Typhoon Malakas rolled through Tokyo late last night and most of yesterday was one long wet preamble to the storm. To be honest, I didn’t mind so much. It cleared out the crowds, clearly dampening many Tokyoites enthusiasm for shopping, and also cooled things down a few degrees. Also, hey, I’m from Vancouver. I love the rain.
So, while most of Tokyo was indoors, battening down the hatches, Akemi and I braved the elements – hatches brazenly unbattened – and hit Akihabara, aka Electric Town, aka Electrical Town, aka Anime Central, aka Geek Heaven. Our two hour tour in photos –
Lots and lots for discerning, and perhaps not so discerning, anime fan to check out.
A little something for your cosplay closet.
Home decor for everyone’s tastes!
Human-size pillows for those lonely nights. I’d like mine in Olivia Wilde, please.
Creature-themed sake. Monstrously good!
Original artwork. 
Neon Genesis Evangelion Gendo Ikari cookies. Bittersweet, no doubt.
I’m not sure, but I have a feeling Das will take all three.
We take a break from the action.
While walking around looking for a lunch spot, I noticed this delicious looking pizza place. What is that they’re serving up on that woman’s back? Rosemary, cranberries, and fontina cheese?
Tonight, we had dinner at Sushi Tokami whose young chef has been wowing locals with his inventive, sometimes brazen ways. Like offering paper thin sliced onions as a side dish. Or serving uni two ways, raw and cooked, in the same bite. And ending the meal with a unique take on the traditional tamago, served brûlée style.
Can I just say how much I love sake. My good friend Ivon Bartok will vouch for this. I’m not a wine guy, enjoy the rare beer, and even whisky is one (okay, maybe two) drink max. But sake… You know, what’s amazing? How a mere two bottles can loosen up the storylines knotted in my head, allowing me to more effectively piece together the grand narrative puzzle I’ve designed. As I’ve often said, I know where I’m going but, occasionally, figuring out how to get there is the challenge. But, after last night, two big Holy Shit! character backstory elements snapped clearly into place. But more of that in season 3.
Or, more specifically, Episodes 7 and 12.
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