I'd would also recommend checking out Kamakura another vidya/anime location.
I was planning on buying a house there but I like Okinawa better.
As far as gaming is concerned I dont see the decline in arcades just they moved around alot. A few nearby me do regular tournaments. There's more than enough gaming stuff. What is dying is the production and development but that's just Japan as awhole.

>>716537558
Its a good area, I met some fun people and close friends/current dive buddies at a snack bar there.
>>716537565
Honestly any, even duolingo is good. Its really not that hard just make sure you listen and pronounce every kana and WRITE IT DOWN. The human mind can do it, and if drunk Americans in the 1850 could do with w/o audio tapes so can you.
>>716537706
Learning it is immensely helpful becuase just with basic kana you can read and pronounce spoken Japanese.