Interest
Fans Debate Japan's Biggest Otaku 'Sacred Sites'
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
The Otakuma economics newspaper posted an article on Tuesday discussing the "Otaku San Dai Seichi," Japan's three big otaku "sacred sites." Tokyo's (in)famous Akihabara district and Osaka's Nipponbashi, known for its "Den-Den Town" electronics and otaku shops, are known as hot spots for otaku. However, Nagoya's Ōsu area is the third of the "Otaku San Dai Seichi," but it receives significantly less buzz.
Akihabara
The term "Otaku San Dai Seichi" developed as Akihabara, Nipponbashi, and Ōsu's many electronics shopped existed and evolved alongside Japan's otaku culture. As time went on, the areas became collectively known as the three great gathering spots for otaku.
However, online voices have recently said that Ōsu just doesn't fit in with the other two places. Otakuma explains that Ōsu has many otaku stores, but the shopping arcades are really the heart of the area. Normal shops, bars, and restaurants are mixed in with the otaku stores. Compared to Akihabara and Nipponbashi, the area may not seem like an otaku and electronics hub at first glance.
Nipponbashi
Some net users have suggested that other areas should really be at the top of a list of Japan's otaku sacred sites. Proposed places include Ikebukuro, with its shops geared toward female manga and anime fans, and Nakano, which includes the Nakano Broadway shopping complex known by some as "the new Akihabara."
Other suggestions include Tokyo International Exhibition Center, also known as Tokyo Big Site, and the nearby Harumi district. Tokyo Big Site hosts some of Japan's largest otaku events such as Comiket and AnimeJapan.
People also pointed to a different kind of site as Japan's current otaku holy ground. Websites such as Amazon, Yahoo! Auctions, and Toranoana may lead the market in sales of otaku goods within Japan.
Otakuma suggests that instead of a list of a few sacred sites, maybe it is better to describe Japan's otaku hot spots like an idol group with "Seven Gods of the Otaku Sacred Sites."
Ōsu
Apart from shopping districts, Japan also has a plethora of small local sites dedicated to otaku culture because they serve as the setting for stories. The Lucky Star shrine has been lucrative for the town of Washimiya, for example.
On the other hand, some locales resist otaku. The owners of the inn from Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi - A Bridge to the Starry Skies anime asked fans not to visit, in part due to the franchise's adult game origins.
Who knows where the next otaku sacred site will be? Only otaku themselves can decide.
[Via 0takomu]
