While in Hiroshima, Japan for a week, I couldn’t let the time pass without visiting a game center or two (what we call “arcades” in the US). I visited Taito Station, a massive 6-floor game center on the central Hondori shopping arcade, which caused me to have bulging-eye syndrome. Because it was mid-day during the week, it was mostly empty, so I had time to snap a few photos and marvel in its grand weirdness.

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Taito Station is organized by gaming maturity level: starting from the first floor's cute-and-easy crane games, upwards to casino games (it also gets smokier as you go up), then to physical/sport and “starter” video games, and as you reach floor 4 and 5, you’re pretty much in shooter game heaven. But be careful before stepping onto floor 6!

When I could tear myself away, I headed down Hondori to Animate, a massive Manga/anime shop, which also offered a large amount of card games. Card games seem to be very popular in Japan, and there were also a few smaller shops around the city catering to card gamers only.

There was so much to see and play, I would not only need a few hours, but a few days to explore all the games I want to play. I shall return, someday (with a large bag of coins).

Definitely check out Kyle's 2013 gallery from a Tokyo game center where he had a similar experience, since he actually found out what some of these games are!

Listing image by Jennifer Hahn