Is Akihabara really worth the "Pilgrimage"

I am thinking of going to Tokyo for a few days just to see what the game stores in Akihabara have. I am thinking of doing the trip from the Philippines as I will be there for a few months. Anyway, we all know you can simply find the same stuff online if you really look for it. So what are your opinions? Honestly!!! I am particularly interested in JAMMA stuff so am definitely going to visit G-Front, Try, Mak Japan, and Setup but will visit all the other game stores as well. Would you visit Japan for a few days just to do the same? Is this something you would do? Or should I just stick to the internet to look for this stuff. I am not looking for any particular games but just to see what they have and of course buy the stuff that interests me. Let me know what you think.

 

Would I make the trip just for Akihabara... probably not. The experience is really good but going downhill fast. I think it's a long way to go to see the place when there's so much more to see.

Go on holiday and set aside a day for Akiba, yes, that's a good plan.

You may save enough money on Jamma goodies to have made it worth while though so perhaps it depends on what you have to pay elsewhere.

 

lol.. i was gonna say if youre not into PCB/arcades there are better gamestores (altho not as many) out there.

for PCBs i understand its akihabara or nothing (?)

its a sight to be seen regardless

 

Or mail order shops. I think Osaka has a couple of places as well. It's probably far more worth the trip to check out the arcades rather than the shops.

 

at least 5 years ago I'd say yes but these days I wouldn't bother. Bloody Sony, Sony, Sony :crying: 10 years back it was much more fun plu syou had more shops that what there are now.

Yakumo

 

Ah bunch of pessimists, I say :lol:. If you never been before and if you have an interest in Japanese games it's a good fun trip, it may not be as good as it was a few years back but there are still shops like Super Potato and a few more dotted around who names I forget who have a nice range of games that it's just nice to see. If you like arcade PCBs then seeing G-Front will blow your mind on just the range they have, although if you don't speak Japanese then finding specific boards is going to be tricky.

There are a few good arcades in the area too, the just down the road from the Trader store under the railway bridge has a great range of shooters and beat'em ups.

It's a fantastic day out and as long as you explore the entire area then you'll have a great time.

Three tips to remember most shops won't open until about 11am so don't bother getting there too early (they close around 7 to 8pm too) and don't go on a weekend as it gets super busy (they close off the main road on Sunday afternoon for this reason....). Bring enough money and then some as you'll like spend a lot, there is a post office across the river that's easy to find if you need another bunch of money from a cashpoint / ATM card...

I am sure you'll have a fantastic day.

 

Good point, always take more cash than you think you need.

Also, there is a super hidden post office ATM right in the middle of Akiba, come out of Game Holywood and turn left towards the main drag, left again and then left again and look on your right, a little booth door is hiding the handiest ATM I ever used.


The red X marks the spot.

Many a time that saved me from losing a bargain.

 

Don't go to Japan for Akihabara, go to Japan for Japan and experience the Japanese culture.

 

right. i loved it and the place. and for what concerns akihabara, go there it's nice, expecially in the underground shops. also some good VG games still survives... i guess it's still a must (unless things changed dramatically since 2 years ago )

 

although everybody is saying it has taken a turn for the worse, akihabara is still a pretty interesting place to check out imho.
just don`t go there expecting retrogaming heaven or great deals on every corner.
osaka is fine, but i was a bit disappointed to be honest.
still, i managed to score a sfc protocart for 500 yen there.

my favorite retrogaming store is actually located near osu kannon in nagoya.
doesn`t even seem to have a name, but has a good selection of games and hardware and very good pricing.

 

I went to Osu in Nagoya as well this summer, it's quite nice and the selection of shops isn't that bad either.

 

Where are you staying in Philippines?

 

Quezon City, in Manila, we have a house there.

 

When I first went to Japan I spent 6 of my 7 days in Akihabara. Probably looking like some geek boy with happy eyes scrolling through the amazing amounts of ancient console crap

When I went back I was kinda sad to have only spent most of my time in Akihabara, Japan has so much more to offer.

 

Akihabara is immensely exciting - it's still worth visiting and if you don't see it soon then maybe it'll have changed totally.

Folks who live in Japan are used to it, so it's easier for them to see what it really is, but there's really nothing like it outside of Japan.

It's mostly modern gaming but there's still alot of retro stuff.....as someone else said, don't go for the prices, go for the selection - they hit the nail on the head with that IMHO.

I would without hesistation visit it again. Go for it!

 

Well as a veteran of Akiba from 1990-1997, I can only say that back then you had to know where you were going. Stick to the main streets and big shops and you'll be disappointed. It was all of the many, many small shops tucked away on the 4th floor of some back street where I found the real gems.

Every time I go back I check it out, and it really doesn't strike me as having "declined" all that much. If anything "Akiba" is more mainstream now than it ever was when I was combing through Sofmap for a used FM-Towns game.

 

I first went in '96. I found some good gear... it didn't take too much looking I guess. If you're going to devote a day to it you'll definitely be in those back streets. But yeah, the stuff up off of the ground floor can be hard to find.

 

Maybe we need an ASSEMblergames tour guide.

 

I made a Flash map. It's semi up-to-date I guess.

 

any chance of seeing some maps (with english names, my hirigana/katakana is a bit :S)?

I went in June and found it hard to find many decent retro places. Super Potato was probably my best discovery (although I found it on the verge of being overpriced on certain dreamcast games). I'll probably be going back in december (but only for half a day). Japan has always been the main attraction, Akihabara was always a side salad....