Mission Taipei was another whirlwind chase. In one day, I had to hunt down the otaku spots, give out flyers for our Akihabara Tours in our banana maid uniform, visit two maid cafes, do PR for our Chinese site to all the otaku shops and find some potential partners - all accomplished!!

Check out this photo-intensive report:

The last time I came to Taiwan was four years ago and I was ferried around everywhere, this time I am all alone and I had to find my way around! Call me wierd but I really liked having to find my way around and not knowing what is next ^^ This trip wasn't really planned but I know it will work out somehow. I woke up early to make the most of the day and I was eager to hit the streets as I don't have much time. My first stop is the soy bean restaurant nearby. I decided to have a heavy breakfast so that I could last longer into the day.

Then it's off to the subway 

The train system is really convenient and easy to get around with! Next stop: a maid cafe in Ximending~

I got lost so soon! (T T) Luckily the policebox is nearby and the policemen showed me the way ..

I arrived around nine something and it was too early because the shops here only opens after 11am and the area comes alive when the sun goes down. Ximending is like Tokyo's Harajuku; it feels so similar to Japan. See below the heavy Japanese influences..

Left: Pink UFO catcher with imitation goods inside.                                                             Right: Graffiti is everywhere

Left: I don't understand this poster because it is for a school.                                       Right: They make cosplay clothes!

Watami, a popular Japanese Izakaya  - the menu is exactly the same!

Yoshinoya for the homesick.

The word Moe n sign boards and purikura machines.

This is interesting.

A large signboard with a sailorgirl greets you from on top.

I finally found it! Moe point is at the third floor of this Moe Moe Center building~

Such posters are everywhere..

The first floor is a thrift clothing store, second floor is a book store, third floor is a cosplay costume store and a maid cafe.

A huge bishojo greets you at the first floor.

Futari ha Purikyua?

Cosplay costumes and gothic lolita dresses on sale here.

Posters i spotted include a tanned version of Evangelion and perhaps a Taiwanese type of moe?

I ordered  a cake and a drink.. it tasted awful. I had two more drinks and they made no difference. You have to spend at least 150 taiwan yuan here.

Although I must say the decor is not bad, there is a little figure at every table and manga for you to read.

Transform!! 変身！！ 

Nudity is mandatory during henshin.

Hmm.. yuri?

They sell cosplay accessories too~

Seems like there is a thriving fujoshi population here.

The maid costume was designed by one of the maids working at moe point. I was surprised that the costumes are sold at about the same price as Japan.

Left: Vote for your favourite fan drawing.                                  Right: Maid's original illustrations

The maids at Moe Point greet you  "Welcome home master and lady" in Japanese and then continue in Chinese in a high-pitched voice.

Left: The building's mascot character.                                                           Right: The staff in the building all cosplay, not just the maids.

Full-length posters here and there..

A bookshop selling mostly manga or anime magazines. They are grouped by the publishers like Kadokawa and so on. Next destination: Animate.

Above: The outside of KT.

Below: The inside.

I was surprised to see so many Cospa goods selling at the same price as Japan.

They do pre-order too!!

This is not a pirated T-shirt but it is made in Taiwan so it brought the cost down significantly and can sell it at less than half the price of a Cospa shirt.

The quality however is clearly different.

Badges are really popular and these are also made in Taiwan.

always near you...

Finally.. the sacred task of giving out our AOA tour flyers in Cherry cosplay><.

I learnt later that the Taiwan society is too conservative for the maid thing - -;

Next destination is Taiwan station's underground shopping mall. This is like Nakano Broadway and perhaps where the core otaku comes~

Gachapon machines were literally everywhere and they have a good mix of old and new stuff.

The pre-order system works here!!!

Eva is popular here unlike in China. Cool~

Rental showcases! Alarm Clocks!!

More shops...

Cool posters!!

A trading card shop!! Feels like yellow submarine..

Taiyaki snack was not enough.. finally had lunch/dinner around 4pm >< yummy~~

Next stop is another maid cafe called Fatimaid. Will do a review soon~ This is as authentic a maid cafe you can find in Taiwan. Apparently 30% of their clientele are Japanese so staff have to be able to speak Japanese beyond "Welcome home master".

We stayed here for three hours or four? Too much to talk about ^^ The owner of this maid cafe makes plastic models for Japan and lots more...

Next to this cafe is the first cross-dressing butler cafe in Taiwan which was opened just in July! Another review for another day ><

After this I went to all the shops you saw earlier to explain about Akibanana's Chinese site and tours to their owners..they were all so friendly and nice!!

There were more than ten stores, I lost count..and all of them just said "hao hao hao.." hao means sure!

Next destination is the night market but before that.. I checked out the live street performers nearby. The Taiwanese really know how to appreciate life.

Imagine growing up listening to good music while enjoying the night breeze on the streets. It's easy to be satisfied when you have good music and good food.

Ayanami and I got lost in the crowd.. it's finally time for dinner and then we head home around midnight, in time to catch a bit of the olympics. It was a fruitful day - I gathered all the information I need and made some friends. Well done! The next day I have to return to Tokyo but there is a little "omake" for you guys.. I went to the biggest "comike" event in Taiwan. I only managed to take pictures outside as I had to rush to the airport to catch the plane at 2pm but do look out for it later~