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An hour in Akihabara

Posted on June 10, 2006 by Jeremy Toeman

Akihabara is Tokyo’s “electronics town”. Prior to about 2001 or so it was about the coolest place in the world to go look at gadgets, as it was often the only place to find really interesting stuff. With today’s globalization, it’s definitely lost some of its allure, but is still a must-see spot in Tokyo. Heck, even my wife got a kick out of it! Here’s a fun assortment of photos I took in my extremely rapid stop at Akihabara last week…

Personal washing machine
In-store demos actually show the insides of these machines and how they work. Of course you can only wash one sock at a time.
Akihabara Subway stop
Here I am at the Akihabara subway station
Taito in Akihabara
Remember Taito? Anyone? Cool 80s video games… Well, they seem to be alive and well in Akihabara!
Welcome to Akihabara!
More English here than anywhere I saw in Japan!
Sega building
How can Sega even afford the lease anymore?
(also if you look in the background of the picture you’ll see a reflection of Ishimaru – I like the effect here)
Ishimaru
Ishimaru is a “middle tier” store in Akihabara
Panasonic styled headphones
These Panasonic headphones have replaceable ear buds and retractable cables – nice.
Panasonic headphones
These Panasonic headphones have replaceable ear buds and retractable cables – nice.
Lots of shiny MP3 players
Despite the popularity of the iPod, Akihabara stores are full of tiny shiny mp3 players to choose from. After which, everyone inevitably picks the iPod…
DVD v HD-DVD
One of the better in-store demos I’ve seen, both displays had the same DVD playing, with the obvious quality difference of the HD player. And with titles like “The Brothers Grimm” I’m sure people were rushing out to buy the players!
AirEdge equipment
AirEdge is a company offering various 3G connectivity options
Vodafone Aquos demo
When the Japanese do mobile TV, they do it widescreen – check out these Aquos branded phones from Vodafone
The biggest PPC around
I don’t think it’s perfectly clear from this picture, but this thing is bigger than the PPC6700. From AirEdge/Willcom, this is one big honking Windows Mobile PPC phone!
Vodafone Aquos demo
When the Japanese do mobile TV, they do it widescreen – check out these Aquos branded phones from Vodafone
Electronics in Laox
Laox is the 2nd biggest store in Akihabara, behind Yodabashi. It has a bit of a K-Mart feel, but is a good stop.
MD Player, we hardly cared
I know it was big in Europe (it is huge in Belgium), and maybe Japan too, but at the end of the day, MD was lame, and good riddance. But, Laox still has a shelf full of the things…
Hello iKitty?
While not commonly known, it’s actually illegal in Japan to run a store with no Hello Kitty products. This doll/gadget has built-in speakers (in the feet) and … uh.. hmm..
Simple Shimon
This portable media player is nicely sized, and plays all the ‘popular’ video formats, like xvid.
Small Panasonic mp3 player
Oh, so shiny!
Make your own retro radio!
I think this one is pretty cool. Not sure if I’d pay $700ish for it, but it’s a cool idea.
Bose mini-store
Inside Laox Bose has their own store where they show their tiny speakers that sound awful or their really really big headphones that sound good but weigh 14 pounds
HD Vacuuming!
Panasonic brings you full 1080p vacuuming with their new HD unit
Foot Massage Machines Experience Corner
Love the concept, love the sign.
Xavix workout demo
I really like the idea of video games that have exercise themes (note: I like the idea, but I don’t want one), Xavix has a full working in-store demo
Rodeo machines
Get your bronco workout in the convenience of your home… ?
Blood Pressure Machines
I think this is where Tom and Katie picked theirs up
Laox floor map
Shows you which floor on Laox to find your rodeo machine
The wire store
Right across from Laox is a store with all sorts of wires and cables, they’ll even make your own custom cable there!
Downtown Akihabara
Another view of the buildings in Akihabara
Yodabashi
A recent addition to Akihabara is this giant-sized Yodabashi store
His and Hers laptops?
Aww, so cuuuute
Mebius media PCs
Someone’s still trying to push keyboards in the living room… ugh.
AirEdge 3G laptop
Seems similar to the new EVDO units we have in the US
External hard drive aisle
I guess a lot of people are buying these things here…
Customize your dog sweater
If you haven’t found a way to thoroughly embarrass and spoil your pet yet, well, here’s the answer. Print your own design then clothe your lap-dog with this kit!
Got Mouse?
Yep, all mice.
Designer mice
I hadn’t heard of marimekko before, but I thought these were a little distinctive…
Disney mouse
My wife thought this Disney-themed mouse was the ‘pick of the litter’ (so-to-speak)
USB-powered gizmos
Fans, lights, vacuums, cup warmers – if you have USB, you can do just about anything now!
Replacement power supplies
Yodabashi sells generic power supplies for virtually any laptop
Networking department
Lots of routers and ADSL modems on display in Yodabashi
Sushi memory drives
Yep, we’ve seen em before, but the display was nice. I especially like the touch of putting them under glass
Digital Polaroid?
This kids camera allows you to take pictures and instantly print them on customized little papers, some with different designs too.
Stalking corner
Need a telescope? Binocular? Yodabashi’s got it!
Digital camera cases
Last I checked the local Best Buy has about 3 different varieties… Yodabashi has… more.
Canon display
I like Canon cameras. That’s it.
XX-in-1 adapters
8-in-1? got it. 11-in-1? got it. 13-in-1? got it.
Selecting memory is so easy
Just follow the simple chart and display
Escalators
Not sure why, but I’ve enjoyed taking escalator pictures recently.
Kiddie remote
This is the best way to train your children how to use a remote control, a skill they will need much later in life.
Bravia display
They sure do look nice
Yodabashi floor map
When you get to Yodabashi, just go to the 7th floor and take the escalators down from there.
Yodabashi in sunlight
In a rare sunny moment, here I am outside of Yodabashi
Cute MP3 players
Small cubes and other tiny non-competition for Apple
Disney MP3 players
Sigh, couldn’t Walt have inspired more in his team?
Avox MP3 player in dock
Never heard of it, but it’s iPod-white, so it must be good.
Sharp (no, we didnt copy iPod)
See, it’s red! Sharp’s iPod non-knockoff
Panasonic mp3 player
I like the form factor AND the blue, but I’m sure Panasonic has otherwise messed up this small mp3 player
MP3 players on display
Yodabashi has about 400 different MP3 players to try out. And then you go buy an iPod (you know, to stand out from everyone else)
Bathroom portable TV
For all those times you’ve dropped your TV in the bathtub, fret no longer, thanks to this portable Casio unit
Yodabashi Audio/Video floor
Yodabashi has all your stereo and home theater needs
Rodeo Boy!
Yes, that’s right, it says Rodeo Boy. How do you get to the Alamo? Practice, practice, practice.
Passo toilet seat
The Japanese sure love their toilet seats. At $900, this Passo unit even has a built-in iPod dock! (just kidding, but it IS $900!)
Yodabashi Toilet Demos
Yes, the title is accurate, these are demos of high-tech toilet seats in Yodabashi. I wonder if anyone else has used “toilet seat” as a Flickr tag before?
Be the train driver!
Perfect fun for all the kids. My favorite part is the screen shot of the ‘fun’ game (red circle added for effect)
Peanuts Jam with your music
This is somewhat neat, this little kit has your favorite Peanuts characters playing along with your music. Not sure what you need it for, but, hey, there’s Linus!
Kenwood Little Jammer
Another kit to play along with your music, just in case you are bored of a peaceful looking mantle.
On my way to Akihabara
In the Tokyo metro system, just 15 minutes away from Akihabara!

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Posted in Gadgets, General, Mobile Technology, Networking, Travel | 6 Comments
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6 thoughts on “An hour in Akihabara”

  1. Jeremy Toeman says:
    June 11, 2006 at 1:08 am

    Okay, I’ve spent an hour just working on the formatting of this post. I hate CSS, HTML, PHP, JS, IE, LAMP, and AJAX, even though it has nothing to do with the matter.

    Reply
  2. Dave Zatz says:
    June 11, 2006 at 6:25 am

    Rodeo Boy? I just did a quick Google search… there is both a RB band and at least 4 chaps-wearing men looking for love using that screen name.

    The rack of USB gizmos and the cable store look pretty cool — things we’d never see in the US.

    Reply
  3. hiderin says:
    June 16, 2006 at 6:00 am

    You are right.
    recently,Akihabara lost old charm.
    But,It is an opening of new culture.
    Akihabara does not yet serve as true globalization.
    I wish it is achieved.
    But Joy of shopping does not change.

    Reply
  4. tivoboy says:
    June 16, 2006 at 6:09 am

    Ah yes, I can now SEE the comment box.
    your journey took you to one of my favorite places on earth, well next to Yosemite, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Maccu Picchu, etc.

    Akihabara is indeed a toy’s r us for giants, I could spend a whole day in there just playing with stuff.

    they have a lot of my $$

    Reply
  5. Pingback: LD update

  6. Tessan says:
    January 10, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    Looks fun 🙂 I`m in Japan at the moment and off to Akihabara today.. except it`s a shame that everything will be so much MORE expensive with the economy.. DAMN! Still it will be fun to look around,

    It looks like you both had a lot of fun !

    Reply

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Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned Product leader with over 20 years experience in the convergence of digital media, mobile entertainment, social entertainment, smart TV and consumer technology. Prior ventures and projects include CNET, Viggle/Dijit/Nextguide, Sling Media, VUDU, Clicker, DivX, Rovi, Mediabolic, Boxee, and many other consumer technology companies. This blog represents his personal opinion and outlook on things.

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