Akihabara Video Game Arcade Revival

By Phoebe Ma

Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Entertainment businesses were heavily impacted by Covid, and the video game arcades in the Akihabara district of Tokyo suffered more than their fair share of the damage. However, a stroll down Chuo Dori reveals that Akihabara arcades are witnessing a return of some of their old energy.

Game arcades in Akihabara are, of course, one of icons of modern Japan. Not only do many Japanese young people flock to this neighborhood, but it is also high on the list for many foreign tourists visiting Japan as well.

It does need to be acknowledged, however, that in recent decades Akihabara has largely remained much the same while some other parts of the capital city have transformed dramatically. In many ways, Akihabara does not seem as comparatively cutting-edge as it did back in the late 20th century.

But the other side of that same coin is that Akihabara’s game arcades, once viewed as ultra-modern, have now gained an extra layer of appeal based on nostalgia for that earlier era.

Inside the arcades, it is by no means rare to hear people speaking in languages other than Japanese, reflecting the fact that the area remains a major draw.

In many of the game arcades, the first and second floors are dominated by crane machines. On our visits, few customers could be found using them. But on the higher floors, where the video game arcades are located, it is not uncommon that they are quite busy.

Many young couples spend their dates in these game arcades, and groups of students also come here seeking fun after school ends.

In the Covid era, machines are being regularly sterilized by staff to comply with sanitary regulations.

A final point worth mentioning is that spending time playing video games in Akihabara is a relatively low-cost form of entertainment in Tokyo, which also helps explain why so many young people can be found here.