Hello all!
My girlfriend and I just picked up two roundtrip fares for $1200 for March next year. We’ll be spending a couple weeks there and we’re in the process of putting together a loose itinerary. Part of the trip will include me wanting to check out an arcade or two, if possible.
I know Japan (and Tokyo alone) is massive and there are tons of options I’m sure, but are there any in greater Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka that stood out to you? I also love barcades if the sort of thing is out there but I’m not certain if it’s common in Japan.
I love classic and retro gaming (SNES, NES, Genesis, PSX, GC, N64, etc.) as well as old-school arcades and wouldn’t mind checking some out if there are any really good/diverse ones!
Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated. (=
Thank you so so much!
17 comments
You definitely need to check out the Taito HEY arcade and Super Potato, both in Akihabara.
THE SILVER BALL PLANET
1 Chome-6-14 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0086, Japan
+81 6-6258-5000
https://goo.gl/maps/4xV76y1imHp7PdCL8
How old-school? Something like 1-chome Play Land, 4th floor DECKS Odaiba https://maps.app.goo.gl/eSWtRbKdRt1DMp916 ?
Mikado in Takadanobaba in Tokyo is the best retro arcade I have found.
There’s a really cool pinball arcade in Osaka in Amerikamura and I also recall a bar which had some retro games in too.
There is a ton of old school merch in Nakano Broadway. I’m not sure about video games specifically, but they’ve got everything else, so it’s a pretty good bet.
Theres a small one in tsudanuma which has a few games aswell a couple of retro selection games. Used to go there to play bomberman
There’s one in Odaiba which is pretty cool.
Might not be helpful but last time I went to Japan there was a temporary exhibition in Odaiba(Tokyo) which featured a lot of old games, which you could of course play. It had from very old black and white simple games to NES such as Yie-Ar Kung Fu(most i can remember since my childhood is blurry) and more. You could pay attention to any events to be held since there is still a lot of time left until your trip.
Look up Super Potato
At 8bit Cafe in Shinjuku they have every generation of video game console for you to play.
If you’re looking for a super retro nostalgic type place, take a train west of Tokyo to Kenritsu Sagamiko Park. It’s like a little remnant of a bygone era. There are some really old arcades there. They’re not always open though, it’s probably best to go on a weekend.
I remember a peruvian youtuber in the country recomending Mikado because it gives you this vibe of 90’s arcade
I can’t remember the name but in Ikebukuro in Tokyo there is a pretty cool retro gaming arcade with anything from classic pinball to retro arcade stuff and I believe they have console stuff. I think if you just look up “retro arcade ikebukuro” you’ll find it pretty easily
The Mikado arcades in Ikebukuro and Takadanobaba.
http://mi-ka-do.net
I went to both of them yesterday from 12:00~16:00, and both were like ghost towns. Pretty much had everything to myself. All machines were working though.
Also, it might be kind of out of the way, but Leisure Land in Atsugi (full name is “神奈川レジャーランド厚木店”) has a very good selection of retro games.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D2sYnr3rIo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D2sYnr3rIo)
I went to this arcade (in youtube video) in Akihabara that had a decent number of retro games. Others might have better suggestions, but if you’re in Akihabara might be worth quickly checking out.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VvuBul1fd0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VvuBul1fd0)
Not retro games, but might want to see SEGA Joypolis, which is half arcade and half amusement park.
Dendo, in Osaka (near dotomburi). Awesome little 8-seater bar with tons of old school retro video games (SNES, PS1, N64). I played Star Fox, ice climbers, and Pokémon stadium there. Highly recommend.
Thank you all **so very much** for all this incredible information.
I am most grateful and will have so many places to choose from!