
So if all theĀ otakuĀ hang out in Akihabara, where do the (less nerdy) hip youngsters do their shopping?Ā The answer: Shibuya!
A district in Tokyo, Shibuya is not only famous for possessing one of the busiest train stations in the country, but is home to numerous fashion shops, all huddledĀ together under jumbo-trons and bright lights.Ā Ā Shibuya 109Ā and the recently erected mall,Ā Omotesandou Hills, are places where you can purchase the latest fashion at steep prices, or simply admire some of theĀ gyaruĀ and even a fewĀ yamambaĀ spending their parentās money.Ā Fans of the filmĀ Lost in TranslationĀ starring Bill Murray, may recognize some of the distinguishing spots near the infamously crowded intersection.
Nearby is also the statue of the dog āHachikou,ā who sat waiting for his master at the station for over ten years, unknown that he died since no one told the poor mutt. The story was made into the American filmĀ Hachi: A Dogās TaleĀ starring Richard Gere.Ā Havenāt seen it, so canāt comment.
So whatās a guy like me to find entertaining in a fashionable place like this?Ā Well, thereāsĀ Mandarake, a gigantic underground comic shop, cluttered withĀ nostalgic toys ā both Japanese and Western ā as well as old games and consoles.
Also, at the top floor ofĀ Tower RecordsĀ is the biggest English bookstore Iāve ever seen in Japan (about the size of a regular bookstore back home).Ā And if youāre a fan of people-watching like myself, itās fun to order a coffee at Starbucks, head up to the third floor, and admire the sea of people flood by when the light turns green.
Canāt get more Tokyo-ish than this.