I used to walk through that place every time I went to Akihabara. It reminded me of something out of Neuromancer with the tiny stalls and bins of weird high-tech (and low-tech) components, with the Japanese merchants and the chatter of all the foreign visitors.
But I have to admit, despite walking through those cramped corridors dozens of times, I never did actually buy anything there. I still go to Akihabara when I need something right now, but 9 times out of 10 I just buy it at the colossal 8-story Yodobashi Camera on the other side of the station (erected several years ago).
So it's not too surprising they can't make that cool little electronic component shantytown mall work anymore.
Ditto. I lived in Tokyo for 2 very formative teenage years in the late 90's. Akihabara always felt like a bit of a wonderland, but not one where I actually spent many of my limited funds. I'm sad to hear that mall is closing, as the atmosphere was truly one of a kind.
But I have to admit, despite walking through those cramped corridors dozens of times, I never did actually buy anything there. I still go to Akihabara when I need something right now, but 9 times out of 10 I just buy it at the colossal 8-story Yodobashi Camera on the other side of the station (erected several years ago).
So it's not too surprising they can't make that cool little electronic component shantytown mall work anymore.