Namco Akihabara: New Nine-Storey Amusement Tower Opens in Tokyo

Bandai Namco has launched a sprawling new facility in Akihabara, signalling a continued shift in the district’s arcade landscape towards prize-focused entertainment.

A massive new amusement complex has opened its doors in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, marking another significant change to the geography of the self-proclaimed 'Electric Town'. Operated by Bandai Namco, the new facility occupies a nine-storey building situated directly opposite the JR Akihabara Station Electric Town gate, a prime location formerly housing a different arcade operator.

A Modern Arcade Experience

The opening follows a turbulent period for Tokyo's arcade industry, which saw the closure of several iconic Sega (later GiGO) landmarks in the vicinity. This new Namco venue, however, suggests a robust market remains for physical amusement spaces, provided they adapt to modern consumption habits.

Unlike the dimly lit, cigarette-clouded game centres of the 1990s, this new tower is designed with a bright, approachable aesthetic. The layout reflects current industry trends, heavily prioritising "prize games" (crane games and UFO catchers) over traditional video amusement.

Floor-by-Floor Breakdown

The facility’s nine floors are curated to maximise foot traffic and engagement:

• Lower Levels (1F–4F): These floors are dedicated almost exclusively to crane games, housing a vast array of machines stocked with anime figures, plush toys, and confectionery. This allocation underscores the financial dominance of prize machines in the current Japanese arcade market.
• Mid-Levels: Moving upwards, the venue incorporates spaces for capsule toys (gashapon) and card-based arcade games, catering to the collectibles market.
• Upper Levels: The higher floors feature a dedicated space for Bandai Namco’s flagship fighting games and rhythm titles, alongside event spaces designed for community gatherings and promotional collaborations.

Community and Legacy

While the hardware is modern, the operators have made efforts to cultivate the community atmosphere often associated with Akihabara’s older game centres. The venue includes designated areas for players to interact, and staff are reportedly encouraged to engage with visitors more actively than in traditional, purely transactional arcade settings.

This opening serves as a counter-narrative to the reports of the "death of the arcade," demonstrating instead that the sector is evolving into a hybrid of retail and interactive entertainment.

The facility is open daily from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.