Akihabara Electric Town, Tokyo

[Optic]

 

Also known as Akiba. Akihabara is located in the Chiyo ward of Tokyo. It is otaku heaven without a doubt, tall buildings with humangous anime posters, lots of shops selling various electronic, computer, console, anime, merchandise, manga and of course Gundam Café...

 

Speaking of Cafes, there are several maid cafes too.

 

Have you visited Akiba before or thinking of checking it out one day? Feel free to share your experiences.

[ssjup81]

I've only been to Akihabara once back during my summer vacation from work in 2012. I was curious of the place. I was curious about gaming related stuff...older games. I came across a shop called Super Potato (which also has a location in Ikebukuro) which sold older game systems and games. I found a real Super Famicom there...not one of those newer ones, but an original. I also picked up some games. That was the highlight for me. I also went because I was hoping to find a shop with old manga stuff, but didn't find much. Other than those things, I don't recall doing anything else there.

 

There were many maid cafes. Usually there was someone standing outside of them, trying to invite you to come to their cafe. Sucks that butler cafes are so rare in a general sense. I have been to a butler cafe before, but it wasn't in Akiba and you had to make a reservation at least I think two weeks in advance to go because they fill up fast and aren't as vast as maid cafes.

 

The only downside to Akihabara is AKB.

 

Oh, kind of off-topic, but if you're interested in older things (like me) I recommend going to Nakano in Tokyo. My god! I went there one time, as a friend took me. There are SO many shops with older things, like music and stuff! I found the Bokura no Digital World cd single (the Digimon Adventure 02 ep 50 memorial theme) still wrapped for like 8000 yen. I even checked the catalog number and it was legit! This cd is rare, because you had to collect all 12 character singles in order to get that one. It was the only copy there and I took advantage. I will never open it. If I were totally rich, I would definitely nerd out...more than say Akihabara. lol

[Optic]

I came across a shop called Super Potato (which also has a location in Ikebukuro) which sold older game systems and games.

That sounds outstanding. I've heard great things about Super Potato. Admittedly though I didn't visit it as I don't really have any interest in vintage gaming anymore.

 

On a related note though, I see Japan uses 100V for their power supply whilst the US uses 120V ? I'm from Australia which uses 240V so many older appliances you'd have no chance of using here without a stepdown transformer. I'm curious if your Super Famicom worked OK back in the US?

 

I have been to a butler cafe before, but it wasn't in Akiba and you had to make a reservation at least I think two weeks in advance to go because they fill up fast and aren't as vast as maid cafes.

Out of curiosity, what was the pricing like for the food and service at the butler cafe? The maid cafe I went to was one called maidreamin. Here's a photo I took of the English menu. They do different packages, and you can get a commemorative photo and clear folder.

 

The only downside to Akihabara is AKB.

AKB? Are you referring to AKB48? I do recall seeing a AKB48 themed cafe...

 

Oh, kind of off-topic, but if you're interested in older things (like me) I recommend going to Nakano in Tokyo.

Are you referring to Nakano Broadway? Lots of second hand anime merchandise: blurays, DVDs and figures. I was surprised to see the Digimon Adventure Japanese DVD box set, RRP 50,000 yen and it was selling for like an inflated 70,000 yen as it was out of print. THOUGH I imagine that would severely have dropped now in price with the new original Digimon Adventure bluray set coming out.

[ssjup81]

That sounds outstanding. I've heard great things about Super Potato. Admittedly though I didn't visit it as I don't really have any interest in vintage gaming anymore.

Aw. lol I'm a Legend of Zelda fan, so one thing I really really would like to get my hands on is an original Famicom (with the mic set up) and a copy of the Japanese version of the first game. They said in the manual that the Poes don't like loud noises. I'm curious if in the original, if you were supposed to have used the mic.

On a related note though, I see Japan uses 100V for their power supply whilst the US uses 120V ? I'm from Australia which uses 240V so many older appliances you'd have no chance of using here without a stepdown transformer. I'm curious if your Super Famicom worked OK back in the US?

I have no idea. I haven't tried it yet as I still haven't visited home. I have, I just didn't take the Super Famicon with me. It probably will work okay. The laptop I'm using is a Japanese one that I bought about four years ago. I've used it at home with no problems at all...but I don't recall the voltage right off.

Out of curiosity, what was the pricing like for the food and service at the butler cafe?

Ah, I wish I could recall it. I went there spring of 2013 and only once. I had to actually look for the souvenir I received there to find the name.

 

http://www.butlers-cafe.jp/

 

Swallowtail. Prices are there. It was beautiful inside, but they were strict about photos. You weren't allowed to photograph anything, not even the decor. The tea sets they brought out were beautiful too. Very expensive like and delicate, imo.

 

Oh yeah, also about the price, they do monthly themes I think, so I can't recall how much it cost at all. I do know that we did one of the set menus.

The maid cafe I went to was one called maidreamin. Here's a photo I took of the English menu. They do different packages, and you can get a commemorative photo and clear folder.

[ATTACH]17078[/ATTACH]

Wow, at the Butler cafe, no photos allowed. They even take your bags and purses when you entered. Maybe some do allow you to take photographs.

AKB? Are you referring to AKB48? I do recall seeing a AKB48 themed cafe...

Ugh, AKB junk is everywhere. Akihabara is where the group was formed, hence the name "AKB". I just find the group's music annoying and the worship they get bothersome. The group (imo) is obviously being catered to old men who like young girls as they seem to be one of the biggest fanbases (along with young girls). One of the rules of being in the group is that you can't date and stuff. They have to keep that pure and innocent demeanor to keep their fans so the members, despite their ages, will always be expected to act like goofy little girls and not as actual women. A couple of years ago there was a "scandal". One of the members (who was in her early to mid 20s) was seen leaving a guy's house (her boyfriend, I think) at night and she received a lot of flack for it. She even did a public apology, while crying, and shaved her head to show how sorry she was.

 

So, in my view, the group is trying to pander these girls off as always being little girls and I just don't like it. They're supposed to remain innocent and pure to cater to the men who want them (and buying their merch, tickets to their concerts, watching their shows, playing their video games [yes, they do exist], etc.)

 

Sorry about the mild rant. ^^;

Are you referring to Nakano Broadway?

Yep! I'd never heard of the place, but my friend was staying in Tokyo, studying, and right before she had to head back home, I visited her and she took me there.

Lots of second hand anime merchandise: blurays, DVDs and figures. I was surprised to see the Digimon Adventure Japanese DVD box set, RRP 50,000 yen and it was selling for like an inflated 70,000 yen as it was out of print. THOUGH I imagine that would severely have dropped now in price with the new original Digimon Adventure bluray set coming out.

Yeah, I would hope the price would go down. lol

 

Originally, I wanted to go there to find some Yoroiden Samurai Troopers manga since that is rare. My Japanese sucks, but I am determined to someday understand it. When I saw vintage manga, I had to really really resist as I didn't have that much cash in general. I restrained myself a lot. I told myself, "Wendy, don't give in. Don't go crazy buying stuff." I saw the cd and I saw another cd that I bought for my friend....that I still haven't mailed off yet. ^^;; He's a Ronin Warriors fan as well.

 

I also bought some Pokemon plushies. I finally have a Vaporeon after all these years. Gen I Pokemon stuff I'm always interested in. Still wish I had a Sandslash. It's still my all-time favorite Pokemon along with Vaporeon...and Butterfree and Pidgeotto. lol