Akihabara, 秋葉原 (aka Akiba) is the largest shopping area on earth for high tech goods, anime & manga stuff, as well as merchandise that might interest an otaku (anime freak.) We got there by train, getting off at Akihabara Station.
Akihabara Station
This place is a little bit like Low Yat plaza in KL, except it covers the area bigger than the whole Bukit Bintang. Numerous shops selling all sorts of electronic, computing, and electric appliances. One of which is the huge store Yodobashi Camera that occupies about 6-7 floors selling pretty much everything that runs on battery or plug into an electric socket. The announcements in the store came in three different language (Japanese, English, & Mandarin) and there was a little tune that got into my head after listening to it for the 20th time.. blah blah blah blah yodobashi ca-me-ra..
International brand names like Sega and Taito
There are many Anime & Manga shops too. We went into one place that occupies about 6 levels. This place is a dream come true for any anime freaks. You can find anything from Draganball keychain to Naruto figures. Want a maid outfit or Japanese school girl uniform? Get one here.
interesting merchandise, including cosplay outfits (fancy dressing up like a maid?)
Another interesting attraction in this district is the maid cafes. These are cafes with waitresses dressed up like french maids. We were going to go in one of them, but the maids weren’t that hot, and photos are not allowed. Besides, the place was filled with weird looking guys, we scrapped that plan instead.
maid cafe
Other than computer, electronic parts, and LCD screens. You can also buy slot machines here. I saw an Apple service center too.
computer goods, Apple service center, slot machines
We had lunch at a famous ramen shop (Kyushu Jangara Ramen) at Akihabara. The pork ramen was really great, we ordered ours with everything in it (zenbu-iri), with extra fried garlic. The shop is really small, with about 10 seats right infront of the bar/kitchen, 2 other tables for 2, and a small 1 person table that is smaller than most phone booth. Too bad we aren’t allowed to take pictures inside.
super popular ramen shop
tourist friendly or not ah? can buy these stuff back?
KY: of course they are for sale, just very expensive, and most sales personnels don’t speak English
1. for example anime box set or manga: if compare the price at malaysia and over there, otaku will be more expensive? how far it will be? 100% more expensive then local one or wat?
2. if they cant converse in english, how we are going deal?!
3. will custome charge us when we buy these things? for example dvd sets, manga, also they got attach courier service? if got then will be nice, ask them to pack up and sent back to home country…..
actually i don’t quite now.
take more photos take more photos
‘otaku (anime freak.)’
I HATE that USA corruption of the Japanese term. The original term (which I assume the Japanese still use), means a SHUT IN, and has very negative connotations as an ‘Otaku’ sliced up some very innocent young girls once. It’s enough to drive someone hikikomori!
‘Want a maid outfit or Japanese school girl uniform?’
Don’t think I’d fit into one! Just buy one for FA and put her photo’s up! 🙂
‘Besides, the place was filled with weird looking guys…’
Ah, some true Otaku! The perverts who like to lock themselves away at home, only coming out to perve at and molest cafe workers!
I am soooo envious you are there! Damn! Have fun and take lots of pics!
u went with who ah?
by the way, no Asahi beer?
‘Want a maid outfit or Japanese school girl uniform?’
buy a dozen and give to all the girls – Suanie, FA, Kim, Cass, Kerol, etc….maybe you can pimp them better then..
*run and hide*
wah~ Tokyo!!!! Visited disneyland? heheh!
i was @ osaka during CNY! I love japan!
Yodabashi is great, there’s an Excelsior cafe next door with the worlds worst coffee. But hey the Japanese aren’t known for great coffee. Go Akihabara!
maybe when you go again and they don’t let you in the shops to take pics.I say risk your life and go sneak in.
rebekah,
Hahaha, that’s a bit too crazy even for me. 😛
the next big thing is not a maid cafe, but a maid lounge like the Akiba Refresh club
http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/akihabara-maid-refresh-club-from-candy-fruits/
Pingback:kyspeaks.com » Lorong Selamat Char Kueh Teow, Penang