Akihabara - the mecca of electronics. Who wouldn't want to live there? Especially when store employees work long hours. Surprisingly, in an informal survery of store employees, over 80% said they wouldn't want to. In the first of a two part series, the author talks about some of their reasons and separates truth from fiction.

Mr. A works in a PC parts shop in Akihabara. Living on the other side of Tokyo, he rides in an overcrowded train during morning rush hour and occasionally works so late that the he has to take a taxi home because the trains have stopped.

Most people's image is that Akihabara closes down early, usually around 8 or 9pm. Compared to places like Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Roppongi, which close down in the wee hours of the morning when the first trains start, only to be hit by the first trickle of early morning commuters. However, employees are busy with stocking and inventory, updating web sites and various other duties until late at night.

Many employees, loving computers even come to Akihabara on their day off, just like a regular customer. They are the real Akihabara people. Wouldn't it be great if they could live in Akihabara? After surveying some, this was not so.

Astoundingly, over 80% said, no. Among the reasons cited were the lack of supermarkets, the inconvenient transportation system, and the their dislike of Akihabara’s image as an otaku (geek) paradise. Their basic idea is that Akihabara is not a place to live.

However, even among the few yes's, the high rent and lack of housing in the area make it impossible. Even Mr. A gave the same answer.



Even as an outsider to the Akihabara area, it's plain to see that it would be hard to live here. But one has to wonder, is it really?

Walking around, surrounded by PC part shops, home electronic shops, anime shops, the rest of the buildings are filled with PC manufacturers' offices. Perhaps that's all the employees see because they work there. After taking another look and leaving the main street, there are lots of apartments and condos.





Even though Akihabara is world-renowned for it's Electric Town, it's not the only thing there. The web site for the Akihabara Electric Town Association contains a history of the area, available here (Japanese only). Akihabara is thought of as a strictly commercial area for electronics, just as Ginza is regarded for it's expensive department stores and boutiques. (And also some of the highest property values in the world during the Bubble Era.) Unlike Ginza though, Akihabara is a much more affordable place to live.

There are people who live in Akihabara. In fact, Mr. T, who works for one of the major stores, T-Zone's PC DIT Shop lives about 2 minutes away, in the heart of the area.



Reporter: Do you think daily life here is hard or inconvenient?
Mr. T: I've lived here for 2 years, but can't really say so. There are convenience stores and a 24-hour supermarket in the area. Just the other day, they finished a Don Quixote (novelty item and discount store), which is open until late at night. I don't really have any problems buying food or clothing.



As another sign of the changing times, the people who go to Don Quixote, open until 5am and the 24-hour supermarket in Akihabara regard them just like other stores anywhere else in the city. They sell food, clothing, and furniture. They have everything one basically needs to survive. Some people say that having a Don Quixote degrades the image of Akihabara, but Mr. T say that isn't the case. Of course, perhaps he gets tired of always shopping at the same stores.



Mr. T: Actually, Ameyoko Street in Ueno is close-by. I often go on my days off. If I take the main street, I can get there in a matter of minutes by bicycle.


One minute from Akihabara station. By bicycle, it's possible to go to Okachimachi station in about five minutes. From there, Ameyoko Street is close by.


As Mr. T stated, there aren't enough choices in the area itself, rather one needs to go to Ameyoko Street where there are many large department stores, bookstores, and grocery stores.



What about the second reason cited, inconvenient transportation system? Traveling to Akihabara isn't any more inconvenient than going anywhere else. In fact, it's better than many other places. The Yamanote line, the subway, and the Sobu line all stop at Akihabara. One can be in Shinjuku in about eighteen minutes. Traveling to Chiba prefecture is also convenient. Akihabara serves as a terminal station for several train and subway lines. More than being inconvenient, it's the exact opposite.

Driving to Akihabara isn't as tough as it sounds. In fact, it's pretty much the same as driving anywhere else in Tokyo, it seems harder than it really is. The existing roads and highways are quite convenient. It seems crowded and annoying to people who rarely drive. Driving through any commercial area during business hours, it's going to be crowded. Expensive parking lots may be a bigger problem, but if people don't drive, they don't have to worry about that.


Lastly, lets approach the third reason given: Akihabara's image as a geeks' paradise. In the minds of all the spoken to, this was probably the biggest reason - both said and unsaid.

Some of the people who wanted to live in Akihabara cited the high cost of living and the lack of available housing. Mr. T looked at some apartments, but found they were too expensive for him. His current apartment used to be an office. He found it through one of his connections. Mr. T seemed to be lucky in finding his apartment. Looking through an apartment and condo listing, the chances of finding a decent housing appear slim.

In the continuation of this article, we'll look at the reality of the housing situation.

For Part Two, click here

Inspired by: http://www.itmedia.co.jp/pcupdate/articles/0412/27/news025.html