Retro Gaming in Japan: Where to find the best arcades and stores!

Whether you are a die-hard collector, nostalgic gamer, or just curious about the golden age of gaming, Japan is packed full of places to enjoy retro gaming. Always holding a special place in our hearts, these games will never die, and Japan is proof of that. You just need to know where to look! From Akihabara’s arcades to Osaka’s cozy retro stores and Kobe’s gems, here are the best places to play and shop for retro games across the country.

HEY – Hirose Entertainment Yard (Tokyo)

Located in the heart of Akihabara, HEY (Hirose Entertainment Yard) is a legendary arcade, sporting rows upon rows of the iconic candy cabs, or Japanese arcade machines. The multi-story arcade houses a large selection of classic titles. The second floor in particular has many retro titles on offer, including shoot ‘em ups and puzzle games from the 1980s and 1990s. Many of these machines are original and well-maintained, providing an authentic retro gaming experience. Moving up, the third floor caters to fans of fighting games, featuring multiple entries from the Street Fighter, Tekken, and King of Fighters series.

Address: Japan, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Sotokanda, 1 Chome−10−5 廣瀬本社ビル １階～４階

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 10 am – 11:30 pm

Phone Number: +81352092030

Website: https://www.taito.co.jp/store/00001703

BEEP (Tokyo)

BEEP is a gem hidden away in a busy alley of Akihabara, offering a nostalgic journey for retro game enthusiasts. This basement-level store is especially well-known for its extensive collection of vintage game consoles and computer systems. 

Upon descending into the store, visitors are greeted with shelves brimming with classic titles and well-preserved, rare hardware. BEEP isn’t just a store; it’s also a museum of gaming history. If you’re a longtime collector or just discovering retro games, BEEP offers an immersive experience into the history of video games.

Address: Japan, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Sotokanda, 3 Chome−9−8 中栄ビル B1

Opening Hours: Thursday – Tuesday, 11 am – 8 pm (closed Wednesdays)

Phone Number: +81362069116

Website: http://www.akihabara-beep.com/

Mikado (Tokyo)

Game Center Mikado stands out with two iconic locations in Tokyo: Takadanobaba and Ikebukuro. Both venues are renowned for their extensive collections of retro arcade games, offering a nostalgic look back through gaming history. 

Both Mikado locations regularly host tournaments and competitions, with a packed event schedule that fans can follow online or attend in person. This passionate community played a crucial role in supporting the arcade during the challenges of the COVID era, helping to keep the community alive despite being stuck at home.

The arcade also has a friendly face representing it, Mikdao-chan! She often appears in promotional posters, on flyers, and on the official Mikado website. She was designed by Rensuke Oshikiri, the creator of the manga High Score Girl, a series that follows the evolution of fighting games and arcade culture through the late 80s and early 90s.

Address: Japan, 〒169-0075 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Takadanobaba, 4 Chome−5−10 オアシスプラザビル １Ｆ(Takadanobaba)
1 Chome-42-19 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0013, Japan (Ikebukuro)

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 10 am – 11:30 pm (Takadanobaba)
7 days a week, 10 am – 12 am (Ikebukuro)

Phone Number: +81353860127 (Takadanobaba)
+81359555066 (Ikebukuro)

Website: http://mi-ka-do.net/

Super Potato (Tokyo)

Combining shopping and gameplay, Super Potato in Akihabara offers a retro game store experience along with a vintage arcade on its top floor. This shop holds some of the rarest games in the world, their collection of consoles and cartridges carefully curated for the curious collector. Whether you’re just browsing or planning to empty your wallet at Super Potato, you’re bound to find a title you’ve never seen before here.

Address: Japan, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Sotokanda, 1 Chome−11−2 北林ビル ３階～５階

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 11 am – 8 pm

Phone Number: +81352899933

Website: http://superpotatoakiba.jp/

Ojamakan Sannomiya (Kobe)

In Kobe’s vibrant Sannomiya district, Ojamakan sits on the second floor of San Plaza, a retro shopping mall that’s been a part of the area for decades. The mall’s old-school charm deepens the sense of nostalgia the moment you step into the store. 

The store boasts a wide array of titles for classic systems such as the Super Famicom, Game Boy, Mega Drive, and the original PlayStation. Ojamakan isn’t solely about the retro titles either; it also offers the latest games for platforms like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. With its wide selection of both retro gems and latest titles, Ojamakan could easily be your one-stop shop for all your gaming needs.

Address: 1 Chome-8-1 Sannomiyacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0021, Japan

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 11 am – 8:30 pm

Phone Number: +81783931567

Website: https://www.ojamakan.com/category/shop/ojamakan_sannomiya/

Super Amusement Square ALGO (Kobe)

Tucked away on the side streets of Kobe’s downtown, nestled between karaoke bars and restaurants, Super Amusement Square ALGO blends right into the nightlife scene. Inside is a diverse range of games from beat-em-ups to the latest rhythm games and shooters.

Its darker basement setting, complete with stone flooring and textured walls, adds an unexpected level of atmosphere, especially for rhythm games. The moody lighting and echoing beats create an immersive experience that makes every tap and swipe stand out that much more. Another standout attraction for ALGO is its virtual horse racing section, a surprisingly large and immersive experience on the third floor of the arcade.

Address: 1 Chome-1-8 Shimoyamatedori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0011, Japan

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 11:15 am – 11 pm

Phone Number: +81783343031

Website: https://asmo-am.co.jp/user/algo/

Retro TV Game Revival (Osaka)

At the center of Osaka’s Den Den Town is Retro TV Game Revival, where you could spend hours sifting through obscure titles, looking for 8-bit gold. This two-story shop is a must-visit stop in “Western Japan’s Akiba”.

While it may not be as flashy or sprawling as places like Super Potato or Trader, Retro TV Game Revival offers a well-curated selection with competitive pricing. Its central location, only 5 minutes from Ebisucho Station, makes it easily accessible for those looking to dive into Japan’s rich gaming culture.

Address: 5 Chome-7-18 Nipponbashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0005, Japan

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 12 pm – 7 pm

Phone Number: +81666368175

Website: http://www.game-tanteidan.com/main/

Athena Nippombashi (Osaka)

Athena Nippombashi is renowned for its focus on fighting games. Titles like BlazBlue, Persona 4 Arena, and Arcana Heart 3 are staples here, drawing players here to test their skills. This arcade’s commitment to the genre has cultivated a dedicated player base, making it a hotspot for high-level matches and friendly competition.

Renowned for its lively atmosphere, the arcade regularly hosts tournaments, with staff and guest commentators bringing every match to life.

Address: 2 Chome-1-22 Nanbanaka, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0011, Japan

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 9 am – 12 am

Phone Number: +81666417008

Website: https://athena-nipponbashi.com/

If you’re looking for the ultimate way to celebrate Space Invaders Day this June 16th, Japan offers an unbeatable mix of nostalgia, history, and gaming joy. Throughout the country, from the vintage computing shops in Tokyo to the fighting game havens in Kobe, each arcade and game store has its own unique charm. Whether you grew up with these games or are discovering them for the first time, the experience is true magic.

As you can see from this blog, with the many basement arcades with pulsing rhythm games to the carefully preserved shelves of Famicom cartridges, Japan’s retro game scene is thriving. Local players, collectors, and tourists alike all gather in these spaces to share in the joy of gaming. Visiting these spaces isn’t only fun, it is a celebration of the culture that shaped global gaming as we know it today. When you plan your next trip to Japan, make sure to visit one of these living pieces of gaming history! So this Space Invaders Day, go beyond just playing and experience the golden age of gaming where it all began.

Featured Photo Credit: Nicholas Doherty

There’s more retro fun to be had in Japan! Book our Retro Karahori Food Tour to discover even more of the amazing world of Japan’s retro scene!