Nintendojo in Japan, Half 1: Tokyo

Welcome to our Nintendojo in Japan sequence, the place Senior Editor Angela guides us via Japan from the vantage level of a lover of Japanese tradition and a gamer, manga, and anime fan. For this primary installment, Angela guides us via Tokyo!

Once I was a child, I fell in love with Japan. I’m unsure precisely what it was that drew me in so younger, however I’ve early recollections of watching the native Asian TV station KTSF (channel 26), which had quite a lot of largely Chinese language, Japanese, and Vietnamese programming all through the day. I bear in mind watching the undubbed, authentic episodes of Iron Chef and making my grandma sit and watch with me — absolutely the saint that she was — regardless of neither of us capable of perceive Japanese. I simply appreciated the meals and the spectacle, and the antics and costumes of Chairman Kaga. I’d additionally sit and watch different Japanese cooking exhibits after they got here on and thought the meals seemed scrumptious.

Finally I branched out to watching issues I may perceive, just like the English dub of Sailor Moon on Cartoon Community, then the Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! animes. I in fact grew up enjoying a ton of video video games. And my uncle, who additionally has an ideal appreciation for Japanese tradition, helped foster my very own as I obtained older and will worth the components of it past simply video games and anime. So it was from a reasonably early age that I made a decision that sooner or later, I used to be going to make it to Japan.

It took fairly a while, however I used to be lastly capable of make {that a} actuality this previous October, when my husband and I took a two-week journey to Japan to have fun our belated honeymoon and one-year marriage ceremony anniversary. We went to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama, Nara, Hakone, and Himeji, and it was essentially the most unbelievable two weeks of my life. And now I’m able to share a few of it with our readers.

On this three-part sequence, I’m going to dive into the locations that I believe you guys may discover particularly attention-grabbing as avid gamers and Nintendo followers and will think about testing if you happen to ever take your individual journey to Japan. In our first entry, we’ll be heading to the capital metropolis of the nation: Tokyo.

AKIHABARA: A MUST-SEE FOR THE GAMER OR ANIME FAN

The primary cease on our journey via Japan must be in Akihabara. There’s a motive why it’s been a advisable vacation spot for avid gamers and anime followers for many years. From outlets galore to cafes, arcades, and extra, there’s one thing for everybody right here. These are a few of the locations we went that had been particularly cool.

Akihabara Radio Kaikan

This iconic, multilevel construction homes a number of unbiased outlets promoting gaming, anime, and manga collectibles, each new and used. The used sellers had been particularly attention-grabbing to me, as a result of that they had issues that had been both by no means offered exterior of Japan or had been classic and laborious to return by.

I knew nothing about Radio Kaikan earlier than getting into, so I used to be stunned to come upon the amiami retailer inside, which I used to be vaguely conversant in as a web based retailer for collectibles. The sheer quantity of product accessible right here was unbelievable, however I used to be extra blown away by how low-cost most of the blind containers had been in comparison with right here at house within the U.S. Should you’re fortunate sufficient to dwell close to outlets that promote Japanese imports, like many outlets do in Japantown in San Francisco (which could be very near the place I dwell within the Bay Space), you’ve probably been hit with sticker shock on the markups. Round right here, they normally go for anyplace from $25-$35 a field. At amiami, they averaged about ¥800-¥1200 for those that I purchased. (Which, for the present trade charge of yen, was about 5 bucks and a few change on the decrease finish to round eight and a few change.)

Whereas I needed to management myself (there was solely a lot room in my baggage), I obtained some nice blind containers, just like the Re-Ment Pokémon Bonsai 2 figures; there have been solely three left, and I obtained those I needed, which included Lugia, Growlithe, and Squirtle. Sadly, I didn’t get Pikachu, however I’ve Pikachu from the primary lineup within the sequence, so I wasn’t too disillusioned.

There are Gacha machines fairly actually in all places round Japan and particularly within the main cities, and Radio Kaikan was no exception. I obtained one of many coolest souvenirs of my complete journey in a Gacha machine exterior amiami, proper earlier than getting into: a Waddle Dee and Waddle Doo reusable tote, which got here in helpful to hold my spoils from amiami. It additionally wound up being very helpful for the remainder of the journey (particularly since this was our first full day in Japan after arriving and we did a lot extra purchasing from this level ahead).

Don’t skip Radio Kaikan if you happen to’re a collector. There are treasures ready for you there.

Closing Fantasy Eorzea Cafe

Whereas Closing Fantasy XIV isn’t on a Nintendo console, many Closing Fantasy titles have appeared on Nintendo consoles over the many years, and plenty of of our readers (and myself and my husband) probably play XIV, so I positively wish to contact on this expertise as a result of it was superb. Whereas I can’t converse to the method of reserving our time slot on the cafe — my husband dealt with that — I can say that I used to be impressed by the extent of element that went into the cafe, from the ambiance to the meals itself.

Verify-in, seating, and ordering went very easily, although I do advocate having some fundamental Japanese all the way down to make the method simpler for each your self and the employees. The drink and meals menu had been very thoughtfully designed and each merchandise was distinctive and paid homage to the sport ultimately. All the pieces we ordered was scrumptious, which stunned me as a result of I believed the meals is perhaps a little bit of an afterthought after the entire decor and spectacle. Undoubtedly strive the Radz-at-Han Rice, Chocobo Nest Pasta, Fats Cat Meat Bun, Black Mage Tiramisu, and the Ether to scrub all of it down.

The employees do a raffle giveaway throughout your dinner time slot, however the complete factor was finished in Japanese and also you’d must be not less than semi to completely fluent to know what was occurring. Whereas I do consider it’s best to put in some effort to be taught the language of the nation you’re touring to, I do assume it’s odd that the complete factor is finished in Japanese given what number of vacationers go to this cafe. The general public there with us had been vacationers and had been visibly misplaced, not understanding what was occurring.

Small gripe apart, this was a really cool expertise that it’s best to attempt to see your self if you happen to’re a Closing Fantasy XIV fan.

Tremendous Potato

The legendary retro sport retailer’s Akihabara location is a multilevel retailer that’s laborious to overlook. With online game music enjoying exterior the constructing like a siren’s tune and retro Pac-Man and Mario artwork on the top-floor home windows, Tremendous Potato broadcasts its identification loud and clear.

It feels extra like half retro sport retailer, half retro gaming museum, given what number of uncommon classic gaming relics are on show however not on the market. From a promotional statue of Fox McCloud from the unique Star Fox, to an outdated Digital Boy demo kiosk and promotional posters and a lot extra, there’s almost as a lot to take a look at as there may be to purchase. Nonetheless, whereas the sheer variety of video games accessible is spectacular, a few of the costs appeared outrageously steep even in comparison with what you see on eBay or in different Japanese outlets, and various prospects had been commenting about this to one another whereas strolling round. Costs had been a bit everywhere, with some issues marked a lot decrease than I’d’ve anticipated and a few that had been so excessive that I gasped.

Don’t miss the arcade on the high flooring. Tons of cupboards are up there for visitors to play, together with snacks galore if you happen to plan to remain some time (and a statue of Stable Snake to take a photograph with). Tremendous Potato is price digging round if you happen to’re on the lookout for classic gaming treasures in addition to new gaming merchandise, however anticipate some sticker shock.

Tokyo Video Players

This can be a tiny bar-arcade within a a lot greater constructing stuffed with classic toy stalls, a music store, and extra. There are a handful of arcade cupboards which might be free to play, although the house owners ask that you just make not less than one meals or drink order each hour to proceed enjoying. There are additionally a ton of classic gaming magazines and artwork books for visitors to peruse whereas taking a break from the video games.

Taito HEY Arcade

Often known as the Hirose Leisure Yard, this multilevel arcade is the right place for followers of retro shmups and combating video games. There are lots of of cupboards right here catering to totally different tastes, and the older cupboards solely required ¥100 (lower than a greenback) per play. You possibly can sit for hours enjoying all the things from Road Fighter to Marvel vs. Capcom to Darkstalkers (or Vampire) to numerous shmups and far, far more.

SQUARE ENIX Official Items

Even if you happen to don’t handle to make a reservation on the Sq. Enix cafe in time on your journey to Tokyo, you may nonetheless go to the Official Items retailer that’s hooked up to the cafe and doesn’t require reservations. Whereas small, it presents an ideal number of merchandise from varied Sq. Enix titles, with Closing Fantasy making up the vast majority of the choices, however Kingdom Hearts, Octopath Traveler, and Dragon Quest items additionally accessible. Should you’re a fan of Sq. Enix video games, positively make a pit cease right here.

IKEBUKURO: POKÉMON CENTRAL

Pokémon followers ought to ensure that they cease by Sunshine Metropolis in Ikebukuro, the industrial and leisure district of the Toshima ward in Tokyo. There, you’ll discover the Pokémon Heart Mega Tokyo, the Pokémon GO Lab, and Pikachu Sweets Cafe. Sadly, I didn’t get the prospect to strive the Pikachu Sweets Cafe (although it was completely lovable), however I can provide some perception on the opposite areas.

Pokémon Heart Mega Tokyo

Should you’re on the hunt for Pokémon merchandise in Japan, you’d do nicely going to any of the nation’s a number of Pokémon Facilities, however you’d do finest by going to the Mega Tokyo location. The quantity of issues to select from is very massive, and there are objects that this location had that I didn’t see in others. Apart from having the perfect choice, additionally they had actually cool statue installations each inside and out of doors the shop.

Simply on the exterior, additionally they had pressed memento coin machines, the place you would select from three totally different coin designs and obtain a coin with that design pressed into the floor. The My Pikachu line of Pikachu plushies had launched shortly earlier than our journey, and each Pokémon Heart we went to had lots of of them in the stores. The road consists of each female and male Pikachus, all in numerous poses with totally different facial expressions. They had been definitely the preferred merchandise, with visitors grabbing a number of as a result of there have been so many to select from. (I used to be advised I may solely purchase one regardless of making an attempt to purchase 4, more likely to fight scalpers; oddly, I didn’t see anybody else having that restrict imposed on them, and there have been a LOT of individuals in line shopping for a couple of.)

Pokémon GO Lab

Throughout from the Pokémon Heart is the Pokémon GO Lab, which has a big number of mini plushes and different merchandise, a few of which wasn’t accessible within the Pokémon Heart. There are 4 slightly-larger-than-life-sized statues of the three group leads and Professor Willow from the sport, and many in-game stats, dwell feeds, and extra that gamers can take a look at on the in-store screens.

SHIBUYA: HOME OF NINTENDO TOKYO

Buckle up, Nintendo followers: if you happen to’re on the lookout for Nintendo Tokyo, Shibuya is your vacation spot. Nonetheless, in the identical constructing that you just’ll discover the best number of Nintendo merchandise in a single retailer, you’ll additionally discover two different gaming shops of notice: Pokémon Heart Shibuya and CAPCOM STORE TOKYO.

Nintendo Tokyo

Get able to do some critical purchasing right here. Zelda, Mario, Kirby, Animal Crossing, Metroid, and Splatoon all have merchandise collections in-store, and it may be laborious to regulate your self. Residence items, stationary, garments, keychains, plushies, sweet, cookies — the checklist of Nintendo-themed items accessible right here is lengthy. Be certain that to take a look at the large 8-bit Mario leaping out of a pipe close to the again entrance to the shop!

Pokémon Heart Shibuya

A lot of the identical product that was on the Mega Tokyo location was additionally accessible right here, however because it’s a smaller retailer there wasn’t fairly as massive of a variety. Nonetheless, there have been some memento cookie tins and different meals objects at this location that I truly didn’t see at Mega Tokyo. However the coolest characteristic of this retailer that can be distinctive to this location? Mewtwo sleeping in his tank on the entrance! Felt like being in Pokémon: The First Film.

CAPCOM STORE TOKYO

I truly didn’t know there was a Capcom retailer, so this was a pleasant shock. Whereas it’s very tiny, there’s a stunning quantity of merchandise tucked away right here from sequence like Resident Evil, Mega Man (or Rockman in Japan), Road Fighter, and Monster Hunter, and video games like Okami and Ghost Trick. There was additionally a life-sized Ryu statue for images on the entrance of the shop.

HARAJUKU: NOT JUST FOR HIGH FASHION

Whereas Harajuku is a can’t-miss vacation spot for the style lovers, there’s additionally a can’t-miss cease for Nintendo lovers right here — Kirby followers, particularly.

Kiddy Land

This longstanding toy retailer is a sizzling spot for teenagers and adults. With a number of flooring of toys and merchandise devoted to a few of Japan and America’s most well-loved franchises and characters, Kiddy Land nearly feels a misnomer. Ensure you cease right here to go to Kirby’s Pupupu Market, a small part of one of many flooring the place you should purchase Kirby merchandise themed round grocery purchasing and meals. The Kirby statue in the midst of the show is completely lovable, as is all the things on this line. There’s additionally a small number of classic Kirby collectibles on show on this space (however I needed they had been on the market!).

This retailer additionally had a ton of the two.5″ Sanei Boeki (Jakks right here in America) Mario figures. I remorse not getting the Waluigi and Wario figures, however I did decide up Metallic Mario, which is seemingly a uncommon discover.

SHINJUKU: WHERE NAMCO IS DOING IT BIG

In Shinjuku’s Kabukicho Tower, Namco not too long ago opened a gaming behemoth. And in an unassuming cat cafe, video video games make an surprising look.

Namco Tokyo

Earlier this yr, Namco opened an enormous bar and arcade advanced inside Kabukicho Tower. Pac Man himself makes an look on the bar as an AI-generated DJ. The arcade has crowd favorites, like Mario Kart Arcade GP DX and Taiko no Tatsujin (AKA Taiko: Drum Grasp), a ton of various claw machines, a big Gacha choice, and far more. The dimensions of Namco Tokyo provides to the general spectacle of Kabukicho Tower, which is price visiting simply to see and expertise in individual.

Cat Cafe Mocha

We chanced on this cat cafe on our final day in Japan and had been blown away by how superb it was. It wasn’t merely a restaurant, but in addition a lounge/gaming lounge/manga library with so many facilities, which we didn’t notice earlier than heading in. Should you cease by, not solely will you could have the corporate of a ton of extremely cute, pleasant cats, however you’ll be capable of select from two totally different Switches to play with — one with Tremendous Smash Bros. Final, the opposite with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — and a Tremendous Famicom Mini. Simply don’t be stunned when a cat jumps on high of the counter and walks in entrance of the display screen anticipating your consideration.

This isn’t even scratching the floor of all of the gaming-related actions and issues to do in Tokyo, however simply the few locations I managed to see whereas I used to be there. Subsequent up: Osaka! Maintain a watch out for half 2 of our Nintendojo in Japan sequence.