"Akihabara, for me, has always been synonymous with a treasure trove of anime merchandise and a wide array of electronic products," shared a French woman.

"Maid cafes were quite the surprise," admitted an Australian man. "It was both startling and amusing to see girls distributing leaflets for these cafes. Initially, I was a bit hesitant, but I ended up having a great time. Although, I must confess, the high prices did shock me."

"Stepping into Akihabara felt like entering a sanctum for anime lovers," enthused an American man. "Seeing buildings adorned with anime character murals set my excitement soaring."

According to insights from the French and American interviewees, Akihabara seems to hold an almost "sacred" status amongst foreign devotees of Japanese subculture. The Australian man's experiences, on the other hand, underline the growing prominence of maid cafes.

However, it's worth noting that Akihabara's initial reputation as the "Electric Town" predates its association with subculture, which only emerged around the turn of the millennium.

Back in the day, individuals on the hunt for PC components found themselves gravitating towards Akihabara. But these visitors had a dual interest - they were also ardent fans of anime and manga. To cater to these overlapping passions, new businesses sprang up, gradually multiplying until the vibrant, multifaceted district we see today took shape.

While echoes of the 'Electronics Town' still linger, the imagery associated with manga, anime, and maid cafes now casts a significantly larger shadow over the landscape. For those whose knowledge of Akihabara is limited to its contemporary persona, glimpses of its past might be a pleasantly surprising revelation.

"I expected to see throngs of people draped in cosplay attire, but instead found folks in everyday clothing - it was a bit of a letdown," confessed a French woman. "However, the abundance of video game arcades was a pleasant surprise."

"The presence of English-speaking locals was a pleasant surprise, and there were plenty of other foreign customers as well," shared an Australian man. "The prevalence of 'gacha gacha' (capsule toy vending machines) added an element of fun to the place. I even ended up with a keyring after giving it a go."

The sight of cross-gender cosplayers was an eye-opener for an American man. "Women cosplaying as men, and men as women - it's not something you witness often back home, so it was hard not to stare."

Cosplay, the practice of imitating the attire and hairstyles of anime and manga characters, has gained widespread popularity not just in Japan but globally. Despite the prevalent image of Akihabara teeming with cosplay aficionados, the reality is somewhat more prosaic - while there are some who wander around in costume, most opt for regular attire.

A contributing factor to this misconception might be the maid cafes. In Akihabara, maid-dressed girls are a common sight, enticing potential customers from the streets, possibly leading foreigners to believe cosplay is more widespread than it truly is.

However, the cosplay café scene is becoming more diverse, featuring themes beyond the traditional maid aesthetic - think miko (shrine maidens), kunoichi (female ninja), and witches. And with an increase in foreign patrons, numerous cafes are now English-friendly, making Akihabara a must-visit destination for first-time foreign visitors.

The Australian man's mention of "gacha gacha" (toy vending machines) highlights an intriguing aspect of Japanese culture that has captured the imagination of foreigners. While "gacha gacha" machines aren't as ubiquitous as they once were, notable exceptions exist such as Gachapon Kaikan and Yodobashi Akiba, which house over a hundred such machines each. Tailored with themes from Akihabara's anime and manga scene, these "gacha gacha" machines have become quite a hit with international visitors. The opportunity to try the newest "gacha gacha" offerings is a quintessential Akihabara experience, one that every visitor to the district should undoubtedly take a crack at!

"Reaching Akihabara from Tokyo is a breeze," assured a French woman. "The Yamanote Line takes you directly there. The vicinity of the station is brimming with shops offering anime merchandise and electronics, presenting an array of sights as you explore on foot."

"The station and its surroundings are impeccably maintained, with a plethora of fashionable shops within the station building," observed an Australian man. "However, once you venture into the streets, the orderly ambiance gives way to a charming chaos that screams 'otaku haven'. It was quite a startling transformation."

Akihabara's convenient location is a key aspect of its allure. With a multitude of lines such as the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin Tohoku Line, JR Sobu Line, Hibiya Line, and Tsukuba Express coursing through it, Akihabara is easily accessible, even for foreigners who may fear losing their way in the city.

"When you wander to the 'Manseibashi' bridge, you'll encounter a delightful array of shops and eateries nestled under the railway tracks, a fact that took me by surprise," revealed a French woman. "Despite the audible hum of passing trains, it's an unexpectedly comfortable spot to pass the time - I highly recommend a visit."

"If you're a fan of arcades, Akihabara will not disappoint," suggested an American man. "I found myself envying the passersby clutching the stuffed toys they'd won. But the district is more than just anime stores - it's also a treasure trove of electronic parts shops. Despite their modest size, these shops are crammed with an astonishing variety of parts. Their popularity was apparent from the bustling crowds of customers and staff. I wish I'd had more time to spend there."

Akihabara is famous for manga, anime, and maids, but did you know that there are a lot of other tourist spots as well?

For example, the historic shrine, Kanda Myojin, is here. It is about a 7-minute walk from the Electronics Town exit at Akihabara station. Kanda Myojin’s official name is Kanda Jinja. It is famous for its festival, Kanda Matsuri, one of the three major Edo festivals. The Kanda Matsuri is usually held in May, so if you can visit Akihabara during this time, please come and look!

Also, the origin of Akihabara, Akihabara Jinja, is famous. It is 10 minutes from Tokyo Metro Ginza line Inaricho station, Tokyo Subway Hibiya line Iriya station 5 minutes, so it is a little far from Akihabara Station. During the first year of the Meiji period, it was said it was built to pray for protection from large fires. It is a historic shrine, so we recommend you come here and pray.

From the Akihabara Station Electric Town exit, if you head towards Manseibashi, a unique set of vending machines is lined up. You can buy things you don’t see anywhere else, like canned yakitori, toy rhino beetles, and other original goods. It has a retro feel; if you are in Akihabara, you will find a memento.

Akihabara has established itself as a mecca for manga and anime lovers, a place many international enthusiasts aspire to visit at least once in their lifetime. Embracing a fluid identity, the district constantly evolves, mirroring the trends of the time, thus ensuring that no two visits are ever quite the same. We wholeheartedly hope that you thoroughly enjoy your Akihabara experience and savor each moment spent in this vibrant neighborhood.