Things to Do in Akihabara and Ueno! 60 Recommended spots! Hi! I’m Akanemaru, born and raised in Japan. This video is about recommended spots
in Akihabara and Ueno. Let's start with Akihabara. Akihabara Station is 2 stops away from Tokyo Station,
and it takes about 4 minutes. Akihabara has long been known as a town
with many electronics stores, and nowadays, there are plenty of stores selling games,
anime merchandise, and more. It's a lively area in Tokyo,
so it's convenient for shopping and accommodation. The largest electronics store in Akihabara is Yodobashi-Akiba. It's right in front of Akihabara Station. They have almost all the electrical appliances sold in Japan. It's a large building with a basement floor
and 9 floors above ground, and there are also many other shops in addition to electronics. On the 6th floor, there are toys and games. On the 7th floor, there is ABC-MART,
a store that sells sporting goods, along with DAISO, a 100-yen shop, and UNIQLO. The 8th floor is the restaurant floor. There are over 20 popular restaurants. On the 9th floor, there is a golf range and a batting cage. Especially recommended is the Cat Café MOFF
located on the 1st floor. You can interact with adorable cats here. The fee is 1,850 yen per hour. Adorable cats will comfort you, so give it a try! In front of the Cat Café, there are benches
where you can have a meal or take a break. We'll briefly introduce 3 recommended shops
at Yodobashi-Akiba. First up is HAIKARA FRIED CHICKEN. It's a fried chicken specialty store that uses Japanese chicken,
and the most popular item is the fried chicken burger. The Japanese-style mayonnaise sauce
and crispy fried chicken are a perfect combination. This burger is satisfying to eat! Next is Beard Papa, a specialty shop for cream puffs. The pastry is crispy like a cookie,
and the smooth custard cream has a rich flavor of egg yolk. Next is Kinako To Torori, a specialty shop for warabi-mochi. The roasted soybean flour and brown sugar syrup go well with the soft and chewy warabi-mochi,
making it delicious. Yodobashi-Akiba is a great place to enjoy the entire day. Next up is Kanda Myojin Shrine. It's a shrine with over 1,300 years of history
located about a 7-minute walk from Akihabara Station. It's believed to bring blessings in business. It's also popular as a photo spot. There is a park behind the shrine,
and cherry blossoms bloom there in spring. There is a souvenir shop in the shrine. There are many items that are very Japanese. The admission is free, so it's a recommended place. Next up is Origami Kaikan,
located about a 15-minute walk from Akihabara Station. The artworks made with Origami are on display. The admission is free. There are also various artworks made from Washi, which is paper crafted using
traditional Japanese paper-making techniques. There are many artworks
that you wouldn't believe are made from paper. You can buy Washi and Origami. There are origami capsule toy machines, so give it a try! Next is Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan. It’s a specialty store for capsule toys that opened in 2002. Among the capsule toy specialty stores in Japan,
this one is a long-standing store, bustling with many people. Inside the store, there are 500 machines,
with over 50 machines rotated in each month. There are plenty of cute character items,
so try out what you like! Next is Nippon Department Store,
located about a minute's walk from Akihabara Station. It's a store where you can buy items
from various regions of Japan. There are about 4,000 types of food,
from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. Inside this store, there is a recommended restaurant. It's Komaki Shokudo. This restaurant offers all-oriental vegan dishes
that don't use meat or fish. You can enjoy healthy and satisfying set meals. Next up, we'll briefly introduce 4 recommended shops
in Akihabara Station. First up is Cow Cow Kitchen. The most popular item at this shop is the cream puff
made with mille-feuille-like pastry. The outside is crispy,
and the cream inside has a rich milk flavor. Next up is PICO CREPE. There are over 50 menu items, but the highly recommended one
is the crepe with matcha ice cream and shiratama dumpling. The sweetness of the chocolate
and the just tartness of the strawberries are nice. Next up is AZABU SABO. There are various flavors of gelato,
but the highly recommended flavor is the roasted soybean flour. The sweetness of milk and the pleasant aroma
of roasted soybean flour fill your mouth. Next is SQUARE ENIX CAFÉ. You can enjoy steamed buns
shaped like Slime characters from the game Dragon Quest. The white one contains meat,
and the yellow one contains custard cream. Both are cute, and you can enjoy authentic taste. Next is namco Akihabara located in front of Akihabara Station. This amusement arcade opened in 2023, and there are various games on all floors from
the 1st basement to the 5th floor above ground. There are many claw machines and capsule toy machines. Especially recommended is the 3rd floor. There is a game called Taiko no Tatsujin,
where you play the Japanese drums. It's fun, so be sure to give it a try! Next up is Kuriko-an,
located about a 5-minute walk from Akihabara Station. The classic red bean paste taiyaki is popular,
but this time, we'll introduce the Pokémon taiyaki. It's shaped like Magikarp, which makes it so cute! The creamy milk chocolate filling and the crispy dough
are a perfect match. It's a special taiyaki that you can only enjoy here! Next is Don Quijote Akihabara,
located about a 5-minute walk from Akihabara Station. It's a building with a basement and 8 floors above ground,
and Don Quijote is on floors 1 to 5. We'll introduce them starting from the upper floors. First, let's start with the 6th and 7th floors. On these two floors, there is an amusement arcade
operated by a different company than Don Quijote. There are unique games and claw machines
that you can only find in Japan. You can also find popular character merchandise here,
so when you visit Don Quijote, be sure to check out this floor as well. Now, let's go to the Don Quijote floors. Next up is the 5th floor. There is a maid cafe. It's a popular cafe with cute staff serving customers. There is also an English menu. On the 5th floor, in addition to the maid cafe, you can find cosplay items for popular characters
and maid costumes. We have arrived on the 4th floor. On this floor, you can find Japanese souvenirs
for international tourists and electric appliances. There are many items here
that you won't find often in other stores. One of the particularly recommended items is the Senja-Fuda. This is a wooden tag with international people's names
converted into Kanji and carved into it. For your information, if you would like to get the Tax-free service, please make your payment at the dedicated cash register
located on the 4th floor. We have arrived on the 3rd floor. On this floor, there is stationery, toys, and more. You can also find character merchandise of Sanrio
and Nintendo, along with clothing like T-shirts. Next up is the 2nd floor. The 2nd floor is mainly dedicated to food items. There is a wide variety of beverages and snacks available. You can also find daily necessities and cosmetics on this floor. On the 1st floor, there are 3 shops only for takeout,
so let's introduce them one by one. First up is the kebab specialty store, Kebab Station Akihabara. Their kebab sandwich is filled with meat
and it's satisfying to eat. The chewy pita bread and the texture of the cabbage are great. Next up is Smiley Crepes. There are about 50 combinations, but the highly recommended one
is the crepe with vanilla ice cream topped with caramel sauce. It makes you happy! Next up is Maruju-seinikuten. It's a popular place where they grill the skewered meat
after you order. The most popular one is the affordable beef skewer. This beef skewer is delicious,
but the Kobe beef skewers are the best recommendation. It's marbled with fat and melts in your mouth. This Don Quijote in Akihabara is smaller than the one in Shibuya, but it's highly recommended because it offers foods
that are not available at other locations. Next up is MAAch ecute,
located about a 5-minute walk from Akihabara Station. It's a commercial facility renovated from the Mansei-bashi Station,
which was used until 1943. It has various shops inside, giving a very stylish atmosphere. Among them, the highly recommended spot is on the 2nd floor. There are train tracks on both sides,
allowing you to see the trains up close. There are not many parks or benches in Akihabara,
so it's a great place to take a break. There is a recommended vending machine right near MAAch ecute. You can buy sandwiches from Mansei,
a specialty restaurant for meat dishes. The tonkatsu sandwich has tender meat, and it's delicious. My favorite is the fried hamburger steak sandwich. The sweet sauce and the juicy hamburger steak
are a perfect combination. There are a few vending machines
that are a bit strange located about a 2-minute walk from here. Among a few of them,
there are vending machines that sell toy beetles and baseballs. It's often introduced on social media,
so if you're curious, you should check it out! Let's move on to the next place. Next, let's introduce Ueno. It takes about 4 minutes by train from Akihabara Station
to Ueno Station. It's about a 20-minute walk. First up is the large monitor that was set up at Hirokoji Exit
in January of this year. It's right above Starbucks. You can watch an adorable 3D panda. Next up is Ueno Park. The closest ticket gate is the Park Gate at Ueno Station. It's the most popular park in Tokyo,
with over 3 million visitors annually. Cherry blossoms bloom in spring. It's a famous hanami spot in Japan. Ueno Park is larger than Tokyo Disneyland,
so there are plenty of attractions. We'll introduce 9 recommended spots within the park. Let's start with the Ueno Toshogu Shrine. It's a historic shrine built in 1627. It's a bit hidden in the back of the park,
but it's a highly recommended spot. You can buy cute charms there. Next is Ueno Daibutsu. The face of a Daibutsu is enshrined here,
and it's believed to bring blessings for success in exams. Next, we'll introduce Hanazono Inari Shrine. It's believed to bring blessings for matchmaking,
and there are many torii gates here. It looks like the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Next up is The National Museum of Western Art. This museum was opened in 1959,
and there are over 6,000 artworks. The admission fee is 500 yen. Next up is the Tokyo National Museum. It's the oldest museum in Japan, opened in 1872. The admission fee is 1,000 yen. Next up is the National Museum of Nature and Science. The admission fee is 630 yen. There are exhibits of a train and a large whale statue near the entrance,
so it's recommended to take photos. Next up is Ueno Zoo. It's the most popular zoo in Japan,
with over 3 million visitors annually. The admission fee is 600 yen for adults,
and children up to 12 years old can enter for free. You can see various animals,
but the most popular one is the panda. There are many adorable foods themed after pandas,
so we'll briefly introduce 6 items. First up is An-ya Hiyoko located inside Ueno Station. You can buy Ooban-yaki with grilled panda illustrations on them. The filling is sweet custard cream. Next up is Mameda, a specialty shop for Inari sushi
located inside Ueno Station. They sell Inari sushi with grilled panda illustrations. Inside the sweet tofu skins,
there is vinegared rice mixed with sesame seeds. Next up is Hanakagura Panda-Yaki
located at Okachimachi Station, which is next to Ueno Station. You can enjoy bite-sized Castella cakes in panda shapes. There are various flavors such as chocolate and caramel. Next up is CINNABON located in Marui Ueno. There are cinnamon rolls shaped like panda faces. It's sweet and makes you happy. Next up is Hokushin, the fish market
located on the basement floor of Ueno Matsuzakaya. There are seafood bowls topped with vinegared rice
shaped like pandas. It's cute and you can enjoy an authentic taste. Next up is VOLO Coffee & Tea at Sakura Terrace. You can buy Chinese buns shaped like panda faces. The white one is filled with pork, making it juicy. The brown one contains milk chocolate filling. Alright, let's head back to Ueno Park. Next up is Shinobazu-no-ike pond. There are several benches here,
making it a perfect spot for taking a break. You can take rowboats and swan boats here. The prices range from 500 to 800 yen. On sunny days, it's especially recommended! At the center of the pond is Bentendo. It's a shrine believed to bring blessings of financial fortune. There are many food stalls lined up here on weekends. If you want to try Japanese street food,
it's a recommended spot. Okay, let's move on to the next place. Next up is Ueno Marui, located in front of Ueno Station. It's a large commercial facility with 2 basement floors
and 9 floors above ground. On the 8th floor, you'll find Nitori,
a famous furniture store in Japan. There are various items available besides furniture,
including kitchenware and more. The pillow covers that feel cool are particularly popular products. On the 7th floor, you'll find Seria, a 100-yen shop. There is a wide variety of stylish items, so it's a popular shop. You can also buy smartphone stands in the shape of pandas
for just 100 yen. Next up is Yamashiroya, located right in front of Ueno Station. It's the largest toy store in the Ueno area. There are over 20,000 items of popular characters
like Pokémon and Mario. You can also find many Kirby items here,
including exclusive merchandise only available at this store. Near the entrance, there are many capsule toy machines. Sanrio Gift Gate Ueno is located just about a 3-minute walk
from Yamashiroya. The store is a bit small
and doesn't have a wide variety of items, but there are items only available at the Ueno store. Mihashi, a specialty shop for Japanese sweets,
is located about a minute's walk from Sanrio Gift Gate Ueno. Their most popular item is the Shiratama Anmitsu. The chewy shiratama dumpling and brown sugar syrup
are a perfect match. Next up is PARCO_ya, a commercial facility
located about a 10-minute walk from Ueno Station. We'll introduce 2 shops located on the basement floor. First up is Kuze-Fuku Shoten,
a store that gathers delicious food from various regions of Japan. One highly recommended item is the Zosui,
which is rice cooked in a Japanese-style soup. It's freeze-dried, so it's perfect as a souvenir. There is zosui with a slightly salty taste that includes salmon,
and one that has the aroma of chicken and yuzu. Next up is KALDI, which is a store for coffee beans,
food, and more. Their red bean paste spread is recommended. It contains butter, so it goes well with bread. There is also a spread
that gives white bread a flavor similar to Melon Pan. After spreading it and baking it in the oven,
it will have a pleasant aroma of Melon Pan. It contains finely crushed cookies, so it has a nice texture. Next up is Centurion Hotel Ueno,
located about a 10-minute walk from Ueno Station. This hotel offers rooms
that are highly recommended for international tourists. There are tatami rooms available,
so you can experience the Japanese atmosphere. Beyond this door, there is an open-air bath. There are not many hotels in the Ueno area
with open-air baths, so you should give it a try! Next up is Ameyoko. It's the busiest shopping street in Ueno with over 400 stores. You'll find many sporting goods stores and shoe shops here,
where you can buy items at affordable prices. We'll briefly introduce 3 restaurants in Ameyoko. First up is Moheji, a specialty shop for Monjayaki. At this restaurant, we recommend the Tonpei-yaki,
which is cooked with pork, egg, green onions, and more. It's seasoned with a rich sauce and mayonnaise. The most popular item is the Monjayaki
with spicy cod roe, cheese, and mochi. The mochi and cheese melt together,
creating a perfect combination. Next is ENJOY. You can eat yakiniku at affordable prices. Each table has a liquor dispenser. If you like alcohol, be sure to check it out! Next up is Magurobito,
where you can enjoy standing-style sushi. You can enjoy sushi made by sushi chefs starting
at 80 yen per piece. It's inexpensive and delicious, so it's recommended. Next, we'll introduce 6 izakayas in Ameyoko. By the way, they also have soft drinks,
so don't worry if you can't drink alcohol. First up is Takioka. It's a standing-style izakaya where you can easily enjoy dishes. It's nice that the alcohol is inexpensive. The potato salad has a creamy texture,
with onions and carrots adding a nice accent. The motsuni, which is pork tripe and tofu
simmered in miso, is particularly recommended. Niku Dofu, which is pork and tofu simmered in spicy soup,
is also delicious. Next is Kadokura, another standing-style izakaya. One highly recommended item here is the Tonpei-yaki. It's only 500 yen, so it's very affordable. The most popular dish is the Ham-Katsu,
which is cheese sandwiched with ham and then fried. The melted cheese and ham are a perfect combination. Next up is Ooyama, a specialty restaurant for meat dishes. We'll introduce 3 fried foods. The potato croquette is very inexpensive at 80 yen. The shrimp cutlet has a plump texture,
and you can taste the sweetness of the shrimp. The most recommended is the Wagyu minced cutlet. The juices from the meat fill your mouth. Next up is Hamachan, a seafood specialty restaurant. One particularly recommended dish here is freshly fried tempura. The squid tempura has a nice texture. The shrimp is thick and satisfying to eat. Grilled salmon is also recommended. It has fat and goes well with alcohol. Next up is Bunraku. It's a popular izakaya for yakitori and motsuni,
where you can enjoy your meal at outdoor seating. The pork liver is moist and the sweet sauce is perfect. The yakitori topped with spicy miso is also recommended. It has a rich flavor and tastes delicious. Next is Chin-chin-ken. It's a Japanese-style Chinese restaurant,
a popular place often featured on social media. Their grilled gyoza are larger than usual
and very satisfying to eat. It goes well with beer. Especially recommended is the Tan-men. It's a type of ramen with a salty broth
topped with plenty of vegetables. It has a richer flavor than it looks, and it's delicious! Next, we'll introduce 5 shops perfect for a food tour. First up is Minatoya. It's a seafood bowl and takoyaki shop. You can enjoy freshly cooked takoyaki. The price is 200 yen for 4 pieces, which is very affordable. The seafood bowl topped with salmon and negitoro
is only 400 yen. When you're looking for an affordable seafood bowl,
this is a great choice. Next is a tea shop called Cha-no-Kiminoen. Their soft-serve ice cream is popular. The aroma of matcha and sweetness of milk
are a nice combination. Next is Osaka Jyugemu, a takoyaki shop
with the main store located in Osaka. Tako-sen, where takoyaki is sandwiched between shrimp crackers,
is recommended. You can enjoy the soft and creamy takoyaki texture
along with the crispy shrimp crackers. In addition to sauce, there is also takoyaki
topped with soy sauce and mayonnaise. It has a more refreshing flavor than the classic sauce. Next is ARAS KEBAB. There are many kebab shops in Ueno,
but this one is always bustling with many people. It has plenty of meat, making it satisfying to eat. Next is Uotsuka. It's a popular standing-style izakaya
where you can enjoy seafood dishes. You should try the salmon roe bowl and sashimi set. The medium fatty tuna melts in your mouth. The salmon roe has a rich flavor
and goes well with the vinegared rice. The popping texture is addictive. Finally, we'll introduce Niki-no-Kashi,
a must-visit for international tourists. It's a snack shop that has been around for over 70 years,
and nowadays, there are various food items besides snacks. The entrance is narrow, but the inside of the store is large. They have about 5,000 types of snacks available,
so you would find almost every type of snack sold in Japan. The tax-free service is available,
so it's recommended for those who want to buy souvenirs. There is a wide variety of Kit Kat flavors,
some of which you won't find in other stores. If you're looking to buy Japanese snacks in Ueno,
it's the perfect place! Well, that’s all for today! See you in the next video! Bye bye!
