Akihabara overnight
+ AKIHABARA, TOKYO

You watch anime torrents, you read scanlated manga, you’re all over the conventions and you know your Wii inside and out. Somehow, you’ve managed a trip to Tokyo and wonder, how can I get my nerd on?

What is THE most comprehensive “otaku” experience in Tokyo? No doubt countless numbers of addicts have considered this and contemplated the optimal trip, but what could honestly be the peak experience? With so many options scattered throughout the city, it’s a real task to draw up a gameplan. The real solution, an overnight in one of Akihabara’s capsule hotels. Here is a list of 10 hot spots to check out in electric city, PLUS A MAP, while on the ultimate sleepover:

1.

First stop, the brand spanking new football stadium sized Yodobashi Camera. Just exit the backside of Akihabara JR station or take the Hibiya line to Akihabara and there’s no missing it, in all it’s towering glory. If you’ve ignored your guidebook until now, here’s a tip, there’s no bargaining in Japan. Try as hard as you like, retailers will sooner raise the price of unpopular hardware rather than drop the price. Your best bet is to hunt for open box buys, last years models, and… must I say… grey market products. Yodobashi is a great place for residents who make use of their point card. Most electronics stores offer a card which allows them to accumulate points every time they shop. For example, you could score 10% of a products value back in points to be used as a discount on your next purchase. That’s great if you want to buy into their system, but in the end, there really is no deal and you’ll do better on the internet. For most tourists, filling out a form in Japanese and waiting for a point card is not high on the priority list. Forget about it.

2.

Hit the main drag and check out CLUB SEGA for a round of virtual taiko drumming. Play until your hands hurt or until the pros whup your ass.

3.

Check off Asobit City, the massive multi-level toy and video game shop before making your way up to and past Donki Hote. You’ll see them as you walk further from the station, retro toy shops. Loads of old school robots including generation 1 Transformers and antique Voltron. Spend all of your money.

4.

Stop by Akiba Terrace for one of their awesome kebab plates or hit one of Akihabara’s famous ramen shops. You can’t lose, they’re all great(if you dig noodle soup).

5.

Want a coffee or tea after lunch? Sneak into any one of Akihabara’s multitude of “maid” cafes. There are a few simple rules to follow, don’t touch the maids, no photos allowed, and no pets. If you want a cup of coffee with a cake labeled “master” in chocolate sauce, served by a Japanese girl dressed as a maid, then try it out. Not all of them dress like maids, you’ll find a few cats in the mix as well…

6.

Scour the back streets to find sushi shaped USB memory sticks and fried octopus ball machines. Look for the famous Akiba shops, their shop fronts have bright red “Akiba” signs in front. They sell loads of funny and odd gadgets. Around this area you’ll find the prized “multi-region” DVD players. If you find one, don’t forget to ask for a “password” to deactivate it’s region detecting function. Don’t expect quality, I’ve gone through two already, they work but last only about a year. No surprise considering they go for around $40USD each.

7.

If you’re hunting for English video games, walk over to Messe Sanno and GAME HOLLYWOOD for the latest. Games range from 3,500 yen to 6,000 yen+. Go to LAOX if you don’t find what you’re looking for here or you’re desperate. Be warned, they overcharge.

8.

Donki Hote is a sort of Walmart on acid, with walls plastered in drawings of a mad costumed penguin. Something for everyone, bad Engrish clothing, cheap audio and DVD players, lots of strange candy. The top floor(5th) houses one of the newer maid cafes, “@Hoooome.”

9.

Head back to your capsule hotel for a good nights sleep. You can check your email in the free internet cafe and have a bath in the free bath house.

10.

Wake up, head over to Mr. Donut on the main street(you won’t miss it if you’ve walked down once), and have a green tea donut and a cup of free refill coffee. Repeat 1-10 again, never leave Akihabara.

PDF map for download will be ready soon…

(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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