Founded in 1966 as a luxury shopping complex, it has become a popular destination for goods aimed at otaku (hobbyists and enthusiasts, particularly those of anime and manga).

Nakano Broadway was developed in the context of the Japanese economic miracle, wherein as Japan rebuilt in the aftermath of the Second World War, multiple megastructures were constructed.

[3][4] The physical design of the mall remains largely unchanged from its original 1966 construction and is often cited as an example of Shōwa era architecture.

The first basement to fourth floors of Nakano Broadway contain retail establishments: the basement level contains grocery stores, the ground level contains stores primarily selling clothing and secondhand goods,[6] and the second, third, and fourth floors contain stores selling goods aimed at otaku, including manga, anime goods, figurines, idol merchandise, video games, CDs, and collectables.

[13] The mall is surrounded by a sprawl of pedestrian side streets that house numerous low-rise shops, boutiques, and izakayas.