With everyone in my host family away on their own business yesterday, I had the whole of Tokyo to myself for the day, and decided to make my first visit to Akihabara. About half an hour from Shibuya on the Yamanote line, it's not exactly the kind of place to stop off after school.

Wandered around the bit taking some pictures and looking around stores. If you're a big fan of of anime/manga you will find so much here. There are loads of shops large and small with all sorts of otaku goodies and electronics. Some of the stores have many floors as well, one which I went to had about seven if I correctly recall.

Some magazines from the said store. I really think it's quite extraordinary how manga and anime appeals so much to males with its cuteness. You could say it's breaking free from gender stereotypes, or you might think it's just the product of the sick fantasies of sweaty nerds. I know I have readers to support both views so it would be great to hear your ideas on this.

The shop's adult section, not going there (not with my give away high schooler's uniform anyway.) It wasn't really isolated at all from the rest of the shop, there was just a sign on the wall telling you to stop if you were under 18.

Most people familiar with Japan will know that Akihabara is famous for its "Maid Cafes", which are essentialy somewhat expensive cafes where you are served by cute girls dressed as maids. You would imagine these places are full of socially challenged otaku, and you could be right, but upon stumbling upon the one advertised above (yes! I just happened to find it,) I was surprised to notice the long que to get inside was at least a third females, with many of the guys looking perfectly normal. Japan is funny in the way that it isn't that definite whether things like this are targeted towards guys who want to see pretty girls, or towards women who want to see cute girls.

This cafe was in a random building I decided to walk into, a building which was just bursting with interesting and occasionally pointless stuff. The only way to go up the floors was up a cramped escalator. Occasionally the top of the escalator would be so crowded you wouldn't have space to get off, which was interesting because the escalator didn't slow down to compensate.

I was relieved to find out that my insecurities about being the only one with an unnatural love of pirates we're unfounded. 

In the same building, I think I know some people who would go crazy for this stuff.

Check out the Akihabara gallery for a few more pictures.