Why Every Gamer Should Make It a Goal to Visit Japan at Least Once

Many different forms of media, from videos to online posts, have often depicted Japan as one of the best places to visit if you're a huge fan of video games. The country is definitely the birthplace of huge names of the gaming industry, Sony and Nintendo being one of the best examples, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the be-all and end-all of everything game-related.

However, as someone who was recently there for almost a week, I can say with full confidence that it definitely is. I have visited many other countries, and none of them come close to the amount of gaming culture that Japan possesses.

As soon as I touched down and settled in my hotel, I immediately went to Akihabara, where many say is the central hub for all things video games. It's certainly true, as I was completely overwhelmed by everything there, and no image or video can do justice to how amazing the place is.

Every corner I turned, there was always something to gawk at. If it wasn't a store that sold retro gaming consoles, it was a cafe that had official Final Fantasy merchandise. There were even outlets with arcade machines I've never even heard of or seen before, making me realize how much more there is to gaming than I thought I knew.

From there, I confirmed that Japan is a must-visit place if you're truly a fan of video games. The best part is that Akihabara isn't the only location to experience the country's wealth of gaming culture, as other areas can provide it just as well, and I was able to visit one of them.

Following Akihabara, I went to Shibuya, and while the place is commonly known for the ever-adored Hachiko statue, it's also known for a building that houses some of the best stuff every gamer would want: the PARCO shopping complex.

Being inside it means having access to official Capcom, Sega, and Nintendo stores, as well as one of the best Pokemon Centers in the country. Every single bit of merchandise from each store screamed how much they understand the love people have for video games, and they didn't hold back in showing it.

There were things like adorable Zelda keychains, Monster Hunter figurines, and even a huge Ryu statue, and all of them were top-quality. It also helps that the prices for merchandise being sold were incredibly fair, with some even being extremely affordable, meaning just about any fan can get them if they really want to.

Other places, such as the official Sony flagship store in Ginza or Super Nintendo World in Osaka, would have been great to visit, but unfortunately, I didn't have the time. However, not being able to go there despite having stayed for nearly a week in Japan shows how the country has so much to offer for those who truly love video games.

If you're one of them, I highly recommend making a trip to what I consider the holy land for all gamers. Japan is a place you simply have to visit at least once for every video game fan. You'll be doing yourself a disservice if you never go or at least consider it.

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