Exhibition: 6 Eras of Akihabara

To celebrate the 6th anniversary of NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO, we are pleased to present "6 Eras of Akihabara."
How do you read the name Akihabara? Today, it is commonly pronounced "Aki-ha-bara", but historically it was also known as "Aki-ba-hara." Looking back through its history, the area emerged as a firebreak following a major fire in Edo. Local residents referred to it as Akibahara or Akibappara, and with the opening of JR Station, the name Akihabara became firmly established. Since then, the district has undergone countless transformations: from the postwar black markets and the period of rapid economic growth, to the boom in consumer electronics, the rise of PC and internet culture, the flourishing of anime and subcultures, and the emergence of a modern office district. The Akihabara we know today is the result of these many overlapping histories.
For this exhibition, we collaborated with local residents, businesses, and experts deeply connected to Akihabara. Through interviews covering historical events as well as personal memories of schools, markets, and everyday life, we explored six distinct eras of the neighborhood. By weaving together anecdotes, local stories, and individual recollections, we examine the character of the district from multiple perspectives. Together, these perspectives reveal an alternative portrait of Akihabara, one rarely found in guidebooks or magazines, and invite you to experience the neighborhood in a new light.

【Exhibition Overview】
"6 Eras of Akihabara"
Dates: Tue. September 1 - Wed. September 30, 2026 *Final day until 3:00 PM
Venue: 2nd Floor Lobby, NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO
Special Thanks (A-Z): Fumiko Amano, Hideji Nakajima, Katsutoshi Isano, Masaru Koizumi, Teppei Kato, Tomoyuki Okayama, Yuichiro Yoshioka
Main Visual (Katazome Dyeing): Sometaro
Graphic Design: Yosuke Mori
Curator: Daiji Inoko

【Related Event】
During the exhibition period, 60 copies of "AKIBA Karuta" sets will be available to guests who explore the exhibition. Inspired by the recent rise of card game culture in Akihabara, the cards feature stories and local insights gathered through our research. Scan the QR code to explore the full interview notes.