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Hello TL people! My name is nemuke, Japanese former SC2 Terran Player. I have participated ESWC 2011 as Japanese representative once. I heard the news of "e-sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" then I went there to report and wrote article in my blog. Now I try to translate it into English to introduce the e-Sports scene in Japan to the abroad people. I'd be so glad if my post could be a little help for your curious about the e-Sports scene in Japan.
**I guess my English is not good enough for writing my impression. I also try to study English by writing this article, so I'd be very happy if you would correct my English.
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On 2014, the 25th of January, "e-sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" the facility specializing in e-Sports finally made an advance to Akihabara, where is the mecca of game cultures.
"e-Sports" stands for "Electronic Sports", Meaning the culture take games as a competition to enjoy "competing with other players",
"e-Sports SQUARE" opened as specialized facility for that "e-sports" cultures in Ichikawa on 2011, since then had been thriving in the hosting gaming events with the communication between players.
But the 25th of December on 2013, "e-Sports SQUARE" has shut down its business with the two years of its history to make a giant step to Akihabara.
Now what kind of world were spread in the inside of the "e-Sport SQUARE AKIHABARA"? I'd like to report it with the photos below.
![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dBI_btuyXWlgxeB-i9_W6m40k8M7_wUSQrJu8I2OceQ=w480-h640-no)
A view from the outside of the facility. It is located on the 2nd floor of the building having the Live space of "Twin Box Akihabara" on the 1st floor.
![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tK5BX2jjZ-o/Uvmqx9zG47I/AAAAAAAABGw/8dj-LBKZUJw/w480-h640-no/CIMG1051%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
A flag and Logo on the stairs in the front of the building, and is easy to notice..
![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nm3K8Em0Nmw/UvmqyJdZqCI/AAAAAAAABHA/us5OP1rYjXw/w480-h640-no/CIMG1052%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
This is entrance. The clear glass door looks cool. You can see the desk and flowers of the celebration of new open through the glass.
![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aKrRht_wBhY/UvmrH9HafrI/AAAAAAAABL4/IFSNMb6lJ_k/w640-h480-no/CIMG1265%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
You can see this desk right after entering.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SPe4VSdy8oc/Uvmqy__B_AI/AAAAAAAABHI/n_1psfWGIyQ/w640-h480-no/CIMG1055%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
The entrance is decorated with the flower from its parent company "Sanko Partners", sponsored companies and related e-Sports team.
![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-psxsJIgd_ec/UvmqzJSdKFI/AAAAAAAABHM/RMyly5J_Z3Y/w640-h480-no/CIMG1058%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
The box of "G-tune" in the back are the locker which costs 100 yen to deposit.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1BtPookqjvs/Uvmqzs9yWsI/AAAAAAAABHY/xH9Wv1W8Q5c/w640-h480-no/CIMG1060%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
You can use Life Card, Visa, Master Card from among credit cards.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OQn9EWxn3rzUAJJwnhVLsACqLH3ZiPrlfciVcds1eF0=w480-h640-no)
There is a big poster of "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" in front of elevator.
![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e5iyGjT861Y/Uvmq2bryq4I/AAAAAAAABH4/msqQ5TQ2jZM/w640-h480-no/CIMG1074%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
The notebook with the logo of "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" are displayed in the desk. They aren't on sale at present. But they said it is considered to sell the products with the model of "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" in future.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2uW7xf1vJ90/Uvmq0zDB3WI/AAAAAAAABHk/7KwavO6qVQA/w480-h640-no/CIMG1067%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
The 1st visitor need to create the member card of it. You need to fill out informations like full names, date of birth, E-mail, address, phone number, occupation by the tablet.
Because just I'm not used to use the tablet, it took 5 minutes to just fill out the required informations. It would be much more smooth if I could use other way such as keyboard, handwriting to fill out it.
![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OrW6It4-F3s/UvmrBiRtw3I/AAAAAAAABKk/LGaVT7SF2jw/w640-h480-no/CIMG1235%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
The fees including computer, food and drink are recorded in this member card and the bill will be paid together when the customer is leaving.
It is very convenient that not necessary to take your wallet out for your every order.
![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z7uVyH8ttFs/Uvmq1elKW_I/AAAAAAAABHs/PB6PPVuo2Fo/w480-h640-no/CIMG1069%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
This is the guide of the service. The customer can choose to use pc with per-hour fee or just enter in cafe for observation and communication without per-hour fee.
![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E9zHulVS4dM/Uvmq1-IidoI/AAAAAAAABIE/b2hQMwiScFA/w480-h640-no/CIMG1070%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
This is the fee structure. It is opened from 11AM until 24PM. The customers can get free computer use for 2 hours by ordering a food or drink in between 11AM and 17PM on the weekdays. It is available in total of eight hours if you choose six hours-pack and 1 drink (2,380 Yen, is about $23). In comparison to the internet-cafe named "I-cafe", it costs 2,580yen (is about $25) for nine hours at the daytime on weekdays.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-df85I0cdrsw/Uvmq3UND7bI/AAAAAAAABII/L4SdBpJKQVU/w640-h480-no/CIMG1089%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
They are staffs of "e-sports SQUARE AKIHABARA"! You don't need to worry if you're a foreigner because there is a german staff who speaks English fluently.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J6nqJIUdwDY/Uvmq4SYnVuI/AAAAAAAABIg/gcbrcjycthw/w640-h480-no/CIMG1094%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
I also took a photo of myself to take advantage of this opportunity 
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5M0SKpI-dE4/UvmrBExUoSI/AAAAAAAABKc/plqdDRbm8_E/w640-h480-no/CIMG1219%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
There is divided into 3 large sections in the facility: The stage, commentary and the seats allowed eating and drinking, Bar and cafe.
![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S07eEbLEBlM/Uvmq25-y_5I/AAAAAAAABIc/jw6qWcitHN8/w640-h480-no/CIMG1078%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
You can see the gaming seats and the stage on the left from the desk. There is the seats where 10 computers facing each five computers together and the stage where is a big screen and the two set of five computers for competition on the stage. Spare computers are behind here so it is available to set the two set of seven computers on the stage when holding an event. Only drinking is allowed on those seats.
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fhBVTHaTVVY/Uvmq6Mc-ToI/AAAAAAAABI8/CdQJmhJoGQo/w640-h480-no/CIMG1107%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
This is a view of the gaming seats installed the ROCCAT Device. There are streamed the e-Sports introduction video which is broadcast in the press party of "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" on the 24th of January, the video from sponsored companies, and the Starcraft2 documentary movie "State of Play" on the big screen.
![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3s9nIdSBjJU/Uvmq5gCP3LI/AAAAAAAABI0/sPKl0S5jEKs/w480-h640-no/CIMG1103%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G8CT2G34VxA/Uvmq47GX3gI/AAAAAAAABIo/3xQKD5xXj4E/w480-h640-no/CIMG1102%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
The special edition stitching the logo of the "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" of gaming chair of "DX Racer", the sponsor of e-Sports company/teams such as "WCG 2014", Korean Progaming Team "Indrecible Miracle", are set for every gaming seat.
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T7EC_tHfScY/Uvmq7fUVo6I/AAAAAAAABJU/l4CTjSsqfIE/w640-h480-no/CIMG1117%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
A view of the outside of gaming seats on the stage. They are covered by the soundproof acrylic dividers in front of the computers.
![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RLCPRufeAYs/Uvmq_tlZwwI/AAAAAAAABKE/9tQeIqRzh8A/w640-h480-no/CIMG1208%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
A view from the inside of gaming seats on the stage. I tried this seat for this opportunity. The customer can play games with the feel of pro-gamer.
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5KopPbWpH2U/UvmrATyh57I/AAAAAAAABKQ/xRlKlSoeBLk/w640-h480-no/CIMG1209%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
There is a pit for cables so you don't need to worry about tangling the cables.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t3M3USK0ZJQ/UvmrAw79LRI/AAAAAAAABKs/cV52ViWoy9w/w640-h480-no/CIMG1210%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
There is a good space for putting your baggage under the desk.
![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9cO9VhdTuZ0/UvmrCcqCfbI/AAAAAAAABKw/xGglZZOhWRE/w640-h480-no/CIMG1236%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
A view from the seat on the stage, it feels like near-future.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tR-aSpkSafM/UvmrC-StdvI/AAAAAAAABK4/aZXc2IfbDR4/w640-h480-no/CIMG1237%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
The big screen in the facility looks powerful like the theater.
*Matters of the seats on the stage
Now customers can enjoy the air of the big tournament in the seats covered by the soundproof acrylic dividers on the stage.
However I found some matters with it.
![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bM4CVoR4WOQ/UvmrFjA_HTI/AAAAAAAABLU/6fVWKKvh1tk/w640-h480-no/CIMG1250%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
1: The acrylic dividers reflects the video on the screen
Because this acrylic dividers are easy to be reflected so the video on the screen in back appears on it. Not only it bothers the user playing games inside, but also have a risk of giving information for players in tournaments.
2: Soundproof is not perfect
Certainly it become soft volume from the surroundings inside of the seats on the stage but still as not good enough as you can talk with people through the divider. The problem "players can hear the commentary" often occur in the abroad offline tournament though, I hope "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" will find the answer of it.
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uM8wiwkqvzs/UvmrEi_QkNI/AAAAAAAABLA/7ulnfR76in4/w640-h480-no/CIMG1241%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
There is seats and 3 computers for broadcasting on the left side of down the stage. These seats are not available for the public. They said that customers can rent the operators, the equipment and so on for broadcasting in the event.
![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iKvrabKhkNo/UvmrGOtTzrI/AAAAAAAABLY/YA53_3bWyyY/w640-h480-no/CIMG1253%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
This photo looks not easy to recognize but it is a speaker. Two speakers placed on the both side of the central gaming seats to play out commentaries.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AG-OgElepoA/UvmrFNQsK0I/AAAAAAAABLM/_D4qtAaxflg/w640-h480-no/CIMG1247%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
From commentary seats, there are sofa seats, "e-sports cafe", and 5 computers seats on the both side of this sectoin. Eating and drinking are allowed in this section.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TJ05n_tHyKg/UvmrHKS4z4I/AAAAAAAABLs/JMNVBYdMq3w/w640-h480-no/CIMG1258%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
Sofa seats are made for playing console game and set two PS3.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RMP-FEmlOu4/Uvmq8OPAf3I/AAAAAAAABJc/mtQCzoikK2w/w640-h480-no/CIMG1140%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
"Tekken Tag Tournament 2", "Winning Eleven 2014", "Soul Calibur 5".
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z54CB7eB4yY/Uvmq8fpZuvI/AAAAAAAABJk/a34mnAUqkEA/w640-h480-no/CIMG1148%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
Two console controller on the opposite.
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m17Lv0qxTEE/Uvmq8zgjbpI/AAAAAAAABJs/aMQqa1HTXG8/w640-h480-no/CIMG1152%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
A bar and cafe. There's a screen nearby so you can watch the game while eating.
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3CB7Egjr_vs/Uvmq9aJZLeI/AAAAAAAABJ0/Yyuioi4j7x0/w480-h640-no/CIMG1170%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
The lunch menu from the 11AM until 17PM. If you order sth at this hour you can get free use of computer for 2 hours.
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IWJZ801RSDE/Uvmq93J3JOI/AAAAAAAABKM/DO2LqZjCScA/w480-h640-no/CIMG1174%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
Alcoholic drinks and snacks are available after 17PM.
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K4ESeJdqL04/Uvmq_ID81oI/AAAAAAAABJ8/Byx60RO1MNA/w640-h480-no/CIMG1198%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
The drink collaborated with "G-Tune-Chan" which is the mascot character of "G-tune", the brand of gaming computer of mouse computer are on sale.
![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J-OXAExq_B0/UvmrI80sPfI/AAAAAAAABMI/POukD0f-rns/w640-h480-no/CIMG1278%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
There are seven screens in total so you can watch the match everywhere in the place.
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IOFJxmDfXcs/UvmrHkCs7GI/AAAAAAAABLw/mS3TS8Y92Ck/w640-h480-no/CIMG1264%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
Five computer seats on the both side of section. It looks great for playing 5 vs 5 team game like "League of Legends".
![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zi-a_CUqYE8/UvmrJx6u4_I/AAAAAAAABMc/ILTpF74fi5c/w640-h480-no/CIMG1282%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
I ordered recommended Taco-rice. Plenty vegetables and it's not too spicy, it taste delicious eating rice and soft boiled egg in mixing.
![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NdRgQnUMpQA/UvmrKKHvESI/AAAAAAAABMg/cYno1FYwVfg/w640-h480-no/CIMG1284%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
This is the head chef Mr.Minamigawa. He had been working in the restaurant so aren't familiar with the game cultures much. But if there's no veteran chef it could be very hard for "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA". Now he manages everything about dishes in it.
'We wanted to make the place where players can enjoy the communication with others' Interview of Ryuzo Inoue, the manager of the "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA".
I interviewed for Mr. Inoue, the manager of the facility. Mr. Inoue came "e-Sports SQUARE" in Ichikawa to work as manager after a year of its open. He has been working as the manager ever since. He sometimes plays "Staracraft2" too.
![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gcTAUtYj_F4/UvmrJfm5I2I/AAAAAAAABMU/GZrcNMihyfk/w640-h480-no/CIMG1281%25E4%25BF%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A3.JPG)
--Congratulations for new open! It seemed like near-future design.
Inoue: Thank you. This design is the answer of player's feedback in Ichikawa such as "hights of the desk and chair", "Wiring of computers".
We set the three device makers "ROCCAT", "Logitech", "MAD CATZ". We'd like to set the products of many gaming device makers in the future.
--It increased the numbers of "ROCCAT" compared to Ichikawa.
Inoue: Yes. "ROCCAT" said that "We'd like to support the e-Sports scene in Japan" when we discuss about opening "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" so they decided to provide us equipments with the enjoyment of their products for players.
--How many computers/consoles can be lined up in an event?
Inoue: We can line about 50 computers up in max. Meaning two more seats of 10 computers, three seats in total. We can increase from two sets of five computers to two sets of seven computers on the stage too. Though only PS3 is available for Seats for console, but we can set over 15 PS3s in max. Besides "Tekken Tag Tournament 2", "Winning Eleven 2014", "Soul Calibur 5", We'd like to cover more console game titles. Saying about console games, as following of Daigo came to the press party, fighting game players often come here.
--The big screen is as powerful as movie theater. However, I worry about the reflection and the sound to the seats on the stage. How will you deal with these problem?
Inoue: We're going to care about that because it is most important problem for the players.
We also could make the stage as the place specialized for competing between players and do things for example 'Set seats in the back of the screen', 'Make on the seats on the stage into box-type seat'. However, We can't achieve our purpose that 'To make the place for communication to popularize the e-Sports cultures' in that way so we put much value on to make an open space to let players get together.
Regarding the reflection, We're planning to put the curtain to shut the light.
As for sound problem, we set the directional speakers so players are less likely to hear the sounds. Though I guess there still exists the problem that player still can hear the sounds, it isn't flexible when it comes to prepare for many types of events if we set the box-type seat just like South Korea. This is a problem which way should we choose for example ‘a box for each one player’, or ‘a box for five players’. That's why we took the way to set acrylic dividers.
--Do you have any plan to hold an event in the future?
Inoue: Besides gaming events, We're going to start the tournament of "League of Legends" named "LoL Japan League" from the 9th of February.
We'd like to hold "Barcraft" because this place is designed for watching and communicating more than just playing. (PS: The 11th of February it will hold barcraft event.)
You can use here to get gather in small group because it is free to researve seats in the max of seven.
--Thank you for taking time out for my interview today.
My Impression: New place to have relationship between gamers.
Designed like near-future. Personally, it reminds me the internet cafe named "hahalife cyber cafe" in Taiwan.
Seeming moved from Ichikawa where is outside of central area of Tokyo to Akihabara where is center of gaming cultures and has good access to transportation, makes it really convenient to use for gaming activity.
You can directly call to the facility to talk about the detailed options and fees when you want to hold events. They said there's a 3 type of plan to fully booking that "whole floor", "the stage", "section for eating and drinking".
I guess it is good to use free reserve to hold small party or practice in group for general user.
Especially the seats where 10 computers facing each 5 computer are the best place to playing with chatting.
Personally I'd like to hold "Hearth Stone"'s small offline event there 
I'd like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Inoue and Staff members of "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" who explained its fee structures and all in detail.
Original article(Japanese):[レポート] 2/2『e-sports SQUARE』レポート―国内初のE-sports専用施設がついに秋葉原に進出
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I've been following you and eSports square on twitter and when I see this stuff it looks so awesome! I really really want to visit this center when I come to Japan this summer. I want to know if they'd hire me! xD I'd love to work at a place like this so much T_T;;
Thank you for the write up! You're awesome :D
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United States23455 Posts
This looks incredible! Makes me want to visit Japan
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China6329 Posts
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This is fantastic! Definitely on my list of places to check out when I visit
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omg if only i lived in japan.
this place looks so professionally organised (that cook!!!)
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TLADT24920 Posts
thanks a lot for this! My only concern is, is there enough business for something like this in Japan? I know consoles are usually big there(fighting games mostly?) but is it sustainable?
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Holy shit, I want to go there T.T
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Damn, Japanese gaming cafes are expensive. Not a lot of PC bangs come with their own restaurant, though
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1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
Nice set up. I'll definitely pass by next time I'm in Tokyo
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Congratulations on the upgrade... Damn, that place looks extraordinary.
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Going up to watch Proleague and the showmatch in a couple minutes, can't wait to see the new e-sports square in person! See you soon Nemuke~
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On February 11 2014 15:00 yokohama wrote:
Going up to watch Proleague and the showmatch in a couple minutes, can't wait to see the new e-sports square in person! See you soon Nemuke~
Let us know how it is! Take some more pictures if they'll allow you~ I'm sure everyone would appreciate it. This is quite impressive :D
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Will be even better if theres arcade booths
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United States4126 Posts
Damn, that's pretty impressive. I'm all for Japan branching off into eSports!
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This looks great! I hope I can come for a quick visit next time I'm in Japan! After all, there is always an excuse to go to Akihabara in general, so why not drop by!
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Wow that looks great, even I want to train there :D
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2nd Worst City in CA8938 Posts
Amazing. I wish I was still in Tokyo. 
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That's awesome. Hope esports will get more popular in Japan. Kind of wished that place was there when I was in Tokyo two years ago :D
Now I have even more reasons to go back.
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Very nice! When I start studying in Japan I will go there for sure!
Thank you very much for the article, I had no problem in understanding your english at all, btw
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Looks really cool, I live in Montreal, Quebec and I am wondering if there would be a market for something like this over here. I would be interested in starting something like this if there is.
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Damn Japan gets all the cool stuff, so jelly >_<
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On February 11 2014 14:19 BigFan wrote:
thanks a lot for this! My only concern is, is there enough business for something like this in Japan? I know consoles are usually big there(fighting games mostly?) but is it sustainable?
hmm it's difficult to answer. People in "e-Sports SQUARE AKIHABARA" are trying to set the e-sports culture in Japan. But I don't think they are profitable now. Still people don't know about this facility, as time goes on, I hope they will become famous and bigger.
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Thank you guys for your comments, recently we had barcraft there and i wrote reports on my blog. I'd like to translate it and post as soon as possible
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I was planning to stop by here last Summer when I was in Tokyo, but didn't have the time.
Maybe next time! I want to try the food, but I also want alcohol before 17:00 T_T
lol =P
Thx nemuke!
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On February 15 2014 14:28 nemuke wrote:Thank you guys for your comments, recently we had barcraft there and i wrote reports on my blog. I'd like to translate it and post as soon as possible
I played CriMsoN while he was there. He really enjoyed it :D Looking forward to the blog!
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On February 11 2014 14:19 BigFan wrote:
thanks a lot for this! My only concern is, is there enough business for something like this in Japan? I know consoles are usually big there(fighting games mostly?) but is it sustainable?
there really isnt.
However Sanko, has bet the house that LoL is going to take off in Japan, which riot is supposed to start JP servers sometime this year.
If LoL doesnt take off this year.... well it might be a pretty hard time.
Although Wargaming is throwing a lot of money around for World of Tanks already in Japan.
WoT has a marginal player base here.
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That's awesome and afterwards a visit this "neopunk site" Fukushime.. looks so spacy..
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Wow.
I hope this place has a long fruitful life. It's on my list of places I'd like to visit now. Akihabara is a great location!!
On February 15 2014 14:28 nemuke wrote:Thank you guys for your comments, recently we had barcraft there and i wrote reports on my blog. I'd like to translate it and post as soon as possible
oh please do
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I find the lack of anime images in Japan facility disturbing....
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Wow, incredible stuff! JESUS
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Korea (South)11232 Posts
Looks really nice. Great post nemuke!
Is the LJL there too?
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On February 15 2014 17:56 Chexx wrote:
Looks really nice. Great post nemuke!
Is the LJL there too?
LJL takes place there. I couldn't go to the opening day because of heavy snow the day before, but size wise I think it's slightly smaller than GOM's Mokdong studio. I've been there couple times and it's pretty nice. A lot of the workers are still new, so they're still in training though.
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Sweden33719 Posts
Looks amaazing. Looks like it would be as ton of fun to operate a place like this as well.
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Korea (South)11232 Posts
On February 15 2014 18:18 glzElectromaster wrote:Show nested quote +On February 15 2014 17:56 Chexx wrote:
Looks really nice. Great post nemuke!
Is the LJL there too? LJL takes place there. I couldn't go to the opening day because of heavy snow the day before, but size wise I think it's slightly smaller than GOM's Mokdong studio. I've been there couple times and it's pretty nice. A lot of the workers are still new, so they're still in training though.
I x-posted it on /r/leagueoflegends
+ Show Spoiler +
Will try to get an interview with the akihabara esports people to promote it a little bit.
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On February 15 2014 17:46 canikizu wrote:
I find the lack of anime images in Japan facility disturbing....
the lack of Eroge is also shocking to me....
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Wow, now its official: Akihabara is the nerd mecca. I got to get meself over there. :D
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United Kingdom12022 Posts
On February 15 2014 19:11 CreatorGX wrote:
Wow, now its official: Akihabara is the nerd mecca. I got to get meself over there. :D
Now? Aki has been the nerd mecca for atleast the last 20-30 years. It wasn't known as the Electric Town for nothing :>
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Japan Rule, this looks freaking awesome!
let's all go visit :D
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great setup, best of luck
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I want to go there so bad! The furnishing looks exquisite
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the food looks incredibly delicious !
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Thank you for many interests about the scene in Japan
And Ttank you to Chexx for posting Reddit LoL.
I think LoL can become big in Japan as well because the number of players are bigger than Starcraft2.
Actually today will hold a LoL casual party event in e-Sports AKIHABARA, then after eight hours of this post, the LJ League matches will start streaming.
Please check it if you interested in it.
Official site of LJ Leauge: http://e-sports-square.com/ljl/
streaming page on twitch: http://ja.twitch.tv/ljlofficial/
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On February 16 2014 12:06 nemuke wrote:Thank you for many interests about the scene in Japan And Ttank you to Chexx for posting Reddit LoL. I think LoL can become big in Japan as well because the number of players are bigger than Starcraft2. Actually today will hold a LoL casual party event in e-Sports AKIHABARA, then after eight hours of this post, the LJ League matches will start streaming. Please check it if you interested in it. Official site of LJ Leauge: http://e-sports-square.com/ljl/streaming page on twitch: http://ja.twitch.tv/ljlofficial/
Cool, I will try to watch if I have time :D
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Look's awesome (and very promising for Japan).
Hopefully next time i'm in Japan I'll remember to come by and check it out
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ALLEYCAT BLUES50119 Posts
On February 15 2014 19:11 CreatorGX wrote:
Wow, now its official: Akihabara is the nerd mecca. I got to get meself over there. :D
It has been the nerd mecca for longer than I've lived.
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Looks amazing, thank you for posting!
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That's great, my dream is that someday those places will exist in a lot of cities and a lot of people will go play and watch games in it
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damn it I went to Tokyo 6months too early!
the place looks really cool and I love the area, best of luck
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O
M
G
Best news in 2014 so far !
I work less than 500m from there.
I wish I could go tonight but I'm stuck at work
But well if it's only 500m, I might as well have a walk lol.
I had no time to read all. Do you show the GSL ?
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On February 16 2014 13:20 BLinD-RawR wrote:Show nested quote +On February 15 2014 19:11 CreatorGX wrote:
Wow, now its official: Akihabara is the nerd mecca. I got to get meself over there. :D It has been the nerd mecca for longer than I've lived.
Yep, and at least as long as the word Akiba-kei has existed.
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Whats the internet speeds there?
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Looks like a very fun place to visit, thank you for the blog!
I'm glad they got an experienced chef. Good food is appreciated anywhere.
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On February 21 2014 19:49 samurai80 wrote:O M G Best news in 2014 so far ! I work less than 500m from there. I wish I could go tonight but I'm stuck at work But well if it's only 500m, I might as well have a walk lol. I had no time to read all. Do you show the GSL ?
nemuke doesn't work there, he was just blogging about it to practice English.
They didn't host bar crafts when I was in Japan, but they have hosted before and have a perfect setup for it and want to host more bar crafts in the future.
They want to become a center for eSports in Japan.
They opened up either early 2013 or 2012, but mostly functioned as a regular cyber cafe, but also hosting a decent amount of Japanese tournaments/events.
That's what I could muster up and assume from my experiences and from the reading, and without actually doing research right now. Maybe nemuke will give you a better answer.
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I've actually visited E-sports square in Ichikawa on a couple of occasions. This is quite the upgrade i must say as the place at ichikawa was just an internet café but it was special cause it had starcraft.
I'll be going to Japan for two weeks in April and I'll deifnitively give this place a visit! It's alot closer to Kikukawa where i'll be staying than Ichikawa ever was so that's great too!
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On February 21 2014 23:32 Shinta) wrote:Show nested quote +On February 21 2014 19:49 samurai80 wrote:O M G Best news in 2014 so far ! I work less than 500m from there. I wish I could go tonight but I'm stuck at work But well if it's only 500m, I might as well have a walk lol. I had no time to read all. Do you show the GSL ? nemuke doesn't work there, he was just blogging about it to practice English. They didn't host bar crafts when I was in Japan, but they have hosted before and have a perfect setup for it and want to host more bar crafts in the future. They want to become a center for eSports in Japan. They opened up either early 2013 or 2012, but mostly functioned as a regular cyber cafe, but also hosting a decent amount of Japanese tournaments/events. That's what I could muster up and assume from my experiences and from the reading, and without actually doing research right now. Maybe nemuke will give you a better answer.
I actually often go in the area, I can't believe I missed this. I'm quite busy right now but I ll have a look asap.
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Wow great looking place to catch some e-sports.
How i wish there is even one that has a place in my country that recognize e-sports.
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Thank you guys for your interest
On February 22 2014 01:49 Joner wrote:
I've actually visited E-sports square in Ichikawa on a couple of occasions. This is quite the upgrade i must say as the place at ichikawa was just an internet café but it was special cause it had starcraft.
I'll be going to Japan for two weeks in April and I'll deifnitively give this place a visit! It's alot closer to Kikukawa where i'll be staying than Ichikawa ever was so that's great too!
That's great you will go to Japan in April, maybe there will be some events so we can meet at there
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Do they let people live in there
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EPT![[image loading]](https://plus.google.com/photos/110663805808124828121/albums/5978997738234974113/5978998111932533058?pid=5978998111932533058&oid=110663805808124828121)
