(As Posted on the Tank, a week ago.)

Hey everyone it's JohnnyAkiba with some important news.

I will be leaving to Japan November 1st!

For 2 months I will be staying in Japan's "Big Apple", Tokyo. There I will live the life and hopefully find some interesting sights to show to all of you Tankers. I also have plans to visit Osaka, Nikko, and Kamakura (THE TOWN, NOT THE G.I. JOE). I already have many plans that are in the works now, but I wanted to hear from you all. Are there any suggestions? Is there anything that YOU would do while visiting? Have you been? I have a long trip ahead of me and the more things I can cram in, the better. (That's what she said.)

I will post more information, pictures, and stories as they become available. STAY TUNED

buy the book "tokyo underground". it is awesome. kind of a tour guide to all the best toy stores japan has to offer

I would buy me tons of Gundam stuff. No seriously though, if you see any SD Gundam gashapon, you should pick me up one or two. I'd gladly pay you for them and your troubles

Have a lot of fun man! I'm hoping to visit there in the next couple years myself.

I used to buy SD Gundam gashapon in the states. Have a ton. They are available if you would like?... I'll look for them and take a picture!! PM if you interested!

Johnny's HOME PAGE

OK everyone, please subscribe to my blog page. I will continue to add photos and videos once I leave, which is NOVEMBER 1st!

THIS SUNDAY....but don't expect Japan photos until Tuesday! I have a 11 hour layover in LA and an 11 hour flight!

NOT THERE YET. But you can see what I'm doing right now on my blog page. Currently I am in LA International Airport. Check it out. [URL="http://johnnyakiba.spaces.live.com/"]Johnny's Blog[/URL

Some pictures and a short video, download it, it'll blow your mind.

Hey everyone I am IN JAPAN NOW

I made it in yesterday but unfourtunately my netbook lost power and I brought the wrong plug soooo....I am going to Akihabara to find an adapter.

I will post more pictures once I have my netbook running but for now you will have to take my word. It is awsome.

I just came back from Kaminarimon sooo those will be the first photos you will get to see, other than the ones from LAX

CHECK IT OUT. The office - Windows Live

OSUKUNATTEGOMENASAI

Very very sorry for the wait everyone. I have been so busy with this and that. I just uploaded my photos on to my Microsoft Photo blog.

The office - Windows Live

Please take a look and leave some comments please! THANK YOU

I dont know if you all care...which you probably don't BUT

I have posted a lot more pictures from my trip. I constantly update them everyday with new happening of my trip in Japan.

The next event is in DECEMBER when I will be attending MOCHITSUKI. The rice dough hammer pounding festival where we copy what the space rabbits on the moon do.....

YEAH, it's Japan alright.

CHECK OUT MY PHOTOS JOURNAL HERE

also tokyo tower....

Johnny! I've been meaning to check out your journal, but I've been pretty busy. I'll let you know when I get a chance to look. Hope you're having fun!

hit up a japanese toys r us...i'm way curious to see what kinds of awesome they stock!

Cool pics Johnny. I hope to visit Japan some day.

There is one in Odaiba. I really want to go sometime soon before it gets TOO COLD. Right now its about 45-46. and I am sleeping on the floor.....it gets FRACKING cold. I know they carry a ton of stuff but I don't think they will carry as much as Akihabara's YODOBASHI CAMERA. I have been there 5 times already and keep forgeting to take pics!!!!! It's 8 floors of elecronics and one solid floor of TOYS!!!!!!

I also went to Labi 1's Yamada Denki in IKEBUKURO, where the 7th floor is titled "GUNDAM". If you check out my photos you can see that they have a GUNDAM MODEL MUSEUM!!!! They have every figure, model, and game made for gundam on sale!!!!!! You can see some of the store HERE

I will soon post some advice on getting your trip started and things to worry about and things to think about. There is a lot that I was blind sighted by. I did a lot of preperation for this trip and a ton of studying and even after 5 years of it, I still was hit with a hand full of small shockers. I wish to inform all the nerds, geeks, and otakus of Japan in America of what you can do to prepare for a trip to JApan.

according to super7's book "tokyo underground" toys-r-us in japan sems to have the latest star wars toys well before the ones in the states. they also seem to have an endless supply as well...

YOU ARE IN LUCK MY FREIND.

I took your hint and headed to Odaiba today. Please check out my pictures for the inside look of JAPANESE TOYS'R'US!!

I walked practically everywhere but I still did not get to see everything. Once I got to Tokyo Big Sight (The upsidedown pyramid) my camera crapped out!!!! Low battery.

Please leave your comments here OR on my blog page for each picture! It was fun but my legs are killing me.

You can find those pictures HERE

awesome! thanks man. i love seeing the godzilla vinyl on the racks. i wish u.s. tru's had modeling sections like that. reminds me of the good ole days.

but honestly...that katana umbrella is freakin EPIC. i have to find one of those...

I was tempted to buy it since I use an umbrella pretty regularly. But...w/e

The store that had it was kind of like a spencer gifts. but 3 times the size.

great new pics johnny! i hope you actually went into kiddy land. that store is a cultural landmark (and as you know) six stories tall! it actually appeaered in the "megazone 23" anime. i hope you got plenty of photos inside.

you've gotten some great pics of the sites and temples but i'd like to see more toy store photos (ya know...only if ya can).

OH I definately can. At least for the ones located outside of Akiba! lol, they do not allow photos of their displays. I don't know if I want to get stares coming my way.

I do apologize, I get lazy sometimes and forget to takes pics OR I just never think about it. Like today for instance, I went to Ikebukuro and bought some figures but because I already went there I decided not to take any pictures.

Please continue to check my pictures daily. Even though I tend not to post them everyday!!!

man i totally understand...if my wife didn't make me take photos on our vacations and trips i would get caught up in the,"OOOO SHINEY!" and the "WOW THATISSOFREAKINCOOLANDAWESOME"...i really appreciate the images you have shared.

besides the incredibly awesome 7-11 gundam you acquired what other kinds of figures/toys/models have you gotten? did you pick up one of the gradius kits you were contemplating?

So far I have purchase some figures for my best freind. It's a secret

And I also picked up NANAEL Queensblade figure. Which is awsome.

I am going to buy the Gradius model but its a bit expensive and I don't know which one I want just yet....I have a choice of all 5 ships soo....it's a bit difficult. BUT when I leave I will defiantely have at least ONE of those kits. lol

Today I picked up the latest issue of Dengeki Hobby which came with an awsome MODEL KIT. Its a head bust and stand for Gundam Unicorn which will premiere next year!!! I CANNOT WAIT. Its a great continuation of the UC timeline. I am now contemplating on purchasing a 1/144 unicorn gundam as well!!! well see................

if you are still in japan when the pg 00 raiser is released you should try and get some shots of a store launch for us...i cant wait to receive my model.

OH MAN YOU ARE IN LUCK BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE RELEASED SATURDAY

BUT

I have already seen it!!!! lol Most stores actually have this thing built and on display here! They also have MG V gundam on display AND both 1/144 Unicorn Gundams out already~! (NYA NYA~!) ;p

Looks like I am going to have to take a trip to Akiba today to get you some photos huh? I know that Ikebukuo has the PG OO but idk it Akiba does, I could only assume so.

It's great around here because the stores actually show off the amazing detail and articulation for each figure. I actually know the place where the gundam model master resisdes. He has a store and does demonstrations of his techniques. I sat down one time but he was applying decals and I already know how to do that! lol I will take more pictures today of GUNDAM MODELS, stay tuned.