The Sendai Otaku Tour: Anime, Manga & Subculture in “Tohoku’s Akihabara!”

Central Sendai Recommend Application Required Town Walking / Tours 2-Hour Experience Unique to Sendai Solo Travel With Friends

Discover the center of Tohoku’s subculture around Sendai Station. Enter the world of anime, manga, and gaming, with an introduction about manga and anime featuring locations and characters from Sendai, including “Haikyu!”, “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure” and “Wake Up, Girls!"

The tour begins at Sendai Station. We’ll start at the tourist information center where a panel of the anime "Wake Up, Girls!", an anime set in Sendai, is on display. Next we’ll visit the Parco Department Store where there is an official Pokemon shop and “Jump” shop. “Jump” refers to “Shonen Jump,” the brand behind favorite titles such as “One Piece,” “Naruto,” “Bleach,” and “Dragon Ball.”

Then we will go to nearby EbeanS department store, well-known as a popular subculture spot! Listen to the interesting history of the half-century old building, then explore the maze of floors featuring shops specializing in manga, anime, and figures. Here is a good place to learn more about Japan’s “idol culture” and titles related to Sendai. Make sure to bring some 100 yen coins for the crazy capsule machines (toy vending machines) and Japanese-style game arcade!

Lastly, we pass by “Sendai's Kitchen,” the Asaichi Morning Market. Hidden away on the second floor is a collection of subculture shops known as “the anime shop which smells like fish!” Inside you can enjoy viewing and shopping opportunities of more niche subculture and even a corner shop selling military apparel.

*After Tour Option*
The guide is able to introduce and join you for food, drinks, and fun at “Quarter,” an “anime song bar.” Sing karaoke with other otaku fans! The only rule is that karaoke songs must be related to anime and video games! The bar opens at 5pm weekdays, 6pm weekends/holidays. Bar expenses (drink/food etc.) are not included in the tour price. Expenses, including drinks/food for the tour guide will be paid by participants. (Open to those 20 or older only, the legal drinking age in Japan.)

Holding Term	All year round.
Duration	About 2-3 hours. (This can be adjusted to your request)
Number of people involved	1 ~ 6people
Fee	3000 JPY- (tax included)

Guide-Interpreter Shunsuke Wakamatsu

I provide guiding service in Tohoku (North-Eastern Japan) region, including Sendai. After working as a volunteer guide for several years, I passed the national Guide-Interpreter license test in 2017. I would love to introduce the charms of Sendai and Tohoku region to visitors from all over the world. I can suggest various tours according to guests’ interests and share much local knowledge. I am looking forward to your visit!

Contact / Organizer Information

Experience Index

Comment by orgnaizer

Whether you are an anime fan or know nothing about Japanese pop culture at all, this tour is for you! You’ll have time to shop during the tour if you would like, too. I can assist in communicating with shop staff and hunting down the perfect souvenir!

Basic Information

Experience Name	The Sendai Otaku Tour: Anime, Manga & Subculture in “Tohoku’s Akihabara!”
Holding Place	JR Sendai Station, Parco Dept. Store (Shonen Jump, Pokemon Center), EBeanS (anime, manga, game, figures), Sendai Asaichi Market 2F (anime shop, Sendai Ginza, anime song bar Quarter -optional-).
Duration	About 2-3 hours. (This can be adjusted to your request)
Holding Term	All year round.
Start Time	10:00-17:00 (However, may adjust to your needs).

Implementation Condition

Minimum number of passengers	1people
Maximum number of passengers	6people
Reservation Application Deadline	By 00:00 on the day
Important Notes for Participants	The tour will be conducted even in rainy weather, but will be canceled in case of stormy weather or disaster. Please check with us the day before the event.

Fee

Fee	1 participant: 3000 JPY (tax included)
Included in the fee	Guide fee.
Items not included in the fee	Transportation costs to and from the meeting point. Food/drink expenses for guide if guide joins for anime song bar experience. Insurance for participants.
Payment Methods	Pay in advance by bank transfer or PayPal. Or, pay in cash on the day
Cancellation and Changes	No cancellation fee is charged.
About Cancellation Fees	If you wish to cancel or change your reservation, please contact us immediately. Requests for changes may not be available depending on the time and reservation situation.

Meeting Place & Access

Meeting Place	JR Sendai Station
Meeting Place Remarks	2F in front of the "Stained Glass."
Meeting Time	Please come by the agreed upon start time.
Access	JR Sendai Station, 2F Stained Glass
Parking	There is. There is no designated parking, so please use nearby paid parking.
Facility Information	Coin lockers are located inside Sendai Station (rental fee required).

Directions

Other

Barrier Free	There is. Besides the optional anime song karaoke bar, all locations are equipped with elevators.
Guides and Information	The tour is led by a local guide.
Regarding Multilingual Support	Japanese / English