Tsukumo, with its huge black store, is iconic in Akihabara. By many standards was a cool place for PC freaks to shop. It was also the only robot store in Akihabara, the only place you could play with a NANOI before purchasing it.

It appears the swift change in Japanese geek shopping habits, preferring online stores, followed by major changes in the Akihabara landscape and a gloomy economy was a fatal package for Tsukumo (TSR Corporation founded in 1962). They decided that 11 billion in debts was WAY too much (86 million € – 111 Million $).

Tsukumo stores are still open, and company managers are working on escape plan that doesn’t damage the Tsukumo brand name.