Attending the Tokyo Game Show can be a little bit daunting for the first time. In this blog post, I'll provide some coverage and give some tips about the biggest gaming festival in Japan.
The Tokyo Game Show, hereafter referred to as TGS, is held annually every September in Makuhari Messe in Chiba, near Tokyo. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. The main focus of the show is on Japanese games, but some international video game developers use it to showcase upcoming releases/related hardware. The duration of the event is four days. The first two days of Tokyo Game Show are open only to industry attendees (business) and the general public can attend during the final two days. It has been going on since good old 1996.
If you want to go to TGS, just read on for more details or contact me with any questions you may have. Basically, it is the easiest to buy tickets in Japan, but if you have to, they can be bought internationally via any of the online ticket exporters.
If you are in Japan, it is very easy. Just search online for information about the event and there will be a code listed which may change depending on where you are going to buy the ticket. Tickets can be bought immediately in most convenience stores (konbinis). I bought my ticket at 7-11 and I used the code in their store. I recommend you do the same. You can also buy concert tickets in Japan this way.
The machine will then present a receipt and you can take it to the staff and buy your ticket!
Don't you think it is easy? At least there's no waiting for the ticket in the mail.
Went it comes to going to the event, you have to take the train to Kaihinmakuhari station. What a mouthful! But going there is easy. You can just use Yahoo or Norika Annai (乗換案内）to find the train schedules.
It is about an 11 minute walk from the station to the hall, but it's a piece of cake. Just follow everyone. The line will eventually split for the indie developers area (the high hall numbers) and the main halls with the lower numbers. Eventually, you will get to the following area
You will eventually see what looks like a raised entrance on the left but you can't go there. You'll have to wrap around the building and wait for about an hour in the sun here:
Once the line starts to move you'll be inside very quickly. Congratulations and enjoy TGS!
For some event coverage, please see my next post.
Over and out,
SCOPS
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