First time I went to Akihabara was in 2001: felt in love of the balanced mix of the electric, game and anime ingredients. Since 2006 I live here and I used to go a couple of time every year to visit it but the electronic part, for obvious reasons (amazon + smartphone) had drastically reduced and it was shocking when I saw an Aoki store (cheap suits chain retailer) opening not far from the station...today anime (I include maid kissaten) is 80% of the mix, game 10% and electronic 10%. For someone who visits it for the first time is good for sure, but for us old guys not too much into anime, the changes are heartbreaking.
I hope you guys enjoy this change of pace on the channel. While I don't expect everyone to weeb out with me when I make these "culture" videos, regardless my goal is to make them as approachable as possible! I want people to enjoy the things I like with me. Because what good is it when I keep all this fun to myself? It might have taken part of my personal vacation and hella hours researching, shooting, and editing to get this video done. But I'd do it all again in a heartbeat 😊 If you watched and enjoyed, thanks so much for indulging me! UPDATE: Japan's officially opening up to tourists on October 11th!!! 🎉
LETS FUCKING GOOOOO also Ken I gotta say this is one of your best videos yet! When I go to Japan I'll definitely keep this video and all your streams in mind for what to do and see!
Great video. I lived in Japan for 14 years and only made it to Tokyo once, but was sure to spend some time in Akihabera. I lived in Osaka for 2 and a 30 min train ride from it for the other 12 (Nara and Kyoto). Osaka has it's own version (though not nearly as grandiose) called Den Den Town in Nipponbashi. It has pretty much the same origin story and mix of shops and venues, including the ones selling parts. When my friends and I went into town, it ALWAYS started with a walk through Den Den Town because it was a short walk from Namba.
Akihabara became the centerpiece too and why during the cold war, japan became the top economic giant in asia even though they badly lost the war, how they turned around things so quickly was very astonishing Thanks for this again ken!
I recommend reading a book called How Asia Works by Joe Studwell. It gives a much clearer view of why places like Japan and Taiwan developed so rapidly. It wasn't really because of Akihabara but more so US patronage and state led development.
Loved the history of how the area came to be and evolved to continue to thrive. I hope as time goes on Akiba can get back to where it was pre-pandemic. So many people lost their businesses and it's heartbreaking to see that when you go back to a place you love and see it in person. I was lucky enough back in 1987-1989 when I lived in Hawaii as a high schooler to be part of a research group that got to preview Anime every other weekend for 4-6 hours to help decide what would sell well in the US. We'd watch 20 minute clips of various anime and then fill out a two page form for each one listing what we liked and disliked and what worked and didn't work, it was so fun. During that time I watched hundreds of anime videos and it really developed a love of the art style and the stories. Someday I would love to visit the birth place of modern anime.
I've yet to experience a pilgrimage to the famed Akiba, but I do find the stuff to be as fascinating as it is equally awe-inspiring. I've even brushed up on my Japanese, so I expect fully to get 日本語上手です from the local Japanese people.
Having just gotten back from a trip to Akiba...indeed, it felt like going home in many ways. So many layers of nostalgia as well; from the older radio parts to the electronics and computer parts to hitting up the arcades and the anime shops.
Not even 10 seconds in and i can already see the change in SEGA locations that used to be there are now changed to "GiGo", damn it's not the same anymore. 😔
Akiba hosted the first world yo-yo contest (yes it exists) in Asia back in 2015. My first trip to Japan was mostly spent in the electric town. Still super impressed of how you can get lost in one of those buildings that offers every niche imaginable. I went back in March 2020 and i felt the difference in the atmosphere of the low traffic. Hoping to go back since they'll be opening again mid-October.
@manny it's definitely doable even with the slimmest budgets. When I went back in 2015 I didn't spend much. Lots of affordable foods around. And while it's tempting to buy every single merch out in Akiba (or other places tbh if you're also into other things like fashion in Shibuya) Japan will force you to "curate" and be more selective and it will also not hit your wallet much. Ofc it's a privilege to travel international some can only dream of, but if one can make those dreams a reality, go for it!
Thanks Ken. Well presented, interesting and informative. Personally wish i'd done more with my time in Akiba as a weeb, but was with the non weeb wife haha
I believe pandemic bring the grimes in the city i never been there it's hard to tell but my cousin from singapore told me that not too busy anymore to visit in akihabara so they travel to visit the country side he said japan tech is slowing down but remnant still remain.
I went to Japan back in 2017, now my country's economy is absolute garbage so no abroad travels for me any time soon, but as soon as economy recovers (hopefully), I'll go to Japan again and visit Akiba one more time. I loved it there tbh.
So did I visit it and I didn’t see it that great I went to visit it cause I was told from one the Japanese stores I shop from online told me their store was in that city and when I went to their store it wasn’t that huge it didn’t have to many things as they did online does
Ngl ken i think subscribing to this channel was one of my best descisions recently. Every video has been interesting, informative and nearly always on topics I throughly enjoy props to you man
Hey Ken, although you might not see this message, I still want to express my gratitude for your willingness to try new things on your channel and not just only on tech but more on culture and story-like channels. I'm one of the viewers from Malaysia (Hello RU-vid!), normally I don't get access to Tech first-hand as much as you guys did in America, and also due to the timezone restriction and I'm a student (classes), I found it hard to catch up with the latest video of you guys (including Austin's and all channels) and hard to express my feelings about how I love your channel and the quality it produced. Many wouldn't be committed to diversifying their video content just like my favorite band Linkin Park. But I really like the way you did it Ken, keep it up!
I spent years wanting to go to Akihabara and when i finaly went it didnt disapoint i loved the place, anime, gaming, cool shops, and arcades sorry game centres i went back a fair few times and i want to go again.
I got to visit Akihabara in april 2019 I'm not much of a weeaboo but I do love the fact that their is a lot of Photography gear here espcesally film gear. I love film photography and I really do love Akihabara for that sole reason.
Good news, Japan is finally open. Only need 2 vaccine shots, no need for test. No need for tour group. I'm going in about 3 weeks and staying at a hotel 4 minutes walk from Akiba. I can't wait to visit my favourite hobby shops including Yodobashi and TamTam.
It'd be great to see a comparison of Akiba and Den-Den in Osaka. When I was young I remember reading something that compared the two directly (in the early 90's, when it really was still mostly about the electronics). I get the sense that Akiba has pulled ahead in recognition since then, but having visited both cities, I can say that Osaka has a different vibe to everything.
I've seen part of Akiba's evolution from having billboards be about mostly visual novels/galge/eroge to light novels and now the current craze is mobile/gacha gaming. Things that are really just advertisements seem celebrated there as part of the charm of the place. I always want to visit even though I'm not aiming for any purchase - it really is the feels
This video came to me today and I loved it. Can you please make more videos like this? Also I don't feel like you really dove into the 'dying' part of Akihabara unless I missed the point and the dying part was what it used to be before anime / manga...I was intrigued to see what the area looks like after the pandemic as I used to live in Japan and visited Tokyo at least once per month. Anyways, thats my life story...keep up the good work!
I thought this was a interesting video about the history of Akihabra, but it felt like the title was misleading. I get that negativity sells on the internet, but this was a just a mostly fun informative video about Akihabara.
Man, my next family trip to Japan would be in Osaka/Kyoto but if I had a choice, I’d definitely go back to Akihabara. There’s just something about the place that, as ironic as it is, seems peaceful and relaxing for me.
Great video! I love Akihabara, been there three times, 2014,2016 and 2020 and seen it change in the short time I’d been there! Hopefully it bounces back now tourists are allowed in! Hope to see you do more videos like this in the future!
chill out with the hand gestures and body movement. Doesn't come off as genuine. Just cause it works for MKBHD doesn't mean it works for everyone. But overall, great video!
I went to Tokyo for 6-7days and i spend 3days in Akihabara just because i like to go there When i feel boring i just jump on the train and go there, and walk about 3-4 hours
I lived in Saitama from 1999 to 2004 and I used to go there very often to buy computer parts. The train station was really small at the time and there was a park where people played basketball right outside the station. I used to walk from the Ueno JR station through the Ameyoko street to get to Akihabara. I really suggest people to do that. For me, it's the most Japanese part of Tokyo.
As soon as I made a comfortable enough life to be able to go to Japan I can't I really hope everything fully opens back up soon I'm not gonna pay for a guided regimented tour especially seeing I was contemplating going to Japan and not coming back because I went and fell in love 🤣🤣🤣
I went to Japan for the first time in 2014 and Akihabara definitely felt like a haven for a nerd/geek like me. When I went back in 2016 I explored Japan way more but when I was in tokyo I ended my days at Akihabara.
Yeah I was here and saw it dying the little shops that disappeared in the middle of the pandemic. It will never be the same again. Same for Nakano Broadway. Before C-19.. Before the Dark Times.. Those...we're the good ol' days.
I'm almost scared to explore Nakano Broadway next visit because of that. Haven't heard as much through the pandemic, but I figured the lack of tourism would be rough on it
Great job on the video! I like the history lesson on how it started. I went there back in 2008 and it was definitely in full weeb mode. 😆 Wow, looks like Sega arcades rebranded and then closed down quite a few? Ouch!
