Post WWII, Akihabara Station became synonymous with a black market for radio parts and other electronics. After the 1960s and '70s when the district was the place to hunt for bargains on new and used electronics, Akihabara saw its top shopping mantle increasingly usurped by discount stores elsewhere in the city. It has long since bounced back by reinventing itself as the centre of the otaku (geek) universe, catching J-pop culture fans in its gravitational pull.
Now you are as likely to find intricately designed plastic models of anime characters, self-penned pornographic comics and cosplay outfits as you are electric circuits, fuses and wires in the place locals call Akiba. To make some sense of it all pick up an English map at Tokyo Anime Center Akiba Info ; the helpful staff here also speak English.
