Tokyo’s Akihabara Electric Town Plunged Into Darkness in First Power Outage in 30 Years
▼ Summary
– Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district experienced a rare power outage on Friday, causing stores to close and losing its characteristic neon lighting for about an hour.
– Major retailer Tsukumo closed at least four of its specialized stores and suspended phone and email communications during the outage.
– Local workers reported this as the first power outage they had experienced in Akihabara in 15 to 30 years, with some noting it didn’t even occur during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.
– The outage prompted safety-related closures, including at a cluttered second-hand electronics shop that cited safety concerns.
– No official explanation for the outage has been provided, though there is speculation about an infrastructure fault, and TEPCO confirmed the outage but offered no statement.
Tokyo’s famous Akihabara district, known worldwide as a vibrant hub for electronics and pop culture, experienced an unusual power outage on Friday that left the area in darkness for about an hour. The disruption temporarily stripped the neighborhood of its signature neon glow and bustling energy, marking what many longtime residents and shopkeepers described as an exceptionally rare event.
Several stores were forced to close their doors during the blackout, including major retail chains like Tsukumo, which operates multiple specialty outlets throughout the district. The company announced it was temporarily unable to handle phone or email inquiries until electricity was restored, affecting businesses focused on PC components, monitors, VR equipment, and custom builds.
Longtime employees and local business owners expressed surprise at the outage, with many noting they had never witnessed anything similar during their careers. One shop, which humorously brands itself as a “junk shop,” cited safety concerns due to its famously cluttered interior and decided to close for the duration. A worker there mentioned it was their first power loss in 15 years on the job.
Other accounts pushed that timeline even further. A PC parts dealer claimed it had been roughly two decades since their last outage, while an employee at the Tokyo Radio Department Store stated they hadn’t experienced a blackout in nearly 30 years, a notable feat considering the area remained powered even during the catastrophic 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Despite local speculation pointing toward an infrastructure malfunction, no official cause has been released by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which acknowledged the outage but has not provided further details. The brief interruption served as a stark reminder of the district’s reliance on consistent energy, a commodity usually taken for granted in the heart of the Electric Town.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)