Hey guys,
Just want to say this is my first post and my name is Sam. Im 17 years old i live in London and will be going to Tokyo next year for my gap year, and who knows, maybe i will live there!
I went to Tokyo last christmas and it was amazing! I really loved eating the Kobe beeeeeeeeef!!!!!!
But to the point. I spent half my time in the arcades, i sat there concentrated on my street fighter II game, sipping my grape fanta which i got from a vending machine and then suddenly 'DING DING' im wirelessly challenged by another player?! I was so amazed that people could challenge me wirelessly from their machines.
I couldnt help but notice how the arcades were filled with business men, you never ever see that in london. It was amazing to see how these games are part of their culture. I saw a horse betting game by SEGA which just shocked me. 12 huge leather chairs each with their own private screen. The user is given a card which saves details of their horse. The screen is a touch screen which enables them to stroke and feed their horse before they race. Betting was done with silver coins which had no financial value, they could not be traded for money or prizes!!
Its amazing, it is illegal to gamble with money in japan, its great to see people enjoying innocent gaming.
Other arcade games were things like those crane machines which pick up presents, that was so cool because the people working in the arcades delibarately place the prize on the edge so its easy to get
Overall i found the experience of the arcades so amazing, it feels so surreal compared to london.
PS. i also found it very very strange how vending machines were placed outside, we dont see that in the UK because of the yobs that would smash it to pieces..
I really really enjoyed my time in Tokyo and i cant wait to go back!!
Has anyone else experienced the KOBE BEEF and ARCADES there?
Peace x
- Sam
