Members of popular idol group AKB48 have opened a brand new AKB48 store in their spiritual home of Akihabara.
Following the success of the official AKB48 store in Harajuku, Mariko Shinoda, 25, Tomomi Itano, 20, Takahashi Minami, 20, Sae Miyazawa, 21, put in an appearance at the opening ceremony of the new AKB48 Cafe & Shop Akihabara on Friday. The new store, designed around the theme of entertainment, includes a movie theater at which ticket holders can watch videos of live AKB48 shows, browse photo collections and DVDs with fellow fans, and even sample the AKB48 themed foods in the cafe.
For fans in a hurry, the take-away snacks include AKB48 donuts, and the store's own specialty, the Pie Daifuku in a specially designed AKB48 themed take-out box.
The group pushed the idea that visitors to the store might get the chance to meet group members. Itano said they have all scribbled hidden messages throughout the store for fans to find.
© Japan Today
29 Comments
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Okinawamike
Well, it had to happen sooner or later. The take-away snacks include AKB48 donuts.
You know, the one with the hole in the head.
supercross1985
Just in case you live to far away to visit,here is a little look at the new place...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf3Qc5cj6rA&feature=related
Bettingurlife
Only four could manage to turn up. Seems a rather pathetic effort from the group to attend the opening of their own shop. Just seems to be another cashcow in my opinion.
CrazyJoe
Actually there were six, the article left out Yokoyama Yui and Watanabe Mayu.
nath
Myself, I prefer SDN48 and NMB48 these days.. Just like MoMu, I don't think AKB48 will ever get "old".. I think they will continue to rehash and refine their image and sound. The nice thing about the franchise is they can open up new units. For example, they are currently auditioning for JKT48 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Unfortunately, I don't think a USA48 would ever take off. American tweens are dumbed down to Hannah Montana and we saw hot popular Menudo was.. not.
AKB48 needs another store in Akiba. The one I went to at the Don Quixote building was a total let down.. the store next door that sold knock-off AOB48 costumes was more interesting. (Can't call them "AKB".. must call them "AOB").
Too bad the store in Harajuku is by appointment only.
Serrano
"Itano said they have all scribbled hidden messages throughout the store for fans to find"
It's just like an easter egg hunt!
Can the fans take whatever the messages are scribbled on as souvenirs? Inquiring minds wanna know!
southsakai
Do they have any AKB48 collaboration in the Hello Kitty product line. My wife loves Hello Kitty and I love AKB48 so this would be a good present to get.
Yubaru
As much as I dislike the group as a whole I am more than mildly jealous of the guy behind the scenes raking in the dough.
Their 15 minutes, (ok maybe 15 years) of fame will eventually end just like MM's did yet until that happens their producer is going to squeeze every drop of money out of those rocks that he can.
bentheredonthat
you know, i'm all for "to each his own" but this fascination with AKB48 borders on lunasea. their lack of b'zness sense and talent is egregious. i would kill myself if my morning musume would buy their cd's. it woulbe be my dream come true if they disbanded.
Serrano
CrazyJoe - You're not going to have a chance to find a scribbled hidden message if you don't go!
supercross1985
AKB48 and Morning Musume will be around for a while,AKB just added another 30 plus Research students (Juniors) and Morning Musume added four more a few days ago.The one group who for me are rising fastest,but don't appear on Japan Today's radar are Momoiro Clover Z.
They keep the group small,but their concerts are getting bigger and bigger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUd-kB5ZRNE&feature=channel_video_title
Maybe the reason AKB48 is happy to open a Cafe is the fact that they are used to feeding their 100 plus girls each day!
risamamachan
In Japan, boys and girls are fascinated and attracted AKB48. I can understand the passion of these younger generation, however, group idol is boom. Looking each lady's character is not so clear, I think. I was wondering why center stage's woman have to decide to the result of the election? It is only sales strategy to reach million seller.
noirgaijin
Twenty five years in Japan, have seen it all and have to agree with most here, both MM and AKB will fade eventually as the next generation of Otaku’s appetite changes, hopefully a more intelligent generation. The Koreans are much more appealing and less goofy looking at this point.
nath
I want to go and leave my email address on the wall in the men's room.
nath
Your e-mail address? Not really on this end. ;)
CrazyJoe
I'm not going.
CrazyJoe
@Serrano
What is this "scribbled hidden message " about? I'm still not going, though.
Serrano
CrazyJoe - It's in the article - check it out! I'm hoping to see one scribbled by Tomomi Itano.
CrazyJoe
@Serrano
You're right. I may go after all.
Serrano
CrazyJoe - Also, they have Pie Daifuku! It must be yummy! Retsu-go!
CrazyJoe
Serrano-I prefer the Yukimi Daifuku, though. レッツラゴー (let's go).
alladin
I think AKB48 is getting a bit old. There are much better groups than AKB48. Take for example, girls generation, now that is what I call a real great group! They will blow AKB48 put of the charts in any given day!!
genjuro
You mean Plastic Surgery Generation? Just another cheap, rehashed Korean copy of JPN girl groups, even same number of members as Morning Musume (9). Koreans don't have originality and have been imitating Japanese entertainment for years. As supercross said, AKB and MM will be around for a while and will last longer than any of these korean knockoffs.
nath
Anyone want it?
plasticmonkey
Another shrine to mindless consumerism.
lrodriguezsosa
What's the problem with a theme store? Don´t you have a lot in the US? McDonalds, Planet Hollywood, Starbucks, etc. Is all the same. A way to win big money.
steve@CPFC
Who says we are all from the US, Coffee shops and fast food places bear no relation to this place that i guess is intended for pre teens or those with a similar mental age.
steve@CPFC
This type of thing brings home what George Romero was conveying in The Dawn Of The Dead. Seems like the nightmare has become reality.
steve@CPFC
Japanese pop/rock musicians used to attract lots of attention worldwide for all teh right reasons. Now we have mostly trash like this and people think they have talent. You've been exploited!