Akihabara

**Electronics shopping:** Yodobashi Akiba (8 floors) sells cameras, computers, audio equipment, appliances, and more — tax-free for tourists (bring passport). Prices are competitive with online retailers. The floor layout: cameras (2F), computers (3F), gaming (4F), audio (5F), toys (6F). Akihabara is no longer the cheapest place for electronics (online often beats it) but the selection and hands-on testing are unmatched. **Otaku shopping:** Mandarake Complex (8 floors, multiple buildings) is the world's largest used manga/anime/figure store — floors dedicated to different genres (shonen, shojo, adult, retro). Prices range ¥100-100,000+ for rare items. Animate (9 floors, new anime goods) sells character merchandise, doujinshi, and idol CDs. Super Potato (retro games, 5 floors) has Famicom, Super Famicom, PlayStation 1-2, and arcade cabinets — nostalgia paradise. **Maid cafe experience:** Maid cafes are Akihabara's unique (and polarizing) attraction. @Home Cafe (multiple locations) is the largest chain — waitresses greet customers with 'Welcome home, master!' and perform songs/dances. Food is mediocre (omurice, parfaits); you're paying for the performance. Budget ¥2,000-3,000 per person. Solo travelers welcome. Photography of maids requires permission and extra charge (¥500). **Arcades:** Club Sega (multiple floors) and Taito Station have crane games (UFO catchers), rhythm games (Taiko no Tatsujin, Dance Dance Revolution), and fighting games. Crane games are rigged but skill can overcome odds — watch YouTube tutorials. 2F+ floors have retro arcade cabinets (¥100-200 per play). The arcade culture is social — regulars play competitively and form communities.