Being a techie, there was a place I HAD to visit: Akihabara.
I’ve heard of this place since high school and I’ve always wondered what it’s like. It’s different than what it was, back in the 1990’s, but it’s still amazing. There are less electronic shops, but the ones that are there are still strong, including the Yodobashi-Akiba building!
I’m not sure if it’s one company that owns the building or if it’s a building that houses multiple shops, but it’s still impressive! They sell any and probably ALL consumer electronics. They also have a Tower Records, a golf store, multiple restaurants (they all smelled really good!), toy store, and anime EVERYTHING (DVD’s, models, collectors items, etc.). Also, on a sub-level, they have a Japan Post office.
I tried to figure out a way of taking pictures of different floors and of the merchandise sold, but there was way too much to photograph! While walking through, you are hearing sales men loudly announcing their sales, some extolling the features of the products being sold, etc. There were many sounds: computer game demo’, anime being played on numerous widescreen TVs, music being played… it was close-to-overwhelming! This much I have to say: the best way to know about it is to really experience it!
Next to the Yodobashi-Akiba building, was a location of Big Echo, a karaoke chain. Next to that was a business that I think sold pornographic DVD’s or had video strip sessions; I wasn’t sure because I looked in and noticed a lot of Japanese salarymen buying drinks, from the vending machines, in the lobby, and I think waiting for services. I’m starting to understand that there is an interesting sex trade going on here, without a sex trade going on. Possibly more on that later.
Overall, Akiba was what I hoped it was: an electronic geek’s dream (random: as I type this, there’s a guy riding a Harley that drove by- the low rumble of that engine is unmistakable). The prices were a bit higher than equivalent goods in the USA, but there is a higher duty on electronics here, if my understanding is correct.
Seriously, if you’re a tech head or an electronic geek, this place is almost the equivalent of a Mecca.
To see all photos from Akihabara (Akiba), please see Japan – Akihabara (Akiba), Tokyo .
