10 Things to do in Nakano: Tokyo's Budget District
These are my carefully selected 10 top things to do in Nakano, the secret budget district of Tokyo. I included gems like Koala March pastries, Daily Chico, Namco Arcade, Horumon Yakiniku and where to get a FREE Gyoza dinner to complete an epic afternoon in Tokyo.
- What: Tokyo's budget district
- Why: Cheap food & entertainment. Alternative to electric town Akihabara.
- Where: Nakano Station, Tokyo [Map]
- Tip: Nakano Broadway stores close around dinner time, don't come too late!
- Related: 37% OFF Mario Kart in Tokyo and 34% OFF Robot Restaurant.
Tokyo is overrun by tourism, luckily for you there is a new secret alternative nobody is talking about yet. The Nakano district is just 5 minutes west by train from Shinjuku and a hidden gem in Tokyo. Nakano is famous for being the old-school Anime, Manga & Gaming mecca compared to the hugely popular Akihabara electronic town district plus is it extremely cozy and welcoming compared to tourist hot spots of Tokyo.
Places
1. Nakano Broadway
Massive 250 stores indoor complex including super cheap Japanese snack stores, grocery stores, gaming arcades, anime and manga stores and dirt cheap household shops.
2. Mandarake
Browse through 30 Mandarake Japanese anime, manga and toy stores found all over the Nakano Broadway complex.
3. Daily Chico
At Deirichiko aka Daily Chico enjoy a, 80-flavors, 40-centimeters-tall soft-serve ice cream cone. Only 490 YEN = $4 US dollars.
4. Namco Arcade
The biggest arcade aka game center at the Nakano Broadway with arcades ranging from Dragonball Z, Gundam to Initial D and Wangan 5DX racing games. 100 YEN = $0.90 USD per game!
5. Kuroneko Maid Cafe
Hangout with cute Japanese maids while they sing and dance on stage for the ultimate geek aka Otaku experience in Tokyo. All-you-can-drink @ 1000 YEN = $9 US dollars.
6. Sushi Go-round Restaurant
Dirt cheap sushi conveyor belt with plates starting at only 95 YEN, not even $0.85 USD. Ask for the Nama-Salmon instead of grabbing the plates because the rice may have gotten cold.
7. Koala March Custard Pastry
For dessert head over to Lotteria for their epic custard pastry which sells for only 150 YEN = $1.30 USD.
8. Horumon Yakiniku BBQ
Perhaps the cheapest wagyu yakiniku experience in Nakano. I spent $22 USD on 2x wagyu meals and it even included a beer. Wagyu is expensive Japanese beef due to the fat marbling so it melts on your tongue.
9. Terrie Dog Cafe
A dog shelter for rescue dogs that are in need for some loving. Entrance is FREE but do buy a cheap coffee or tea to support these little cuties.
10. FREE Gyoza
Jump over 1 station to Koenji for a super cheap dinner experience at Gyoza Dokoro Tachibana. Purchase 1 beer for 480 YEN, $4 USD and you'll receive a FREE portion of pan-friend Japanese gyoza. Now that is a good deal!
11. BONUS: FREE Nakano WiFi
Even WiFi in Nakano is FREE, on the pavement around Nakano station you will find the instructions on how to connect.
12. BONUS: Kenchan Restaurant
Super cheap izakaya at Koenji station, next to Nakano Station. Do try their raw horse meat and pig guts stews.
Nakano is especially great to visit during a rainy day in Tokyo since Nakano's primary shopping street and the Nakano Broadway complex, which houses 250 stores, are all indoor. Nakano Broadway includes super fun places, super cheap Japanese snack shops, plenty of arcades and comic book stores to keep you entertained throughout the day.
Whoever says Tokyo is expensive is an amateur traveler and is just doing it wrong. Most travelers go to Shinjuku, Shibuya & Ginza which are quite expense. Together with my friends Heather, Kelly and Bobby we enjoyed an incredibly cheap evening food adventures in Nakano.
Start your adventure in Nakano by walking through the Sun Mall shopping street until you end up at the Nakano Broadway complex where you can browse through at least 30 Mandarake store. Mandarake is THE pre-owned comic book dealer of Tokyo since 1987. Every Mandarake store has a different theme. For the most unique Mandarake store head to the 3rd floor where you can enter a special shrine that sells vintage tin toys.
The best part of the Nakano Broadway complex is the basement. Here you'll find gigantic cheap grocery stores with incredible products ranging from household items to dirt cheap fish and delicious sushi pre-made meals.
Near the back of the basement you'll find the Daily Chico soft-serve ice cream store that sell this ridiculous 8 flavors, 40-centimeter-tall soft-serve ice cream cone which makes for hilarious selfies and sells for 490 YEN, $4 USD!
In the evening I recommend you explore the extreme cozy back alleys on the east side of the Sun Mall shopping street. This area houses plenty of sake bars, karaoke shops and izakaya’s (Japanese drinking spots) but above all wagyu beef and steak houses. Wagyu is expensive fat marbled beef that will melt on the tip of your tongue. After some digging I found that Horumon Yakiniku offers the best bang for your buck. Their wagyu beef was mouth-watering delicious.
Another place to visit is Terrie's Dog Cafe. Entrance is FREE but does require you purchase a plain tea or coffee with rates starting at only 300 YEN, $2.80 USD. Terrie's Dog Cafe is a shelter for rescue dogs so please do the right thing and support these poor little cuties.
My favorite part of Nakano is the atmosphere, it is cozy, friendly and fun, especially on a rainy day. With the massive amounts of indoor shops there is something to do for everyone. Do not hesitate and make the 5-minute train journey just west of Shinjuku main station.
In conclusion, Nakano is the definition of a cheap day in Tokyo. Especially for travelers on a serious budget. Do not pay tourist prices in the obvious tourist districts of Tokyo. Head out of the tourist comfort zone and explore the lesser known areas. You won't be disappointed!
Make your Japan experience even cheaper by using the following discounts:
- Robot Restaurant with 34% discount, coolest show in Japan.
- Mario Kart Tokyo with 37% discount, the REAL life Mario Kart.
- Ninja WiFi with 30% discount, always stay Wifi connected in Japan.
- Tokyo Skytree with 18% discount, tallest tower in Japan.
- Roppongi Hills with 24% discount, skydeck with best view of Tokyo.
- Tokyo Tower with 6% discount, the classic observatory tower.
- Oedo Onsen Monogatari with 12% discount, Tokyo's hot springs experience.
- SEGA Joypolis with 10% discount, coolest arcade in Tokyo.
- Sumo Wrestling with 20% discount, experience the life of Sumo!
My name is