Akihabara and a Maid Cafe

Activity > Tokyo > Culture > Akihabara

If an otaku died and went to heaven, he would find himself in Akihabara, Japan.

After getting off the train at Akihabara station, I immediately headed west where I read most of the major shops of the city were located. I grinned when I spotted a whole line of stalls crammed full of electronics, as well as enough manga and animé paraphernalia to set my otaku heart fluttering. The sheer amount of video games and gadgets crammed into the shops would send any geek into a fit of gleeful hyperventilation.

Kyoko, a pretty girl I met through the internet last year, had laughingly commented I just might bust my wallet on my second day in Japan. "Baka, you should have saved Akihabara for the last," she told me last night with that cute twinkle in her eyes. "They say you should save the best things for last. Go to Akihabara first and your otaku heart will never want to leave."

"Oh, I don’t know," I had grinned back at her. "But I have this distinct feeling that if I am going to wind up in one of those maid cafes, I may never want to leave."

Her mood eventually fell from carefree to somewhat affronted at my joke. "I am not very familiar with the culture of your country but there are some that might not be so pleased with your attitude towards maids."

I hastily tucked away Kyoko’s advice and started my journey down Chuo Dori, the main street. It was a Sunday and from what Kyoko told me, the street would be closed to traffic at around noontime. A quick glance at my watch and I found that it was still 10:30 AM. Tokyo Anime Center, one of my itinerary’s goals, would open in just 30 minutes.

I made my way down the street and found myself in the shadow of the Akihabara Dai Building in the Akihabara Crossfield. My grin widened when I saw the UDX Building just beside it. I had reviewed the map so many times last night, I felt like I knew Akihabara like the back of my hand — never mind that I was fairly lost when it came to other tourist spots.

When I reached the UDX Building, I immediately took the elevator to the fourth floor.

The Tokyo Anime Center was just opening but I knew from the get go that this was where I’ll be getting presents for my younger brother for his next birthday. The store was just crammed full of everything a diehard anime fan would love and if there was ever anyone more addicted to anime, that would be my brother. I may be the first to have gotten to know the happiness in manga but it was Jon who took it to a whole other level.

I bought him a few toys, including a replica of Luffy’s ship from One Piece, his favorite anime of all time. I was also tempted to splurge on a rather detailed replica of Wing Zero from Gundam Wing, one of my favorite anime. By the time I was ready to tackle on the delights of a maid café, I was almost out of cash but still well within my budget.

I made it to the Don Quixote Building at around 1 PM and found the street filled with shoppers and otaku like me. Luckily, I was able to secure a seat at the vastly popular @Home Café, where the maids spoke English, or so I was told.

"Okaerinasaimase, goshujinsama!" a maid greeted me cheerfully. "What may I do for you today?"

I tore my eyes from the menu and could not believe the sight before me. Dressed in the outfit of a French maid, complete with a pinafore and the characteristic high-heeled Mary Janes of a typical maid, Hino Kyoko looked back at me with laughter in her dark eyes.

"You’re a maid?" I gaped at her, for lack of better things to say.

She winked at me. "I am your maid for the entire duration of your stay here in this café."

I quickly recovered from my shock and smiled back easily, "Well, at least I’ll be a lot more comfortable knowing it’s you. I mean, it is every otaku’s dream to be waited on hand and foot by a pretty maid."

She laughed at my save. "Yes, my dear friend. But remember, there are rules in this café regarding maids."

"Well," I scratched my chin and pretended to think on the subject. "How about I get served hand and foot for a few minutes and then I take you out tonight. My treat."

She laughed and shook her head as she took my order. Kyoko was a very efficient maid and by the end of my stay, I had the distinct feeling of being babied. Luckily, I had the opportunity to return the favor tonight.

I smiled inwardly at the thought. Suddenly, the night couldn’t come any sooner even if it tried.

If an otaku died and went to heaven, he would find himself in Akihabara, Japan.

After getting off the train at Akihabara station, I immediately headed west where I read most of the major shops of the city were located. I grinned when I spotted a whole line of stalls crammed full of electronics, as well as enough manga and animé paraphernalia to set my otaku heart fluttering. The sheer amount of video games and gadgets crammed into the shops would send any geek into a fit of gleeful hyperventilation.

Kyoko, a pretty girl I met through the internet last year, had laughingly commented I just might bust my wallet on my second day in Japan. "Baka, you should have saved Akihabara for the last," she told me last night with that cute twinkle in her eyes. "They say you should save the best things for last. Go to Akihabara first and your otaku heart will never want to leave."

"Oh, I don’t know," I had grinned back at her. "But I have this distinct feeling that if I am going to wind up in one of those maid cafes, I may never want to leave."

Her mood eventually fell from carefree to somewhat affronted at my joke. "I am not very familiar with the culture of your country but there are some that might not be so pleased with your attitude towards maids."

I hastily tucked away Kyoko’s advice and started my journey down Chuo Dori, the main street. It was a Sunday and from what Kyoko told me, the street would be closed to traffic at around noontime. A quick glance at my watch and I found that it was still 10:30 AM. Tokyo Anime Center, one of my itinerary’s goals, would open in just 30 minutes.

I made my way down the street and found myself in the shadow of the Akihabara Dai Building in the Akihabara Crossfield. My grin widened when I saw the UDX Building just beside it. I had reviewed the map so many times last night, I felt like I knew Akihabara like the back of my hand — never mind that I was fairly lost when it came to other tourist spots.

When I reached the UDX Building, I immediately took the elevator to the fourth floor.

The Tokyo Anime Center was just opening but I knew from the get go that this was where I’ll be getting presents for my younger brother for his next birthday. The store was just crammed full of everything a diehard anime fan would love and if there was ever anyone more addicted to anime, that would be my brother. I may be the first to have gotten to know the happiness in manga but it was Jon who took it to a whole other level.

I bought him a few toys, including a replica of Luffy’s ship from One Piece, his favorite anime of all time. I was also tempted to splurge on a rather detailed replica of Wing Zero from Gundam Wing, one of my favorite anime. By the time I was ready to tackle on the delights of a maid café, I was almost out of cash but still well within my budget.

I made it to the Don Quixote Building at around 1 PM and found the street filled with shoppers and otaku like me. Luckily, I was able to secure a seat at the vastly popular @Home Café, where the maids spoke English, or so I was told.

"Okaerinasaimase, goshujinsama!" a maid greeted me cheerfully. "What may I do for you today?"

I tore my eyes from the menu and could not believe the sight before me. Dressed in the outfit of a French maid, complete with a pinafore and the characteristic high-heeled Mary Janes of a typical maid, Hino Kyoko looked back at me with laughter in her dark eyes.

"You’re a maid?" I gaped at her, for lack of better things to say.

She winked at me. "I am your maid for the entire duration of your stay here in this café."

I quickly recovered from my shock and smiled back easily, "Well, at least I’ll be a lot more comfortable knowing it’s you. I mean, it is every otaku’s dream to be waited on hand and foot by a pretty maid."

She laughed at my save. "Yes, my dear friend. But remember, there are rules in this café regarding maids."

"Well," I scratched my chin and pretended to think on the subject. "How about I get served hand and foot for a few minutes and then I take you out tonight. My treat."

She laughed and shook her head as she took my order. Kyoko was a very efficient maid and by the end of my stay, I had the distinct feeling of being babied. Luckily, I had the opportunity to return the favor tonight.

I smiled inwardly at the thought. Suddenly, the night couldn’t come any sooner even if it tried.