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The OTAKU TOUR: see idols, maid cafes, anime shops + more
Hello everybody! My tour is for the "Otaku" who come to Japan and want to experience everything from idols to retro game stores to anime shops and maid cafes and more! This is not like your normal tours, as I will be your guide into the deep sub-cultural landscape that Tokyo has to offer. If you want to see a truly different side of Japan, my tour is for you!
Meeting Point
I can pick you up at your hotel, or we can meet at Akihabara train station
Meeting
Akihabara station
Maid Cafe
I will take you to a great maid cafe in Akihabara. You can find out all about the "Moe Moe Kyun" life!
Shopping in Akihabara
I will take you around to some of the famous shops in Akihabara. This includes shopping for anime figures, manga, and retro video games. I'll also give you a quick look at why Akihabara is called "electric town!"
Idol live event
Lets go check out an idol live event in Akihabara, or possibly Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Ikebukuro, or Sangenjaya. I can check the schedule of events going on with your particular tour dates and see what we can choose from. Then I'll take you through everything from entering the music venue to explaining what you'll be experiencing at idol events to even helping you take a cheki with an idol!
End of the tour
Ending Point
Either at Akihabara station, or at the nearest train station we might end up being close to, depending on the idol venue location
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
- Click below to tell us what you are looking for:
Inclusions & Exclusions
The price only includes my guide fee
Transporation fee- This price can vary depending on where your hotel is located or if you are coming to Akihabara to meet with me. If I travel to your hotel, you will be responsible for paying my train fare. I will calculate the fare before coming to the hotel. You will also be required to pay train fare if we decide to go to an idol event that is not located in Akihabara. Train fares are very cheap, so I wouldn't worry about this cost. Typically you are going to pay about 300-600 yen per train fare. I will only take you to idol events in central Tokyo.
Maid Cafe Lunch cost- Typically a meal at the maid cafe will be around 4000 to 5000 yen per person. Please plan to spend about this much during your time at the cafe
Idol Live Event Admission cost - Events typically start at 2500 yen and go up from there. Also, you will have to buy usually 1 or 2 drinks, each ranging from 500 yen to 800 yen or even 1000 yen. Cheki for idols is about 1000 yen usually per idol, although sometimes prices can vary
Tour Important Information
First, and most important, please have an open mind when booking this tour. You'll see things that probably will not make sense, but that is because you will likely be looking at what you're seeing through a pair of Western eyes. I highly encourage you to just... EXPERIENCE the tour and what I'll show you on it. There are reasons why, for example, idols exist, and I can talk to you about their purpose in the modern Japan landscape.
If you are sensitive to loud music, the latter part of the tour might be difficult to experience. If you have any type of allergies, please tell me them so that I can make sure you don't eat anything at the maid cafe that could hurt you. Also, if you are sensitive to flashing lights, the music venues often use strobe lights during live performances.
Typically, at idol live events, it's very respectful to take a "cheki" with an idol after the event is over. Not taking a "cheki" is somewhat disrespectful. A cheki is a polaroid picture you take with the idol. She will sign the cheki while you talk to her during the signing. This is usually the idol's only form of income. So if you watch an idol and you think she did a good job performing, please consider taking a cheki with her. Usually you can take as many cheki as you want with them!
I'm very flexible with my time and if you want to end the tour early (for example, you want to leave the idol event before it's over), that's totally okay. Full price though will be charged regardless of when you decide to end the tour.
Important message from the guide
I am usually really flexible with my schedule of availability, but I can best serve you during the week while you are here on your vacation or business trip. But don't hesitate to ask me to help you experience the sub-culture of Tokyo any day of the week!
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Tokyo Tour Reviews
Thai T.
The OTAKU TOUR: see idols, maid cafes, anime shops + more
“Thumbs up, get him a beer”
Met up with Derek to explore Akihabara, good bloke. Sign him up if you have a few hours spare , though make sure to get him a curry at the maid cafe haha.
Derek V.
(3 reviews)Really had a great time with Thai. He taught me a lot about what he does for a living. I mean, it was really fascinating. Also, we just were able to talk nonstop about so many things and it was like hanging out with somebody I knew forever. Really, really awesome dude and I hope we get a chance to do it again sometime! Seriously had actual fun on this tour. Thank you so much!
Anderson C.
The OTAKU TOUR: see idols, maid cafes, anime shops + more
“A fascinating walk through the vibrant otaku world of of Akihabara”
Derek's Akihabara tour was a fascinating walk through the vibrant otaku world of of Akihabara. He's not only a charismatic person, but also an idol industry worker and anime lover, so his firsthand insights added a layer of authenticity that enriched the experience. We had time to navigate through the streets and various shops of Akihabara and found some shops that otherwise I'd have a hard time finding on my own. Due to that, I was able to return on a later date and do all my shopping quickly and quite efficiently. He took me to a maid cafe, a place where I don't I'd ever go in my own, and it was actually quite an unique experience as the maids are very polite and really seem to put their heart into their jobs. Also, even if I am not an idol/maid fan, I enjoyed seeing the maids performing the live music and how the other regular costumers in the cafe loved and supported them. In retrospect and now that I am back home, I kind of regret not taking up on his offer of going to an idol show after the tour, maybe next time. His tour schedule is also highly customizable, and Derek was able to accommodate my wish of visiting a couple of retro-gaming stores. He even took a short detour to help me find some medicine I was looking for in the drugstore. All in all, I recommend his tour to anyone who wants to get their feet wet in Akihabara. Moreover, if you are into maid and idol culture, I don't think you would find a better guide.
Derek V.
(3 reviews)It was an absolute joy to meet Anderson and show him around Akihabara. He was interesting to talk to as well, as he has a pretty cool life. I was happy he could come to Japan and take time out of his busy schedule to see this amazing country and what it has to offer on the more otaku side of things. Just a truly awesome human being and I hope if he ever comes back, I can be his tour guide again. My experience with him is exactly the reason why I signed up to do this sort of tour guide stuff. It was really fun!! And his kind words are truly humbling to me. I'm grateful!
Tom G.
The OTAKU TOUR: see idols, maid cafes, anime shops + more
“Highly recommended ”
Derek provided an excellent Akihabara experience that most won’t be able to see by themselves.
Derek V.
(3 reviews)Thank you so much! I think it was a real, honest to goodness pleasure meeting Tom and getting to know him as we toured Akiba and the surrounding areas. Really fun guy and super nice as well... I would easily take him anywhere he wanted to go in Japan again! A 5/5 customer!!!!
