秋葉原

I never really got Patlabor myself. I think I saw the movie a long time ago but I don't remember much. Maybe you could add some extra ventilation to your Storm Trooper outfit. That or add some heatsinks. j/k.

i remember whn i 1st arrived in tokyo...akiba was my 1st stop as soon as i left my bags at the hostel. ive taken so many shots like the 1st 1 in the post but yet i never get fed up of looking at them or of other peoples shots of the same

"the new context conference"? sounds like a really boring conference

haven't been to japan yet, i swear i will head over there someday
anyway, i would be running in circles, screaming at the top of my lungs "Nippon banzai!" before collapsing out of shock and exhaustion the moment i arrive ^^
seriously though, i have no idea what are the shops to look our for, so i will probably visit every one of them.

Nice pics; can't wait to finally go there and do some shopping. Haven't decided where to go yet, but it'll probably be something well-known like Gamers. Don't know how many kilo's I'll bring home, but probably many ^^

Which reminds me of something I wanted to ask: what is the deal with import taxes at customs when you get home? Because figures aren't that expensive; but when I ship 'em over here I end up paying double due to the high shipping cost. But what I don't know if that is due to the airmail being pricy or the customs. What are the amounts you end up paying (if any) when bringing in a load of goodies after a Japan trip?

havent being to akiba yet, but knows that one day, i will be there. So, no worries. ^_^;;

Tissues prepared, not for nosebleed though >=D

i have yet to decide where should i go 1st, other must visit places if i ever get a chance to visit japan.
But with pics and coverage by DC, this would help much

Im sorry I couldnt stop laughing at the picture of the guy dressed like Goku, I wanna do that myself too now for some reason. The hair is just ultra funny.

I recommend the Patlabor TV series if you want some good comedy. I used to really enjoy it, and it's still one of my favorite series. ^_^

Danny, I think you've made a slight mistake in your link to Akibahobby. It should be .net instead of .com.

Never been to Japan, I know if I'm lucky enough I'll definitly try and buy CDs and manga and magazines : ) Especially rare CDs that you can only get in stores in Japan...

First venue I'll rape (opps, I mean raid) are Gamers & Yodobashi Akiba (The building on the 17th photo).
Can't wait to bleed tomorrow ^_^

I have yet to arrive at the Mecca of Otaku culture. I would probably hit the figure and manga shops first XD

Akiba is the best town in the planet! I wanna stay there always!

I carried quite of goodies on the way back from Japan. I had 2 bags I lugged onto the plane. Maybe 11-20.

Will be going at the end of this year... Carrying luggage around is one of our biggest issues at the moment...

Patlabor never got much of my attention and I've been enjoying Sekirei quite a lot, it's funny -especially because of Kuu-chan- and has some nice oppai.

For the 3 times I've been I would first head for Radio-kan, because it's one of the first thing I see when I go out of the JR Station. That would use up an hour just to browse through individual shops.

For this anime season, I think Sekirei is on my top viewing list. I never really liked ecchi anime before but this one is the few that actually has a good plot. So good I can't wait for the anime and went ahead with the manga (>_<). The manga is definately not for those with nosebleeds he he. I find Tsukiumi funny as she does have some cute side and really funny when she is bullied around even though she is a bit tsundere.

Oh I wanna go!!! So tempting....and evil to show all this stuff lol

I see you still have that magic wallet? does money suddenly appear out of it these days? ^^ btw Dragonball cosplayer has nice hair! ^^

I still remembered I went to china with a 10kg lugguage and came back with a 7kg luggauge ^^; but I think when I go Japan someday, I'll be totally overloaded~

I think that the Yamato Valkyrie that you mentioned earlier are the new 1/60 Strike Valkyries that they just released July this year. the jointed/foldable leg fins were the giveaway, the 1/48 vf-1s that Yamato has been churning out for a while dont have this feature.

hopefully i "might" go to japan later this year might as well buy loads of stuff to bring home..as for some of you guys that have went to japan and bought stuff to your country is it cheaper in japan or the same?

This is great! I'm heading over to Japan next week, so hopefully I'll have a nice Akiba guide before I go.

First time in Japan today...
Be in Akihabara tomorrow!!!!!!!
I would love to visit all the stores!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't visited Japan yet, but I plan in the future. I haven't decided which shop I'll visit first, but I think it will definitely be some anime stuff shop. And nice article as always, thanks:)

I always bring back 3 bags(1 carry on and send 2) which usually weighs more than 100 kilos, it's really killer x_x First shop I went in when I first visited Akihabara was Tora no Ana I think, always a favorite place for me~ I can't wait to visit Japan this week!

When are you filming next week Danny? I would love to go visit you and say hi in person :D

I plan to hit the anime and figure shops first of course...once I find out where to go. I'd probably try to go with someone that's been before so they can show me where all the best shops are.

Can't wait for episode 7 of Sekirei to come out.

I remember the first shop I went was Gamers, it was very near the station. Dint have a map that time and only went to the big shops on the first day.

I've play pachinko before and thank god it was free. It was at an anime convention and they had free pachinko machines to play with. As you can probably tell by my first sentence I didn't fare too well at the game.

i'm enjoying sekirei! but i enjoy most anime that i pick up. i'm not critical on things like many people, if it bores me i won't watch it. sekirei is far from boring though :)!

and as always, you're making me want to travel back to japan >:I

For Sekirei, im barely on episode 6 here the the states.....awesome....what episode number count up in japan?

Hahaha! I say an advertisement for Persona 4~! :3

ahhah... tissues..

for nosebleeds. ::scoff::

Woo, finally everything is going back to the way it was...

And yes, I've got my tissues ready XD

Mmmm...good ol' Akihabara looks the same.

I don't know how much this weighed but here is my Akiba loot:

http://blog.cleartranquil.com/2008/04/home-sweet-home.html

I don't remember the name of the first store I entered in Akiba, but it was an electronic store. Right after that I went to Azobit C to get a Lelouch figma. They didn't have any at the local Sakuraya in Shinjuku next to my hotel. I miss Japan so much!! I gtg back soon!!! BTW, Patlabor is a very nice anime. The 7 OVAs, the anime serie (49 eps?) and the 3 movies are worth it. The third movie is kinda weird but it's still nice if you like the genre. There's not much mecha action the movies thought. Well, to anyone going to Japan: go to Akiba!! It's a must!! Nippon banzai!!

I didn't buy that much when I went to Akihabara, mainly a PS3, some other game stuff (GBA Micro, Wonderswan games, etc) and some capsule toys.

ahhh want to go back again! :P I got quite a buncha doll related stuff ^^ Hubs got about 4 gundam model kits when we were there last year ^^;

Oh, it seems they are finally building something at that building site at the crossing. During the 1.5 year period that I went 3 times to Japan, it just didn't change at all, just ground work. Now there's 2 floors ;p

And yes, I'm enjoying Sekirei very much ;p Oh, and I see they got a big ad up of Sekirei at Gamers ;p Last time I was there, it was Konata from Lucky Star and Kodomo no Jikan above it.

The first shop I went into when I first visited Akiba, hmm, I think it was the Radio Kaikan building (I had a guide I printed out ;p), I only discovered Gamers after I found Animate and Tora no Ana. Now Gamers is usually my first stop when I exit the station ^^

I hope they'll release more Sekirei figures. The whole premise about a useless guy with a bevy of girls all clinging to him never seem to get old. And the girls are often designed to appeal to the widest audience available. There's always the sweet but slightly slow one (Musubi-chan), the loli (Kuu-chan), the tsundere (Tsukiumi) though sexy oneechan types (Matsu) are popular as well.

yay akiba! Can't wait till tomorrow!

love akiba, i go there 1 time per month (for the money reason...). there times i just wanna to do a little walk for there, nothing in mind for buying, but strangely i always got something in hands when i go back to home! kkk

I ran away from my tour group just to visit Akihabara!

Plus...I wanted to announce that I've recently picked up a figma toy...and yes, I heard it here first. I'm very happy, but I have a headache now too...maybe it's because I'm too happy?

The main reasons why I love Patlabor (which are also the same reasons why I have trouble watching Code Geass without lmao) are it's such a possible thing to have in this world (the labors that is). The pilots are trained professionals (not just kids who hop in are suddenly piloting mechs), they pay attention to the little things like, ammo and power management, dealing with lack of training due to budgets, there's episodes with humor and some will thought out political intrigue. The first two movies are more thought-provoking then action. And the third, well, I wouldn't call it a Patlabor movie at all. </fanboy rant>

And yep, I'm enjoying Sekirei.

When i go to Japan a few yrs ago, i was "forced" to visit the Theme Parks, giving me no time for shopping..

At last, i only bought:

- PlayStation Magz
- a Swatch watch
- Dengeki Hobby
- Utawarerumono PS2 Game - With Character Book Inside
- 2 Gunplas
- Foods n presents lol
- Wanna buy Dengeki Hime, but underaged at that time lol
- totalled 10.7 kgs :p
Gotta have to go there again on my own later.. Planning to do Masters there or join the JET programme

Was there last February. Will bring more cash next time I went to Akihabara.

4 boxes filled with Artbooks and magazines... it had to be shipped by sea, and took almost 5 months to get to Brazil. :P

Anyways, interesting pics. But I'm still kinda mad with envy from the latest post about Akiba stash... so many stuff I want.... T_T

Great pics Danny! those pics make me long to go back, just as well I am in November :)

Last time i think my luggage was around 22kg, I actually threw away clothes to fit more gunpla and goodies in!

I wish to visit at least once, but at the current moment the price of oil and stuff is keeping me grounded...

There is this little shop complex across the station square and Gamers which sells a lot of small figurines. Bought some stuff there first. After that I went to the curry restaurant next to it, it has some good curry :-)

hope i can go akiba next time i'm in japan, had no time when i was last there

Missed by a week. :( Was just there and was hoping to see the dancing stormtrooper but I figure it would be too soon, seeing as July was a busy month for you. Maybe next time. ^_^

The PS2 came out the first time I was in Japan... so, there was a lot of carrying to do :-)

I need to start saving money to got to Akba...

I will raid the first shop I can get to, then I will keep going looking at stuff =p. For the sheer amount of stuff that I want- I am going to make multiple trips.

Thanks for the heads-up on the shooting location Danny. I will give it a try when I get up to Tokyo. Hell who knows, my wife and I might end up in Tokyo. I'm always open to the possibility of working in Tokyo, but will miss Osaka.

No Labor Danny? You should watch the movies. Headgear was made up of some of the best in the industry. Stories are filled with intrigue and action. You won't be disappointed.

I played Pachinko a couple of times and did so-so. You might want ear plugs Danny...

I probably hit some place like K-Books first. I'm looking forward to spending sometime in Akiba. I almost need to go by myself since my wife will get tired quickly.

I was like 25 or 30 kilo over last time. I end up giving Northwest and extra $50USD. I should have boxed it all up and shipped it back but...

I honestly don't remember which shop I went to when I first got to Akiba. Likely the biggest store, with the most people closest to the station exit. I purposely went alone, but if someone had accompanied me to show me the ins and outs I probably would have blown my budget.

Walked thru a Pachinko parlour a few times, but didn't play. I didn't get what the fuss was all about until my friend explained that gambling casinos are banned in Japan and the sidestep process of redeeming your winnings.

Not sure about the Kilos i brought back.... but a full samsonite hardcase stuffed at it's best. Sucks to carry two of those + handbag and so on when your alone lol. ><
The pic you took of yourself in the mirror reminds me of Jois flicker somehow. XD

Man, how come Yamato never weathers the Valkyries correctly? The structure is so good and the paint job (or leak there of) is so bad ...

Akiba is definitely on my travel list! The weight of overloaded suitcases will probably be something that I'll be responsible for ^^;

Went to Akiba before together with my parents when I'm still young. At that time, I didn't know the 'true colors' of Akiba, only knowing it as an electronic city/town. But I went to Gamers (with my parents LOL) when I saw the store and was happy to know that it really existed. We bought a Dejiko plushy and a pre-built Sazabi(forgot what is it called) and that's my first goodies in Akiba.

Those are good looking Yamatos there. Even without the color you'd have a hard time picking out colors that'd look good on those.

Definitely Akiba's my first stop when I visit Japan. I'll burn my hard earned money on figures, which of course came from your recommendations. :D

awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so its opened now right, since the police like blocked people from goin in there

I'm going to japan this october :) Anybody who can recommend me what places i should check out? or what shops i should check out? I'm planning to buy an SLR camera there...

Those squeeze the oppai thing looks like balls
..
you know..

balls

I miss Akiba :(

I hate Japan. In Japan, the iPhone 3G service costs $30/month and you can have unlimited data transfers. In Mexico, Telcel is the only one who sells the iPhone, and you have two choices: $20/month for 100 MB of monthly download that runs out in a breeze, or $80/month for unlimited download. No wonder why the iPhone is a commercial failure in Mexico. DDD:<~~~~

Looks great... wish I had money to go to Japan on holiday. *sigh*

the first shop i went to was yodobashi camera... cause i reach the hotel late in the evening... but i found a nice 24hours superstore in akiba... did some last minute and supper shopping there... the build where akb21 or isit 28 performs at...

sorry it's akb 48... haha... sorry double post...

Oh my god. I've never been to Japan, but...aa! I want to go so bad right now, and this just looks like heaven!

My head exploded when I stepped foot into Akihabara. Crazy.

Wow that Patlabor is very well made, I want one!

I'll first head to Gamers out of devotion to DiGi Charat

wowowow I loved going here when I lived in Japan
Akihabara is crazy but I love shopping and actually bought myself a Nintendo DS there
gonna buy DVD's but too$$$$$$$$$$$$

Akihabara just overloads my brain you really dont know where to start. I cant remember the shop I went into first but it was on the main road I think I bought a set of big white Pioneer Headphones. And spent about 20,000 Yen in about 5 minutes!!!

When you get out of Electric Towns station and into Akihabara it just overwhelms you!!!

Haven't been to Akihabara since before it became Otaku-land (2003ish), so I missed all this :(

I'm just surprised on how small it is. :)

Exciting times... looks like sooooooo much fun.

i wanna go ther its every geeks dream!! come true

Im going to Japan for the first time this summer, and this will be one of my stops. I wonder if I can carry everything I am going to buy...

The Chuo-Dort St. will be equally fast as Hockenheim '90

i lol'd at patrick what an absolute legend