Feathered Friends

Owl Cafes.

This is by far one of the coolest things I have been to. They first opened up in Tokyo and very recently mere weeks or perhaps a month ago, they now have a shop in Osaka in Tenmabashi.
Lucky for me, this shop was not well advertised or known about so I could get in no problem. No ridiculous wait or reservations. But I do not expect it to stay like that for long. Once more people realize what and where it is, there will be an insurmountable surge of people coming.

So how it works is well first you either need to arrive either just before the hour, or a bit in advance to make sure to put your name on the waiting list for the next hour. You see, this cafe goes hour by hour. That's right. You have a whole hour to play with owls. Once you get inside, they will give you a few instructions, such as sanitizing your hands and where to touch the owls, and apologizing in advance if they make a mess on your clothing. I'm talking about poop. The head, neck, and back are generally ok areas for petting, but you should avoid the wings, around the eyes and the fuzzy parts of the feet. Those feet. The cutest fluffiest things ever. So ok, you have now been prepped in Owl 101. And now you need to order your drink. This is a cafe after all! You have the usual list of drink choices like coffees, juices, sodas, wine and beer.
And now! Now, you get to play with the owls. They are perched around a fenced in portion of the room. They rest along a fake grass matted perch with their legs roped to it to prevent flying away. So you can just walk up and pet any one of them. There are perhaps 9 owls of a bunch of different species for the 20 or so people allowed in per time. There are more than 9 owls of course, but some are resting and are look-only, and some are babies that are not yet trained and are blocked in by protective plastic.
You can not only pet the owls, you

can also hold them. They will rest on your arm, shoulder, or even head. The staff will help to situate you so that the owls are spaced out from one another appropriately (don't wanting them squabbling amongst themselves now do we?) and will get you the necessary gloves as needed for the larger variety of owl and will help you to appropriately grip the lead.
But what if these feathered buddies take flight? Well, if you are gripping the rope correctly, then they won't be going too far. The safe are always at a helpful distance just in case of these situations. They gently push on the owls chest and lift it to get its feet firmly back onto your arm and into an upright position. No harm done. A misconception that I had was that these beasties would be heavy, but remember they are birds and can fly, and therefore are much lighter than appearances and when they take flight it is not like a tremendous force pulling on your arm. Startling none the less, but it won't be knocking you down.
But if it flies away and you lose your grip on the lead? Well it isn't going too far the cafe is entirely enclosed and there are curtains pulled over the windows. The latter bit is necessary as if any of you have had birds would know, sometimes they just don't know what is window and what is real. So to prevent these majestic creatures from self harm and head diving straight to a window (also to prevent outside eyes from prying and try to give the place a more personal atmosphere and some mysterious allure) all the windows are blocked from view by a type of scroll curtain. And if your beastie got away, the staff are trained in that too. They merely, go fetch it, take control of the lead (which is really long so I can't imagine a situation where it would be unreachable) and cox the owl down onto their hand. It did happen more than once, and was never a problem. The owls were then returned to the people who were formerly holding them instead of being retired for the evening. Which was pretty awesome in itself that the staff did not take away from the experience. This is not to say they weren't retired after our session. But owls are birds. And birds fly. So It is nature for these guys to stretch a little.
Petting session closes about 5 minutes before your hour is up. And the staff are really polite in telling you to take your last pictures and finish your drinks and ushering you out of the fenced area. This gives the owls a break before the next session.
Once you return to your seats, you will find your drinks which are very thoughtfully covered so that no debris from battle will get inside.

Then it is time to pay up and peace out. You drink and the entirety of the session costs a total of 1000 yen. About 10 bucks. You can also peruse and purchase any of their knick knacks they have at hand, or if you are really well off and attached to one of the owls, they are for purchase as well for an incredible price.

Here is another article on the store if you want to read more on it!
http://petslady.com/articles/osaka_owl_cafe_real_hoot_63295

Nap Time Cafe

Japan is no stranger to cafes.

One of the things that pleasently surprised me about Japan when I first moved here was the amount of small wonderful, non hipster filled cafes that you can find in all the crannies of Japan. Among these cafes, some are pretty awesome, and some are just...less awesome than others. And still others are known for their uniqueness like their maid cafes and cat cafes.

But this one is truly unique to me. Not even anime, manga, or any stereotype about  Japan prepared me for this level of greatness. Nap Cafes.
Nap cafes are exactly what you might think they are. A place to get a little bit of shut eye in the long working day. How is that so? Well they offer bedding of various types, chairs, loungers, hammocks, sofas, futons, beds. I am sure there is an even greater variety than just those too. So basically you can go there during your afternoon tea break, or during lunch, or just whenever you can make your escape for a bit of time, and rest up for the rest of your working day, and evening, and night. Yup that is right, night too. Japanese men and women probably need these cafes more than anyone I know. They work so hard and so late, the convenience store, 7-11 has a whole new meaning in Japan. It pretty much identifies with the hours that those salary men work.
These cafes become a necessity in not only offering the eyes and minds of salary men and women a bit of respite, but also function as the name suggest, as a cafe. Or at least the majority do. These cafes will serve things like coffee, teas, and what cafe is not complete without a bit of cake, no? Other say they offer aromatherapy  to help in relaxation or even a massage! How nice! And still more are only for women and have a make up room to help those women touch up their hair and make up so you that they don't have to do it on the train.

But these cafes do not come cheap. On lists 150 yen per min. That is nearly two American dollars. 10 minutes? You are already looking at over $15.00. The recommended power nap is what 45 minutes? that is well over $60.00. However the same cafe says they do several hour package plans at a much more reasonable price. So you are better off going for the long haul as opposed to just catching a few Z's.

Coincidentally, not a Nap cafe! haha!

Oh and here is a bonus if you are one of those Forever Alone types. There are some more specialized speel shops called Cuddle Cafes too. You can pay an extraordinary fee to cuddle with some stranger in a few select cafes. But that is about all you are allowed to do. Don't go getting hands all over her. You have you clothes on and they stay on. I am not even sure if you would have a private room. Not likely seeing as how some men would just take this opportunity a little too far. But wait! There is more! The same cuddle cafe is starting a delivery cuddle service. Not that seems a bit call girlish to me and probably pushes the envelope for the decency of well, pretty much anyone. But this is Japan, where people stick to rules and follow what other say even when no one is watching...most of the time.
So! What would it cost to get one of these beautiful girls by your side? Well there is an entrance fee, like there is with most specialty cafes, as well as a fee for whatever you do (coffee, sleeping, the amount of sleeping time, breathing...you know the basics). So I think with the minimum, you are looking at spending about 6000 yen. Ouch.

Seems like a pretty big upgrade from sleeping in the chairs at those net cafes that people normally do. Also beats a few hours in a capsule I think. But those options are still open if public sleeping is not quite your style or if someone there is too loud in their sleep for you to get any rest. Come to think of if...I wonder what they would do in that sort of situation...

Moe Moe Maid Cafe

Why I haven't done this before I could not even tell you...

So anyways back when I stilled lived in Korea and was in Japan on vacation, I visited Tokyo. And I did the thing that all people who come to Japan always talk about, especially where Akihabara is concerned, and I went to a maid cafe. It was called At Home Cafe, At Home Maid Cafe, @ Cafe or something along those lines. I remember they made a big-ish deal about using an at-mark, @. Possibly there was another similarly named one, or they thought themselves extra hip for doing that.

ahhh that's the one.

Anyway, it was nice and fun and a good time. I went with a Japanese person who was also visiting Tokyo for a job interview, but had never been to one of these places before because they are seen as only places that otakus, perverted businessmen with too much time and money, and also gaijins would ever go to. And so, with myself as his loop hole to the otaku rule, he was able to allow himself to go in as he was accompanied by a gaijin.
The place had possibly like 4 floors, each with a different theme, and I suspect a staff that rotated between them frequently (like every 2 hours). The reason for that is you don't want a creeper to get too attached to you, and therefore they is like a kind of safeguard against that. Of course, they can follow you to another floor, but then they would have to pay for everything all over again.
We chose a floor with their maids dressed as maids with added ears and tails for animal effects. Our server was a squirrel, but I kept calling her a fox. You had your dogs, cats, bunnies, tigers, and I remember there being a turtle too (sexy maid turtle...weird I know), I am sure there may have been others, just none that really stuck out. The place was pretty dimly light with a pretty modern design and use of colors. It was also very girly. In the front and center was a stage.
At first they explained to us that there was an entrance fee that would be added to our bill for going there. Like a club or a pet cafe or such. Our fee was 500 yen. Not too bad. They also explained that it was a timed affair. I am pretty sure we only had an hour for everything, but I would tend to think that it might also be standard to have 90 minute affairs as well (I say this because nearly everything here in Osaka has a 90 minute timer on things - buffets, all you can eat Brazilian BBQ, all you can drink things etc). After an hour is up, I expect you are expected to pay up or to likely pay again for another hour. So first they sat us down and then they came and gave me a welcome to Japan party baggie (it had a few stickers, a piece of candy and disposable chopsticks in it...). That was weird. They actually did have an English menu, which is proving his theory of gaijins frequenting maid cafes to be pretty accurate. We both ordered a parfait, which in Japan is a bowl of artful ice cream and fruit madness. They were huge. There were other things on the menu like coffee and om-rice and a few more pretty standard easy to make, no-effort kind of things as well (sandwiches and the like). And they do expect you to order something. You can't just go there and creepily stare at the girls for an hour. At least drink some coffee with that creepiness, man.

I am not really sure how often they do this, it could be every hour, or we could have just been lucky, but the stage got put to goo use. We had a Janken tournament (rock-paper-scissors). Sounds weird because it is. Basically, one of the ladies gets up on stage and does rock paper scissors with everyone. If you beat her, you can stay standing. If you lose, you sit yourself back down and enjoy that parfait. So as it happens, I was among the top 3 people. I also had no idea what I was doing, and my companion thought it was more amusing to watch me flounder a bit. So the maid gals came and got me and ushered me on stage and set me up with some tiger ears. The other two contestants were also there in some bunny and cat ears. They were male. And businessmen. Theory more and more correct. We three janken with the hostess and then I try to walk away. But no, apparently I won that round as well. I can't remember if I did or did, but I think they almost kept me up there for laugh value. Also for people to stare at something besides the men up there doing 'kawaii-kawaii-janken'. Oh and also worth a mention there was a chant and accompanying...motions... for this that they made me do as well. Faces can not turn redder.
I lost in the final round. The prize was to pick two girls to be taken in a Polaroid picture together with you. Actually, when we ordered, we ordered a set which was the parfait, possibly a drink?, and also a picture with a hostess. I think we could even pick which one if we wanted to because I remember them asking. I think the whole set cost perhaps 1500 yen? maybe it was 900? Either way, I remember it being more expensive then a cafe, but not super ridiculously priced. But apparently, you need to be careful with some places and over charging, and their sketchiness factor. 


Right...the chant.... the chant went a little like this:

At home (but they are japanese and have to end  things in vowels so it sounded more like ato homu)
*make right hand into a fist/circular fingers and the left hand just barely cover it...like an at-mark @*
Nya Nya
*a cat sound and you ball up your fists and hold them near your cheeks and rock them back and forward slightly when you say nya nya*
Joki Joki 
*Joki is...I am not sure...but it symbolizes scissors, and you move your hands up to your ears and the same motions but with your fore and middle fingers make peace like scissors signs*
Wan Wan
* I am actually not 100% this is what they said, but it sounded like it and it was also what I chose to say(>.>). It would also make sense, seeing as if the first was a cat, the second is kind of similar to a rabbit, and this one would be a dog, as wan wan is the sound a dog makes in Japan. It was after all an animal themed maid cafe. So anyways, Wan Wan is for paper and you keep your hands by your ears and open your hands with fingers together and do the little up-down motion with them as you say it*

It all happens pretty quickly. So practice it so you are not unprepared.

flyer girl advertising maid cafes on the street.

Also worth a mention. You are not really allowed to take photos once inside the place. You might not even be allowed to take their photos on the street, but it is harder to stop you. The only picture I have of it, is the polaroid of the maid and myself. Also they take the time to draw all over the picture for you (hearts and things like 'love', 'kiss' and moe moe...whatever they things might be cute and pleasing to their customers). I will try to find and post the picture.

That seat is saved...

And so is that one. And that one.

In some ways Japan has not yet left childhood. You have the comics, the anime, the pen cases, and all other manner of bright colorful objects of childhood that are quite commonplace in the adult world. But one thing I think is truly amazing, is the seat saving.
Between cafes like Starbucks or restaurants ( using the term loosely) like McDonald's, you might find yourself hard pressed to find a seat. In Japan it is natural to go and scout out the situation and reserve seating or a table by placing a personal item upon the furnishing. Marking your territory. This lets everyone else know that that seat is claimed. This personal item may be a cell phone, a handkerchief, or even a purse. The amazing thing for this is not that they save the seats as you would for a childhood friend in a cafeteria, it is that all other people respect that and will not relocate their items or worse take them. They simple recognize that someone has prior claim and will move along.
Interestingly, when visiting another country, say Korea, they might still do the same thing to save their seat; however, Koreans are not so big on doing this and will line up first, order, and seat scout later. Therefore, unless the item is very evidently a personal item, like a purse, they (the Koreans) will sit down anyways wondering who the hell left their handkerchief there. Thus making the Japanese tourist later retrieve the item from the now occupied seat and find a new one.

There is exactly one stool in this picture that is not on reserve.