Japanology Plus

When exploring the streets of Tokyo, you won’t have to go very far before running into some type of game arcade with an interior full of flashing lights and people of all ages. The ubiquitous nature of arcades isn’t just noticeable in bustling areas such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Akihabara—with about 5,000 locations nationwide, you’d almost have to try to not see one. As at-home game consoles and smartphones reshape the global gaming industry, brick and mortar arcades still remain popular across Japan.