Feature
Tokyo Game Centers: Claw Machines to Retro
Prize cranes, rhythm games and old-school cabinets. Arcades I'd drop into between stops.
- Arcades
- Anime prizes
- Rainy days
- Easy to hop
Game centers in Japan are not just for gamers. The claw machines are stocked with prize goods featuring anime characters, so a single arcade can feel like an anime shop of its own. That is why I picked this theme for you 🐯
In this feature I walk you through Akihabara's big multi-floor arcades, places with strong rhythm and video game line-ups, branches in Ikebukuro and Shinjuku, and Odaiba's retro cabinets and indoor theme park. Everything here is indoors, so it also makes a good plan for a rainy day.
Akihabara: Whole Floors of Claw Machines
Along Chuo-dori, one arcade after another fills entire floors with claw machines. Even just wandering past the anime character prizes in search of a machine that catches your eye is half the fun ✨
GiGO Akihabara Building 2
Anime & Manga · Akihabara
A GiGO arcade that took over the former Sega Akihabara Building 2, with whole floors of crane games stocked with anime character prizes.
Free entry
GiGO Akihabara Building 5
Anime & Manga · Akihabara
A GiGO branch focused on crane games, with a stand selling character-shaped taiyaki on the ground floor. A sweet snack after a round or two.
Free entry
Tokyo Leisure Land Akihabara
Anime & Manga · Akihabara
A five-floor arcade offering prize games, plus a floor with photo studios aimed at cosplayers.
Free entry
Rhythm Games and Video Games
If you would rather play for skill than for prizes, try the arcades with strong rhythm and video game line-ups. On Akihabara's Chuo-dori, several arcades cover both claw machines and rhythm games.
GiGO Akihabara Building 3
Anime & Manga · Akihabara
A GiGO arcade on Chuo-dori with rhythm and video games, which also houses a collaboration cafe space.
Free entry
Taito Station Akihabara
Anime & Manga · Akihabara
Taito's own arcade on Chuo-dori, with a deep line-up of crane games stocked with anime prizes and of rhythm games.
Free entry
Ikebukuro and Shinjuku: Arcades Along the Way
In Ikebukuro you will find arcades by both the east and west exits of the station, easy to drop into between anime shops. Over in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, a flagship arcade keeps a permanent corner for title-themed events.
Taito Station Ikebukuro West Exit
Anime & Manga · Ikebukuro
Taito's own arcade just by the west exit, built around crane games with anime prizes, alongside rhythm and video games.
Free entry
GiGO Ikebukuro No.3
Anime & Manga · Ikebukuro
An arcade a minute from the east exit, with anime prizes in the crane games and a taiyaki counter.
Free entry
GiGO Ikebukuro No.1
Anime & Manga · Ikebukuro
A large arcade near Sunshine 60 Street, well stocked with anime and game prize figures and frequent tie-in campaigns.
Free entry
namco TOKYO
Anime & Manga · Shinjuku
Bandai Namco Amusement's flagship arcade on the 3rd floor of Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. Alongside crane games it runs a permanent event corner whose featured anime and game titles rotate.
Free entry
Retro and Theme Parks: Odaiba and Nakano
If you are curious about older games as well as the newest machines, this one is for you. Odaiba has a floor recreating a Showa-era street and Sega's indoor theme park, while Nakano has a store dealing in retro games.
Daiba Itchome Shopping Street
Anime & Manga · Odaiba & Toyosu
A floor inside DECKS Tokyo Beach recreating a 1950s-60s Japanese street, complete with penny-candy shops and vintage arcade machines. A photogenic, nostalgic stop.
Free entry
Tokyo Joypolis
Anime & Manga · Odaiba & Toyosu
Sega's large indoor theme park, packed with VR and digital attractions. It also has a permanent attraction where you race Sonic and friends.
¥1,700
Mandarake Nakano Galaxy
Shopping & streets · Nakano
A Mandarake store in Nakano selling classic game cartridges, consoles and game-related goods, with retro titles at its center.
Price unknown
Do this route
Two Days of Arcade Hopping
This is how I'd go around them! Add them all to a trip and change anything you like later 🧳
Start by adding a single Akihabara arcade to your trip 🧳 Even just browsing the prize shelves shows you which titles have goods out right now.
