The Gathering," has closed, much to the regret of many.
In addition, the announcement of the closure of "PLUM LIVE SHOP Akihabara Store" revealed that the building will be rebuilt.

Click here for details ↓

https://akihabara-bc.jp/akihabara-heiten-202102/

Stores closing in March 2021 - Long-established ramen shop closes

・Kurikoan Akihabara store
・Waltz
・Hobbyland Pochi Akihabara 3rd store
・Segafredo Zanetti Espresso Suehirocho store
・Matsuraku
・Ikinari Steak Akihabara Manseibashi store
・Nomono Kitchen Akihabara store

Monster Hunter Rise was released in March and became a big hit.
Kurikoan, a taiyaki shop that was popular for its "Koiking Yaki", has closed down.
Additionally, Matsuraku, a long-established restaurant known for its popular wonton noodles, closed its doors after about 80 years of business.

Click here for details ↓

https://akihabara-bc.jp/akihabara-heiten-202103/

Store closures in April 2021 -Toranoana to close two stores

・Toranoana Akihabara Store B
・Toranoana Akihabara Store C
・Tsukiji Gintako HB Sakaba Suehirocho Branch

In April, when the third state of emergency was declared, two Toranoana stores were closed.
The official reasons for the closure were the building's reconstruction and the expiration of the tenant contract, but it is believed that the coronavirus also had a significant impact.

Click here for details ↓

https://akihabara-bc.jp/akihabara-heiten-202104/

Store closures in May 2021 - Will redevelopment begin on Chuo Street?

・Yakiniku Don Tadon Akihabara Main Store (Relocation)
・Sofmap AKIBA Store No. 2, PC General Building (integrated)
・Sofmap AKIBA 3rd store MacCollection (integrated)
・Aoyama Clothing Akihabara Electric Town Entrance Store (merged)
・Volks Akihabara Hobby Heaven 1 (integrated and relocated)
・Assist Wig Akihabara store
・Atariya Shokudo Akihabara store (relocated)
・PC Station Captain

In May, street soliciting dropped dramatically due to the crackdown on malicious maid cafes.
Volks Hobby Heaven 1, a large hobby shop that represents Akihabara, will be closing due to relocation and integration into the new store, Volks Akihabara Hobby Heaven 2.
Shops in front of the station closed one after another, and the number of vacant buildings increased.
Many of the buildings are aging, so it remains to be seen how they will be used in the future.

Click here for details ↓

https://akihabara-bc.jp/akihabara-heiten-202105/

Store closures in June 2021 - ADORES complete withdrawal

・Adoa's Akihabara 2nd store
・Starbucks Coffee JR Akihabara Station Ladder Store
・AniON STATION AKIHABARA Main Store
・Access Ticket Akihabara store
・TOKKA Bazaar Main Store
・World Mobile Akihabara store

Following the closure of the ADORES Akihabara store in November last year, the ADORES Akihabara 2nd store has now closed, meaning that ADORES has completely disappeared from Akihabara.
In addition, Lantis Station AKIHABARA, which closed in February, and AniON Station AKIHABARA Main Store, which was on the same floor, will also close, further reducing Kanda Myojin Street to a deserted street.

Click here for details ↓

https://akihabara-bc.jp/akihabara-heiten-202106/

*Added on August 4, 2021 for World Mobile Akihabara Store.

Summary of Akihabara store closing information

Store closures, relocations, and mergers: 47 stores
Like last year, the first half of 2021 saw many restaurant closures.
Not only restaurants but also famous subculture shops such as Toranoana have closed.
While vacant space in front of the station continues to be noticeable, redevelopment is also underway, including the rebuilding of the Tokyo Kakuta Building and New Kakuta Building, and this appears to be a turning point for Akihabara.