NIPPONIA
NIPPONIA No.27 December 15, 2003
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Trendy Akihabara
Akihabara is a lot more than just big stores selling electronic goods and computers. Come explore the latest trends in this electrifying part of Tokyo.
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(1)Comic Tora no Ana
The sign for this store really stands out on Chuo Avenue. The building is typical of Akihabara's animé and video game scene. Inside are lots of comic books, figurines, and products based on imaginary characters. The store was the first in the district to stock magazines published by amateur writers' groups and software developed by like-minded enthusiasts.
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(2) Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby Tokyo (in Radio Kaikan)
Kaiyodo Co., Ltd., makes popular products like figurines of imaginary characters, model kits, and figurines to be given away with candies, and distributes them through this store. The showcases have row after row of figurines. After the company set up shop in Radio Kaikan in 1998, many other stores began selling figurines and comics, too. Kaiyodo's figurines are respected for their high quality, and are very popular even among adults.
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(3)Mimatsu Audio (in Radio Center)
Radio Center has been in Electric City since the beginning. This particular outlet inside Radio Center, called Mimatsu Audio, has always changed its inventory to keep up with the times. Today it features a wide selection, from connectors to security cameras. Its niche market is assembling cables to meet customer specifications. Some of its cables are used in scanners made by a major camera manufacturer. The shop is small, but it has annual revenues of about 400 million yen.
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(4)Gachapon Kaikan
 © Buronson and Hara Tetsuo / Coamix © ZUIYO
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This store has vending machines galore. If you put in some coins — 100 to 300 yen — then turn the dial, a capsule containing a small figurine will pop out. The machines feature one series or another, perhaps animals or robots. With so many different types, you may end up putting in lots of money before the figurine you want comes out. Akihabara has machines like these throughout the district, and this store outdoes any other place, with 320 of them.
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