Akihabara: A Tech and Pop Culture Wonderland - Dive in Tokyo

Summary

秋葉原は、日本のサブカルチャーの中心地として知られ、アニメ、ゲーム、マンガ、そして多彩なキャラクターが溢れるカラーフルな街です。このエリアは、長期間にわたって交通や物流の要衝として発展し、多くの列車路線が集まる主要な交通ハブとして位置しています。秋葉原の歴史は、東京の火災対策として空けた開空間から始まり、1890年に秋葉原駅が開通し、その地域が今私たちが知る活気あるハブへと変わりました。火woodや食品などの大量の货物が东北部の東北地方から運び込まれ、東京の住民の生活を支えていく物流の中心地となりました。今日の秋葉原では、ビデオゲームやアニメ作品だけでなく、フィクショナルキャラクターに基づく多様なマーチャンダイズが販売されています。また、数十年前のゲームや中古車の電子製品、さらにはレトロな電子部品や半導体コンポーネントを販売する店も存在し、DIY電子工作や無線技術の愛好家たちにとっては天国のような場所となっています。秋葉原は、伝統的な和菓子を製造する老舗も存在し、その歴史や文化を守り続けています。

Takeaways

• 📍 アキバラはオタク文化、アニメ、ゲーム、マンガの中心地であり、色鮮やかなキャラクターや専門店が溢れています。
• 🚉 アキバラの地理位置は東京駅と上野駅の間で、複数の鉄道線がサービスを提供しています。
• 🧳 アキバラは長い歴史の交通および物流センターとして、エンthusiastsの目的地となっています。
• 🎮 アキバラには、ビデオゲームやアニメタイトルだけでなく、架空のキャラクターに基づく多様な商品が販売されています。
• 🪆 フィギュアはデザインが非常に精巧であり、特に人気があります。
• 🎲 キャプセルトイズマシンは、地域の主要な魅力の一つで、アニメキャラクターに基づくデザインが特に人気があります。
• 🏪 伝統的な日本菓子を販売する専門店もアキバラにはあります。
• 🔌 アキバラは、DIY電子工作のためのトップDESTINATIONで、日本最大のDIY電子部品店が集まっています。
• 📈 20世紀中期には、新しい潮流がアキバラに流れ、ラジオがエンターテインメントの黄金時代を迎える中で、電子部品店が現れました。
• 🖥️ 90年代に個人コンピューターが普及し、アキバラの家電量販店の数は急激に減少しました。
• 👗 2000年代初頭には、アニメやビデオゲームの人気から、アキバラではメイドカフェのローカルトレンドが成長しました。

Q & A

秋葉原の歴史的背景について教えてください。

秋葉原は19世紀後半に東京の火災対策として開かれた開放空間から始まり、1890年に秋葉原駅が開かれ、物資の集散地として発展しました。その後、无线电時代の到来と共に、秋葉原は無線関連のショップが集まる場所となりました。

秋葉原がオタク文化の中心地となっている理由は何ですか？

20世紀後半に家庭電化製品の販売が盛んになり、秋葉原は家電の集散地として知られました。その後、パソコンの普及と共に、PCゲームやアニメ、漫画のファン向けのお店が増え、徐々にオタク文化の中心地となっています。

秋葉原で見つけられるクラシックゲームコンソールとは何ですか？

秋葉原には、1990年代に人気があった古典的なゲームコンソールが販売されています。これらのコンソールは数十年前に作られたゲームで、当時の人気ゲームがプレイできます。

秋葉原の主题カフェの特徴は何ですか？

秋葉原の主题カフェは、アニメやゲームのキャラクターをモチーフにした特別なカフェで、スタッフがコスプレをしていて、顾客が楽しめる会話やゲームがあります。これらは主にオタク向けのサービスで、秋葉原の一大魅力となっています。

秋葉原の電子部品ショップの歴史的意義は何ですか？

秋葉原の電子部品ショップは、無線時代の商店街からの伝統が続くもので、DIY電子工作や無線愛好家にとっての天国です。これらのショップは、高価なラジオやテレビを自作する時代から今日まで、多くのファンに愛されています。

秋葉原の伝統的な和菓子店について教えてください。

秋葉原には、数代にわたって伝統的な和菓子を手作りで販売している老舗の店があります。これらの店は、地域の歴史や文化を体現しており、秋葉原の活きやかな一面を物語っています。

秋葉原の发展と物流センターとしての役割の関係は何ですか？

秋葉原は物流センターとして発展し、初めは木材や食品などの大量の物資が集散地として機能しました。その結果、秋葉原は物流や交通の中心地となり、後で商業や文化の発展につながりました。

秋葉原で見られる中古の電子製品や玩具にはどのような価値がありますか？

秋葉原で見られる中古の電子製品や玩具は、レトロな価値やコレクターの価値を持っています。これらのアイテムは、時代の証やnostalgiaを呼び起こすことができ、ファンにとっては貴重な宝物です。

秋葉原の一角に位置する主题パークにはどのような歴史的価値がありますか？

秋葉原の一角にある公園は、駅の建物と結びついており、かつての水路がここを通っていました。この場所は、秋葉原の発展史に重要な役割を果たし、物流や交通の歴史を物語る場所です。

秋葉原の家電販売店の歴史的变迁について教えてください。

秋葉原の家電販売店は、1970年代に家電が消費製品として普及し始めた頃に数多くあり、日本の家電販売の中心地となりました。しかし、1990年代にはパソコンの普及により家電販売店が減少し、一部の店舗はパソコンゲームやアニメ、漫画のショップに変わりました。

秋葉原のコスプレカフェのネットワークグループとは何ですか？

秋葉原のコスプレカフェのネットワークグループは、2020年に設立され、コスプレカフェのスタッフが互いにつながり、協力し、コスプレカフェ文化を発展させるためのグループです。

秋葉原の未来について、どのような展望がありますか？

秋葉原は現在も変化を遂げ続けており、アニメやゲームの流行文化に加え、新しい技術やビジネスモデルを取り入れています。秋葉原の未来は、その歴史的根拠地と現代の文化の融合が進み、さらに多様化するでしょう。

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Akihabara: The Birthplace of Otaku Culture

Akihabara, a district in Tokyo, is renowned as the heart of otaku culture, offering a vibrant mix of anime, games, manga, and specialty stores. This area's transformation into a mecca for enthusiasts is rooted in its historical significance as a vital transportation and logistics center. The video's host, Benjamin Boz, an author and culture consultant, takes viewers on a journey through Akihabara's main thoroughfare, showcasing a plethora of figurines, video games, and a variety of merchandise. The intricate design of these items reflects the creativity and craftsmanship prevalent in the district. Akihabara's location between Tokyo Station and Ueno Station, served by multiple train lines, underscores its importance as a major transport hub.

05:02

🏮 Evolution of Akihabara: From Fire Prevention to Cultural Hub

The evolution of Akihabara is fascinating, beginning in the late 19th century as a fire prevention zone due to Tokyo's vulnerability to fires. In 1890, Akihabara Station was established, marking the start of the area's development into a bustling hub. Initially serving as a freight terminal, it facilitated the flow of commodities like firewood and food from the Tohoku region. The station's cargo handling area was in constant operation, making Akihabara a key logistics center. A waterway once connected the station's loading dock to the K river, a major transport route, but today, a park stands in its place. The area's rich history is preserved, with some traditional Japanese confectionaries still operating, offering a glimpse into Akihabara's past.

10:02

🔌 Akihabara's Electronics and DIY Culture

Akihabara is also a haven for electronics enthusiasts and DIY builders. The district is home to a shopping area known for its vast array of electronic components, catering to those who wish to construct their own devices. With shops offering a wide variety of parts at affordable prices, it attracts customers from across the country. The shopping area's roots date back to the Golden Age of radio, with electronic component stores flourishing due to the high cost of radios at the time. Despite the decline in the number of such stores, Akihabara continues to be a gathering place for hobbyists, with some businesses specializing in items like capacitors and maintaining a strong customer base.

15:03

📺 Akihabara's Transformation into a Home Appliance District

In the mid-20th century, Akihabara witnessed a surge in home appliance stores as TVs and refrigerators became consumer products. The area was home to around 500 retailers, accounting for over 5% of Japan's total home appliance sales. One such store, founded in 1951, offers everything from light bulbs to major appliances. The store's president, Ono Kazi, has been working there for 40 years and takes pride in the store's ability to cater to its customers' needs. Despite the decline in the number of home appliance retailers in the '90s due to the rise of personal computers, some stores have managed to endure by focusing on their core products and services.

20:09

🎮 Akihabara as an Otaku Haven and the Rise of Maid Cafes

The growth of the PC market in the late '90s led to the emergence of stores specializing in PC games, attracting a younger crowd. Akihabara gradually became known as an otaku haven, with more businesses catering to gamers and their love for manga and anime. Amidst this, Ono continued to sell household appliances, actively engaging with his customers. In the early 2000s, Akihabara saw the rise of maid cafes, themed establishments where customers can interact with staff dressed as anime characters. The first maid cafe opened in 2001, and today there are over a hundred of them in the area, appealing to a wide demographic. The local character of Akihabara makes it an ideal place for such establishments, fostering a safe space for cosplay enthusiasts.

25:10

🌈 Akihabara's Future: A Blend of Past and Present

Akihabara continues to evolve, maintaining a balance between its rich past and present. The district still houses stores that have been there since its heyday as a home electronics district, such as a store specializing in audio cables since 1951. Akihabara is also a gathering place for hobbyists like ham radio operators, a hobby that saw a surge in popularity in the '70s and continues to thrive today. The area's ability to adapt while preserving its cultural heritage ensures that Akihabara remains a vibrant and dynamic destination, with much anticipation for its future developments.

Keywords

💡Akihabara

秋葉原は、東京の中心部にあるエリアで、アニメ、ゲーム、マンガ、电子产品などのサブカルチャーの中心地として知られています。この地域は、歴史的背景もあり、多くの観光客や買い物客を引き付けています。ビデオスクリプトでは、秋葉原がどのようにしてオタク文化のハブになってきたかを詳細に説明しています。

💡otaku

オタクとは、特定の趣味や興味に熱中し、その分野に関する深い知識を持つ人々のスラングです。秋葉原は、アニメやゲームなどのオタクカルチャーが繁栄する場所として有名であり、ビデオスクリプトではオタクが秋葉原を訪れる理由やその文化的背景について触れられています。

💡culture

文化とは、一定の社会や地域において共有される価値観、習慣、芸術、信仰などの総体です。このビデオスクリプトでは、秋葉原が日本のサブカルチャーの中心地となっていることから、様々な文化的表现形態が存在し、発展していることを説明しています。

💡transportation and logistics

交通と物流とは、人や物資の移動を効率的に管理し、配布することであり、都市の発展や産業の繁栄に不可欠なインフラストラクチャです。このビデオスクリプトでは、秋葉原が交通や物流の中心地として発展し、それが後のサブカルチャーの繁栄につながった歴史的背景を説明しています。

💡figurines

フィギュアとは、アニメやゲーム、漫画などのキャラクターを立体的に再現した製品です。秋葉原には、多種多様なフィギュアが販売されている店舗が多くあり、それはオタクカルチャーの重要な要素の一つです。

💡video games

ビデオゲームとは、電子的なゲーム機やコンピューターを通じて遊ぶ遊戯の総称です。秋葉原は、ビデオゲームの販売やプレイに特化した店舗が多数あり、ゲームファンにとっての聖地として知られています。

💡secondhand items

二手品とは、一度以上使われた物品のことを指します。秋葉原には、古い電子製品やゲーム、玩具などの二手品が豊富に販売されている場所があり、それを探して遊ぶのもその地域の楽しみの一つです。

💡capsule toys

カプセルトイズとは、自動販売機から購入できる小型のトイで、通常はシリーズ内の複数のキャラクターのうちの1つが入っています。秋葉原では、このようなカプセルトイズが特別な趣味として楽しまれており、多くの自動販売機が設置されています。

💡traditional Japanese confectionery

伝統的な日本菓子とは、日本のお土産や和菓子のことを指します。これらの菓子は、日本の文化の一部であり、手作りで作られることが多く、秋葉原にはその製造や販売が行われている老舗の店があります。

💡DIY Electronics

DIY電子とは、自分で電子デバイスを組み立てることを指します。秋葉原には、DIY電子工作のための部品を販売する専門店が多くあり、多くの人々に訪れられるホビーの天地となっています。

💡home appliances

家庭電化製品とは、家庭で使用される電子機器の総称です。秋葉原は、家庭電化製品の販売が盛んであった歴史的地区であり、特に1970年代にはその需要が高まりました。

💡maid cafes

メイドカフェとは、店内のスタッフがメイドの服装で接客するカフェです。秋葉原では、アニメやゲームのテーマを持ち、顧客がコスプレを楽しめるという特徴があります。

Highlights

Akihabara is the heart of otaku culture, featuring anime, games, and manga.

The area's transformation into a destination for enthusiasts is linked to its history as a transportation and logistics center.

Akihabara is located between Tokyo Station and Ueno Station, served by multiple train lines, making it a major transport hub.

The neighborhood is full of stores selling used collectibles and old electronic appliances.

Capsule toys, which are small toys dispensed from vending machines, are a popular and unique feature of Akihabara.

Akihabara's history dates back to the late 19th century when it was a strip of open space to prevent fire spread.

Akihabara Station was initially a freight terminal, playing a key role in the area's development.

The shopping area has roots in the Golden Age of radio, with shops selling electronic components for DIY radio projects.

Akihabara was known for its home appliance retailers, with up to 500 such stores in the 1970s.

The growth of the PC market led to the opening of stores specializing in PC games, drawing a younger crowd.

Made cafes, themed cafes where customers interact with staff in costumes, are a popular local attraction.

Akihabara's unique character makes it a safe space for people to cosplay freely in public.

The area continues to evolve while maintaining a connection to its past as a home electronics district.

Benjamin, originally from New York, has been coming to Akihabara for over 20 years, highlighting its enduring appeal.

Nishi Nobuki, the seventh-generation owner of a traditional Japanese confectionary shop, shares insights into Akihabara's vibrant history.

The decline in the number of electronic component shops is attributed to the increasing complexity of devices and difficulty finding successors.

Akihabara's rich history and diverse offerings make it a destination for hobbyists and enthusiasts from various fields.

Transcripts

Akihabara the heart of otaku

culture anime games manga the streets

are a kaleidoscope of colors characters

and specialty stores of all

[Music]

kinds it's teaming with eager sightseers

and

Shoppers so how did the area become a

destination for

enthusiasts it has to do with its long

history as a vital transportation and

Logistics

[Music]

center today we dive into Akihabara and

unravel its electric

[Music]

charms Akihabara is located between

Tokyo Station and ueno station served by

multiple train lines it's one of the

city's major transport

hubs

hi I'm Benjamin Boz and today I'm

speaking to you from akih Habra a center

of Japanese subculture if you're into

anime or Japanese video games maybe

you've heard of this place I've been

coming here for over 20 years ever since

I was in high school I'm so excited to

do a deep dive of Akihabara with you

today let's see what's waiting for

[Music]

us Benjamin is originally from New York

his love of video games and Anime

growing up led him to move to Japan in

2007 he's an author and culture

consultant sharing Japanese culture with

the

[Music]

world we start our day with a walk down

akih Hab main thorough

[Music]

fair oh wow look at the figurines that

they have here my goodness there is

quite a selection of them

it's it's always fun to come and and

take a look at these especially when

they're out of the box cuz it's it's

like seeing your favorite cartoon

characters come to

life there are shops offering not just

video games and Anime titles but a

variety of merchandise based on

fictional characters figurines are

especially

[Music]

popular part of the reason why they're

so popular is because they're very

intricately designed and and created you

can see crease marks not just on his

muscles but also on his clothes even to

the the ankle bindings there the the

detail work is quite

fine oh wow look at this these games are

from decades ago wow I recognized these

from when I was first starting to study

Japanese I wanted to learn the language

so that I could play video games in

Japanese Benjamin finds a classic game

console that was popular in the

1990s the neighborhood is full of stores

selling used Collectibles like

these you'll also come across all kinds

of old electronic

appliances

wow some of them are even missing uh

some Key

Parts hand portable radio that

uh okay they they they still sell these

batteries look at what we have over here

it's like remote control

Heaven

wow these types of secondhand items are

sold at bargain

prices part of the fun of coming here is

going hunting for rare

finds whoa look at all of these

each one of these little machines is

selling a a different type of miniature

toy and they're all different wow one

these vending machines sell what are

called capsule toys just Insert Coins

turn the

handle and out comes a little

egg each machine contains several

different toys from a series and

capsules are dispensed randomly

ah this one is gold colored so it's very

shiny this one is a popular anime

character the toys are designed

exclusively for these machines and

available in limited

numbers many are based on anime

characters and are highly coveted by

[Music]

fans a wide array of machines has been

set up throughout the

neighborhood

and there are even capsule toy

shops with a bounty of treasures to

discover the vending machines have

become a major local

[Music]

draw next we go for a stroll along a

busy road on the opposite side of akih

Haba

station wow look at this

place this looks uh shall we say a

little more classic than the other

stores that we've seen today

let's check it

out wonder what they sell

here look at these These are classical

Japanese

confectionaries this shop specializes in

traditional Japanese confectionary made

by hand it's one of the oldest

businesses in the

area

[Music]

Nishi nobuki is the Seventh Generation

owner he's a lifelong Akihabara resident

and a local history buff so we asked him

how it became such a vibrant

area

here's Akihabara in the late 19th

century at the time Tokyo was prone into

fires and so a strip of open space was

set up here to prevent any Flames from

[Music]

spreading in 1890 it became the site of

akih Haba station that paved the way for

the area to become the bustling Hub we

know

[Music]

today initially akih station served as a

freight

[Music]

terminal large quantities of firewood

food and other Commodities arrived from

the northeastern tohoku region to

support the lives of Tokyo

[Music]

residents it became a key logistic

center with the cargo handling area in

full operation day in and day

out Nishi says there's a spot nearby

where there remains a Connection to the

Past it's in a small Park right next to

the

station here's a map of the area around

the time the station was

built where the park sits today there

used to be a Waterway connecting the

station's loading dock to the K river

which was one of the city's major

transport

[Music]

routes cargo that arrived at the station

was transferred to boats which then made

their way out onto the

[Music]

river we head across the street from the

park to see what the river looks like

today

35 years after the station began

operations it opened to passenger

[Music]

traffic the growing flow of goods and

people led the wholesalers and retailers

popping up around the

station one particularly massive

facility was built on the North

[Music]

side the cond vegetable and fruit Market

opened for business in

1928 it was built on the same strip of

open land as akih Haba station it served

Tokyo residents for about 60 years until

the growing Urban population led the

market to relocate to a bigger space in

1989 today this side is occupied by an

office building whose tenants include

major telecommunications

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

companies in the mid 20th century a new

current began to flow through the

area Nishi tells us there's a building

nearby where some shops from the era

endure so we decided to check it

out I've been coming to aiab for years

but I've never been inside here before

let's see what's

inside

look at this it's like it's like a

little

Alleyway it's so

narrow look look at all of these little

Parts in

pieces there are so many of them and

they're different

sizes wow what is all of

this the Stalls inside are packed to the

brim with electronic components it's a

Wonderland for those who aspire to build

their own devices

with about 30 shops spread across

multiple floors this is one of Japan's

top destinations for DIY

Electronics oh my goodness and they are

cheap this one's 20 Yen oh there's one

here that's 15 Yen they're selling

things here that are under a

quarter it's rare to find such a variety

of specialty parts that can be purchased

individually so they get customers from

across the

[Music]

country this man is an amateur radio

Enthusiast he's been coming here since

he was a kid to buy

[Music]

parts

it's another side of akih Hab tucked

away from the pop culture

Pizzazz look at what they have here this

Shop sells semiconductor components W

these these look like

pins they're so

small these pin-like items are dodes

which are basic devices use to control

or regulate the flow of electric current

in a

circuit owner Yoshida Yuji has a

reputation as a semiconductor expert

among Electronics

enthusiasts he says people come to his

shop to buy parts to build radio

[Music]

receivers

this shopping area has roots that

stretch back to the Golden Age of radio

as

[Music]

entertainment in the 1940s shop selling

electronic components began sprinting up

around the

station because radios were so expensive

at the time it was common to make your

own it said that radio Parts practically

flew off the shelves the shopping area

became one of akih Hab main

attractions but recently their number

has been steadily declining due to

devices growing increasingly complex and

Shop owners having trouble finding

successors this long-standing part

seller opened its doors in

1951 they specialize in capacitors which

are devices for storing electrical

energy they've kept the business going

as a

[Music]

[Laughter]

family

hi kubota's daughter satami plans to

take over the shop one day she's an

audio buff who enjoys building speakers

in her free time and when it comes to

the Shop's inventory her knowledge is

second to

none

[Music]

she says she's been into Electronics

since she was

[Music]

little

the community has high hopes for the

next generation of shop owners who will

carry this Legacy into the

future the specialty part shops paved

the way for an influx of electric

appliance stores in the second half of

the 20th

century as TVs and refrigerators evolved

as consumer products home appliances

became a status symbol among the

masses in the 1970s when more than 90%

of Japanese households owned at least

one color TV akih Haba was home to as

many as 500 such

retailers it said that the local market

accounted for over 5% of the country's

total home appliance

sales this Mass retailer is located by

the

station

it was founded in

1951 inside you'll find everything from

light bulbs to major

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appliances Ono Kazi is the third

generation president he's been working

here for 40

years

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Ono says there's a corner of the store

he takes special pride

in could it

C

boom boxes became popular in Japan in

the80s this store still carries them for

older customers who listen to cassettes

Ono says recently the format is making a

comeback among young people into Retro

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Tech they also carry a wide selection of

record players sure to appeal to vinyl

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enthusiasts one thing they don't offer

is smartphones which are featured

prominently at many other

retailers instead they've chosen to

focus on the products they know

best for many years akih Haba had a

reputation for its home appliances but

Ono says the number of retailers

declined sharply in the '90s

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in Japan personal computers began to

spread widely in the late '90s they were

selling so well that many Home Appliance

retailers in Akihabara completely

changed their product

lineup today only a small number

Remain the grow growth of the PC market

also led to the opening of stores

specializing in PC games which drew a

younger crowd gradually more businesses

began to cater to Gamers and their love

of Manga and Anime and Akihabara became

known as an otaku

Haven meanwhile Ono continued to sell

washing machines refrigerators and other

household

appliances he actively engaged customers

on the sales floor and made sure to take

care of his regulars and so his store

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endures ah

akih Haba continues to evolve but that

doesn't mean it's lost touch with its

Past walk around and you'll find stores

that have been here since it's Heyday as

a home electronics

District this store opened its doors in

1951 it's known for its audio cables

which are used to transmit audio signals

from one device to another its products

helped power the Golden Age of vinyl

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records this tour here was founded in

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1946 ham radio allows amateur operators

to connect with fellow enthusiasts

around the world in Japan the hobby saw

a surge in popularity in the 70s and it

still enjoys a passionate

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following thanks to stores like these

akih Haba continues to thrive as a

Gathering Place for hobbyists of all

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stripes

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in the early 2000s a new local Trend

grew out of the popularity of anime and

video

games here's something you see a lot of

in

Akihabara Akihabara sure does love

meds everywhere you look there are signs

and billboards advertising made

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cafes these establishments are themed

cafes where customers can enjoy

conversation and games with weight staff

dressed up as

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M the first made Cafe in akaba opened

its doors in 2001 and was a huge hit

with

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otaku today made cafes have become a

popular local attraction enjoyed by a

wide

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demographic more than 20 years on there

are currently over aund of them in the

area look at this wow the one we're

visiting today opened in

2002

by even firsttime customers are welcomed

this way to encourage them to make

themselves at home

oh this is mAh the

manager she's been in this business for

18 years she says she's loved Akihabara

since she was

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little

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Mah is a dieh hard

cosplay she says she started working at

a maid Cafe because she wanted to dress

up in the

costume while some see it as a curious

hobby Akihabara is a safe space for

people to cosplay freely in

public

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Mah believes it's that local character

that made the area an ideal place for

maid cafes to take

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root

in 2020 Mah took the lead in

establishing a networking group for

maids across akih

Haba she hopes that they can connect

collaborate and boost made Cafe culture

further establishing it as a local

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mainstate

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for

20 years ago when I first came here I

was super into video games and Anime I

did not know anything about Maids I did

not know much about Electronics but on

this trip I've learned that they're all

different parts of Akihabara the akih

habo of the past is still visible in the

Akihabara of today and I'm really

looking forward to seeing what the

Akihabara of the future is going to be

like