While there are maid cafés scattered around Japan, there is no better place to get the full experience than Akihabara (秋葉原), Tokyo. Most famously known for encompassing ‘otaku culture’, the area around Akihabara Station, or Akiba for short, is littered with not only anime/manga shops, game and electronics stores, but also an abundance of animal, maid/cosplay, and other host/hostess cafés.
My first time to Japan, I had half a day to spend before taking an international flight out of Tokyo, so of course my inner otaku screamed at me to make a stop at Akiba.
hans-johnson/Flickr
After failing to resist the ガチャポン (gacha-pon, toy capsules) in the train station, Honey and I set out on a mission to find a maid café for lunch. We didn’t have to look hard.
Dozens of costumed females line the streets, passing out flyers to potential customers. Eventually we decided to let Google and Trip Advisor choose one for us, which is how we found ourselves at-home…cafe.
Welcome home, master!
At-home Cafe turned out to be a huge conglomerate, which probably staffs over one hundred maids and some fairies (the male chefs). There are a few floors in the building with different themed cafés, but we decided to try the regular one on the 6th floor.
at-home Cafe, 6th floor; INFINIA Co., Ltd.
My information on maid cafés stemmed heavily from anime and a whole season of “会長はメイド様 (Kaichou wa Maid Sama)”, but you’re never prepared enough for the real deal.
As soon as we stepped through the doors, we were hit with a special attack.
The head maid (who had donned a fox tail and ears) announced “our return”, and about half a dozen maids bowed and said in perfect unison, “お帰りなさいませ、ご主人様、お嬢様!”(okaerinasaimase, goshujin-sama, ojou-sama; welcome home, master and missus!)
It only got better from there.
Moe, Moe, Kyuun!
Once seated, our maid handed us a menu of services for food+drink, drink+dessert, etc. We opted for the food+drink combo, and picked something from their surprisingly extensive menu of rice, pasta, cold/hot tea or coffee, and even cocktails.
メイドがお絵かきあいちゅ抹茶ラテ (meido ga o’ekaki aichu matcha rate, magic maid iced matcha latte with cat drawing)
After much deliberation, we rang a small bell and our maid came running to take our orders. Honey chose their omuraisu (omelette rice) and iced tea while I had the curry rice and iced matcha latte.
First, the drinks were served. Then, it was time to channel the power of moe.
No maid experience is complete without the burning passion of moe. Simply form a heart with your hands, rock them left to right and forwards, while uttering the magical words, “Moe, moe, kyuun!”
With that, the maids wished you eternal happiness and warm feelings.
ぴぴよぴよぴよひよこさんライス (pi piyo piyo piyo hiyoco-san raisu, *sounds of birds* omuraisu with cat drawing)
We would be lying if we said we didn’t feel a little bit silly. But maybe it was because of the glowing atmosphere and other patrons doing the same that it was okay.
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It took a little bit of time for the food to come, but the presentation was worth the wait. The omuraisu was pretty good, while the curry was slightly too salty though otherwise tasty.
わんわんカレーらいちゅ (wanwan karee raichu, puppy curry rice set)
After eating, because we chose one of the pricier combos, our visit also included a photo op with a maid of our choice. Making our way to the stage, we donned some props and snapped a Polaroid as our souvenir.
Others opted to play a game with their maid, and winners may spin a wheel to earn a prize.
Not all fun and games.
The whole maid experience is definitely fun and interesting, but it’s important to remember that it is a thriving business, so be ready to spend your cash.
First, there is an entrance fee with student discounts. Then, there is a minimum spending amount for staying in the cafe, but this is easily covered by buying one of their specialty drinks.
Loyal customers of the maid service experience a reward system for every visit in the form of their own special VIP member card.
In addition to this, before anything happens, first-timers get a debriefing on the café rules. To protect the integrity of its maids, fairies, and other patrons, no pictures are allowed. The exception to this is that you can take pictures of yourselves and the food, but be careful not to get others in the shot. Of course, the Polaroid with a maid is okay too, since it’s staff-controlled.
However, these small details did not detract much from the experience, and Honey and I still enjoyed this unique and slightly embarrassing visit.
So if you’re wandering around Akiba and get a little tired, pop into one of the many maid or animal cafés (e.g. cats! hedgehogs!) and experience this for yourself.
May the power of moe compel you!
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– Waifu ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
Because I'm Waifu 