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About
Nakano is famous for Nakano Broadway, the "Otaku Mecca". Otaku: obsessive interest with computers, Anime, Manga, Idols, etc. to the detriment of their social skills. Nakano Station is a short 10 min. train ride from Shinjuku in the Tokyo Metropolitan area.
The main reason a standard tourist or visitor to Japan would want visit Nakano is to look, window shop or shop at the interesting Otaku Shops in Nakano Broadway. For Anime and Manga fans, Nakano Broadway is a must visit destination in Tokyo. Nakano Broadway is a large shopping complex that was built in the 70's and is famous for being an "Otaku Mecca". It's a four story building with cose to 300 shops, many of which sell "Otaku Goods". Even for non-fans of Anime and Manga, the shops offer some very interesting goods for sale and it's definitely worth the 5 min. ride from Shinjuku to check it out for an hour or two.
The city of Nakano itself is a densley packed urban environment (it's only 5 min. from Shinjuku) with a variety of shopping, eating and partying establishments. If you head over to Nakano in the afternoon, you might want to consider visiting Nakano Shiki no Mori Park [ Google Map link ] where in the afternoons many food trucks set up shop and offer a variety of foods to choose from. After you have some lunch and walk around Nakano Broadway for a while you might need to relax a bit so head over to Kotobuki Yu, a popular hot springs in Tokyo [ no website but here's the Google Map link ].
To get to Nakano Broadway you exit the North Exit of Nakano Station and walk through the Nakano Sun Mall Shopping Arcade. This shopping arcade is also a great place to see a typical Japanese shopping arcade and contains a huge variety of shops from food to trinkets to fashion. Side-streets that break off from the main shopping arcade contain small eateries like izakaya, ramen and yaki-niku restaurants. At the end of the the Sun Mall Shopping Arcade you will be greeted by the sign, "Nakano Broadway" which leads yet into another shopping arcade which is the famous "Otaku" shopping complex. It's only about a 5 - 10 min. walk from Nakano Station through the Sun Mall to Nakano Broadway.
The Nakano Broadway shopping complex is a 5 story building. The 1st level (ground level) has your typical clothing, shoes and second-hand stores while the 2nd and 3rd level is where the really interesting stuff is at. The 2nd and 3rd level contains the Otaku stores dedicated to Anime and Manga collectibles. Figures (little statues of characters), trading cards, Anime posters & pictures, and magazines/book are super popular but there are also CDs, souvenirs and game related stuff too. Don't by shy or afraid to head into the shops and just browse, the owners are used to it... you might even want to buy something interesting and take it home, most the stuff will make great talking points about your trip to Japan. The most popular store is called Mandarake which spans three floors but the smaller shops also contain very interesting items. There is not much on the 4th floor of the complex, mainly storage and the 5th floor is apartments.
Nakano Broadway rivals Akihabara for Otaku goods. It's a smaller, more quaint and easily accessible destination that can be reached from Shinjuku quickly. If you've seen all the sites around Tokyo and are looking for something interesting to do, jump on the Chuo Line Rapid and take a walk around Nakano!
Access
From Shinjuku Station: Nakano is just 5 min. from Shinjuku on the Chuo Line Rapid.
From Tokyo Station: you can get to Nakano in 19 min. on the Chuo Line Rapid direct (no changing).
Hotels & Lodging
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Area Map
Attractions
Here is a list of some of the top Attractions in & nearby Nakano Tokyo.
Mitama Hot Springs
Hours: Open: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Last Entry at 10:30 p.m.)
Closed: No closing days
Cost: Adult: 770 yen, Child (up to Junior High): 500 yen
Map: Google Map
Mitama Onsen (Hot Springs) is another one of the more popular "Day-Trip" type Hot Springs in Yamanashi Prefecture that is popular with Tokyo day trippers. It is slightly farther from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo (+ 30 min.) than Hottarakashi Onsen or the Fruit Spa Puku Puku Onsen AND you ha... more details
Sanrio Puroland - Hello Kitty Land Tokyo
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Closed some Wed. and Thurs. during some months. Please check the websites calendar for closing days.
Closed: Depending on the month, some Wed. & Thurs.
Cost: Adult: 3,300 yen - 3,800 yen | Child (up to 18): 2,500 yen - 2,700 yen
Map: Google Map
Sanrio Puroland or Hello Kitty Land Tokyo is centered around Sanrio's most famous creation, Hello Kitty. There are various kid shows, cute characters walking around, the Hello Kitty House, a boat ride and of course... lots of shops selling an incredible amount and variety of products. Sanrio Purol... more details
Fujiko F Fujio Museum - Doraemon Museum
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. BUT visitation requires a reservation! To buy a ticket from within Japan, you purchase at a Lawson convenience store with the "Loppi" ticket machine. Tickets go on sale one month in advance starting on the 30th of each month.
Closed: Every Tuesday except during Golden Week summer holidays. Also December 30th - January 3rd
Cost: 18+: 1,000 yen | 12-18: 700 yen | 4-11: 500 yen | Under 4: free
Map: Google Map
The Fujiko F. Fujio Museum also known as the Doraemon Museum, is a museum based on the works of Fujiko F. Fujio who is the creator of the Anime character Doraemon. Doraemon is a series about a robotic cat from the 22nd century who travels back in time to befriend a group of kids and is very popular ... more details
Ghibli Museum
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed: Generally closed every Tuesday. Closed Dates fluctuate and change, please view the Official Website
Cost:
Map: Google Map
The Ghibli Museum is the animation and art museum of Miyazaki Hayao's Studio Ghibli. It is one of Japan's most famous animation studios. Studio Ghibli has produced many world-wide famous feature films such as "My Neighbor Totoro", "Princess Mononoke" and "Spirited ... more details
Samurai Museum
Hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 10:30 am - 9:30 pm (Last admission 8:30 pm), Fri., Sat., Sun.: 10:30 am - 8:00 p.m. (Last admission at 7:30 p.m.)
Closed: Never
Cost: Adult (12 years or older): 1,800 yen, 3-12: 800 yen, Under 3: Free
Map: Google Map
The Samurai Museum in Tokyo has become quite a popular attraction with foreigner tourists. Do to it's central location in Shinjuku, easy access and excellent reputation, The Samurai Museum (サムライミュージアム in Japanese) is a quaint private collection museum that you may enj... more details
Hottarakashi Onsen
Hours: 1 Hour before sunrise to 10:00 p.m. (Last Entry at 9:30 p.m.)
Closed: No closing days
Cost: 12+: 800 yen, 0-12: 400 yen
Map: Google Map
Hottarakashi Onsen is a popular "Day Trip" or "One Night Stay" hot springs for those living in Tokyo. It is most famous for it's view as it sits up high on top of a mountain and over-looks a valley below. If the weather is nice and the air is clear you can also see Mt... more details
