Akihabara GiGO 1 Arcade to Close in August 2025: End of an Era for Iconic Sega Location
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Published on: July 16, 2025
Description
In a significant update for arcade enthusiasts and gaming history buffs, Genda GiGO Entertainment has confirmed the upcoming closure of Akihabara GiGO 1.
This renowned Tokyo arcade, revered as a cornerstone of Akihabara’s vibrant game district, is set to shut its doors on August 31, 2025, following the expiration of its fixed-term building lease.
Located just steps from Akihabara Station, Akihabara GiGO 1 has played a central role in Tokyo’s gaming culture for over three decades.
Originally inaugurated in 1992 as High Tech Land Sega Shintoku, the iconic red building has undergone several transformations and rebrandings, serving generations of visitors under names such as Club Sega Akihabara and later Sega Akihabara 1 during the early 2010s.
The current iteration, Akihabara GiGO 1, emerged in March 2022 after Genda acquired Sega’s arcade and amusement business in January that year, rebranding the property and continuing its legacy as a premier tourist and local destination.
Akihabara itself is world-famous for its arcades, anime, manga, and video game stores, and GiGO 1 remained a must-visit locale for fans and tourists alike.
On June 27, 2024, Genda GiGO Entertainment issued a formal press statement announcing the closure.
Company representatives explained that the decision was driven by the building's lease term expiring at the end of August 2025.
This development echoes the preceding closure of Akihabara GiGO 4—another arcade with Sega heritage—in 2022.
Responsibility for the location is set to transition to Matahari Entertainment, the operator behind the Silk Hat chain of game centers in Japan.
In an official statement, Genda GiGO Entertainment noted, "Through collaboration with Matahari Entertainment, we aim to contribute further to the growth of Akihabara and the broader landscape of Japan’s pop culture."
Despite the closure of Akihabara GiGO 1, the region’s arcade scene remains active.
Three Genda GiGO locations—Akihabara GiGO 2, Akihabara GiGO 3, and Akihabara GiGO 5—continue to operate, offering arcade fans plenty of opportunities to experience the unique energy that has defined Akihabara for decades.
However, the departure of GiGO 1 marks the end of a monumental era for both Sega’s amusement legacy and Akihabara’s ever-evolving entertainment district.
This closure underscores the rapid changes facing traditional arcade culture in Japan, even as operators seek to find new ways to connect with fans and preserve Akihabara’s unique place in the global gaming landscape.
