Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Akihabara. Ah, yes, my first trip to Tokyo. Me dragging my 300-pound backpack through the sweltering heat, looking for tasty udon, Gundam figurines, and the perfect capsule hotel. If only my tour guide had been a purple haired, giant jugged Lolita named Moe-chan. Then, I'm sure I wouldn't have gotten lost for the umpteenth time (or eaten that ass-nasty hamburger steak at Coco's family restaurant).

Intrepid travelers that want the full otaku experience pick up a copy of the "Moe Rurubu Tokyo Guidebook." The book shows just how dang popular the "Moe-chan" character has become it features in popular manga/animation and is used to teach otaku everything from English (www.moetan.jp) to Linux (http://www2.pos.to/~rero2/). Clocking in at 125 pages, this book leads out-of-towners through the metropolis's geekiest nooks and crannies. Indispensable when trying to track down Lupin III dolls, vintage Famicoms, or costume play hostess bars.

The book is in Japanese, but filled with chock full of color pics to keep Gaijin otaku entertained. For timid folks, the front cover can be removed, revealing a run-of-the-mill guidebook. Believe or not, this book is published by the largest travel agency in the country.

Japan Travel Bureau Moe Travel Guides

—B.A.