Experience the real and virtual Akihabara!

Here is exciting news about Akihabara, one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Japan!

The NPO Akihabara Tourism Promotion Association is currently running the Akihabara Hybrid Tour project for one month only. The association has also announced that from October 18th to October 31st, the tour content will also be broadcast online. This hybrid tour is a combination of a real and virtual tour that is suited for the new normal of COVID prevention measures.

*The details have not yet been announced, for updates please check their website.

Why is the tour “hybrid”?

This tour is a combined real and virtual tour, so it is being branded as a “hybrid experience.”

To put it simply, participants will move around Akihabara physically, but they will experience each of the attractions virtually. Participants can enjoy touring Akihabara without worrying about the risks of the pandemic.

A driver will take tourists around Akihabara on this electric tricycle, which seats two. The driver will only be doing the driving, while the tour guide will be provided remotely by National Government Licensed Guide Interpreters. This tour experience is currently planned to be offered only in Japanese and English.

When participants arrive at the attraction, they will wear VR goggles that look like this:

They will experience the various maid cafes, facilities, stores, and more through their VR goggles in this new style tour. There are two courses to enjoy Akihabara differently. Where do you think they will take you?

Gourmet Course

In this course, you will “visit” many popular restaurants and cafés virtually. Fruits de Saison フルーフ・デゥ・セゾン is a café where you can enjoy delicious and fresh seasonal fruit. I used to work as a maid in Akihabara, and I sometimes dropped by this café. It was a long time ago, but I still remember that their strawberry parfait and fresh orange juice were very tasty!

As they use seasonal fruits, their menu often changes, so I recommend you to follow their Twitter account (@fruitsdesaison1) if you’re planning to go there physically after the tour. They sometimes offer a special menu only for their followers!

The Gourmet Course will also take you to Akatsuka 赤津加, a traditional Japanese restaurant which opened in 1954, and a popular curry restaurant called Bengal ベンガル.

History and Culture Course

Another course will show you the history and culture of the Akihabara and Kanda area.

In front of Akihabara Radio Kaikan (Photo by Mochijapa)

Akihabara Radio Kaikan 秋葉原ラジオ会館 is one of the major sightseeing spots in Akihabara. It opened in 1950! As the name indicates, it used to be a shop for radio and other electric components. However, after its rebuilding in 2014, it is now home to many souvenirs, second-hand figures, plastic models, comic books, and card game shops.

In this course, you’ll also virtually visit the Gundam Café, the at-home café (a very famous maid café), Super Potato スーパーポテト (a retro game store) and more!