Akihabara Tours with Akibanana

Written by: Michael Keferl on August 12, 2008 at 3:31 pm | In LIFESTYLE / FASHION | 1 Comment

Our friends over at Akibanana have really been expanding since their debut this year. Much like with our own tours focused on business and innovations, Akibanana has built their reputation on knowing the geek paradise of Akihabara inside and out, and are working closely with many Akiba insiders.

While the Electric Town can be fun to visit, the large buildings and maid cafes are intimidating when you don’t know what’s inside and you’ll end up walking around aimlessly (believe me). Akibanana’s Akihabara Tours are an easy way for visitors to Tokyo to find out what’s really going on in Akihabara and otaku culture, and make the best use of limited time as well. Their multilingual, cosplaying guides take you around for 2.5 hours for 3,000 yen ($30) per person.

Also on the Japanese language tour is the Akibanana “Guidol” (guide + idol) Cherry who is said to have been (and we have no doubt) born in a candy shop and worked in a candy factory. Below is a video of Cherry on her blog.

For more information on the latest news in geeky Japan, or to check out the tours, check out Akibanana.com.

Tags: akibanana, akihabara, anime, Maid Cafes, otaku
Category: LIFESTYLE / FASHION
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, DIGITAL LIFE, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Hina Ichigo maid cafe Christmas

Written by: Michael Keferl on December 25, 2007 at 11:16 pm | In LIFESTYLE / FASHION | 7 Comments

And the free Hina Ichigo CD from this post goes to…

…comment #41, Mari!

I had my 4-year-old niece draw the number, and she did a fine job.

For all of you who emailed and asked, Hina Ichigo’s CD is not yet available for sale anywhere besides at the CandyFruit shops. So, for your Christmas pleasure, here’s some more for free…

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc to all of our readers, customers, and commenters!

Tags: Maid Cafes, otaku
Category: LIFESTYLE / FASHION
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, DIGITAL LIFE, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Tokyo-Maid Christmas party cute, surreal, and cute again

Written by: Michael Keferl on December 20, 2007 at 6:31 am | In LIFESTYLE / FASHION | 45 Comments

Bonus: Win a signed CD, postage paid from Japan, from Hina Ichigo. Read below for more…

On Tuesday night, the CScout Japan team was fortunate enough to be invited to what may have just been THE social event of the Christmas season…if you’re an otaku, anime fan to any degree, or simply a fan of the eclectic.

After an afternoon of filming with the crew of the NHK show @Human, we all dropped in on a Maid Christmas Party sponsored by maid clothier, optics shop, and cafe CandyFruit.

CandyFruit is one of the more fashionable brands of maid and princess wear, and used the event as both an exclusive Christmas party as well as a fashion show to show off their wares. This was NOT the typical maid cafe experience, as those tend to be much more low key and more cute than stylish. The sold out room had a wide range of guests, including other cosplayers and couples on dates who were up for paying around $80 per person for food, drinks, and a show.

Entertainment (aside from Bingo at the end) was provided by Hina Ichigo, resident CandyFruit maids who have formed a sugary sweet duo. As it’s impossible to do their performance justice, please check out the video and enter our drawing for a free CD!

Want a signed copy of Hina Ichigo’s CD titled Yume no naka demo Daisuki? Just leave a comment on this posting including your email address in the form (won’t be made public). On Christmas we’ll draw one random winner to receive the CD, as well as a CandyFruit handkerchief, compliments of CandyFruit!

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Tags: Christmas, Fashion, Maid Cafes, otaku
Category: LIFESTYLE / FASHION
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, DIGITAL LIFE, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS