Japan Trip Highlights: Akihabara

Long before I knew its name, I knew I wanted to visit Akihabara. One of the premier destinations in downtown Tokyo, the Akihabara district mixes video games, comics and animation to offer one of the world's most bombastic shopping experiences.

And it's awesome.

The district, often referred to as Akiba by locals, was so impressive that Annie and I visited it twice during our brief stay in Japan. What made it such a draw for us? Here's some of the many reasons it was such a highlight for us:

1. There were so many unique products for sale that it was simply fun to keep browsing the district's numerous shops. From cheap nicknacks to expensive collectibles, intriguing wares were everywhere in Akihabara. So many fascinating products — like the Mega Man Energy Tank pillow — lined the seemingly endless walls. It's a testament to my self-restraint that my wallet wasn't emptied in the district.

2. But it wasn't just the items for sale that were fascinating. The stores were so varied in layout and presentation that Annie and I had great fun exploring them. My personal favorites were the seemingly small shops that offered patrons one-way escalators up to the next floor. And then the next. And then the next. Before you knew it, you were on the sixth floor. To exit, you can try waiting for the single elevator, but you're usually better off using the stairs. Because we were in no rush, we simply enjoyed wandering through these shops.

3. It was rather interesting to glimpse the world of maid cafes, a staple of the district's culture. Although we never ate at one in Akihabara, we often saw the adorable employees distributing flyers and waving to shoppers. Although somewhat odd in concept, the industry is harmless and thankfully enforces very strict rules on patrons — such as "no touching the maid" and "no asking for her phone number." These and other solid protection measures ensure that the cafes remain safe places that allow customers to briefly indulge in some kooky entertainment. But if you think such silliness is limited to Tokyo, think again. The industry is on its way to America. I can't wait to see how our culture responds to this import.

4. Although they didn't figure into the equation quite as heavily as I expected, arcades remain an Akihabara staple and offer some premier gaming experiences. Annie and I wandered through a Club Sega and some other arcades, including a pachinko parlor. The immersive and networked games on display were similar to the offerings you'd find at higher-end arcades in America. We never played any of the games, but enjoyed looking over a few shoulders.

5. With so many unique stores and cool merchandise for sale, we had a blast treasure hunting our way through Akihabara. I found the one video game I wanted to buy (and used, to boot, with all the content unlocked) and Annie found a cute keychain featuring the lead character from her favorite video game. If you ever visit Tokyo and have any interest in video games or anime, you absolutely must visit the district's many stores that offered preowned collectibles for sale at very reasonable prices.

6. Because our Japanese language skills were so limited, we never knew what was just around the corner. Sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse, that ignorance left us curious to enter stores that we might not have otherwise heeded. As such, we found ourselves sometimes navigating the narrow aisles of tightly packed bookstores, sometimes sharing laughs at some of the crazy items on display — and sometimes racing for the nearest exit. Meandering our way through Akihabara was a wildly varied experience. And that was great. That was what we wanted in Tokyo.

7. Perhaps the most memorable part of our trip to Akihabara, though, was our time in the misleadingly named Yodobashi Camera. Two parts Best Buy, one part Toys R Us and three parts discombobulation, the multi-level superstore that is Yodobashi is truly a destination onto itself. Loaded with an unceasing assault of advertisements and announcements, Yodobashi can overwhelm. But two key factors make it worth your time: There are bilingual clerks who speak English and it's the perfect spot to find the latest and greatest in Japanese toys and media. I consider myself lucky to have escaped its clutches as cheaply as I did.

I'd happily return to Akihabara given the chance — and I truly hope to so someday. But should I not, the fun that Annie and I had wandering its streets and stores during this trip is something I'll always treasure.