Posted on August 6, 2008 | Category: GADGETS, JAPAN, MARS BLOG, technology
*CLICK ON THE LOCATION NAME TO VISIT AREA VIRTUALLY IN GOOGLE STREETVIEW.
Akihabara Station
When you first get off the train at Akihabara Station, this is probably the first sight you’ll see… the road to tech nirvana!
Yodobashi Camera
If you happen to exit on the other side of the station you’ll be perfectly positioned to visit Yodobashi Camera, the giant robot badass store of stores hovering over Akihabara’s other tiny ant-like shops. You won’t find bargains in Yodobashi Camera, but if you don’t have time to explore Akihabara and need something—anything—technology oriented in a hurry, this is the place. Just make sure you’ve had a good meal beforehand because you’ll probably end up staying in the place for hours.
Club Sega
For gamers, the first stop in Akiba should be Club Sega. This is it. The mythical place in Japan you’ve always dreamed about is real…games, games, and more games.
Sofmap
Sofmap, another variety electronics chain store, is not one of my favorite stores, but occasionally it comes through on a particular item. With multiple locations in Akiba (the nickname for Akihabara), you cannot avoid the neon stare of Sofmap.
Tsukumo
Tsukumo is one of the many medium-to-small electronics shops that provide the life blood of Akiba. This hidden gem is stocked to the brim with computers, chips, and robots.
Linux Cafe
By now you might be tired of all the gadgetry, so why not take a break at the Linux Cafe. Occasional tech events are held there, but it’s so upscale and clean that it just doesn’t match the stereotype many have of sunlight avoiding, code obsessed Linux devotees. On the entrance you’ll find a rather cute Linux Cafe manifesto.
Interesting Sights
Is there anywhere else on the planet where it’s common to find Super Mario chasing Pacman on the side of a building? Welcome to Akihabara!
Queen Dolce Cafe
One day, after a particularly difficult gadget search, I needed a break and happened upon the Queen Dolce Cafe. Up several flights of very narrow stairs you’ll find a tiny door, which leads to a tiny room, and in that room on an average day you’re likely to find random cosplay kids kicking back over coffee or tea. Small, dark, and intensely intimate, don’t enter unless your Japanese ability is at least fair, and you don’t mind cosplayers staring at “you” because you aren’t dressed for Halloween.
Faith PC
Akiba earned its geek cred by offering what other places can’t, namely built to order PC shops every few feet. This one called Faith PC is one of the rare Akiba shops that offers options in English.
Akibaoo
Sometimes the Internet well runs dry and you have to hit the streets to find crazy Japanese gadgets to present to the world on your blog, that’s when shops like Akibaoo come in handy. If it’s odd, small, and distinctly Japanese you’ll probably find it here.
Duty Free Shop
If you don’t think you have the stomach for navigating all the narrow streets and Japanese-only shops, try one of the many Duty Free shops that usually have one or two salesmen ready to assist. As a tourist point, it won’t yield the best deals or the most interesting gizmos, but if you can’t speak Japanese, these places are a good place to start.
Mac Collection
It’s not the Apple Store, but it’s better than most other stores when it comes to Mac goodies. Note to Mac Fanatics: Yes, they sell Macs. Yes, it’s in Akiba (tech mecca). But don’t expect any Genius Bar-level assistance or knowledge when it comes to your Apple needs.
Bit System Mac Repair
It might seem strange that finding a Mac repair shop in the middle of Akiba is difficult, but it is. One shop that never fails in the category of Mac emergencies is Bit System. The guys are friendly, knowledgeable, and they do what you expect Mac repair guys to do — live and breath Macs.
i-Cafe
At the end of the day you may discover that you need to come down off the high of taking in so much gadgetry. A good place to wind down while surfing the Internet is the i-Cafe. Located just a few floors above the cafe shown in the photo (they aren’t related) the i-Cafe offers a quiet, clean space in which to connect your laptop and surf the web while enjoying the cafe’s free (yep, free) coffee, soda and tea drink menu.
» Filed Under GADGETS, JAPAN, MARS BLOG, technology