These neighborhoods are different. They're hardcore shopping areas focused on one particular niche.
1. Akihabara (秋葉原)
Akihabara is the electronics shopping mecca of Japan. In recent years, it has face increased competition from Shinjuku and other mega-neighborhoods of Tokyo. It has diversified into otaku related items such as anime, manga, cosplay. It's also well known for its many maid cafes.
2. Tsukiji (築地)
Tsukiji is home to the world's largest wholesale fish market. The Tsukiji Fish Market is the size of 44 football fields. Each day it sells around 2800 tons of fish spanning 450 varieties.
3. Kappabashi (合羽橋)
Kappabashi sells nothing but kitchen supplies. You known those plastic models of food in front of Japanese restaurants? Most were purchased in Kappabashi.
4. Jimbocho (神保町)
Jimbocho in central Tokyo is surrounded by Japanese universities. It's filled with used book shops featuring rare, unusual and cheap books.
5. Ikebukuro (池袋)
Ikebukuro is a massive shopping neighborhood filled with large department stores. It's also known for shops catering to Tokyo's female otaku.
6. Shimokitazawa (下北沢)
Shimokitazawa is a hipster neighborhood that's packed with secondhand clothing shops. It's also well known for its antique toy stores.
7. Ochanomizu (御茶ノ水)
Ochanomizu is a university area of Tokyo known for its many musical instrument shops.
8. Nakano (中野)
Like Akihabara, Nakano is a otaku shopping area that's known for its rare and unusual manga, toys and cosplay shops.
9. Sugamo (巣鴨)
Sugamo is what Tokyo would be like if everyone was over 59. Shops in the area sell everything that appeals to Japan's senior citizens. There are shops in the area that sell nothing but supplies to help you celebrate your 60th birthday.
(in Japan it's customary to wear red on your 60th birthday)
10. Shin Okubo (新大久保)
Shin Okubo is Tokyo's Korea town. It's known as the best place in Japan for Korean cuisine. It's also stuffed with small shops selling Korean pop culture items. In recent years, kpop and Korean television dramas have enjoyed popularity in Japan.
11. Koenji (高円寺)
Koenji is another hipster neighborhood known for its vintage clothing shops.
12. Asakusa (浅草)
Nakamise street in Asakusa is the best place in Tokyo to buy souvenirs. The street leads to Sensoji — Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple.
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