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akihabara

Japan: Visiting Akihabara a second time, because why not?

By Mithun Divakaran
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Jun 10, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: 30th March 2015

My second last full day in Japan. I had to make the most of it and do all my shopping today as I would be visiting Hakone tomorrow. I also had to visit Rikugien at night (after I failed to get during my first visit). But before all that, I had to switch hostels. Where I was staying, Khaosan Tokyo Laboratory, didn’t have availability for the next two nights. So I had booked at a brand new hostel called Space Hostel.

Space hostel building Tokyo Japan — It was situated in a neighbourhood called Taito-ku, not too far from Asakusa

Lobby Space Hostel Tokyo Japan — This is the ground floor lobby. You leave your footwear near the door and then enter

Space Hostel kitchen Tokyo Japan — The kitchen is also on the ground floor

Bunk beds Space Hostel Tokyo Japan — A bed in the mixed dorm cost me ¥3200 (Rs. 1600/€24/$27) per night

Bathrooms Space Hostel Tokyo Japan — Shared bathroom and toilets are on the same floor. Multiple shower rooms, wash basins and enough toilets for everyone.

Rooftop Space Hostel Tokyo Japan — Space Hostel’s open rooftop is where you would have to come if you wish to smoke

Based on first impressions, the hostel was very good. Of course, it’s also very new, so that helps with cleanliness.

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Japan: Tokyo – Walking around Akihabara and Ginza

By Mithun Divakaran
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Sep 29, 2015
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Japan, Travel

Date: March 21, 2015

After spending way too much time at Yodobashi Akiba, I moved further into the heart of Akihabara district.

Akihabara underbridge Tokyo Japan — Ahh, wide footpaths

Gundam Cafe Akb48 shop Akihabara Tokyo — Yup, that’s a Gundam Cafe and next to it the official AKB48 Cafe & Shop 🙂 For the uninitiated, Gundam is a popular mecha manga/anime/videogame franchise and AKB48 is the biggest (literally) girl group (literally) in Japan. And both cafes had long lines outside.

Akihabara building Tokyo Japan — Akihabara maybe the home to otaku/nerd/geek culture, but there are plenty of offices around

Akihabara Road Tokyo panorama — When I reached the main road, I just stood there with a smile 🙂 An area with so many videogames, anime, gadgets… couldn’t believe such a place exists, but hey, I’m finally in Akihabara!

Akihabara electronics store Tokyo — This was a complex of stores selling spare parts, electrical components and retro gadgets

Electronic components market Akihabara Tokyo — Definitely a place for electronics hobbyists

Wires spare parts Akihabara Tokyo — I just wonder how many still build stuff from scratch in the days of easy consumption

Cosplayers Akihabara Tokyo Japan — I crossed over to the main hub of Akihabara district

Akky One Gigo Sega Akihabara Tokyo — There were so many enticing buildings, but I had to get around quickly

Doner kebab Akihabara Tokyo Japan — I knew it was time for lunch, but I somehow thought I’d finish walking around Akihabara first

Hirose game Akihabara Japan — Lot’s of girls trying to entice men (mostly) to enter maid cafes

Street sale Akihabara Tokyo — A few stores had street sales but I didn’t find all the prices as low as they were claiming it to be

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Yodobashi Akihabara building Tokyo Japan

Japan: Going to Akihabara, and spending way too much time in Yodobashi Akiba

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Sep 17, 2015
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Japan, Travel

Date: March 21, 2015

I woke up at around 8AM. I wanted to sleep some more since it was cold and all, but I was excited to go to Akihabara, the electronics and otaku district!

Kinuya Honkan hotel lobby Ueno Tokyo — I had to come down to the lobby to get my clothes as I had to leave my big suitcase in the room opposite the reception. No big suitcases allowed in the dorms due to lack of space. It was a little inconvenient, but… oh well.

Kinuya Honkan hostel Ueno Tokyo — This is the entrance to Kinuya Honkan

Ueno street Tokyo morning Japan — This street and the surrounding areas are choc full of bars and small eateries

Ueno lane Tokyo Japan — Saw a lot of people riding bicycles, which was nice

Cyberspark pachinko Ueno Tokyo — A few pachinko arcades on this street

Pachinko queue morning Ueno Tokyo — There was a queue forming outside this pachinko arcade. Some new game based on the Ultraman franchise was launching today.

Ueno shops Pachinko lane Tokyo — This is the entrance to the street Kinuya Honkan is located on

Pedestrian crossing Ueno Tokyo winter — Right across the road is Ueno station, one of the largest hubs in the Tokyo train network and a major interchange station. I always choose my hotels and hostels near a metro station.

7-11 food Tokyo Japan — I went to a 7-Eleven to pick up some breakfast and coffee. I was amazed to see the variety of ready-to-eat meal boxes on shelves!

Pedestrian overbridge Ueno station Tokyo — I climbed up a pedestrian over bridge to get a look around

Ueno station train Tokyo Japan — Trains, it’s how most people get around in Japan

Smoking bays Ueno overbridge Tokyo — Those were designated smoking bays

Steps pedestrian bridge Ueno Tokyo — I went back down and entered Ueno station (the black cars are taxi limousines)

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