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While not explicit, I do get the sense that they are trying to glamorize these atrocious stores. If you are American just imagine a 6 story "Big Lots!" that hap

While not explicit, I do get the sense that they are trying to glamorize these atrocious stores. If you are American just imagine a 6 story "Big Lots!" that happens to also sell designer bags and sex toys. Those stores are a mess inside and I can only imagine make a profit because they sell everything. In central Tokyo, most of them are just tourist traps at this point.

aikinai 7y ago
They’re certainly not tourist traps; they’re a staple for people living in central Tokyo. Many years ago I lived in Shibuya and Donki was the only place I could get a lot of basic supplies, including even groceries, at a reasonable price. Now I live somewhere else in central Tokyo and don’t go nearly as often thanks to Amazon, but it’s still the only place to buy a lot of items.
- distantaidenn 7y ago
  Perhaps not many years ago, but they are certainly full of tourists now. Check out the Shibuya or Roppongi Donki on any given day, and the number of tourists is far greater than that of locals -- same with Daiso, recently. Also my comment doesn't preclude Donki having some daily necessities. As for calling it a "staple" for central Tokyo, that's a bit of a stretch. If you said outside of the 23 wards, then I would agree.
  - w00kie 7y ago
    You're taking the two places that have the most tourists and lowest residential concentration in Tokyo. Obviously it's going to be mostly tourists in the shop. Go see a Donki in a residential neighborhood and it'll be full of locals. I live in Shirokane, an upscale highly residential neighborhood off of Meguro station, and even if it's reputed as one of the richest place in Tokyo there is a Donki and it's packed with local families shopping.
    - distantaidenn 7y ago
      Fair enough. I also live in a upscale residential area of Minato (Azabu Juban). I'm actually considering a move to Shirokane, as Juban is getting a bit too crowded. I admit I am biased in that my nearest Donki is the Roppongi location.
    - patio11 7y ago
      Ditto Nakameguro, a tony neighborhood with both lots of tourists and a dense residential population. The local store is, by casual observation, mostly people from the neighborhood buying shampoo, coffee, liquor, and sundries.
      - JJMcJ 7y ago
        So similar to many parts of Manhattan?
  - irq11 7y ago
    There are Donki in totally residential parts of Tokyo that get almost no tourist activity. You’re overgeneralizing from limited experience. Not everything in Japan is like Shibuya or Roppongi.
    - distantaidenn 7y ago
      When I said central Tokyo, I should have been more clear. I was referring to Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Minato ku. I'm well aware of the diversity (or sometimes lackthereof) of Japanese cities/neighborhoods. I've been living here for 10 years.
- thrav 7y ago
  I went to the Akihabara location while in Tokyo, mostly to see the gamers. Went up 6 escalators and was not disappointed by the intensity of local gaming going on up there. There were dudes who’d brought their own electric fans and towels to keep them comfortable while they DDR’d the night away.

aikinai 7y ago

They’re certainly not tourist traps; they’re a staple for people living in central Tokyo. Many years ago I lived in Shibuya and Donki was the only place I could get a lot of basic supplies, including even groceries, at a reasonable price. Now I live somewhere else in central Tokyo and don’t go nearly as often thanks to Amazon, but it’s still the only place to buy a lot of items.

distantaidenn 7y ago
Perhaps not many years ago, but they are certainly full of tourists now. Check out the Shibuya or Roppongi Donki on any given day, and the number of tourists is far greater than that of locals -- same with Daiso, recently. Also my comment doesn't preclude Donki having some daily necessities. As for calling it a "staple" for central Tokyo, that's a bit of a stretch. If you said outside of the 23 wards, then I would agree.
- w00kie 7y ago
  You're taking the two places that have the most tourists and lowest residential concentration in Tokyo. Obviously it's going to be mostly tourists in the shop. Go see a Donki in a residential neighborhood and it'll be full of locals. I live in Shirokane, an upscale highly residential neighborhood off of Meguro station, and even if it's reputed as one of the richest place in Tokyo there is a Donki and it's packed with local families shopping.
  - distantaidenn 7y ago
    Fair enough. I also live in a upscale residential area of Minato (Azabu Juban). I'm actually considering a move to Shirokane, as Juban is getting a bit too crowded. I admit I am biased in that my nearest Donki is the Roppongi location.
  - patio11 7y ago
    Ditto Nakameguro, a tony neighborhood with both lots of tourists and a dense residential population. The local store is, by casual observation, mostly people from the neighborhood buying shampoo, coffee, liquor, and sundries.
    - JJMcJ 7y ago
      So similar to many parts of Manhattan?
- irq11 7y ago
  There are Donki in totally residential parts of Tokyo that get almost no tourist activity. You’re overgeneralizing from limited experience. Not everything in Japan is like Shibuya or Roppongi.
  - distantaidenn 7y ago
    When I said central Tokyo, I should have been more clear. I was referring to Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Minato ku. I'm well aware of the diversity (or sometimes lackthereof) of Japanese cities/neighborhoods. I've been living here for 10 years.
thrav 7y ago
I went to the Akihabara location while in Tokyo, mostly to see the gamers. Went up 6 escalators and was not disappointed by the intensity of local gaming going on up there. There were dudes who’d brought their own electric fans and towels to keep them comfortable while they DDR’d the night away.