Japan Diaries: Yodobashi Camera Store in Akihabara. January 2019. Opened from 9:30 to 22:00, everyday of the year
When you stand across the road from the Yodobashi store in Akihabara, you have to crane your neck to fit the whole building into your peripheral vision. This store is huge.
Although Yodobashi stores are a big chain in Japan, this one in Akiba is one of the largest with nine levels of merchandise and restaurants. When I walked in, it was an organised chaos of sales people, bright lights, displays, musical jingles, escalators, vending machines, gatcha machines and signs. People everywhere. This store sells cameras, sim cards, computer accessories, sporting goods, stationary, suitcases, cosmetics, sports equipment, kitchen appliances, air conditioning, video games....
The top level was just all restaurants with cool fake food displays that I walked around and admired for thirty minutes before I decided what to eat. The favorite level were the Toys. I've never seen such attention to detail in merchandising and I work in Retail Buying.
The people who worked here have a fun job building these displays. I spent at least three hours admiring their work and scabbing the free WiFi. I was allowed to explore at my own pace while Hai got lost in the Gunpla area and we were able to msg each other when done. A visit is highly recommended!
