Welcome home, Master！ Must-visit ultra-cute “maid” cafes in Akihabara, Tokyo

Photos & Text／Hanako Hashimoto, from “Holiday in Adult Tokyo” published by Popular Wind Publishing

Experience a Maid Café at @home cafe

The trendy term “moe” (もえ) is probably something you’ve heard of before！ While everyone might have their own definition of what “moe” means, basically anything that is cute, warms your heart, or tugs at your emotions can be called moe. The power of moe is truly undeniable, appealing to generations both young and old, which is why Japan gave birth to a new kind of “moe-selling” business—the “maid café.”

Dressed in brightly colored maid outfits with white lace aprons, wearing eye-catching accessories on their bodies and heads, these maids resemble glamorous characters straight out of manga. After flashing you a sweet smile, they purr in a cutesy voice, “Welcome home, my Master!” This new type of role-playing themed café first made its appearance in Akihabara in 2001 and instantly became a hot topic！ Its popularity has continued burning strong to this day.

You can chat up close with the maids, take commemorative photos, play games, and enjoy meals where the maids personally draw cute illustrations on your plate using ketchup or chocolate sauce, add milk or sugar to your drinks, or even feed you with a spoon. It’s a dream come true for guys who want to be pampered. Originally, these cafés were created to fulfill otaku men’s fantasies about anime and bishoujo game characters. Thanks to the fun way of ordering, in recent years, women have also started visiting maid cafés.

Akihabara is the stronghold of maid cafés in the Tokyo area, with signs for maid-themed shops lining the streets everywhere. Here, we recommend “@home cafe,” a representative of Japanese maid cafés, known for its lively atmosphere and bright décor. What started as a small shop with just over ten seats when it opened in 2004 has, ten years later in 2014, grown to attract 400,000 visitors per year. With five branches combined, the café now employs over 180 maids. In 2005, the café’s “Full Maid Declaration” catchphrase “moe～” won that year’s Catchphrase of the Year award！

The café has outlets on the fourth, sixth, and seventh floors, each with a different color scheme. At first glance, the maid outfits may look the same, but if you look closely, you’ll notice that the colors and designs of the bows and hair accessories differ between new maids, regular maids, and senior performing maids. First-time visitors receive a free “Master’s Welcome Card” (which can be used on your next visit within a certain period). Additionally, if you present a “First Visit Card,” the staff will give you a special first-visit-only welcome. Isn’t that sweet？

As for the group of maids called “Atogumi,” they regularly hold LIVE events, release exclusive CDs and merchandise, essentially running themselves like idols—no wonder they have so many loyal fans. By the way, the brown maid uniforms at @home cafe were designed by renowned Japanese designer Keita Maruyama and are super adorable. They’re also available for purchase in the online store. Interested? Why not get one and try some roleplay at home？

Set Menu Introduction

Drink Set – 1200 JPY
Choose your favorite drink (570–750 JPY) ＋ Take a commemorative photo with a maid or play a game with a maid (choose one, 570 JPY)

Dessert Set – 600 JPY
Drink set contents ＋ Choose your favorite dessert (700–900 JPY)

Food Set – 900 JPY
Choose your favorite drink (570–750 JPY) ＋ Choose your favorite dish (1000–1200 JPY) ＋ Take a commemorative photo with a maid or play a game with a maid (choose one, 570 JPY)

Full Set – 2600 JPY
Food set contents ＋ Choose your favorite dessert (700–900 JPY)

Premium Set – 3000 JPY
Full set contents ＋ @home cafe heart-shaped cookie (500 JPY)

Souvenir Set – 1600 JPY
Choose your favorite drink (570–750 JPY) ＋ @home cafe heart-shaped cookie (500 JPY) ＋ Take a commemorative photo with a maid or play a game with a maid (choose one, 570 JPY)

*All prices listed are “pre-tax” and are subject to change. For reference only.

@ほぉ～むカフェ (@home cafe)

Related Information
Maid Café at @home cafe
Address: 1-11-4 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Mitsuwa Building 4F–7F), 7F
Phone: 03-5294-7707 Transportation: 5-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station exit
Business hours: Weekdays 11:30–22:00 / Holidays 10:30– / 4F closed Mondays, 6F closed Wednesdays, 7F closed Tuesdays)
Payment method: Set meal amount or à la carte item amount ＋ entrance fee of 600 yen (see table for various set meal prices), generally limited to one hour per entry
Official website:http://www.cafe-athome.com/ 

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