Today I went to another “geeky” shopping center. Nakano broadway in Nakano.
I made my way to Nakano by subway, when you exit the station towards the mall you first have to pass trough a shopping street filled with food bars and the traditional (tourist) shops.
Once past the street you arrive at a 4 story mall, with some supermarket style shops in the basement, ‘normal’ stores on the 1st floor and then it begins. the remaining three floors are filled with Geek-related stores, it really is mini-akihabara out here. Although I do have to say, most of the shops are either Mandarake or Lashinban that specialise in certain items. On the fourth floor there are supposed to be some art galleries, but it looks like those were closed today.
It also was here that I realised what ‘felt wrong’ in Akihabara. Going from store to store. The time I spend there was in 1-2 stores, as they are huge. Here it was a collection of small stores and I liked going from one to the other.
For lunch I went back towards the shopping street and found a little restaurant where I had some gyoza and rice.
After that I made my way to Shinjuku, as it was one of the districts I hadn’t seen yet and I had an appointment there later in the evening. Next to strolling around I got some more souvenirs and a few boardgames.
After that it was time for dinner. I met up with an old friend living in Japan and we went to an Izakaya. Ordered some yakisoba and skewers to munch on. After this she was so kind to show me around some more ‘hidden’ parts of Shinjuku and we eventually ended up in a karaoke room for 90 minutes of trying to read the kana fast enough to sing along (for me that was the case).