“Shikoku, one of the four major Japanese islands, is renowned for its Buddhist temples. With a history stretching back for over a thousand years, tourists and followers of Shingon Buddhism regularly come to visit 88 of these holy shrines as part of a traditional pilgrimage.
But today, many visitors see Japan as a Mecca for the modern and geeky. It’s the birthplace of Miyamoto and Mario, the home of the Akihabara Electric Town, and host to the Tokyo Games Show. What these travelers don’t realize is that Japan hosts much more than the latest games and tech; there’s a thriving sub-culture, which has been built up around them. If you like the idea of strong drinks served with a side of 8-bit nostalgia, there’s another kind of pilgrimage available.
Scattered around Tokyo, lie six diverse videogame-themed bars. Popular amongst fans and game developers, these establishments allow customers to combine their love of games and alcohol. Most walk right past them, without even realizing they exist. That’s why we put together this pilgrim’s guide to Tokyo’s videogame shrines and cocktail lounges. The addresses and websites (when available) have been provided along with the description of each bar. We’ve also done our best to include an estimate of how much a night of “moderate” drunken gaming will run you.”
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