Akiba Lovers Gather for Akiba Daisuki! Festival 2013 [1/2]

You may know that Akihabara, Tokyo is the representative area for otaku culture. But did you know that just 10 years ago, Akihabara was famous worldwide as the “Electric Town”? The city was known for its abundance of electric goods discounters much like those you would find concentrated in Manhattan, New York. Streets were lined with do-it-yourself specialty shops selling ICs, cables, special screws, and other electronic components. Now, however, the main street of Akihabara has been completely transformed into a moe wonderland. Even still, walk through the alleys of Akihabara and you are sure to see that electronic specialty shops still remain. Since Akihabara has so much to offer, if guests from overseas want to really enjoy it, it’s best if they have someone to guide them.

For the past three years, an annual event has taken place in Akihabara themed around bringing together both sides of the famous district: the former “electronic parts” side and the current “paradise of pop culture” side. That event is called the Akiba Daisuki! Festival. Many shop owners from all over Akihabara gather for the event. This year, the event took place from Jan. 12-14.

From nostalgic retro game software for the Super Nintendo (known as the Super Famicom in Japan) being sold by Retro Game Camp, to radio CDs of voice actors from the the popular net radio anime program “Cho! A&G+”, the event featured vendors selling various goods that would make any otaku’s eyes light up. The event was a huge success that went beyond just otaku goods. It also featured displays of Japanese drums by residents of the local community Hatagocho, Kanda, as well as displays of electronic goods by Nano Lab that were particularly enjoyable. Due to the diversity of the event, there was a little bit of something for everyone; many attendees even brought their children. The event offered everyone the opportunity to experience a part of otaku culture that they normally don’t see.

Based on the response from the event, 2013 is going to be another robust year for Akihabara!

ANNA☆S:
http://www.k5.dion.ne.jp/~n-pro/annas_top.html (Japanese)

Retro Game Camp:
http://www.retrogamecamp.com/ (Japanese)

Nano Lab:
http://nanolab.jp/ (Japanese)