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I miss the Akihabara of the 2010s. Sure, there were a lot of tourists even then, but there were Japanese otaku everywhere too. But these days it's mostly tourists and most of the good shops closed down. There's still some cool stuff there but it's just not the same.

I used to really like the atmosphere outside of the station on the side with the AKB and Gundam cafes. People would hang out their and wait for their friends, and there was always a big crowd waiting around the AKB cafe (back when they were still relevant). Since there were so many people, indie idols and whatnot used to perform there to try and build up a following. I used to really enjoy hanging around there while waiting for my friends.

And I really miss Toranoana. I remember the first time I went, they had two buildings and me and my friends entered the wrong one, so we climed 8 floors while wondering why there was so much BL, only to finally realize that the lolis were in the building next door.

I miss the old Cospa building. The new shop is so much nicer, but the old one felt like a secret since you had to climb that shitty stairwell and almost break your neck.

I miss showing friends the secret shrine that's in a narrow alley right on the main street, back before some stupid YouTuber showed it to everyone.

I miss some of the retro arcades that closed down.

Covid really did a number on Akiba. It is healing, and I do so more and more local otaku there again these days, but it's still different. Trends change, shops disappear, and there's more tourists. I miss the Akiba of the 2010s.