First Stop in Tokyo => Akihabara 「秋葉原」

 Akihabara「秋葉原」

"One of the Central Districts of Tokyo for any Electronics Parts and Otaku Memorabilia"

Akihabara is known as the, "Electric Town", selling used and new parts needed for whatever electronics you use in your daily or hobby life. From air-conditioners, cameras, computers, flip-phones, home appliances, smartphones, televisions, soldering kits, and other various electronics which technically exist on planet Earth. Where you can purchase those pesky parts you've been looking for your next PC build or other projects can range from either a one-man stall to the largest retailers in Japan.

Initial D (one of my all-time favorite manga and anime) has an arcade machine located in the basement of GiGO Arcade Center (formerly known as the Sega Akihabara Arcade). 

 

Yet, the "Electric Town" has recently been growing as the center for all otaku memorabilia (mostly like since the start Kawaii-age of Hello Kitty in the early 1990's). For any "オタク" (otaku => diehard fans of anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture), anime collectibles like: cards, figurings, gacha (odd-ball capsule dispensers), and toys being sold in just about every store and it's not limited to the newest anime either; you can still find memorabilia from the 1950's for sale too. There are also many ” マンガ ” (manga) stores too with vast amounts of genres (including  so be weary to browsing) to choose from (very similar to American comic books) like: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Historical, Horror, Mecha (giant robots), Mystery, Psychological, Racing, Romance, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life, Sports, Supernatural, and etc... Some of my favorite manga is: Initial D, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Fullmetal Alchemist, One Punch Man, Demon Slayer, Golden Kamuy, and Saint Young Men.

(https://cometojapankuru.blogspot.com/2017/08/unknown-pleasures-akihabara.html)

From what I saw when walking throughout the odd streets and alleyways, maid cafe's exist in almost nook and cranny of Akihabara with maids (or girls dressed as female anime characters) calling out to you to follow them inside; ultimately having you eat very expensive cuisine-themed foods while calling you master. While I'm no simp on this floating rock in space, it was quite tempting to say "Screw it, I'm going in!" yet I held my mental ground gesturing a friendly nod as I continued to walk towards my next destination. As I continued to explore, many alleyways would have these colorful signs of various anime characters (including animated billboards) trying to encourage you to walk into their place of business or check out the latest anime event. It's a very stimulating place mixing new and nostalgia together with novelty items and advertising.

Super Potato is a small retro-video game chain which sells just about any and all retro consoles, games, and gadgets imaginable since the beginning of the Japanese video game industry back in the late 1970's. Located in a maze-like location between the 3rd and 5th floors of what was an apartment complex. The 3rd and 4th floor sell your favorite games while the 5th floor is dedicated to the old-school arcade machines which only cost ¥100 a play.

Overall, Akihabara is the place to go to activate your inner-otaku with the vast-amounts of anime, arcade centers, electronics, gacha, and themed cafe's (especially maid cafe's). This part of Tokyo (really most of Japan) it is meant to be explored with hidden away shops under bridges, inside apartment complexes (each with different themes depending on the floor you're on), and shrines tucked in alleyways. 

Thank you for your time and enjoy exploring Akihabara, it's a captivating place.

また、今度 (mata kondo) => see you next time.

Trey-Uncaged