By Brian Ashcraft

For gamers, a trip to Japan is really just about a trip to Akihabara. Sooner or later, you'll find yourself at JR Akihabara station, staring down a crowded mass of fellow otaku and wondering where exactly you should go.

So, where should you?

This isn't a guide, but a taste. Maps are useless, as the point here is to get lost. When you go, plan on spending at least half a day for serious shopping, learn the lingo and get ready to get your geek on.

I've included six shops. These are not necessarily the best in Akiba, but provide a cross section of the types of retailers you're bound to run into:

• Super Potato: While the original store may be based in Osaka's Den-Den Town, the Akihabara is worth a visit for those unable to make it to Kansai. The shop is largely Sega and Nintendo-heavy, making it a good spot to pick up a vintage Famicom or Dreamcast. Expect to pay around 4,000 yen (US $34) for a Famicom in good shape and around 5,000 yen (US $44) for a Dreamcast. There's even a Virtual Boy that's just waiting for you to embarrass yourself on!

• Trader 2: There's a solid mix of old and new, which is spiced with anime and adult DVDs. Gamers will want to head to the third floor for the retro video games, and as with most stores, the new titles are on the ground floor. The chief attraction here, though, is the locale. Trains rumble over head and echo throughout the store, which is sandwiched directly under the JR line. Utterly charming.

• Game Hollywood: Looking for imported games? Like imported from Korea or, better yet, America? In the last couple of years, the demand for foreign games has increased, leading to specialty shops like Game Hollywood. Draped in US flags and covered with 1990's-era bikini posters, the store is what the Japanese imagine American retailer GameStop to look like. Even if you don't buy anything, Game Hollywood is fascinating. And for those living in Japan, this is a good place to get English-language titles..

• Lammtarra: The clean game selection is on the slim side (something like one row—which was actually occupied by some kid and his mother looking at DS games). The cosplay stuff, questionable videos, manga and naughty software run the show here. The 2nd to 5th floors are wall-to-wall adult DVDs, books, etc. The basement is dedicated to adult PC games and adult comics. Not for the faint of heart.

• AsoBitCity: There are two stores, actually. There's six floors (seven including the basement) of goodies that focus more on figurines and cosplay-related goodies. Pick up t-shirts, Final Fantasy statues and "maid en maid" branded hair wax and shampoo. AsoBityCity's game store is next door. New games on the ground floor and older ones up a flight. Many swear by this store.

• Yodobashi Camera: Like your shopping sterile and impersonal? Head on over to Yodobashi Camera's Akihabara store, where the staff wear sweaters and khaki pants. The one-stop shop was opened last fall—there's nine floors, featuring 600,000 products. Think Akiba sanitized.

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