Visiting Akihabara - any especially good ThinkPad sources?

[Edward Mendelson]

I'll be in Tokyo in a few days for a brief visit, and want to spend a few hours in Akihabara - partly in search of an interesting non-current ThinkPad to bring back. Are there any stores that are especially promising or should I just wander around?

A Japanese friend told me that after experiencing Akihabara for a few hours, I may want to spend some time in Times Square for some peace and quiet. I'm trying to prepare myself...

[evening_hunger]

Was there this summer, guess I had similar hopes. But I found nothing except manga-hell that *humans* actually cannot get their brains around until they see it. I'm sure I wouldn't like to go there again (not to mention I got lost). So you better go well prepared, with precise knowledge of the particular building/stand that you wanna visit. If you don't have that info, and you hope to just stroll and find something... Well you won't

[shawross]

I was there last year in April and walked around Akihabara which is on the JR Yamanote circle Line. I walked through many shops but didn't see any older Thinkpads. I don't even remember seeing newer Thinkpads.

Plenty of Gundam toys if you are into that which I am not and other Electronic stuff. You see some interesting stuff in markets as you navigate the crowds.

As "evening_hunger" says it is a bit mind blowing and you would need precise instructions.

We were in Tokyo for 4 days and we didn't stop. I didn't get lost but it is not always easy to find your way through the massive rail system.

I heard a lot of the Japanese people hold on to their older Thinkpads but I am not sure if that is true. Also I have heard that secondhand stuff like Thinkpads in Japan can be expensive so I wouldn't get your hopes up.

It pays to understand the rail system and learn how to get around. I loved Japan and traveled from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto. In Tokyo they will have the Cherry Blossoms out soon and that brings in many tourists.

When you head to the airport to leave Japan make sure you have plenty of time because with all the tourists this time of year it's a log jam of people.

Goodluck

[theterminator93]

I was there for a few days at the end of October into November as well, although we only dropped by Akihabara twice for a couple hours each time; we were staying in Roppongi. Didn't see much in the way of old computers of any kind, unfortunately. Most of what I saw (that wasn't anime/manga/modeling related) was radio or sound system type electronics, although to be fair we didn't hit up every building (just the major multi-department ones) while we were there. It wasn't super busy for us, though we chose that time of year to visit because of the relative lack of tourists.

Log jam of people? Try Shibuya on Halloween night.

[madicetea]

From what I know, they have a lot of people crammed in such a small area.

I took six hours and asked around to a lot of people to find something I was looking for once. It pays to be resourceful and willing to get strange looks as you ask 'stupid questions'.

[Edward Mendelson]

Thanks for this! I may take you up on that offer next time. I visited briefly a few days ago but didn’t spend time searching. My family wouldn’t really go for it. We left Tokyo for Kyoto and the atmosphere is very different.

Forgive brevity from phone.

[madicetea]

You're welcome.