Ever since I got the anime syndrome, back in the old days, I wanted to pay a visit to Akihabara. Not just because it is the grandmother and father of all that is saint and holy, but because this Anime Mecca hosts everything that an otaku needs. From manga volumes, electronics, the famous Tokyo Anime Center, up to various duty-free shops. All in all, you can buy whatever your heart desires. Or even more. Fancy getting kicked in the balls, extorted and left without a penny just because you are an otaku? Nothing easier, pay a visit to Akihabara, find a shady little street, put on a “I can’t lift a finger against a 2 years old” and wait for the occasional thug to rob you of your precious spendola. Want to get your hands on that Hazuki-chan life-size doll you’ve been dreaming about all Summer? You’ve guessed it, this place hits the spot.

Now, even those of us not blessed yet with the power of the Japanese language can benefit from this, because The Tourism Industry Association of Japan decided to organize free English guided tours of Akihabara district each Saturday, up until January 19, 2008. Two hours of your time, countless of moments of pleasure. And something tells me that the said tour might involve free visits to special Maid Coffees, where you can get your ears cleaned. For free.