Akihabara
 

What can people tell me about Akihabara in Tokyo? I've heard a bit about it, and it seems interesting, but i don't know much else about it other than there is a lot of electronic retailers, lots of little cafes, and there was a massacre there in 2008.(Which is irrelevant, but whatever.) is there other specific stuff someone knows? I'd just like to know more about it. Thanks. :)

Akihabara is full of porn, electronics, and people. It's pretty much exactly how people describe it -- all forms of cameras, games, computers, and girls handing out flyers.

I didn't find it all that interesting, considering the electronics are geared towards the Japanese and in Japanese (language)


But the Akihabara massacre -- now that's interesting!

massacre
 

Yeeeaah, no....Tomohiro Kato is definitely not the ideal role model, ha ha. as for the electronics, must be pretty cool...

You mean the guy who posted on 2channel and told everyone he was going to kill people because he was pissed off about work or something? I remember Masafumi Goto mentioning that in one of his concerts.

Akihabara used to be a mecca for electronics. A place where you could buy anything from a television set to a 15 ohm 25 watt resistor.

It's still the place where electronics geeks hang out but I noticed a big change from the retail to services sector when I last visited. Lots of internet cafes, lots of stores selling manga, porn, etc.

Check out the @Home Maid cafe if you visit. It's very entertaining (for both males and females) and it's probably worth the visit to Akihabara alone. :D

Its still called the "electronic street", but the true "essence" of anything electronic died down years ago, I mean there are still all kind of electronic goods, but the manga/anime world took over a good chunk of it. I still remember buying parts to build my first LED chaser and power supply for a NeHe laser tube there........ they had everything you need to build a detonator if you want to...

The first time i went to Akiba i thought it would be a station where only few ppl get off, you can see the otakus already in the Subway etc. Outside there would be maids waiting for you and Manga and small electronicshops everywhere.

Truth was that alot off ppl get of in akiba because it is a important Station to change on the JR line so it is crazy in the morning. When you leave the Station you will have lots of electronic shops wich sell Cameras, games, etc. There is Yodobashi Camera next to the Station wich is huge!!! On the other side there is Radio Kaikan wich is more like youd think of Akiba. Lot of small stores cramped in a building selling electrics and Figures. On the mainstreet there are quite a few pornshops, Managshops (wich porn in the underground or Topfloors) and shops selling figures. Othewise more shops selling electronic tax free (thats only 5% though).
It can be heaven for anime/manga fans because shops like Animate stock heaps of Manga but they are all Japanese. The Figure shops are better because you wont need the language and prices are ussualy reasonable. I couldnt find lot of merchandise like Shirts or posters, doesnt seem to be a Japanese thing (ppl dont have space). You can find stuff in some figure shops and in Animate i think on the second floor. There is also the Animation Center wich always has something in display and some stuff for sale. Its hidden in the UTX (help me guys is it called UTX or different?) Building.
Otherwise theres lots of fun stuff around like the Maidcafes, a Maidcasino (akiba Guild) and ive seen Videos of a train cafe (where you can ride Modelltrains).
To the maidcafes: The @home cafe is in the Donki Hotte wich is a fun shop. There is a 500yen seating charge and a short show once an hour (you play Janken for a free drink) You have to buy 1 drink and can only stay 1 hour. Prices for drinks are ok and you will most probably see some real Otakus here.

I recommend the Nekko cafe on the second/third floor of Animate (or in the next building?). Its like a normal Cafe, no seating charge, reasonable prices and the waitress wear maid costums with cute Catears.

Theres lots of other cafes as well, i read of a prison cafe, a little sister cafe and a Mother cafe (so they play sister or mother) and other weird stuff but you will have to know where stuff is.
Akiba is quite big so better take a map ( i think the animation center has maps more specific for anime fans).

Weekends sees lot of people, Maids giving flyers and some cosplayers. Lots of foreigners during summer.

Dont worry bout the massacer, Greater Tokyo has over 30 million ppl so this happens sometime.


Have fun!


Edit: I forgot to mention that Yodobashi has a few hundred Gatcha Gatcha (machines sellings figures in balls) and other figures on the top floor.

Whoa-ho-ho! *O* It's definitely eye-catching!

Mother and sister cafes, huh? o.O That's surely different, but couldn't expect less from Japan.

Thank you for the information Firebird.

your welcome,

here 2 pictures

DSCF5901.jpg (image)

DSCF5902.jpg (image)

Its a cool place, been there twice, if you like goodies, take a lot of money with you.:)