Short answers, pulled from the story.
A catastrophic fire consumed the entire district in 1869, leaving behind only ash and a desperate community seeking divine protection. The locals responded by constructing a shrine dedicated to Chinkasha, a fire-controlling deity, renaming the area Akibagahara, which eventually shortened to Akihabara.
By the end of World War II, the absence of strong government authority allowed a black market to flourish, turning the district into a free-for-all trading zone. In the 1950s, the focus shifted from produce to household electronics, as washing machines, refrigerators, televisions, and stereos became the new currency of commerce.
The shrine was later moved to Taitō ward after Akihabara Station was constructed in 1888, yet the spiritual legacy of the fire remained embedded in the neighborhood's identity. The station itself, built in 1888, has evolved from a freight hub to a passenger gateway, mirroring the district's own transformation from a market town to a cultural phenomenon.
Akihabara's accessibility is defined by its connection to multiple train lines, including the Keihin-Tohoku Line, Yamanote Line, Chūō-Sōbu Line, Hibiya Line, and the Tsukuba Express. Iwamotocho Station and Suehirocho Station further expand the district's reach, linking it to the Toei Shinjuku Line and Ginza Line respectively.
The black market's legacy of autonomy and adaptability laid the groundwork for the district's future as a hub of innovation and subculture. This disconnection from central control enabled Akihabara to evolve into a market city, where anything could be bought and sold without restriction.