秋葉原(あきはばら)

あきはばら
noun (proper)
Akihabara (Tokyo electronics and anime district)
proper-nounplace-nameculture
1. Akihabara; Tokyo's electronics and anime-culture district
The district north-east of central Tokyo built around electrical-parts shops after the war and now equally known for anime, manga, games, and maid cafes. It stands generally for both electronics shopping and otaku culture.
秋葉原(あきはばら)でパソコンを買(か)った。
I bought a computer in Akihabara.
秋葉原(あきはばら)にはアニメの店(みせ)がたくさんある。
There are lots of anime shops in Akihabara.
部品(ぶひん)を探(さが)すなら秋葉原(あきはばら)へ行(い)けば何(なん)でもそろうと言(い)われている。
They say that if you're after components, you can find anything in Akihabara.

Common expressions

  • 秋葉原(あきはばら)電気街(でんきがい): the Akihabara electronics quarter
  • アキバ: the clipped, colloquial name, especially for the anime side of the district
  • 秋葉原(あきはばら)系(けい): Akiba-style — of tastes and fashion associated with otaku culture

Cultural note

The district's character shifted over time — from radio parts, to home appliances, to computers, to anime and games — so the name evokes different things to different generations. Foreign visitors treat it as a standard Tokyo sightseeing stop.

general
Added 2026.8.14 3:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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