PHOTOS OF JAPAN MAID CAFES: PRETTY JAPANESE GIRLS IN AKIHABARA, TOKYO. COSPLAY FRENCH MAIDS, OTAKU SUBCULTURES.
Ah, so much to do before Houston (Anime Matsuri) and Tokyo (NOH8 campaign and Belgium TV show!).
Today, I have an article about Japanese maid cafes on the front page of Huffington Post Travel, where I’m a featured writer.
In these establishments, customers pay good money to be pampered by cute, young girls in frilly costumes. The roleplay goes pretty far. Waitresses will get on hand and knees to take orders from “Master.” Some even offer ear-cleaning and spoon-feeding.
There are dozens of cosplay cafes in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. On weekends, lonely boys line up for a plate of ketchup-rice decorated by their favorite maid.
These eateries are an odd but harmless fantasy — a space where nerdy “otaku” can get attention from anime and manga heroines. Some develop warm “moe” crushes on their favorite maid. For a few hundred yen, customers can buy decorated Polaroids, or capsule toys from “gashapon” machines.
Japanese maids are elusive creatures. Most of these cafes ban photography, since they cash in by selling photos of the girls. Try to take a photo of a maid handing out flyers in the street, and she’ll cover her face and walk away.
However, I’ve had special access: I often bring TV shows to maid cafes, and photographed several for my Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo book. Here’s a peek at my photo collection…
For a a French TV documentary, I instructed Antoine de Caunes (of Eurotrash fame) on master-maid relations. He wasn’t too swift – and got slapped by a maid in this video clip.
Miko-san Cafe featured girls dressed as Shinto temple maidens. The spirits were not pleased. This theme cafe barely lasted a year.
In the changing rooms, there are racks of cute dresses and toy purses to choose from.
This maid cafe’s a drag. Look closely. All of the servers are cross-dressed men! (Yukiro worked here.)
At Mai:lish, the French maid blows on a spoonful of hot food… and hand-feeds the customer.
Each maid has an anime doppleganger. Customers buy merchandise, such as keychains and towels, with their favorite server’s image.
“Meidos” stand in the streets of Akihabara, handing out flyers to potential clients.
Melty Cure doubles as a massage parlor. Wonder what goes on behind the curtain…
You can see more photos and stories of maid cafes are in my book, Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo.
I’ll soon be in Tokyo again, hosting a documentary about cherry blossom season for Belgium TV (VRK). To help prepare me, my Scottish Fold fat cat Basil Farrow taught a Japanese lesson about sakura season on Maggie Sensei’s blog! Come check it out here; Maggie’s blog is a wonderful resource for Japanese language learning that uses pop culture and visuals to make the process fun.
Which maid would you most like to spoon-feed or slap you? Please take a second to Like and Fan my profile on Huffington Post, and comment or share the article. I appreciate the support, and it’ll let me bring you more crazy Japanese coverage!
Japanese Word of the Day: Natsukashii = Fondly remember
Song of the Day: Amanda Lear – Follow Me (Vampire disco magnificato.)
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NOH8 CAMPAIGN PHOTOSHOOT IN TOKYO, JAPAN! MARCH 27, NEW LEX ROPPONGI. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD & HELP THE CAUSE!
Waku waku shimasu… We are so excited to announce that the NOH8 Campaign is going to TOKYO, JAPAN! We hope you’ll support us, and take a photo for NOH8! (March 27th, 1-5pm at New Lex Roppongi.)
For the first time, the team is stepping outside the US and taking the message of No Hate worldwide. Beginning with the land of sushi and samurai.
From March 22 to 29th, we’ll be holding NOH8 events and photoshoots all over Tokyo. Big Japanese celebrities have already signed on — and we hope you’ll join too!
On March 27th, from 1-5pm, we’re having an open photocall at New Lex in Roppongi. If you won’t be in Japan at the time, don’t worry: there are many ways that you can still help us. Read on for the full info…
In January, two big-haired creatures beamed in from Tokyo to do NOH8 shoot. La Carmina (author, TV host, journalist) and Sebastiano Serafini (model, actor, stylist) are active in Japan’s alternative / underground scene. The message of No Hate — not judging others based on their gender, orientation, views, status — resonated strongly with them.
Here’s why La Carmina and Seba believe in NOH8’s cause…
LA CARMINA – https://www.lacarmina.com
Ever since I was a pre-teen, I’ve been drawn to alt subcultures: Goth, Punk, Visual Kei. They represented a safe space where misfits (like me) could band together, and celebrate how we were different from the rest. Today, as a TV host and writer, it’s my goal to present alt culture in a positive light. Many people dismiss Japan’s underground scene as “weird” or “extreme.” So I do my best to show we’re a family; that we’ve cultivated a vibrant environment where everyone can express themselves.
But having this support network is not enough. In everyday life, my friends and I are constantly denied rights and dignity because of our looks and lifestyle. Gay couples must leave Japan in order to get married. Goths continue to be targeted — and in the a few recent cases, killed (RIP Per Nordqvist and Sophie Lancaster).
It’s time to rise above ground. Let’s shout it out loud: Stop The Hate! In the words of X Japan:
What can I do
Will I make it through
I must be true to myself
Voiceless screaming
Calling to me inside of my heart
Voiceless screaming
Now is the time I got to speak out.
SEBASTIANO SERAFINI – http://www.sebastianoserafini.com
I grew up in a small town in northern Italy, a very sheltered society. My eyes opened when I was scouted as a model and began living in Milan, where I met individuals from all walks of life. Eventually, I moved to Hong Kong and Japan. I learned new languages; I immersed myself in Asian culture. To my surprise, the more people I met through my travels, the more I realized we have in common.
I believe in No Hate = Yes Love. That all individuals should be treated with kindness and respect, no matter their gender, orientation, race, religion or views.
Being of mixed race and living all over the world, I like to say that I’m “Sebastianese.” To me, NOH8 means being proud of who you are, and respecting everyone’s differences — because that’s what makes us so unique. In the words of Lady Gaga:
Don’t hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you’re set
I’m on the right track baby
I was born this way.
NOH8 in Japan — Join Us!
Let’s speak out against inequality! The NOH8 campaign will be in Tokyo in late March, with an open photoshoot on March 27. Even if you’re not there, there are many ways you can support us:
❤ Share this announcement on Facebook, Twitter, and other social network / share sites.
❤ Tell your Tokyo friends! Please encourage them to come take a photo on March 27.
❤ Write a blog post about NOH8 coming to Tokyo. You’re welcome to use the info and photos in this post.
❤ Donate. All funds will go to NOH8, a registered nonprofit, and will help us to make the campaign a success.
❤ Help us get media / TV coverage. Are you a reporter who wishes to write a story about NOH8 in Tokyo? Please contact us at asiapress@noh8campaign.com (you can write to us in English, Japanese or Chinese).
Take a photo for NOH8! Open Call – Photoshoot in Tokyo, Japan
WHEN: Sunday, March 27th from 1 to 5pm
WHERE: New Lex Edo, B1F, 3-13-14 Goto Building, Roppongi
+81 03-3401-1661 / http://www.newlex-edo.com
Please wear a plain white shirt, and be hair and makeup ready. NOH8 photos will require a minimum donation of 3000 yen per person. Adam Bouska will be working around the clock to photograph 5-10 frames for each person. The final selection he chooses will be retouched and made available to you through the NOH8Campaign.com website in 4-6 weeks.
Directions to New Lex (3 minutes from Roppongi Station)
– Oedo Line. From Exit 5 of Roppongi Station, take a U-turn and walk to the large intersection (Gaien Higashi-doori). Turn left, and walk straight on the left side of the street. Turn left at the second street. New Lex is on the right side of the street.
– Hibiya Line. From Exit 3, head right to the large intersection (Gaien Higashi-doori). Cross the road and turn right. Walk straight on the left side of the street. Turn left at the second street. New Lex is on the right side of the street.
We hope you can help us make the NOH8 trip to Japan a success. Please encourage your Tokyo friends to come, contact journalists, write a blog post, share this page… Let’s do our best to help the good cause!
Got questions? Want to connect? Leave a comment in this post or email us (in English, Japanese or Chinese).
General Questions: asia@noh8campaign.com
Press Inquiries: asiapress@noh8campaign.com
LA CARMINA
