Akihabara: The Promised Land

So, I made it to Akihabara, and in some respects it lives up to its reputation. For five blocks in each direction of the train station there is nothing but electronics. From components for people who want to build their own HAM radio set to the latest in plasma TVs everything you can imagine is there if what you're imagining runs off electricity.


So, I went there in search of PC components. Prices aren't so great. They aren't Best Buy bad, but they aren't newegg.com good either. Selection is excellent though at the main outlets. The best stores I found were Sofmap and Tsukumo both of which are large chain stores. This is really confusing as there are at least five or six versions of each store within four blocks of one another. One will specialize in new and used PC parts, another in media such as DVDs and games and yet another in consumer electronics. As I said, it can be very confusing especially if you're trying to do comparison shopping between a few different stores.






One really neat thing about Akihabara is the alleys. There are a couple of them which are crammed with stalls. One will specialize in cameras, another in phones, yet another in electronic components. Behind and above these stalls are consignment shops. They consist of glass boxes which are rented out by people. The renters place whatever old electronic/mechanical crap they want to sell in these glass boxes with price tags attached. By far the most bizarre stuff I saw had come to rest in these glass houses.





Anime, manga, figurines and other grist for the otakus' mill have begun invading Akihabara. From what I've been told, Akihabara has begun to lose its edge somewhat, especially in the PC market. Since its inception in the 1950s the only nonelectronic goods it has sold have been ramen, kazu, curry and other short order foodstuffs. Within the past few years though this has changed slightly. It seems that this sanctuary of high tech cannot withstand the pressure of its denizens less technical desires. The store photographed here specialized in Gundam kits and various figurines from animations. There were also a few manga shops littered around. I hope the trend doesn't get out of hand.