It's the first of November, which means that Microsoft has opened up its Xbox 360 Lounge in Tokyo's trendy Omote-sando district.
As you might expect, the idea is not so much to play the Xbox 360 (as there aren't that many people in Japan who want to do that) but to experience a flashy fashionable cultural lifestyle. With a gigantic, ominous, looming green X hovering over your head.
To that end, the lounge will feature a gallery of Xbox 360 faceplates designed by semi-famous personages like the members of the Japanese band Dragon Ash and photographer Shingo Wakagi.
And there's a cafe where you can sample a new line of gourmet sandwiches every month. And "original sweets" -- yes, that means candy made exclusively for the Xbox 360 lounge. Not to mention a thoroughly unappetizing pair of sausages -- in Xbox green and white. While you're choking them down, there's free internet.
Oh, and there's an Xbox 360 "Touch And Try Area", although it's difficult to know whether the Japanese will notice.
