Tokyo Shopping - Electric Town / Akihabara
Electric Town
Akihabara, abbreviated a bit to “Akiba,” is a brightly lit shopping district which rose from the ashes of a region prophylacticly razed following a WWII conflagration in order to buffer the Imperial residence. Thus the “Autumn Leaves Field,” or Akihabara – named for all that was visible on the site then – of today hosts a shopper’s warren, including the Japan Rail station, more properly and fully known as Akihabara Electric Town (Akihabara Denki Gai). Stores here are packed with all kinds of electronic, animation (anime) and adult goods. Tools, electrical parts, wires, electronic and traditional cameras and computer parts are to be found in the narrow passageways of Soto Kanda 1 chome near the station. Locals know that the slightly better deals are likely to be available a little further off from the big name brand stores right at the rail stop so favored by the foreign visitor; however, there are lots of goods to suit lots of pocket books and many desires in the teeming district.
