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Akihabara is also known as Akihabara Electric Town (Akihabara Denki Gai).
It is located less than five minutes by rail from Tokyo station, Tokyo,
Japan. It is sometimes shortened to Akiba by locals. While there is an
official locality named Akihabara nearby, part of Taito-ku, the area known
as Akihabara (including the JR railway station of the same name) to most
people is actually Soto-Kanda, a part of Chiyoda-ku.
History: Prior to World War II the area has been a bustling overcrowded
community. A major blaze which nearly destroyed the region brought about the
decision to clear the land in order to keep future fires from approaching
the imperial residence. The region was given the name Akihabara (秋葉原 lit:
Autumn Leaves Field) during World War II when only autumn leaves were
visible. Modern times: The area is mostly known for its large population
of stores selling all kinds of electronic, anime, and adult goods.
 It is
probably the largest shopping area on earth for electronic and computer
goods, including new and used items. New items are mostly to be found on the
main street, Chuo Dori, with used items of all descriptions (software,
hardware, and junk galore) to be found in the back streets of Soto Kanda 3
chome. First hand parts for the do-it-yourself PC builder are readily
available, with many places around for the best price hunter. Tools,
electrical parts, wires, micro sized cameras and more are to be found in the
cramped (some might say dangerously so) passageways of Soto Kanda 1 chome
(near the station). Foreign tourists tend to visit the big name shops like
Laox or other near station specialty shops. The locals of course know where
to get better variety and prices a little further away.
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