28.12.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
New Year's bishojo
Encouraging tourism (not to mention rampant consumption) with images of cute anime girls is certainly nothing new, but here's a double whammy: Shinto shrines in rural Ibaraki Prefecture. The advertisement is for hatsumode, the customary first shrine visit of the new year. Why not add a little moe and start 2011 with warmth in your heart?
Tags: Moe Tourism 0 Comments
02.10.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Nippombashi image character
Her name is Neon (音々), and she was drawn by none other than Itou Noiji of "Haruhi" and "Shana" fame. She was unveiled in March at the annual street festival in Den Den Town, Nippombashi. Maybe she was drawn just as a gimmick to draw in tourists, but I for one will take it! Why can't Akiba have an image character, man? I may have to move out to Pombashi to be closer to Neon-chan...
Tags: Anime Tourism 2 Comments
08.05.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Maid cafe 'Akiba' in Hiroshima!?
We all know that maid cafes, or what passes for them, can be a little shady outside of Akihabara. At last count, their were 217 maid establishments in Japan, and not all clients are looking to idolize moe characters from a far. A cursory online image search or trip to the local video shop reveals the maid costume is often treated as a sort of erotic cosplay and moe mild eroticism, however much diehard may disagree. This image is a great example - a "maid cafe" called "Akiba" smack in the middle of the red light district in Hiroshima. All the signs of good clean otaku fantasy and fun are there, but I wonder if the services are even remotely similar... Thanks to Erika Alpert for the picture! If anyone else has something to share, let us know!
Tags: Maids Tourism Weird 0 Comments
05.05.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Nakano Broadway opening up
I went to check out Nakano Broadway after hearing it has been hopping. And it was. It’s so bright, crowded and open that a lot of the privacy and basement-like atmosphere is gone. One young couple standing next to me in Mandarake said it was like an “otaku zoo.” For better or worse, the place has blossomed this year. A lot of stores are closed on the fourth floor, but as I hear it this is a move by Mandarake to consolidate its many holdings on the second and third floors. The third, the one at the top of the escalator and the first stop for most otaku, has always been a hot spot, but the second floor has really benefitted from the new attention. In addition to favorites such as the Galaxy retro game store, there are also tons of military, cosplay (and fashion) and idol stores. It is worth checking out the several Trio locations, but a different idol store caught my eye: Utahime Doomu [Singing Princess Pure Dream]. It is not one of the new stores, but an old school offering the likes of Marubell in Asakusa. They have lots of rare older bromides, and newer stuff like the Nakano Fujoshi Sisters.
Next door there is a rad old cafe dedicated to auto racing. It has been in the mall since it opened over 30 years ago. Great for theme, not so much for food (though the cinnamon toast is good).
03.04.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
@home notes hours of English-speaking maids
This is pretty cool, and just in time for summer travel. I know that more and more tourists are coming, but I didn't think @home would ever get with the program. I remember translating their drink menu for them in 2007, and now they have finally come to this. May the whole world come and enjoy a maid cafe experience!
Tags: Maids Tourism 0 Comments
