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One very basic tip is to buy a Suica or Pasmo card when you arrive at the airport. These are rechargeable IC cards that allow you to simply tap and go on all trains and subways in Tokyo, making traveling highly convenient. By simply using this card also in paying for certain items in most convenience stores, the hotel does not help much there except that it is near the very big Akihabara Station that uses several JR lines and subway lines, which therefore makes it your pass to the whole city.

If you wish to see Akihabara at its best, plan for afternoon Sunday. Because, the main street Chuo Dori is closed for vehicular traffic and hence termed as ‘Pedestrian Paradise’ (‘Hokōsha Tengoku’). There are crowds of people, cosplayers, and performers along the street creating an incredible and festive atmosphere- great for people-watching and photography. Pretty unique. And fun cultural experience.

Ramen and curry flavors are not unique enough in this standard. Look for one of those small, specialized places among the maze of alleyways or under the train tracks establishment for some ‘tonkatsu’ and ‘unagi’ dishes – Akihabara hosts several fine but minute places well known to the locals. For fast, inexpensive, and representative feeding on a beef bowl (gyudon) at one of the numerous outlets of Yoshinoya or Sukiya.

Last but not least, neon-lit and cacophonic as the avenues commonly are, there is a great suggestion in visiting one of the neighborhood’s weird spots. A neat suggestion would be checking out the 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan arcade, quite a calm fine place under the train tracks that flash with Japanese art. For another atmosphere, the adjacent Kanda Myojin Shrine is a serene sanctuary away from the buzz in Electric Town and presents a more old-fashioned view of Japan.