Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
MAID CAFE IN TOKYO JAPAN: ANGEL & DEMONS, CAFE BAR PRAY. CUTE COSPLAY COSTUMES, WEIRD RESTAURANTS IN AKIHABARA.
O, the bizarre world of Japanese maid cafes! Since I photographed and wrote about the phenomenon in my Tokyo Theme Restaurants book, the Dutch Pepsi TV show wanted to shoot at an Akihabara cosplay cafe. Naomi and I made arrangements with Cafe Bar Pray, a newcomer with an Angels and Demons theme.
Here, half of the servers are innocent seraphs, and the rest are devilishly cute temptresses. Which side of the counter would you sit on?
Naturally, I chose the dark side. My outfit theme was Evil Queen Step-Mother.
Long trailing Goth dress: gifted from Lip Service
Victorian tulip choker: gifted from Yifat Aharoni
Long lace gloves: Spider, Hong Kong Lolita brand
Hair clip: Daiso
I bonded with the cafe manager, Tamao, over our orange hair. He’s a pro at mugging for the camera.
The adorable “Raphael” is the number one maid in Akihabara. (Yes, there’s an annual contest for Japanese maids!)
Each maid has a fake name, age (most are hundreds of years old), and rank in the heavenly hierarchy. Pick your favorite. She’ll give you her name card and prepare her special cocktail.
The maids charm the customers with games, skits, and light-hearted conversation.
Cafe Bar Pray is my new favorite. You’re allowed to take photos inside, the decor is swanky, and there’s a relaxed, anything-goes atmosphere. A nice change from the typical tense otaku hangouts.
The Dutch TV host, Bo, got dolled up like an angel.
We taught her how to make cute poses and decorate Polaroid photos for her admirers.
Can you guess who was our favorite customer-boy?
At Cafe Bar Pray, it doesn’t matter if you choose good or evil. You’ll be smiling from the moment the girls greet you with “Yokoso!”
The Dutch Pepsi TV shoot was great fun. Don’t forget to check out my behind-the-scenes photos and videos in this and this post. There’s more madness to come.
Have you ever been to a maid cafe? Would you want to visit one? Which angel or devil is your favorite?
Japanese Word of the Day: Kokuren = United Nations
Song of the Day: Era – The Mass (Carmina Burana and Gregorian chants meet dance beats!)
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BLACK SWAN MAKEUP: MOVIE STARRING NATALIE PORTMAN. BEST OSAKA SHOPPING DISTRICT: SHINSAIBASHI GOTH LOLITA JAPANESE PUNK SHOPS.
I was looking forward to the film Black Swan ever since I saw the poster of Natalie Portman in winged-eyed Gothic makeup. I went to the advance screening last night, and yes, the Oscar buzz is well deserved. Portman is terrifying as a perfectionist ballerina teetering towards insanity. Be prepared for to wince — nail cutting, scratching and peeling — as she falls to pieces. Darren Aronofsky (director of Pi) keeps it tense throughout, especially in the spiraling scenes where she dances to Swan Lake. Black Swan opens today… go see it. You may leave the theater perturbed, but you won’t be disappointed.
Tis the season for Christmas shopping — how have you been faring? If only we could transport ourselves to the Shinsaibashi district of Osaka. There’s a one-shop stop for your favorite Japanese Goth Punk and Lolita clothing.
The last time I visited, Sex Pot Revenge, Regulus and Busoh Sensen were on display. Can’t go wrong with neon electro graphic prints.
Iron Fist shoes are big in Japan. Do you remember the Zombie and blood-dripping shoes that Iron Fist sent me? These stompers are also sold in Tokyo’s Nude and Rude store (here is a full post with photos).
I rarely buy new clothes in Japan, but I love going into stores and examining the displays. I always come out with new ideas on how to coordinate outfits.
Many of you liked my Listen Flavor cat punk sweater. This playful alternative brand is a gem.
Listen Flavor’s cheeky characters and electric colors are a nice change from black-black-black.
This Osaka basement store also carries Hypercore.
Punk and New Wave are not dead. For Osaka shopping maps, photos and reports, please visit my Japan store guide.
What’s everyone doing this weekend? Perhaps some DIX-mas shopping, and watching Black Swan?
PS: I’ve decided! I’m adding a new color to my hair. Hmm, what do you think it will be….
Japanese Word of the Day: Kotonaru = Different
Song of the Day: Janne Da Arc – Hysteric Moon (Old school Visual Kei, suggested by my lovely Lemon)
LA CARMINA
