Now that we got that out of the way, let's go to the Japan experience. :3
First off, my amazing accommodation. I stayed at Capsule Inn Akihabara for the whole week (right in the heart of Akihabara) even when I had my doubts about the place when making the reservation. I was so sure I'd end up gaining a bunch of new phobias after the first night and sleep outside for the rest of the trip, but the whole place was such a positive experience. I can whole-heartedly recommend it to everyone: the staff was very nice and spoke about understandable English (!), there was everything for visitors from shower rooms to TV and Internet, and the feeling of the place was just wonderfully laid-back and relaxed. Last time I was staying at some 4 star hotel with mom and naturally everyone had a stick up their ass there, but this sort of place was much more to my liking. If anyone who reads this is considering reserving a place from there but wants to know some details or just talk about the place in general, do feel free to contact me at kata.elf(a)gmail.com.
Right, and the capsules were nowhere near as scary as they'd seemed, they were wonderfully comfortable and big. (Maybe with the most uncomfortable pillow in the world, but hey, I can sleep fine without one too.)
Everyone, this is a capsule. Say hi to it. (No, there's no glass in front of it like it had looked in the pictures on the site. Guess noticing that took some of the horror away.)
A closer look inside, the control area (alarm clock, radio, lights, whatnot), lights and... something else sticking out of the ceiling.
One morning I couldn't sleep and took this photo of the view in front of me when lying down in the capsule. It's the TV and the entrance with curtains down for the night.
The time difference was messing with me and I woke up far too early on my first day and ended up wandering around Akihabara before any shops were open, so passed time taking photos of advertisements.
There was a huge line of nerd boys waiting for something, but never found out what. The first ones in the line were in front of a soon-to-open pachinko place though, but that might be a bit too sad. Nerd boys? Sad? No way!
Hey, I saw this sign the last time I was here~
A cosplay costume (Soul Eater) in Tora no Ana's window. Otaku shops sometimes had them in their windows to lure nerds.
Had to kill time before meeting my Finnish Comiket-pal Nina and wandered to Tokyo Anime Center. Didn't know if photos were allowed, so snapped the following ones with my cell phone.
Moomin banks from their Moomin corner. Took a photo because AHAHA I HAVE ONE OF THESE AND I GOT IT FOR FREE. >8D ¥1575 my ass.
Swedish in my Japan. o_o Take it away~
Sat down for a bit and photographed the dolls and statues in front of me. Guess twice which anime trailer was showing on the screen (the first guess doesn't count).
Haruhi Suzumiya cosplayers in a rush.
Then Saturday finally came, and with it the first day of Comiket. This is from the Kokusai-Tenjijo station when I realized that I can see the Big Sight Building and spazzed a bit.
A view from the cosplay area.
A close-up of the triangles~ (I'm so close to them~ 8D)
Then some cosplay photos from Saturday, but because I was in a bit of a hurry I only took a couple and they really aren't very good, so don't let these discourage you, there's plenty more and better from Sunday. XD
