Lost in the Streets of Akihabara

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Avatar for meitanteikudo
3 years ago
Topics: Life, Experience, Travel, Anime, Tokyo, ...

Akihabara, Akiba, if you like Anime I am sure that you have heard of this place, you know what it is, and I'm pretty sure you want to visit this stretch of heavenly goodness, that is, if you really like Anime. I am forever grateful that I have been so lucky that I was able to visit and roam around the streets of Akihabara.

The Electric City

Lies in the heart of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Akihabara is not really a city or a particular specific place. Akihabara is what people call the area surrounding the Akihabara station of Tokyo's Chiyoda ward.

It is a big shopping district with shops located all through out the area. Akihabara is dubbed the "electric town" after world war II because of the shops specializing in electronic goods and other post-WWII black-market.

Akihabara is now known worldwide with its business tightly intertwined with Otaku culture. Akihabara is famous for its stores selling video games, Animes, Mangas, Toys, action figures, related merchandises and for its arcades.

That is one of the main reason why many Anime fans flock into the area to gawk upon the huge billboards with their favorite shows or tirelessly window shop for various merchandises.

Ever since I have known about this place, it has always been my dream to come visit it. And last year, 2020, that dream ultimately took shape and came true. We stayed at Shinjuku, the red light city of Tokyo, since the rate of the hotels there are quite affordable and it has this strategic location best suited if you want to roam around Tokyo. Our hotel was situated 2 blocks away from the train station. From there, it only takes a few minutes and two train rides to go to Akihabara Station.

Unlike here in the Philippines, waiting for the train is not such a hassle. You won't have to risk your life and hygiene just to catch a good seat in a train. There are no heavy and thick lines of people waiting on queue to be able to ride a train. Plus we were there early in February so it was still winter and you can just imagine how cold it was. Not a single sweat will drop from your face while waiting because it is too cold and the trains come on time. As in on the dot. Just waiting to ride a train is already a pleasant and memorable experience.

I just have to say though, Japan's railway system is really complicated and so complex. You really have to pay attention to details when buying tickets and stuff because there are several lines of trains going in different routes that are stopping in some stations. It's really easy to get lost if it's your first time there. Luckily we didn't cause many of them are really helpful to tourists. Also, it's really good idea to just purchase a "ride-all-you-can" pass so even if you get lost, you can just hop back inside and go around. :)

We arrived at the destination just before noon. I was so excited to walk into all the stores I could possibly go to like Animate, Radio Kaikan and a whole lot more. But it's a common belief that it is not good to shop or buy things on an empty stomach cause you might find yourself in deep trouble with your pockets if you do so. A quick and early lunch it was then. Grabbed some sukiyaki from Yoshinoya, and hey, I really have to say, I really thought Yoshinoya has that fast food kind of vibe but wait until you try the Yoshinoya's in Japan. They're like a cozy but full blown restaurant. And my mind was blown when I tasted the soup of that sukiyaki. I can relate to the reactions of the characters on "Food Wars (Shokugeki no Souma)" after that.

But then, onto walking. And the fascinating thing about walking around Akihabara, you can lose a lot of money just by walking on its streets. And why is that? Alright, let's stop those devils on your shoulders that are thinking about snatchers and robbers or stuff like that. Well I guess it's a kind of robbery but it's the good kind, and the thieves will give you something in return, little pieces of cute goodies.

the money thieves spread across Akihabara

These robbers are called "Gachapons". Gachapons, gashapons are sort of vending machines that will spit out toys after you pay them. But unlike the a vending machine, gachapons will give out random prizes and toys so you are not sure what you are going to get and if in so many tries you still haven't put your hands on the specific toy you want, you will find yourself spending so much money. Gachapons costs 100 yen or around $0.91 to even 500 yen or just under $5. Yes, they are not that cheap, but at least you have a small souvenir to take home.

The ones we got were, keychains, cable biters, pins and small action figures. I also spent a lot of time just checking out all the machines in the area.

The first store I set foot in was really amusing. The building was several storeys high. The things they were selling were divided into genre and are separated by floors. It was I think in our best interest to sweep the whole building from the top floor going down. The first set of items I saw were really up in my alley. They were adult-themed whatevers. Eroges (erotic games), NC-17 videos and magazines, sex toys and hey, did I mention adult videos? If you're really into those kinds of things, why not? We're all free right? And I would have stayed there all day if I could, but there are lots to see, so down a floor we go.

I don't know if it's just me, but I was really appreciative of just about everything in there. Even going from floor to floor, I find it really entertaining. You know why? Well it's because of the beautiful posters and images that are all over the place.

See what I mean? Even elevator doors are so cool. Although I know that these are advertisements and for marketing purposes, I really couldn't care less about their motives, I'm sold. The whole place is wrapped entirely with Anime characters and ads like this one. Not bad right? And of course, this one differs from floor to floor too, I couldn't show you the one with the adult-themed floor so, just imagine it for now.

Hey there!!!

I wanted to savor the moment a bit, and your company a little longer so I will be seeing you on the next part okay? I'll be waiting for you there alright, don't forget to bring your glass and be ready for a wonderful,

Cheers!!!

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3 years ago
Topics: Life, Experience, Travel, Anime, Tokyo, ...

Comments

Sana mkapunta rn ako jan 😭 Railway jan same dto sa HK . may gachapons dn dto pro d ko natry.. Chery blossoms tlga gusto ko makita at mt Fuji

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3 years ago

Mas madali railway ng HK kesa sakanila. Pero mas maganda ung Tokyo station nila, may mall na sa loob. Hahaha :D Ako gusto ko ulit balik HK, sarap lang. Hehe baka may alam ka BNB malapit disney. Hahahaa

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3 years ago

Ang ibang mall naman dto ay nsa baba lng ang stations. πŸ˜… .anong BNB? Yung crypto? 🀣

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3 years ago

Hahaha puro Crypto eh.... mali ,, I meant AirBNB. hahaha Masarap, magtingin tingin na mall sa Macau, haha asa loob ng mga hotels, magtingin lang ah. hahahha

pero mamili sa HK. hahaha

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3 years ago

D mo kc kinompleto eh 🀣 D pa ko nakapunta ng Macau, balak namin nun last December kaso dhl sa covid ay hndi natuloy.. .mahal parn dto sa HK 🀣

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3 years ago

haaha pero mas mahal sa macau. Hahha

ay oo nga. sarap pa naman magferry from hk to macau. Ngayon yata eh nagana na ung tulay no/?

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3 years ago

I want to visit Japan someday too but most probably I’d visit Korea firstttttt 😬

It sucks at how many travel plans was cancelled due to covid 😭😭😭

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3 years ago

Yep! That's true! June 4 last year, I should have been in Korea but it was cancelled due to you know... Darn it!

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3 years ago

That’s really sad I just graduated and passed the boards 2019 so kami ng mga college friends ko nagplan na baka last quarter ng 2020 or 2021, we can travel kahit local kaso lang wala na 😭😭😭😭😭

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3 years ago

Hahah sarap. San kayo punta sana?

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3 years ago

Batanes or palawan po sanaaa

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3 years ago

oooh nice. Hahaha konti nalang HK na yan. haha

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3 years ago

Woiiii, inggit iz me 🀧. Group ba kayonymg pumunta? Is that a company chenes? Why I'm so jealous 😭. I want to see the adult-themed chenes, why you didn't took a picture of it, hidoiiiii 🀧. I want to experience winter, that's the best time to chukchakchenes ohayoooo πŸ’ͺπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

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3 years ago

Haha nope. Personal vacation. Hahaha nakakahiya eh, baka sabihin inosente ako. Hahah yepp!! Chukchakchenes to da max pag winter. Hahaha

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3 years ago

Wahahahaha, ay ano dika naman nila knows. Chance na un ee. Tsk, boring. Magkano nagastos lahat pag ganyan, may promo? Hahah

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3 years ago

Hahaha gusto ko nga din sana bumili ng mga kung ano anong adult things. hahah Pagbalik nalang.

hmmm. ready ka mga 100K Php, okay na cguro un.

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3 years ago

Naols may balak bumalik, pasalubonh nalang, maga hostess muna ako para makalikom 100k 😩

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3 years ago

haha cge. mag over time ka pa ah, para mga 150k maipon mo. sama ako haha

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3 years ago

Ahahahahaha, ga hostess ka din? Ahahahaha

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3 years ago

haha pwede. Hahaha

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3 years ago

Akihabara is also the fave place of my friends. I think like you, they've explored those places ahah. I only had few chances of exploring Akihabara and mostly they were just quick visits to buy stuff or to meet them.

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3 years ago

Frenny isdayuuuuu?

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3 years ago

Uy! Yis ... Parot?

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3 years ago

Nyayyyy, yahhhhh πŸ™‹πŸ™‹πŸ™‹πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

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3 years ago

Yown may reunion. Hahah

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3 years ago

Wooow. So you've been there quite a few times. Luckyyyy.

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3 years ago

Yeh. Pero work related so weekends lang if walang work ang laboy.

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3 years ago

Hahaha kahit na... amazing pa din. So sa Japan ka pala work?

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3 years ago

indi eh. for a time lang work assignment tapos balik pinas para ituloy. Yung ibang teammates ko ang nakatagal dun.

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3 years ago

Ay ang saraaap dun no?

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3 years ago

uu haha. wish ko makabalik pero mukhang malabo pa. so hanggang GALA na lang ako sa gallery ko din muna.

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3 years ago

Good eve! Oh, I will not lie here, I am envious you were able to visit your dreamplace. Or just have a vacation in other country.

Mine is Seoul, South Korea, walking around Myeong-Dong, a famous marketplace in Seoul, just trying out the streetfoods there, or buying a few expensive something as souvenirs. Taking a picture with different landmarks there especially the Namsan Seoul Tower that I can only see on dramas. Hmm. When kaya? Char, syempre soon!

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3 years ago

Oooohh just keep hoping. You'll be there too :))

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3 years ago