Overview
The Akihabara Electric Town Association is running a social experiment themed on separating circulation and lingering space to make the town more attractive. It takes place on nine Sundays from October 4 to November 29, 2026. Temporary rest areas are set up while Chuo-dori is closed to traffic, to ease sidewalk congestion and test a more walkable town.
The first trial in fiscal 2025 reduced the number of people lingering on sidewalks, made foot traffic smoother, and reduced littering. Local stakeholders asked for it to continue, so this year's trial is larger.
Changes from FY2025
- Locations: 1 → 3
- Sessions: 2 → 9
- Partners: 2 → 6 stores, plus Chiyoda Ward-related organizations
Rest Area Locations
- A: Ward road between Laox Akihabara Main Store and Onoden
- B: Ward road between AKKY II and GiGO Building 3
- C: Ward road between AKKY main store and AOKI Akihabara
Each area has simple benches, and some also have trash bins to keep the streets clean. Staff are stationed at A and B.
Activities
- A meet-and-greet event between visitors and locals at B
- Demonstrations and trials by startups at B, in partnership with Chiyoda Ward's startup support program Chiyoda Culture Tech
Event Information
- Dates: October 4, 11, 18, 25 and November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2026 (every Sunday, 9 sessions)
- Time: 13:00-16:30, during pedestrian paradise hours
- Location: Three ward roads off Chuo-dori
- Organizer: Akihabara Electric Town Association
- Support: Akihabara Town Management
- Partners: Onoden, Laox, AKKY, Sofmap, AOKI
Recommended For
- Visitors looking for a place to rest during the Sunday pedestrian paradise
- Anyone interested in Akihabara's urban development
