Saturday, July 9, 2011

Japan Day 15: Akihabara


Akihabara also known as Electric City in Japan, is a major shopping area for electronics, computer goods, anime and otaku ( Otaku is what the Japanese refer to those with obsessive interests in the manga/anime culture).  And I'm not talking here a mere hobby. I'm talking living in fantasy land with blown up life size manga characters where the individual has completely withdrawn from reality.

 If you want to observe their lives even more, look no further than the Maid Cafe phenomenon, where a typical manga style maid will serve tea and desserts. Although mostly frequented by men or so I saw, 3 of the girls in our group including myself and 3 guys decided to brave the awkwardness of this experience and see it for ourselves. And so we went down an alley and up a sketchy elevator to a completely different land, where we were welcomed with a flattering " welcome home master/princess!".


No picture allowed of the girls or the interior except of the food. And so the experience began with awkward English conversations about sprinkling magic on our desserts for more deliciousness and some "twinkle- twinkle" little dance. Some men even paid an extra fee so that the maid would play a little board game with them. As strange as all of these services may seem there is absolutely no sexual tone in this experience. I guess the maid cafe has replaced in the modern subculture the role of a geisha as both are really just entertainer, entertaining the likes of men!


10 comments:

mispapelicos said...

Now, I not only want to go to japan, but I am also hungry, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Fantastic pics.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Roxxy said...

Because of you and your photos, now I want to study Japan and go there to see all this beautiful places, eat this great food and just enjoy this country which seems amaaaaazing!! Have fun!!

J. said...

OMG, everything is just so cute there!

Roxxy said...

*study Japanese (sorry!)

Leonie said...

This must have been a very interesting experience. The dessert with the bunny is so cute!

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http://thesignaturebow.blogspot.com/

gillybeancandyjar said...

aww... too bad your couldn't take pics of the girls! I would've loved to see their style of clothing. The food looks excellent.. mmmm...

colorsdiary said...

that icecream is sooo yummy :)

(strange thing they did not let you take pictures)

Lizz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

oh, i've watched so far all the posts and i was planning on waiting for your diary to come to an end so i could say anything, cause you must agree that words are useless when you just have to stare and be amazed and admire and keep them as wonder memories. you don't get to see something completely different from your life and style everyday, right?

enjoy all the time as much as you can and continue to share that with us :*

It's Strangely Me said...

WOW your trip looks AMAZING & so does that giant ice cream sundae!

B