The district of Akihabara is known for its famous electronic shops and has gained the name “Akihabara Electronic Town.” But over the course of time, Akihabara became the den of otakus. Shops which sell manga, anime and video games have been scattered all over the place.
If you watch an anime or read a manga, you will see some characters who are dressed like maids and treat their customers as if they are their masters. This place is mostly known as the Maid Cafe.
Did you know that there are existing maid cafés in real life?
Real-life maid cafes began to emerge in the early 2000s in Akihabara. It was inspired and influenced by manga and anime lovers. Maid cafes are built especially for them. But foreigner visitors were most especially astounded by these cute maids. Every maid cafe offer various kinds of services to their customers. The maids who tend to you will call you “goshujin-sama” (meaning “master”), or “ojo-sama” (meaning “mistress”).
Here are the top five maid cafes that you must land your feet on Akihabara:
1. Cure Maid Cafe - This is The first maid cafe ever! With its Victorian and European styles, Cure Maid Cafe gives a traditional atmosphere upon entering the vicinity. If you want the nice and formal experience of a maid cafe, Cure Maid Cafe will suit your taste. This is located at Geestore Akiba 6F, 3-15-5 Soto-kanda, Chiyoda-ku.
2. @Home Cafe - Looking for a maid cafe that you often see in manga and anime? Go visit @Home Cafe! It is considered as the busiest and most visited maid cafes in Akihabara. Friendly and kawaii waitresses dressed as French maids will welcome you upon entering the restaurant. It is located at 4-7F, Mitsuwa Bldg. Soto-kanda, Chiyoda-ku,
3. The Gravania - This is the largest maid cafe in Akihabara. The Gravania can accommodate at least 100 people inside their restaurant. The cafe also offers full meal menu from salads to desserts. The maid will serve the food and write “Welcome home master” on catsup. This restaurant can be located at Electric Wave Hall 2F, 1-14-3, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku.
4. Maidreamin - One of the most popular maid cafes in Akihabara, Maidreamin will surely make you feel like you’re at home. Sumptuous cute omelettes, desserts and refreshing drinks are served to your utmost convenience. Maidreamin’s location is at 6F, Sumiyoshi Bldg. Soto-kanda, Chiyoda-Ku.
5. Pinafore - It is said to be the most accessible cafe.The maids are dressed like cosplayers. Pinafore is a place that gives a light and happy feeling to its customers. The restaurant is located at 1F, Yamanaka Bldg. Kanda Sakuma-Cho, Chiyoda-Ku.
Rules to be observed by when you are in a maid cafe:
Photographing inside the maid cafe is certainly prohibited. If you wish to have your photos taken inside the cafe, you can ask a maid and they will happily take it for you. You’ll have to pay 500 yen for that.
Do not touch the maids. They may be cute enough to look at but they are not meant to be touched
Have fun! Enjoy the special treatment given to you by the maids.
Stepping in a maid cafe is a one of a kind experience that you can have in Akihabara. Visit one now and experience if for yourself.
Photo by ElisaItalia. Licensed under Creative Commons. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en)
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