Taito Station - Ameyoko, Ueno

Ueno's best selection.

You'd be hard pushed to persuade any gamer to take the short ride away from Akiba and go arcade touring in Ueno. Dramatically less variety and only a few actual video game arcades, Ueno can't offer what Akiba has, but does have some pretty strong communities.

Taito station gets it right though. 3 floors, UFO catchers, rhythm games and old school gaming on the top floor makes attracts a slightly different demo to those in Akiba. Most prominently as a date spot, with UFO catchers, rhythm and shooter games getting the youngsters in. The top floor with StreetFighter, Tekken and Gundam catering for the local hosts, hostesses and salarymen in the area.

Definitely the one to visit if you're around Ueno way.
DD

MeetUp - Ikebukuro!

Games, grog and good times in one of Japan's arcade Mecca's - Ikebukuro!

Friday 26th

7pm ~

DonQuixote Seibu side

More deets at - http://meetu.ps/2yKsqn

Game Plaza Capcom - Kichijoji, Tokyo

Much thanks to Google Maps on this one! 

A candy land of gaming goodness courtesy of Capcom with a huge floor space dedicated to all things Capcom (and Nintendo crossover related).

Located on the basement floor of a shopping center it's best to just look for the bright yellow "Loft" sign as advertising for Plaza Capcom is few and far between.

As is standard with most large arcades, UFO catchers take up a quarter of the space, photo booths another, coin games another and the remainder video games. As you'd expect, StreetFighter gets a lot of love, with most of the medals sporting a silhouette of Ryu, posters covering the floors and walls too relating to the franchise too.

Games wise, there's an extreme lack of what most arcade fans would put in their own Capcom arcade - The "Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter" poster at the entrance, for instance, which turns out to be simply a poster. Few, if any, pre 2010 games .. 

It's business at the end of the day, and overwhelmingly it's a great feeling to be standing in what is as close to CapcomLand as we'll see. It just seems that with a few retro cabs as apposed to posters, something truly great could've been realized.
DD

Playlot Joy - Kichijoji, Tokyo

The most arcadey of arcade names.

One of the best arcade hubs in Tokyo, with three top notch arcades within 2 minutes of one another, "Playlot" ticks all the right boxes.

The classic 3 floors of gaming goodness starts with UFO catchers and Taiko on the ground floor. Second floor dedicated to rhythm and gun games, and the third to the fighting game community.

As has become pretty common, some of these lesser known indie arcades are actually either part or fully owned by Taito corporation.

Although you'll struggle to find any retro classics, their affection for old school decor is a site to behold, maintaining what seems to be the original 90's color scheme and neon lights. Couple this with an onslaught of posters from video games past and present and you'll glad you came.

プレイロットジョイ
〒180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 1 Chome−8−23, 河田ビル
http://goo.gl/maps/6etgq

Game Inn Mitoya - Kinshicho, Tokyo

Always sad to see.

Last year saw some major closures in the arcade community, with joints folding like dominos. 

Although no information was posted outside, it's safe to say based on the state of things that it's been game over since 2013 right here. Sucks. Looking at the local area (located 20seconds from JR Kinshicho station) it's clear that rent must've been a key factor in the demise of Mitoya.

A couple of other arcades (Taito and Adores) in the local area means the arcade scene is far from gone . . . but 3 floors of independent arcade goodness? . . Dam.
DD

Kinshi, 3 Chome−3 ゲームインみとや
http://goo.gl/maps/RmUlx

Arcade "Oslo Game" - Shinjuku, Tokyo

Contender for smallest arcade in Japan.

Just a few cabs and a bunch of UFO catchers but still worth a mention. Deep in the heart of Kabukicho there are a few of these places tony arcades scattered around, essentially pandering to the Hosts and Hostesses working in bars around the local area.

Ground floor has a few throw away games, but good fun if you're wantin to up your Mario kart skills. Mainly UFO catchers..
Second floor - darts, with just a few Gundam cabs.

Oslo itself is an independent arcade chain spread around a few places in Tokyo (Tachikawa's being the biggest joint).

Taito Station (mini) - Takadanobaba, Tokyo

Much love for small tourneys.

One of the smallest Taito's in Tokyo, just a single floor devoted to Gundam, Tekken, USFIV and a slew of Mahjong games. It's definitely worth poppin in if you're around the way. Located 1 min on foot from Baba station, Taito relies on it's fight game selection and small tourneys to rally gamers away from Mikado.

タイトーステーション 高田馬場店
3 Chome-1-4 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-0075
http://goo.gl/maps/i8kwL