Akihabara January 2026: Hatsumode Shrines, Fukubukuro Sales & Maid Cafe New Year Events
Akihabara is famous as the heart of Japanese pop culture. However, it is actually a place where you can enjoy not only pop culture but also traditional Japanese culture.
What I particularly recommend is the traditional culture you can enjoy during the New Year (solar calendar). In Akihabara, you can experience traditional culture in its preserved form, as well as enjoy its fusion with modern pop culture.
This time, I will introduce two traditional customs—Hatsumode and Fukubukuro—explaining what they are and how you can enjoy them in Akihabara.
If you are visiting Akihabara in January, reading this guide in advance will help you enjoy your Akihabara sightseeing experience many times more. This is the perfect resource for anyone looking for an Akihabara Event January 2026.
Table of Contents
-You Can Enjoy Hatsumode Even in Akihabara, the Mecca of Japanese Pop Culture!
-Annual "Hatsuuri" New Year Sales Event in Akihabara in January
-Akihabara Events in January 2026: Experience Traditional Japanese Culture at Maid Cafes
You Can Enjoy Hatsumode Even in Akihabara, the Mecca of Japanese Pop Culture!
Akihabara is the center of Japanese pop culture and is sometimes called a Seichi (Mecca). You can experience various cultures including anime, manga, and games.
Hatsumode is a traditional Japanese custom of visiting a shrine or temple for the first time in the new year (solar calendar). It is done to pray to the gods for happiness throughout the coming year.
From here, I will introduce three shrines perfect for Hatsumode in Akihabara. In Japanese Hatsumode tradition, visiting only two shrines is considered taboo because the gods you prayed to might quarrel with each other. Please find your favorite one shrine, or visit all three!
Kanda Myojin
Kanda Myojin is said to have been founded in 730. It is also said that during the Warring States period, many military commanders, including Tokugawa Ieyasu who unified Japan, revered this shrine, giving it a very long and rich history.
Kanda Myojin enshrines the gods who protect the entire Akihabara area. Therefore, people who live in Akihabara or run businesses there visit Kanda Myojin to pray for peace in their daily lives.
It is likely thanks to Kanda Myojin that Akihabara has prospered as a Mecca of pop culture.
During the Hatsumode period, many food stalls sell gourmet food and sweets at Kanda Myojin. It is the perfect shrine for visiting while enjoying the lively atmosphere of Hatsumode.
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Address: 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Open 24 hours (lights off at 23:00)
Closed: None
Phone: 03-3254-0753
Official Website: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/
Yanagimori Shrine
Yanagimori Shrine is said to have been founded in 1458.
In Japan, foxes are believed to be messengers of the god Inari, and shrines enshrining foxes are scattered throughout Japan. On the other hand, Yanagimori Shrine is a unique shrine that enshrines a god symbolized by the Raccoon dog.
Raccoon dog is called "tanuki" in Japanese. The pronunciation of "tanuki" also carries the meaning of "excelling over others," so it is said to bring blessings for exams, luck in competition, career advancement, and financial fortune. That is why Yanagimori Shrine enshrines the Raccoon dog.
Also, there are very cute tanuki statues on the shrine grounds, so please look for them!
Yanagimori Shrine is a small and tranquil shrine, and it is relatively uncrowded even during the Hatsumode season. For those who want to explore the grounds, pray, and enjoy at their own pace, Yanagimori Shrine is recommended.
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Address: 2-25 Kanda Sudacho
Hours: 7:00–18:00 (closing time)
Closed: None
Phone: 03-3251-6422
Akiba Shrine
Source:Wikipedia
Akiba Shrine was built in 1870, after a historically significant great fire, to protect people from fire damage. It is said that people mistakenly believed that a god called Akiba Daigongen was enshrined there, so they began calling it Akiba-sama. Later, the entire area came to be called Akihabara, meaning "the place where Akiba-sama resides."
Akiba Shrine is an important place in the history of Akihabara, as it is the origin of the name Akihabara.
Due to past relocations of the shrine, it is now located a short distance away, about 5 minutes by train from Akihabara. However, if you are interested in the town of Akihabara, please visit for Hatsumode.
Akiba Shrine is also more popular with locals than tourists. It is not crowded, so it is recommended for those who want to leisurely enjoy Japanese culture.
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Address: 3-10-7 Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Unknown
Shrine office hours: 9:00–17:00
Phone: 03-3844-5748
Magical Trip is a highly popular tour company known for tours where locals guide you with their unique perspectives and deep knowledge.
What I would like to introduce this time is Magical Trip's Private guided tour. As I have introduced so far, Akihabara offers a wide range of enjoyment from pop culture to traditional culture. Therefore, it is recommended to select what interests you and efficiently explore with a Private guided tour.
It is a tour that combines the best of both worlds: the high degree of freedom of individual travel and the explanations from a guide that you get on a guided tour. Please visit spots featuring both traditional culture and pop culture to fully enjoy Akihabara.
The guides who lead Magical Trip's Private guided tour are local guides who know everything about local tourist spots and traditional culture, and they will make your experience several times more meaningful.
On their website, you can check not only their photos but also their self-introduction videos, what they do on a daily basis, as well as reviews and ratings from people who have actually participated in tours, so you can apply with peace of mind.
Annual "Hatsuuri" New Year Sales Event in Akihabara in January
One event you cannot miss during the Japanese New Year is "Hatsuuri." Hatsuuri is when many stores sell products at special New Year prices and offer "Fukubukuro" to wish for blessings and prosperity in the new year.
"Fukubukuro" is a unique Japanese cultural tradition where various products are packed into a bag with hidden contents and sold at a bargain price. It is extremely popular as the first test of luck in the new year.
However, as someone who loves shopping, I believe that gathering information at the end of the year is the most important factor in getting great deals during Hatsuuri.
From here, based on my experience from previous years, I will introduce recommended stores to visit during Hatsuuri. This is your essential guide to the Akihabara Event January 2026 shopping season.
Yodobashi Camera "Yume no Otoshidama-bako" (Dream New Year's Gift Box)
Source:Wikipedia
Among all the Fukubukuro available, the "Yume no Otoshidama-bako" sold at Yodobashi Camera boasts one of the highest competition rates. These boxes contain assortments based on various categories, including vacuum cleaners, beauty appliances, cooking appliances, laptops, PlayStation consoles, Gunpla model kits, and more.
The "Yume no Otoshidama-bako" is sold through a lottery system. It is such a popular product that competition rates often reach dozens of times the available quantity, and I have never been able to purchase one myself.
Unfortunately, for 2026, the first lottery ended on December 1st, and the additional lottery ended on December 9th, so please try your luck next year. I also did not win this year, so I will be trying again along with everyone else.
Even if you cannot get a Fukubukuro, Yodobashi Camera holds "Hatsuuri," their major New Year sale, starting January 1st, so be sure to participate in that.
Hatsuuri is a discount sale where various products are sold at sale prices to celebrate "the first sales of the year."
In previous years, large-scale sales have been held, including 10% off watches, audio equipment, suitcases, and toys, 1,100 yen discount on Nintendo Switch console and software sets, and PCs sold in great value bundles with peripherals.
Be sure to grab products at great prices and stock up on souvenirs.
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Address: 1-1 Kanda Hanaoka-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 9:30–22:00
Closed: Open year-round (except specific days)
Phone: 03-5209-1010
Official Website: http://www.yodobashi-akiba.com/information/
Kotobukiya Fukubukuro
Source:X
Kotobukiya is a specialty store for figures, plastic models, and character goods. It has an especially excellent selection of figures, and their figure Fukubukuro is very popular every year. Kotobukiya's Fukubukuro typically costs around 18,700 yen, but amazingly, the contents are worth approximately 40,000 yen.
Each bag contains 5–6 items, making it a perfect opportunity for those who want to get lots of figures at a great price.
Kotobukiya's Fukubukuro is typically sold exclusively online, with the lottery held at the end of November. However, as of December 10, 2025, no information has been released about the 2026 Fukubukuro.
There is no guarantee that sales will happen this year, but if you are interested, please check the official website and wait for further announcements.
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Address: Okajima Building, 1-8-8 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 11:00–20:00
Closed: Open year-round
Phone: 03-5298-6300
Official Website: https://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/kotobukiya-shop/detail/akiba/
ANIMATE AKIHABARA Fukubukuro Sales
Source:X
One of the most famous stores for Japanese pop culture merchandise is Animate. Animate also sells Fukubukuro filled with assorted goods.
At the Akihabara store, Fukubukuro containing plush toys, posters, acrylic stands, and more are expected to be sold in-store. (This is my prediction, not an official announcement.)
Last year, an original Fukubukuro exclusive to the Akihabara store was sold, and it became a hot topic due to its excellent contents. Many people are expected to visit again this year.
If you want the experience of pushing through New Year crowds to reach your target store, waiting in long lines, and searching for what you want in a crowded shop, I recommend aiming for Animate's in-store Fukubukuro sales.
It is a quintessential Japanese New Year experience. I am also planning to focus on Animate's Fukubukuro as my main purchase for the Akihabara Event January 2026.
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Address: 4-3-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: Weekdays 10:00–21:00 / Weekends and Holidays 11:00–20:00
Closed: Open year-round
Phone: 03-5209-3330
Official Website: https://www.animate.co.jp/shop/akihabara/
Akihabara Events in January 2026: Experience Traditional Japanese Culture at Maid Cafes
Maid cafes are unique establishments where staff dressed as maids serve customers who are addressed as "Master" or "Princess." Beyond just drinks and food, the appeal lies in enjoying conversations and performances with the maids.
Typically, maids serve customers wearing adorable dresses adorned with frills, but during the New Year season, some establishments hold special events where maids serve customers in kimono.
Please enjoy this fusion of Japanese pop culture and traditional culture at the three establishments we're about to introduce.
Maidreamin
Source:Official website
Maidreamin is a maid cafe with a "Dreamland" concept. You can enjoy adorable dishes almost too cute to eat, such as bear-shaped hamburger steaks and parfaits featuring rabbit and dog motifs, along with live performances by the maids.
The staff provides very thorough explanations for first-time visitors, making it highly recommended for those new to maid cafes.
Maidreamin often holds events during the New Year period. For example, in previous years, maids have dressed as shrine maidens, and special tickets have been distributed.
This year, by purchasing designated champagne, you can gift a special tiara to your favorite maid. This practice of giving presents to your favorite staff member is part of Japanese pop culture known as "supporting your oshi (favorite)."
Pre-sales end on December 21st, so if you want to send a gift to a cute maid, please make your purchase in advance before visiting the cafe.
Maidreamin Akihabara Head Store
Address: 6F Sumiyoshi Building, 3-16-17 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 10:30–23:00/ Monday–Friday: 11:30–23:00
Closed: Open year-round
Phone: 03-6744-6726
Official Website: https://maidreamin.com/quality/
Maidreamin Akihabara Sotokanda 1-Chome Store
Address: 2F Bauhaus, 1-8-10 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 10:30–23:00/ Monday–Friday: 11:30–23:00
Closed: Open year-round
Phone: 03-6744-6726
Official Website: https://maidreamin.com/shop/detail.html?id=7
Maidcafe Maidreamin Akihabara Idol-dori Store
Address: 4F Kyoeki Sotokanda Daiichi Building, 4-4-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 10:30–23:00/ Monday–Friday: 11:30–23:00
Closed: Open year-round
Phone: 03-6744-6726
Official Website: https://maidreamin.com/shop/detail.html?id=3
at-home cafe
Source:Official website
At-home cafe is a maid cafe where you can enjoy cute dishes, maid performances, and take photos together with the maids.
The appeal of this maid cafe lies in the emphasis on one-on-one time with the maids, such as when they cast a "deliciousness spell" on your food.
At at-home cafe, special goods are available every year during New Year. You can get karuta-style cards (a traditional Japanese card game) printed with photos of the maids, as well as New Year's greeting card-style cards.
Additionally, some locations offer days when you can enjoy shrine maiden cosplay. The fusion of traditional Japanese culture and maid cafe culture is a highlight. I particularly recommend the shrine maiden-style service, which has a different kind of cuteness compared to the usual Western-style outfits.
at-home cafe Akihabara Main
Address: 1-11-4 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: Saturday and Sunday: 10:00–22:00/ Monday–Friday: 11:00–22:00 *Last Order: 21:20
Closed: None
Phone: 050-3135-2091
Official Website: https://www.cafe-athome.com/
at-home cafe Akihabara Donki
Address: 5F Don Quijote Akihabara Store, 4-3-3 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours:Saturday and Sunday: 10:00–22:00/ Monday–Friday: 11:00–22:00 *Last Order: 21:20
Closed: None
Phone: 050-3135-2091
Official Website: https://www.cafe-athome.com/
at-home cafe Akiba Cultures Zone
Address: 5F AKIBA Cultures Zone, 1-7-6 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours:Saturday and Sunday: 10:00–22:00/ Monday–Friday: 11:00–22:00*Last Order: 21:20
Closed: None
Phone: 050-3135-2091
Official Website: https://www.cafe-athome.com/
Witches Garden
Source:Official website
Witches Garden is a cafe with a unique concept where apprentice witches welcome us travelers. They cast flame magic right before your eyes to make your food more delicious, making you truly feel like you're traveling through another world.
During the New Year period, Witches Garden sells omikuji (fortune-telling slips drawn from a box that tell your luck for the year), traditional Japanese New Year dishes, and Japanese sake, allowing you to enjoy the authentic Japanese New Year atmosphere.
The combination of traditional Japanese cuisine and Japanese sake is particularly special—it's the quintessential Japanese New Year pairing that my grandparents serve me every year. Why not experience the feeling of being a traveler celebrating the New Year in a foreign land with foreign customs?
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Address: 4F OAK Akihabara, 3-1-10 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours:Monday–Friday: 17:00–5:00 (next day)/ Saturday: 13:00–5:00 (next day)/ Sunday: Until 22:00
Closed: Irregular holidays
Phone: 03-6206-0029
Official Website: https://witchesgarden.cc/
For a Deeper Akihabara Event January 2026 Experience, Let a Local Guide Show You Around
The Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour allows you to experience Japanese pop culture from various angles, including anime and games. The appeal lies in being able to spend time like a local, playing at game centers and capsule toy shops.
The Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour also includes a visit to a maid cafe. Since interacting with the maids is one of the highlights of maid cafes, going with an English-speaking tour guide ensures you can enjoy the experience 100%.
I also recommend having your guide teach you some simple Japanese phrases and trying to chat with the maids in Japanese.
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Meeting Point: In front of Ticket Office right outside of Electric Town Gate of JR Akihabara Station
Tour Area: Akihabara
Start Time: 14:00
