The following article appeared on Akiba Today, in collaboration with the Akiba Keizai Shinbun.
The audio guide series Tokyo Realtime began distribution of its Akihabara edition in mid-October.
Tokyo Realtime is an audio guide published by Japan-based White Rabbit Press to help non-Japanese sightseers on walking tours. The company has also released guides for Shinjuku and Kabukicho.
And now White Rabbit Press is featuring Akihabara, with Patrick W. Galbraith as your navigator, who is the administrator of Otaku2 (an otaku information website for non-Japanese) and who conducts tours of Akihabara dressed in a cosplay costume of Goku from Dragon Ball. Galbraith’s code name when serving as a tour conductor: Gaigokujin, a play on words that mixes the Japanese word for “foreigner” (“gaikokujin”) and the character name “Goku.” The Akihabara guide has recordings for visiting locales such as Radio Kaikan, maid cafes and Mandarake, as well as explanations of Akihabara’s history and of otaku (nerd) culture, like itasha (a car that has anime or game characters decorating the body). In addition, also included is commentary by Otaku USA editor-in-chief Patrick Macias and Danny Choo, the administrator of dannychoo.com, a Japan pop culture website with over 20 million monthly page views by 2 million visitors.
The audio content is currently on sale for download at White Rabbit Press’ website for $12. There are also future plans to sell a packaged edition with a set containing the audio guide CD, an Akihabara map and a photo collection.
This article has been created in collaboration with
Akiba Keizai Shimbun
Are Japanese Crazy? 80,000 Questions Around the World
In October 2009 White Rabbit Press director and producer of Tokyo Realtime: Kabukicho Max Hodges was called upon by German TV channel NDR for a tour of the Tokyo neighbourhood.
No, we’re not waffling on about the cult movie Sin City, we’re talking Kabukicho, the lively area in Tokyo the authorities are desperately trying to clean up. It’s notorious for hostesses, bars, mobsters and love hotels, but it’s a defiantly feral affair not willing to be gentrified. Now, out this year, is a nightime audio guide for tourists. We put it to the test. The verdict? The area hasn’t dimmed its red lights yet. We weaved through the alleys and streets, admiring the Dickensian looking host-boys with their bleached mullets and pointy shoes and learning about the area’s history. And, despite the saki devoured, thanks to our generous hosts at a restaurant beforehand, we only missed one street. Strongly recommended for an esoteric view of the capital.
同社は今回、秋葉原にフィーチャー。外国人向けオタク情報サイト「Otaku2」の運営や「ドラゴンボール」の悟空のコスプレをして秋葉原でツアーガイドを行っている通称「ガイ悟空人」ことパトリック・ウィリアム・ガルバレス（Patrick W. Galbraith）さんをナビゲーターに起用。ラジオ会館やメードカフェ、まんだらけなど実際に秋葉原を巡りながら録音したという秋葉原ガイドや、秋葉原の歴史、痛車をはじめとする「オタク文化」の解説を収録。加えて、「オタク・イン・USA」著者パトリック・マシアスさんや月間200万ユニークユーザー、2,000万PVを超える情報サイト「ダニー・チュー．com」管理人ダニー・チューさんなどのコメントも。
TOKYO REALTIME is a series of audio guided tours for Tokyo neighborhoods. The first tour is for Shinjuku’s notorious Kabukicho entertainment district. Simply transfer the audio program to any portable mp3 player and listen while you follow the route on the included map. The carefully researched tour mixes narration and interview content with recorded street sounds and music. You learn about the area’s people and places as well as the area’s history and compelling culture from various angles. The beautifully designed package includes a booklet of area photography.
The following article appeared on Akiba Today, in collaboration with the Akiba Keizai Shinbun. 
