The popularity of themed cafes in Japan has blown up in recent years. With animal cafes, robots restaurants and vampire bars, the thing that started it all is the Akihabara Maid Cafe!
I had a chance not only to visit a cafe, but to interview one of the maids who works there and see why maid themed cafes are still a popular Akihabara attraction.
Probably the biggest reason people visit a maid cafe is for the maids. Japanese girls dressed in french maid cosplay welcome the guests with a Okaerinasaimase, goshujinsama which means “welcome home master”. Once seated, the maids pamper you and sing cutesy songs to make your experiences fun and enchanting. The maids have cute names, do little dances and chants before serving your food and always present a bright, happy atmosphere in the cafe.
Another reason for the popularity and continued patronage of these maid cafes has to do with all the entertainment the maids provide along with serving you food and drinks. They sing karaoke songs from popular anime, play games like paper-rock-scissors and you also have a chance to take a Polaroid with your favorite maid! The photographs are then signed and customized with a cute doodle from the maid.
The food ranges from curry rice, om-rice (omelet rice) and cafe type foods, to extravagant cakes and desserts shaped in a variety of animal designs. There are also cafe variety drinks and even have alcoholic beverages.
The cafe I visited was called “Heart of Hearts” and not only serves cute cocktails but also has its own custom anime maid champagne and wine.
To visit a maid cafe there is usually an hourly charge which includes a drink. Depending on how much you want to experience, certain plans come with food, games with maids, and photos. Whether you are a hard core anime fan or just a group of friends touring around Japan, experiencing an “original” maid cafe in its birthplace of Akihabara is a definite treat!
For more information on Heart of Hearts in Akihabara here is the Japanese website
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