![\"\"](\"http:\/\/japaninfoswap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_3815.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Of course you know what Tokyo\u2019s Akihabara district is known for: electronics, video games, anime and manga shops, maid cafes, and anything else that would make a nerd, geek, weeaboo and “technojapanophile” drool.<\/p>\n
Since I fit into lots of these categories, I tend to visit the area once a month or so just to check the scene out. But there\u2019s more to Akiba than all this. Theres something brewing out of the culture here that harkens back to the days of prewar Tokyo, and Akihabara wants to show everyone that side too.<\/p>\n
Typical in space-starved Tokyo, before something new can be built, something old must be torn down or moved. Back in 2010, JR East started a project to add additional tracks between Ueno and Tokyo stations to make the Tokaido Line transfers easier. At this same time, JR also decided to look into removing their equipment stored there and leasing more spaces underneath their elevated line near Akihabara station. From that newly reclaimed area, two new venues were created: Yeah that is a long name to be sure. Personally, I\u2019ve lived in three different regions of the country: Kansai, Chubu and now Kanto. Each area I\u2019ve lived in has something famous I can\u2019t seem to find anywhere else, but places like Chabara specialize in making sure it\u2019s there. Like the special Steakhouse Curry made with Hida Beef (which is a step above Kobe Beef IMHO). Previous to Chabara I could only find it either in that region of Gifu Prefecture or order it online. The same for the slightly spicy red miso paste I like from Aichi Prefecture. Also let\u2019s not forget that other food-related pasttime many may have\u2013 looking for good libations to evoke their trip to someplace new. Chabara has you covered in the adult beverage category as well with oodles of wines, spirits and local beers to peruse.<\/p>\n There are 2 shops where you can catch a breather. Yanaka Coffee<\/a> is a specialty coffeeshop that gets at least 30 varieties of beans direct from the growers. Grab a cup or take home a bag. Komakishokudo<\/a> specializes in preparing food that is served in Buddhist temples here in Japan. That means absolutely no meat whatsoever is found in their cuisine. Whenever I have a vegan I\u2019m helping navigate the city, this is one of the places I recommend.<\/p>\n [spacer height=”20px”]<\/p>\n Head over to JR Akihabara station. Then it\u2019s about one minute north out of the Electric Town exit.<\/p>\n Website:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.jrtk.jp.e.wz.hp.transer.com\/chabara\/<\/a>(machine translated so mind the grammatical errors!)Chabara Aki-Oka Marche<\/q>was born.<\/p>\n
Chabara Aka\u2026Whatzit?<\/h6>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/japaninfoswap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_3816-300x225.png\")
<\/p>\nChabara<\/q> is a coined portmanteau that means
fruit and veggie market of Akihabara.<\/q>
Aki-oka<\/q>means
between Akihabara and Okachimachi stations<\/q>, and
marche<\/q> is French for
market.<\/q> Just shorten it to
Chabara<\/q> when asking for directions if you get lost, since no one really knows it by the long name. What\u2019s important is that it is a market where local food, candies, snacks, drinks and more that have been collected from all over Japan can be found. Think of it as the ultimate souvenir shop for the distinguished Japan connoisseur in your life.<\/p>\n
Can We Grab A Bite While We\u2019re Here?<\/h6>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/japaninfoswap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_3813-300x225.png\")
<\/p>\nGetting There<\/h5>\n
\nMap:<\/strong> https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ZxVvEoCdZEL2<\/a>
\nHours:\u00a0<\/strong>Everyday 11am-8pm<\/p>\n
\n