You’ve done Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa and Ginza. What’s next? Try Nakano, a must-visit paradise for anime, manga and otaku lovers.
In just about five minutes from Shinjuku on the JR Chuo Line, you’ll find yourself in the buzzling shopping mall called Nakano Briadway. This multicomplex building has an amazing range of shops selling anime and manga related products.
There are of course maid cafes for those exhorsted from shopping at multiple numbers of Mandarake shops at Nakano Broadway;-)
Even if you are not an anime fan, Nakano is worth a visit. There is this long shopping arcade, Sunmall, that leads up to Nakano Broadway. It stretches out for a good 240meters and is always crowded with locals and tourists alike.
Nakano is also well known for interesting backstreets and small restaurants along Nakano Sunmall. We highly recommend Hayashiya Nakanoso, a yoshoku restaurant. Yoshoku means Western food, but the menu at Hayashiya Nakanoso includes curry etc., and all the dishes served there are supposed to be the same as “Western food” served in the past in Japan.
Try a fuafua curry and rice or spaghetti Neapolitan to learn about what they mean by “natsukashii aji (nostalgic taste)”!
