[First half of 2022] Summary of Akihabara store closures [Closings, relocations, and mergers]

Time flies and half of 2022 has already passed.
Akihabara has overcome turbulent times and regained its vitality, but what about the number of stores that have closed?
Let's take a look at what happened in the first half of this year.

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

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

Other closing information:

Akihabara's closed stores

Akihabara store closures and relocations between January and June 2022 (in chronological order)

Stores closing in January 2022 - Gundam Cafe to close after 12 years

・Animate Akihabara Annex [Merged]
・The Body Shop Atre Akihabara store
・GUNDAM Cafe TOKYO BRAND CORE
・PREMIUM STAGE Junk Street Store
・Tsukiji Gindaco Don Quijote Akihabara store

In January, the number of coronavirus infections exploded again.
The impact was significant, as restaurants and stores continued to close that month.
In particular, the closure of all Gundam Cafe locations after 12 years of operation became a big topic of conversation, and I think there were many voices of sadness.
A Tamashii Nations directly managed store opened on the site on June 23rd.

[August 2022] Akihabara store closings

Store Closures in February 2022 - Steak Hamburger Takeru withdraws from Tokyo

・G-Tune:Garage Akihabara store
・Sofmap AKIBA Purchase Specialty Store [Merger]
・1 Pound Steak Hamburger Takeru Akihabara Branch

In February, shortened business hours were resumed due to the epidemic prevention measures.
While one would think that many stores would close, the number only reached three, including stores that were being merged.
Steak Hamburger Takeru has also decided to close its Ueno store, marking its complete withdrawal from Tokyo.
On the final day, the event was so crowded that there were long lines.

[August 2022] Akihabara store closings

Stores closing in March 2022 - Seta Musen, which has been in business for 60 years, will close.

・Western food and drinks. Akihabara store
・Menya Haruka Akihabara store [Relocation]
・Free Ticket Akihabara Station Store
・Akiba Barber
・Nishidori Pudding Akihabara store
・Hokkaido Iccho Akihabara store
・Seta Wireless

In March, shortened business hours ended and customer traffic increased, but unfortunately the number of stores closing also increased.
Seven stores, mainly restaurants, have been decided to close.
In particular, the closure of two long-established stores, Seta Musen, which was founded 60 years ago, and Akiba Barber, which was founded 40 years ago, has been a hot topic.
Many people expressed nostalgia for the Akihabara of old.

[August 2022] Akihabara store closings

Store closures in April 2022 - Information on relocation of stores such as Idolmaster shops is increasing

・Real Mannequin Showroom Akihabara [Relocation]
・The Idolmaster Official Shop Atre Akihabara Store [Relocation]
・Standing bar Kushigin 2nd store

Although the rebound alert period was extended, the number of customers continued to increase steadily in April.
Perhaps due to this influence, only one store closed, and the rest only announced plans to relocate.
The only store that has closed is Kushigin 2nd store, but stores 1 and 3 remain open.

[August 2022] Akihabara store closings

Stores closing in May 2022 - YouTuber-supervised Yurakusha Hikaru store closes

・MARKS&WEB (Marks and Web) Atre Akihabara
・Sofmap AKIBA Used Digital Store Purchase Center [Merged]
・Ichihindo
・Role&Roll Station Akihabara store
・TAMASHII NATIONS TOKYO [Relocation]
・Yurakusha Hikaru store

Akihabara was bustling in May, thanks to Golden Week.
Despite the bustle, six stores have closed, including those that have merged or relocated.
The topic of discussion was the closure of Yurakusha Hikaru, a TCG shop supervised by a famous YouTuber.
They announced that the impact of the coronavirus was significant.

[August 2022] Akihabara store closings

Store closures in June 2022 -Increase in store closures due to building demolition

・Laox Akihabara Main Store [Long-term closure]
・Radio Super
・KVClab. [Relocation]
・Maywa Denki Akihabara Store [Temporarily closed]
・Study Cafe Akihabara Studio
・Pocket Duel TCG Cafe & Bar Akihabara
・Ike Shop

June is the month when the number of tourists from overseas is gradually increasing.
I think the reason for the decision to close stores, even though the area is starting to return to its pre-COVID-19 bustle, is that many of the buildings were demolished or renovated.
Perhaps due to aging, the redevelopment in Akihabara is in full swing.
There was a temporary surge in excitement as closing-down sales were held at each store.

[August 2022] Akihabara store closings

Summary of Akihabara store closures for the first half of 2022

Store closures, relocations, and mergers: 31 stores
A total of 31 stores will close in the first half of 2022, a welcome result that is nearly 10 fewer than the 47 stores that closed in the first half of 2021, according to our research.
New stores are opening in vacant spaces, and the situation is gradually improving.
We can look forward to Akihabara becoming even more lively in the future.