Gamertell

If you’re a gamer heading to Japan, chances are you’ll stop by Akihabara. Akihabara is a part of Tokyo offically known as Chiyoda-ku that is famous for being a hot shopping area and mecca for electronics, gadgets, anime and video game fans.

Akihabara, also referred to as Akihabara Electric Town or Akiba, is a commercial district with electronics retailers, as well as manga and anime stores, book stores and video game shops. The best part is new and used items can be found there. The main street features stores selling the newest products. If you venture down the side-streets, you’ll find stores selling used items.

So in case any Important Importables readers are heading to Japan, or dreaming about heading to Japan, here are a few key locations you will definitely want to visit.

Gamers
Gamers is going to be your main stop, with eight floors devoted to anime, manga, music and video games. There are eight floors, and each one is devoted to a different segment of fandom. The first floor carries magazines and some of the hot, new items. The next two floors have media items like CDs and DVDs. The fourth floor is focused on video games, the fifth on regular books and manga, the sixth on items women would be interested in, the seventh on figurines and accessories and the final floor is just for card games. Of course, there will also be merchandise featuring the Gamers/Broccoli mascots DiGi Charat, Puchiko and Rabi~en~Rose. You also should be able to find a staff member who speaks English, and the building should be easy to find since it says “GAMERS” on it in huge letters.

1-14-7 Soto-Kanda
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Yodabashi-Akiba
While Yodabashi’s Akihabara store is often referred to as Yodabashi Camera, don’t let that fool you. It is one of the biggest stores in Akihabara and specializes in discount electronic devices and appliances. It is massive building that is nine floors above ground and extends six floors below. It also has food court-esque areas on the seventh and ninth floors and also has a parking garage that can house 400 cars. It also sells video game consoles and titles, but that isn’t really the main focus at Yodabashi. It is open from 9:30am to 10pm every day.

101-0028 Hanaoka-Kanda
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

AKKY
AKKY is one of the main staples of Akihabara. It is a general electronics shop that carries devices, computers, games, watches and practically any kind of electronic you need. AKKY has three different locations in Akihabara. Each one is open every day from 9:30am to 10pm. Plus, all three shops are duty-free shops with multilingual staff, who can speak English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, French and many other languages, so you won’t have any problems finding assistance. Even their website has an English language option.

1-12-1 Soto-Kanda
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

1-10-5 Soto-Kanda
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

1-15-8 Soto-Kanda
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Tsukumo Robot Kingdom
If you love building kits, and you’re exceptionally handy, you may want to stop by the Tsukumo Robot Kingdom. It is on the third floor of the Tsukumo store, which specializes in computers and parts. You’ll find robots to buy, books about robots and even kits to create your own robots. The only thing is, most of the instructions and books will be in Japanese, so you’ll have problems with using a robot or assembling one if you don’t know the language. The store is open every day. On Mondays through Saturdays, the store is open from 10:30am-8pm, and on Sundays and holidays the store is open from 10:30am-7:30pm.

1-9-7 Soto-Kanda
3rd Floor of Tsukumo Honten
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

@Home Cafe
If you’re a Megatokyo reader or anime/manga fan, you’ve probably heard of the maid cafe. Its a normal restaurant serving food, only the waitresses dress up either as maids or in costumes. In addition, they will often adopt certain ways of talking to sound more cute. The @Home Cafe is one of these establishments. After you enter, you are waited on by a Japanese girl in some sort of cosplay (costume) outfit. It also is an establishment that allows visitors to take pictures with the maids. Some cafes don’t allow photography, so if you want a photo souvenier, @Home Cafe may be a good choice. It is open every day, with the counter open from 11am to 11pm, and the dining section open from 12pm to 10pm.

4-3-3 Soto-Kanda
Donkihote Akihabara 5F
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

AsoBit Game City
AsoBit Game City is something like Gamers, it focuses specifically on video games. Its a huge building with seven floors, and a wide selection of video games for handheld systems, consoles and computers. You may have some trouble communicating with the staff, but AsoBit is definitely a place to stop by. The store even has space on the sixth floor for special events, radio shows, discussions held by famous actors and singers and idol mini-concerts. It’s open from 10:30am to 10pm.

1-13-2 Soto-Kanda
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

NOTE:Remember that Japanese electronics are usually designed to run on Japan’s 100v voltage, and US voltage is 110-120v. Also, the warranties only apply if you use the items in Japan. The Japanese plugs also look identical to non-grounded US ones, so if you decide to pick up a Japanese video game system, you shouldn’t have any problems using it in a US plug. If you plan to buy something like a computer or console, a converter may be a wise decision just in case.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Important Portables talks about Club Nintendo. If you don’t miss a single installment of Important Importables, or want to know right away when the next column is up, then sign up for the Gamertell Newsletter and RSS feed.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Important Importables reviewed Princess Crown.

Read [Akihabara official site] Also Read [Sunny Pages] Also Read [Japanese Lifestyle] Also Read [Akiba Angels]

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