Event Details
Austin’s quirky toy and novelty retailer Toy Joy® is launching its new Japanese toy and gift concept Akiba Texas™ located at 301 W. 2nd Street at Guadalupe. Akiba is the name often used in Japan as a nickname for the popular Akihabara District of Tokyo where electronic stores have now given way to toys, trinkets and Gashapon, enticing shoppers committed to the Otaku aesthetic. After an extremely well-received soft opening earlier this spring, AKIBA will officially open its doors on Sunday, June 7 at 10 a.m. with a public grand opening celebration that goes til 9 p.m. that evening – featuring exclusive merchandise, special giveaways, and highly anticipated product restocks, with a percentage of the day’s sales benefitting beloved Austin Japanese punk band Peelander-Z. Among the highlights will be a rare restock of the viral Sonny Angel Strawberry Love Series, one of the brand's most sought-after limited collections, along with fresh inventory from several popular Smiski series. Both collectible Japanese toy lines have developed massive social media followings and are known for drawing enthusiastic crowds during new releases and restocks. Media are invited at 10 a.m. sharp to capture the excitement when lines are expected.