Whether you are hungry startup or a heavyweight investor, we have selected some places for you to work, eat and enjoy while you’re in town for the event. Tokyo — now officially the biggest city in the world — is one huge geek paradise. Especially during Startup Asia on Sep 3–4. See all locations mentioned here in this Google Map.

*See the original post here on Memopatch.

Eat & Drink*

1. Awabar

http://awabar.jp/

Awabar is a bar located in Roppongi, Tokyo’s most infamous night spot. The bar is run by NOMAD NEW’S BASE, a company that provides office space for startups. Of course, patrons of their local startup space can always be found lurking around, but the bar also draws founders from all over. These regulars have made Awabar a popular spot for meet-ups. Be sure to check out the “Wall of Fame”.

2. Digitized Cafe Maidreamin

http://maidreamin.com/en/shop/shibuya_denno

Digitized Cafe is a space not dissimilar to Super Mario Land, designed by renowned tech collective teamLab. The cafe maids jump on the digitized trampoline to the sound, “Poyoon!” (a mimetic word to describe the action of jumping).

Read here more about Digitized Cafe here.

3. Rakuten CAFE

http://cafe.rakuten.co.jp/

Earlier in 2014, Japanese global Internet giant Rakuten, Inc. opened the doors to its flagship, “Rakuten CAFE” in Shibuya. The Kashiwa Sato designed Rakuten CAFE is an offline extension of Rakuten’s many internet services. It is also a branding benchmark for other online-first businesses, trying to create offline touchpoints. Besides the popular desserts, light meals, and premium coffee, a concierge is on duty at all times, ready to answer any questions customers might have about the various Rakuten services. It also features Kobo eReaders, 1GBPS Wifi*, and power sockets. In addition, coffee and tea menu beverages are half price if purchased using the Rakuten Card.

4. FabCafe

http://fabcafe.com/intro

The “it” place for makers in Tokyo. It offers food and drinks which you can casually enjoy while creating new things. The space is furnished with a variety of digital fabrication tools, including a laser cutter and a 3D pen.

Getting work done

5. Co-ba Shibuya

http://tsukuruba.com/co-ba/

Co-ba Shibuya has become a popular co-working space for Tokyo’s independent creative professionals. It’s very community-focused. One day costs around $17 and includes free coffee, wifi, and an inspiring environment.

Shopping

6. Akitsuki Electronic kit parts shop
（秋月電気）

http://akizukidenshi.com/catalog/default.aspx

What looks barely legal from the outside is a must-go for all tinkerers. This shop sells thousands of electronic kit parts and modules for Arduino, Raspberry Pi and their like. Even better, it’s location is Akihabara Electric Town, the very epicenter of geekiness in Tokyo.

7. Yodabashi-Akiba

http://www.yodobashi-akiba.com/

Also located in Akihabara: Yodabashi-Akiba, Tokyo’s biggest electronic store. Nothing more to say.

8. Nakano Broadway

http://www.nbw.jp/index_e.html

Following Akihabara, Nakano is the second Otaku Heaven of Tokyo. A whole lot of geek action is going down in this giant mall where you can find shop after shop full of collectibles and figures.

9. TOKYU HANDS

http://shibuya.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en/index.html

TOKYU HANDS is “the one-stop shop” for tools and DIY material. You can find everything and anything here.

Experience

10. Roppongi Hills Sky Deck

http://www.roppongihills.com/tcv/en/

Roppongi Hills features a 54-story skyscraper, Mori Tower. The building is primarily used for office space, with headquarters of companies like Google, Gree, Salesforce, Goldman Sachs and, yes, Pokemon Company. On the top floor there is the Mori Art Museum which boasts not only fantastic exhibitions but an amazing view as well. The ticket costs $14 and for an additional $3 you can check out the helicopter pad on top of the building.

11. Miraikan

http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/

Miraikan is the biggest technology museum in Japan and it is just worth to go for the fascinating yet creepy exhibition by Hiroshi Ishiguro, who has not only built a humanoid of himself but also of his daughter and another acquaintances of his.

12. Voyagin

https://www.govoyagin.com/

The Tokyo & Singapore-based startup Voyagin offers 437 unique experiences and tours. Organized by local hosts, the activities are very affordable and give you a much deeper insight straight from the perspective of a native Tokyoite.

Events (around Startup Asia)

13. Andrew McLaughlin (Betaworks) @Digital Garage (Tuesday)

Date & Time: Wednesday, September 2, 7:00 – 9:00PM

http://peatix.com/event/48205

Tickets are still available, but act fast!

14. Networking breakfast @Goodpatch Inc. (Friday)

http://goodpatchbreakfast.peatix.com/

Date & Time: Friday, September 5, 8:30 – 10:00AM

Location: Goodpatch office

For those still in town on Friday morning, we are hosting a casual breakfast at our Shibuya office. Feel free to stop by for some delicious coffee and pastries.

15. Startup the Party: Tokyo

http://startup-the-party.jp/

Date & Time: September 16–18 (Labyrinth Music Festival: September 13–15 in Niigata)

If you will be staying even longer in Tokyo (which we highly recommend!), there will be another cool startup event in mid-September. Startup the Party is an immersive digital arts and tech conference that brings San Francisco and Tokyo together. The event kicks off with a music festival and evolves into a rapid prototyping workshop that leads to PechaKucha presentations on the final day.

If you want to escape the city

16. Akazawa Onsen Izukogen

http://top.dhc.co.jp/akazawa/onsenkan/index.html

Just a 2-hour train ride from Tokyo and you can enjoy one of the finest Onsen (hot springs) in Japan. The view is breathtaking. The train from Shinagawa or Yokohama brings you to directly to Izukogen Station. From there you can take a free 5 minute shuttle bus to the Onsen. The Onsen belongs to the Akazawa hotel but is open to the public. Consider staying the night as the hotel has great service and a fair price (especially during weekdays).