Nakano, Tokyo
Nakano is a neighborhood just a few minutes west of Shinjuku
The area is known as the second, less commercialized Akihabara, full of otaku entertainment
It’s a fantastic, less crowded sakura cherry blossom spot in the spring
Some say Akihabara has become just another tourist spot. So where else can people go to get their anime and manga fix? Or how about a place just to experience an authentic, retro Tokyo vibe?
Nakano.
For otaku and non-otaku alike, Nakano is a great area to visit because it still holds a lot of older, “Showa” Tokyo, post-World War II vibes.
How to get there
Nakano is really easy to get to as it’s just a 4-7 minute train ride west from Shinjuku station on either the JR Chuo or Sobu line.
After moving to Tokyo, it took me a while to discover Nakano and it wasn’t until I went to check out the cherry blossoms (More on that later on) there that I realized how cool the area was. I think it’s one of the more underrated areas in the city.
Nakano, particularly the north side of JR Nakano Station, has a bunch to explore whether you’re into anime and manga or not.
While not a hub for high fashion, there are over 3,000 shops in what is called Heartbeat Nakano [J], a shopping association consisting of 59 shopping areas divided into 10 blocks.
Walking north from the station, you’ll go through Nakano Sun Mall, an approximately 250 yard (225 meter) shopping arcade of restaurants and miscellaneous shops. At the end of this is Nakano Broadway.
Nakano Broadway
An indoor shopping complex that dates back decades, Nakano Broadway has about four floors of shops selling anime and manga items, figurines, “idol” goods, collectables and more. Mandarake, a large chain for second-hand collectables, has a large presence here, and many come to sell and trade collectables.
It’s quite the geek playground.
It’s not limited to things Japanese either. I’ve seen a fair share of Star Wars goods, shops selling American toys from the 80s and 90s, military surplus items, classic Rolex watches - anything collectable, really.
https://nakano-broadway.com [J]
MAP
If you’re not into that type of thing?
Sanbancho (North Exit Alleys)
On the east side of Nakano Sun Mall and Nakano Broadway is an area of alleys with numerous bars and izakayas. Big signs displaying Japanese lettering and old steel and painted glass street lamps make you feel as if you’ve been transported back to old Tokyo.
The people are much the same with many dressed in retro fashion, living life by their rules, doing what they want. It’s a far and refreshing cry from the rush of black suits going through Shinagawa or Shinjuku Stations.
Nakano-dori Ave Sakura
Nakano is one of the best areas to see sakura, or cherry blossoms, in Tokyo.
To the north of JR Nakano Station, cherry blossoms line Nakano-dori Ave for about 2 km. Unlike many other cherry blossom spots around Tokyo, this one is big and isn’t as crowded.
There’s a cherry blossom festival at Arai Yakushi Park [MAP] on the weekend during the season’s peak, and a nice photo spot where the Seibu Shinjuku train passes under the pinkish-white sakura flowers. [MAP]
Nakano is one of the most underrated areas that I’ve come across in Tokyo. Otaku folk love it, but so do many others who want that more authentic Tokyo experience.
Daily Chico
In the basement of Nakano Broadway is this popular soft-serve ice cream shop. If there’s no line or crowd of people enjoying their snack, you’ll notice this place by all the photos of Japanese celebrities on the walls.
Their most noted for their 8-layer challenge, an 8-inch (20 cm) tall colorful stack of soft-serve for about US $5. You can choose the smaller cones, of course, and they typically have flavors like vanilla, chocolate, ramune soda, matcha, etc. Refreshing.
MAP
Bia Hoi Chop
In the alley area of Nakano, is Bia Hoi Chop, a good option for anyone looking to take a break from Japanese food. Rated as a 1-star popular and highly recommended restaurant on Japanese food app Retty, this casual Vietnamese cafe is perfect to stop at for a bite to eat while exploring the area.
The ambiance is very laid back, with food being served to customers on plastic stools in a space decorated in colorful wall art. Perfect to match the area’s subculture vibe.
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