I've heard of the many different themed cafes you could visit in Japan even before I planned on visiting the country. They have ninja bars, a restaurant that is based around vampire lore, and of course, the ever popular maid cafe. I didn't really plan on going into any of these establishments but they're kind of inescapable especially if you walk around Akihabara. In that area alone, popular maid cafe chain Maidreamin has more than five branches, all a short walk from each other.
Before you even see the restaurant signs, you can already find a handful of cute maids on the street handing out flyers of their respective cafes. They were already wearing their signature uniforms, which are cuter and more colorful versions of the classic french maid outfit, most probably to catch your attention. (Later I would find out that the maid uniforms also symbolized their current status, from trainee to senior staff, and denotes what type of performances they could do: one song, a full set, etc.). After encountering what was probably the fifth or sixth maid on the street, my hunger (and curiosity) eventually led me to decide to follow her up to the cafe.
The branch I went to was small. It could probably fit around 25 people max. There were a few tables, limited bar seating, and a vacant area that I found out was for random JPop performances by the maids. The first thing they'll tell you is that no photos or videos are allowed of the maids and the other patrons. After that single rule is made clear, I was given a Maidreamin passport with your name written in Japanese. If you're a guy like me, they'll add master. If you're a girl, they'll write princess.
The maid assigned to your table will then explain how things work. Here's a rundown of the things I remember:
1. There's a table charge. Think of it as an entrance fee per person, about P200++.
2. Everyone has to order something. If you order a full meal, you get to stay in the cafe longer than someone who just ordered a drink, which makes it sound like a girly bar without the evident pervy-ness.
3. If you really want a photo with one of the maids, there's a set menu that includes food, a drink of your choice, a souvenir (I got a keychain), and a photo with a maid. You pay for the photo that you take with your own phone. That's how you do business right there.
4. If you want to call a maid to your table, you have to shout "meow meow!" and make the cute cat gesture with your hands. Good thing there's no photos or videos of the other patrons, right?
So I got the set meal which was quite expensive for what it was but I was really here for the experience more than anything else so what the hell, right? As I waited for my katsu curry to arrive, I observed the people inside the cafe with me. The maids were cute but weren't as cute as the ones I saw in the brochure I got. How the staff themselves acted, however, were everything you'd imagine Japanese maids would be, high-pitched anime voice and all.
Then there were the diners. More than half were tourists. Probably those who were like me who just wanted to see what a maid cafe was all about. Then there were the locals. One was a quiet dude who had long hair and was wearing camo-prints from head to toe. Another one was probably a guy in his late 20s or early 30s, in a long sleeve polo and slacks, who was already drunk and was standing and singing along to the maids' JPop performances. Another guy was old, probably old enough to be my lolo and I'm already 30 years old. They were a diverse bunch to say the least.
When the food arrived, the maids will lead you in some silly hand actions and a Japanese phrase. They will not stop until you do it with them so if ever you go there, just do it. I found out later that this was apparently an incantation or magic spell to make your food taste better. Well, it didn't work because the food was average (and I'm being nice) though it was presented very well. I'd also like to point out that some items on the menu come with a special performance at your table (and no, it's not what you're thinking) as I saw a maid make a spectacle out of squeezing a fresh orange for another table. I spent more than 2000 Yen in total (P1000++) for a plate of chicken katsu, coke, and a heavy serving of kawaii.
I'm still undecided whether the experience was pervy or not. There wasn't anything bastos about it; heck I saw some kids leave with their parents before we entered. But, I honestly couldn't shake the feeling that there was something kinky about being called master and being served food and drinks by a young woman. I guess, you could say it's only kinky... if you want it to be.
I promptly finished my meal while enjoying probably 3 or 4 more random JPop song and dance numbers, asked for my bill, and went home with my curiosity satisfied. Many people will say that it's a ripoff. I would disagree since everything is explained before you even order (at least at Maidreamin). Eating at a maid cafe might not be necessary to complete your Japan trip but it's a unique enough experience to merit serious consideration. It's a bit on the expensive side but for something I'd probably do only once (unless a particularly cute maid would convince me otherwise), I would say it was worth it.