Tokyo's two big anime shopping districts, linked by one train ride. Start at Kanda Myojin, the shrine the Tokyo tourism board calls a key setting of Love Live! and a Steins;Gate location. Walk down to Akihabara Radio Kaikan, a building full of figure and card shops that appears in Steins;Gate. After lunch, ride to Ikebukuro for Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO in Sunshine City, the shops of Otome Road and Animate's flagship store.
Times, fares and opening hours are approximate. Check the official pages under Sources before you go (last checked September 18, 2026).
1
Day 1
Kanda Myojin → Akihabara → Ikebukuro
A shrine and Akihabara in the morning, Pokémon and Ikebukuro's anime shops in the afternoon.
1
Morning
Kanda Myojin Shrine
Arrive before the shops open. The shrine is a 5-min walk from Ochanomizu Station (JR Hijiribashi exit or Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line exit 1) and a 7-min walk from Akihabara Station's Electric Town exit. The shrine has offered anime collaboration charms and ema over the years; what is on offer changes, so look at the amulet office when you visit.
Walk down to Akihabara Station (about 7 min). The building opens at about 10:00 and has floors of figure, card, doll and hobby shops up to a 10th-floor event space. Steins;Gate fans know it from the start of the story. The summer 2026 Steins;Gate RE:BOOT. collaboration has ended; check the building's news page for new events.
Eat around the station. The Tokyo tourism board describes the Akihabara streets as a mix of electronics megastores, small parts shops and stores for anime, manga and games.
Early afternoon
Akihabara → Ikebukuro
Take the JR Yamanote Line from Akihabara to Ikebukuro; both stations are on it, so there is no change.
3
Afternoon
Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO, Sunshine City
The shop is on the 2nd floor of Sunshine City's Alpa mall, about 8 min on foot from Ikebukuro Station (about 3 min from Higashi-Ikebukuro on the Yurakucho Line). Open roughly 10:00–20:00. Popular trading card releases are sometimes sold by lottery only, so check the shop's news page if you want a new set.
The Tokyo tourism board describes Otome Road as dedicated to girls' comics and video games.
Evening
Animate Ikebukuro flagship store
Animate's flagship store is about 5 min on foot from Ikebukuro Station's east exit and open until roughly 21:00, so it is a good last stop. Check its event page for the fairs and collaboration events running that day. Tax-free shopping is available.
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Terminus
Where to stay
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Terminus · stay in
Akihabara
Stay nearby so you can reach Kanda Myojin early and walk to Radio Kaikan at opening time.
Some links here are partner links: we get a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
Please note
Visiting with respect
Kanda Myojin is an active shrine. Bow at the gate, keep your voice down, and give way to people praying and to ceremonies.
Ask staff before taking photos inside shops.
Don't photograph other shoppers or cosplayers on Otome Road or in Akihabara without asking.
Wear your backpack on your front or leave large luggage in a station locker.
Good to know
FAQ
Where is THE GUNDAM BASE?
According to the official site, THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO is on the 7th floor of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, not in Akihabara or Ikebukuro. A new store, THE GUNDAM BASE SHIBUYA, is announced for November 2026 in Shibuya PARCO.
Are there lotteries at any of these places?
The Pokémon Center may hold lotteries for new trading card releases, announced on its official page.
Is Kanda Myojin connected to Steins;Gate as well?
Yes. The Tokyo tourism board lists it as a setting in both Love Live! and Steins;Gate.
Can I shop tax-free?
Animate Ikebukuro says it offers tax-free shopping. Other shops vary; bring your passport and ask at the register.
Transfer
Combine with nearby routes
Have more days? These routes start or end close to this one.
