Akihabara is an amazing place on the surface. But behind the neon glitze in the back streets and lanes are the cool stores (like the S/H MAC store filled to the ceiling). I agree with the other guy - I was just like his dad, facinated by all the little stalls that might have been selling anything else market-like but electronics was a real surprise. I think you could kill 2 days there, it's tiring.....
But it was not really cheap (1.5 yrs ago)- mail order in the US was often cheaper. The only stores that do Duty Free are the glitzy ones and they are probably also the most expensive. Since I was there the Japanese economy has tanked somewhat so you'll probably get a nice exchange rate. (BTW Microsoft S/W is a bargain in Australia because they haven't increased their prices as our currency dived).
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Akihabara is an amazing place on the surface. But behind the neon glitze in the back streets and lanes are the cool stores (like the S/H MAC store filled to the ceiling). I agree with the other guy - I was just like his dad, facinated by all the little stalls that might have been selling anything else market-like but electronics was a real surprise. I think you could kill 2 days there, it's tiring..... But it was not really cheap (1.5 yrs ago)- mail order in the US was often cheaper. The only stores that do Duty Free are the glitzy ones and they are probably also the most expensive. Since I was there the Japanese economy has tanked somewhat so you'll probably get a nice exchange rate. (BTW Microsoft S/W is a bargain in Australia because they haven't increased their prices as our currency dived).
Now, that I _would_ buy.....
I use Digikey a lot
I've got a fair collection of projects at http://www.wiresncode.com/projects, also try http://www.dontronics.com. Cheers, Tom