Akihabara Street (also known as Electric Avenue) is one of the world's great retailing meccas for consumer electronics goods. Think of it as a huge outdoor mall filled with Best Buy stores on steroids. If an electronic gizmo exists anywhere on earth, you'll probably find it on Akihabara Street! Let's say an American electronics store has three variations of an item; a typical store on Electric Avenue will likely have six or even ten! The Japanese really LOVE their electronics. Although voltage differences may keep you from emptying your wallet at Akihabara, you'll still be able to see and try some of the latest technologies while they are still months (sometimes even years) from hitting our shores!
If electronics aren't your thing, you can visit the Ginza District -- Japan's "Rodeo Drive." Ginza contains the country's most expensive real estate -- one square meter of land is worth over ten million yen! As you walk through Ginza, you'll see flagship stores for all the paragons of high fashion such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, plus all of Japan's most venerated retailers including Matsuya, Mitsukoshi and the iconic Wako luxury store. Add specialty boutiques and exclusive art galleries to the mix, and you have all the ingredients for an exquisite afternoon of strolling, perusing and drinking in the distinctive ambiance of Tokyo chic.
After this jam-packed day in Tokyo, we'll return to the hotel to get ready for our next excursion to one of Japan's most popular and beautiful destinations --
Hakone Hot Springs near scenic Mt. Fuji.
