The first maid cafes popped up in Tokyo’s geeky ‘otaku’ district of Akihabara in the early 2000s as part of a niche subculture.
Almost twenty years later, maid cafes have only grown in popularity, and they’ve gone international — there might be one in a city near you! We’ve all seen pictures of maids in frilly aprons, but what’s a visit to a maid cafe really like? Here’s everything you need to know!
First-class Hospitality Fit for a Master, or Princess!
The first thing you’ll hear upon entering a maid cafe goes far beyond a simple “hello” or “welcome.” Instead, the maids greet all patrons with an enthusiastic “Okaerinasaimase, goshujinsama / (ohimesama),” meaning “Welcome home, Master (or Princess)!” For the duration of your time there, make yourself at home, and the maids (yes, dressed in their frilly aprons and adorable dresses) are here to provide everything from cafe service to conversation and even entertainment!
Recite a Spell — It Makes the Food Taste Better!
After you order a dish and the maid brings it out from the kitchen, customers are always asked to recite a spell together with them — usually something like “moe moe, kyun!” or “oishikuna~re!” (become delicious!) which definitely adds to the entertainment value of going to a maid cafe, and who knows, might actually make your food taste even more delicious!
The maid will often put on a little act in the process too, such as writing a message on the food with ketchup, or mixing a drink. Have your phone cameras at the ready because you won’t want to miss the adorable dish made just for you!
Enjoy the Show, and Cheer on Your Favorite Maid
Sometime during your visit, the lights dim and spotlights come on, signaling that it’s time for a little performance! These are usually cute singing and dancing sequences by some of the maids working at the cafe. Join in on the fun by clapping and cheering them on! In Tokyo, you may even see people wielding glow sticks in support of their favorite maid.
Engage, and Be Respectful
Maids at a maid cafe provide an extra level of service not found anywhere else. They actively engage with customers, making conversation, and do their best to whisk Masters and Princesses away from the stresses of their daily lives. To get the most out of the experience, dive in headfirst and play into the fantasy; whether that’s having a fun conversation, playing games, or reciting spells!
That being said, always be respectful of boundaries: never touch the maids, ask beforehand if you can take a photo with them, and refrain from asking for anyone’s personal information.
A Fun Trip Away from Reality
Maid cafes have always been quirky and unconventional, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need to forget about life and all its responsibilities for a while. This may be why they first started cropping up — as a way for tired Tokyoites to unwind and feel at home after a long day, and escape into a world where everything is cute, bubbly, and full of enthusiasm. For the maids themselves, working at a maid cafe is an opportunity to explore a side of their personality they’re often unable to express in conventional society.
In Closing…
Whether it’s the appeal of frilly dresses, the homely feeling, or something much deeper, people love maid cafes — and their lasting popularity proves it. Now that you know everything there is to know about maid cafes, go visit one!
And with that, we’ll leave you with a line the maids always say to departing Masters and Princesses:
Itterasshaimase, goshujinsama, ohimesama!
