TOKYO - If you're a gamer, and you like to import games from Japan, you've probably heard of Akihabara. It's a section of Tokyo that is well known because of the amount of gadgets and electric products that are located there - and on display. To put it simply: It's a consumer electronics-lover's dream. And, luckily, video gamers are also included in that.

　　Once again, I had heard many a story of multilevel game stores, games stacked floor to ceiling, and treasure troves of rare and used games like the kind we never get in the States. Those stories are completely true. Down the main strip, there are many game software stores, with those multilevel areas, selling every kind of game from every kind of video game system you can think of. There are also those times where you'll see the inexplicable - like Atari Lynx games in plentiful amount at a basement shop selling only arcade boards (very odd).

　　Since the dollar is very strong now, a good amount of games and soundtracks can be bought for relatively less money than normal. Plus, in Akihabara most stores discount their games, so you're getting a super deal.

　　Another aspect of Tokyo that I had the pleasure of checking out today was the train system - simple to use even if you don't know Japanese (and I know a little, but not enough to be speaking it often). I was whisked away to Akihabara in only a few minutes. Unlike the mass transit systems I'm used to, the mix of subway and train lines in Tokyo takes you just about anywhere you'd want to go. That's a good thing. While coming back, although it wasn't rush hour, the train was pretty crowded. Wonder what it's like during rush hour....

　　One of the more interesting finds in Akihabara included a Japanese version of the NES ROB robot for the Famicom (never knew that existed). Plus, they had a Famicom system in one store, used, that had a disk drive, keyboard, tape drive, maybe a dozen games on cart and more on disk, plus a gold Punch Out!! cartridge for the sum of about $2k.

　　Also, I saw a couple copies of Phantasy Star on the Mega Drive, too - pretty impressive. I saw a Nomad for the US equivalent of $250 - if they only knew in the US it was available for under $60.

　　I picked up a Namco Class Collection Techno Maniax CD, which includes techno remixes of songs from Pac-Man, Mappy, Galaga, Dig Dug, and a couple others. Of course, the opportunity to pick up soundtracks from Bust A Move (Enix) and Parappa the Rapper was not passed up.

　　But I was most impressed with the multilevel game stores like Laox and Yamigawasoft. These two stores have an amazing amount of games and game-related paraphernalia. That means my wallet took another hit before leaving these two shops.

　　After leaving Akihabara, I had the pleasure of eating sukiyaki for dinner. I'm not sure how exactly to describe it, but it was definitely the best meal I've had here in Tokyo yet. Nothing beats finishing dinner off with some green tea ice cream, too.

　　After that, I did some more wandering around Shinjuku and went back to the hotel, where I'm typing this right now. I'm in desperate need of sleep, so I think I'll end this now. Tomorrow's the first day of the Tokyo Game Show.

　　Make sure you check out our coverage, beginning tomorrow morning for you guys in the US.

　　Later!