Visit Maid Cafe with teenage girls?

Would it be strange to visit maid cafes as a family ..mum dad and two teenage girls? Are they decent enuf? Any gd places to recommend? What would be the cost? Are there age limit?

They are definitely decent. I went to one in Akihabara (tokyo) called MaiDreamin' (they have a few different venues all in tokyo/akihabara and each with a different theme). The one I went to was like some unbelievable cartoon/anime world. Most of the food was ridiculously cute (I got a Rabbit parfait with a cream face and wafer ear) and the maids themselves are lovely. They often do singing/dancing performances. Or come to your table to chat or draw manga version of you, etc. It is an experience you wouldn't get anywhere else and I would definitely recommend it. (I went with four friends from uni, but to my knowledge there is no upper/lower age limit)

http://www.cafe-athome.com/about-english/

Yes, you can go home with your family. The concept of made cafes is guests are treated at home. It's your home, so no age limits, etc.

not sure if you can read japanese but... http://maidreamin.com/

I foresee a bigger problem in the language barrier than in the age of your girls...

I would therefore recommend to go to a rather well known, "touristy" meido cafe like @home cafe in Akihabara where they speak at least a few words in english. But you have to be aware, that all songs, presentations are of course in Japanese and you will not understand too much. But nevertheless something very unique, everyone has to experience while in Tokyo.

As for the price: I remember paying around 3-4000 JPY for entrance fee, a drink and a small snack. Don't go there for dinner :)

Oh, and something you might not be aware of: The whole visit will probably not be much longer than 1 hour.

I see no problem. As asdf mentioned, try going to one of the cafes that sees a lot of tourists, like @home. I went to @home and although nobody there could really speak english, it wasn't a problem (I couldn't really speak japanese yet when I went). I didn't really know what was going on when they played a big group game of janken (rock paper scissors), but it was fun. ^.^ MaiDreamin' looks like another good one (I thought about going there, but went to @home instead). Note that @home's english webpage is horribly out of date, but it does give you an idea of what to expect, and what's on the menu.

It is, in a word, ridiculously cute. ^.^

http://www.cafe-athome.com/about-english/faq/#a6

entrance fee is 700yen/p

We as a family went to a maid cafe in Akihabara last year (our girls were 7yrs and 12yrs). Initially the maid on the street was reluctant to take us as she said the cigarette smoke might not be pleasant for our kids.
We decided to go (their was minimal smoke) but agree that the language barrier was a slight problem - but don't let that put you off going! Was a bit confused about the price - we each had a small 'snack' and drink and the price for the 4 of us came to almost ~Y10,000. I didn't question or make a fuss as we were in totally unfamiliar territory and unsure of the cost/entry etc. anyway.
I was a very small, simple cafe in a tiny lane upstairs in Akihabara - don't know the name.

Can I ask why you would you want to take your kids to fetish venue?

It was a fun cafe with anime/cosplay themes, cute food and part of modern Japanese culture - the staff were lovely towards kids.

If that is your mind set YOU would probably call SnowWhite, AliceInWonderland etc. and Tokyo Disneyland a fetish venue too!

Surely you're not that naive. This doesn't stem out of 'kid's stuff.'
There's a whole history of 'woman as servant/slave' especially young compliant women in short tight dresses, serving men. The whole maid cafe stuff grew out of the sexual fetish subcultures in Tokyo. Of course these places appeal to a lot of male clientele (and young women who think they have to conform to certain male fantasies for their sexuality to be accepted.) The whole cosplay thing is based on this fetishism. Take a look at a lot of the fetished female characters in anime. Why do you think otaku culture is primarily male? So many males are drawn to it and young women are socialised into the process.
Where's the fun if you don't share the fantasy?

(sigh)... whatever...

If foreign travellers wish to have a varied insight into Japanese culture both modern and traditional - let them. You don't have to go if you don't agree with it.

Note: We've also been to Gundam (robot) Cafe, Ninja Restaurant, Cat Cafe, Butler Cafe, attended the Miyako-Odori, had dinner/entertained by a Geisha, attended the Takarazuka (all-female) review, been to the Kabuki (all-male) many times etc. etc.

Would recommend ALL of the above.

I forgot to add for the record - I don't have a fantasy/fetish for either Maids, Robots, Ninjas, Butlers, Geishas, Cats, Maikos! Still enjoyed every one of the experiences.

Hi thanks all for yr varied comments and opinions. I do agree there are always more than one side to the story. Hence my origina uncertain query if these cafes are clean fun and where are the less objectionable ones around.

Maid cafes do get featured in family dramas - esp the Japanese and Korean ones. Which was sparked off our curiosity in them. But on further searching thru the net, it seems this is like a passing fad?

Thanks anyway for all contributions, much appreciated!

Elyse,

You make some fair points, however I think you looking at it somewhat out of context and through a western (feminist) lens. Its difficult not to apply too much cultural imperialism with topics such as these, but I would disagree that maid cafes are a sexual experience. Of course there are those that do see it as such, but it is probably not the mainstream view. To label maid cafes a fetish venue, cosplay deviant, and that practitioners have unhealthy sexual identities goes too far.

Maid cafes do get featured in family dramas - esp the Japanese and Korean ones. Which was sparked off our curiosity in them. But on further searching thru the net, it seems this is like a passing fad?

On the contrary, I think maid cafes are more mainstream than ever, and they would make for a great family experience. Can't be any more damaging than the majority of western pop culture these days ;)

I don't see what's the big fuss against maid cafés by all the ultra feminists in Western countries when in these very same countries it's very common to have places like Hooters where attractive skinny young women wear skimpy uniforms and wear white T shirts above their large bussoms.

Maybe Hooters attracts mostly sport fan male visitors but again it's a similar concept that you are paying extra cash to be served by attractive waitresses in skimpy outfits. I don't see the uber feminists drawing picket lines in front of these establishments and I assume some foreign visitors like to go to these places to learn more about American culture where the franchise came from.

Yes, there is nothing wrong going to a maid cafe with teenage girls. However, I assume if you are a bit conservative to enjoy MTV in US you might not enjoy going to those places.

Fetishism is everywhere, in the ''West'' or in Japan. Maid cafe is fetishism but not inappropriate or too sexually exploiting in a way that male chauvinism rules. It's not like being served on Aeroflot by a harsh lady either.

Freakishly cute ''Moe'' stuffs like Moe anime (like K-On!) are not necessarily sexually provoking or intended solely for male consumption. Although there are adult oriented things as well (kept behind +18 signs in a hobby store in Akihabara, which you wouldn't let the children to look at).

That said, I've personally never been to maid cafes as being a male adult I would be too embarrassed.

To assure you, aside from cigarette smoke and drinking, well known maid cafes such as MaiDreamin are family friendly. MaiDreaming has a facebook page where you can see photos of maids posing next to children and their families.

In terms of women feeling comfortable, they're definitely welcome and are able to enjoy the maid cafe as their male counterparts. I went twice to MaiDreaming at their "Heaven's Gate" location near the JR Akihabara Electric Town entrance. For the first time, I sat next to a table of two girls: they just kept to themselves, smoked their cigarettes, and enjoyed the atmosphere. During the second time, there was in a corner a group of business workers (both men and women) relaxing after their shift. They were singing and cheering for the maid when she sang on a podium like an idol singer.

All in all, a maid cafe is very safe and welcomed by all to enter.

I too can recommend MaiDreamin. I have been there a couple of times, and I think teenage girls would not only feel comfortable there, they'll love it. Everything is just cute and fluffy. The food it cute, the charms that you have to do when they serve you something are cute, the costumes are obviosuly cute.

It's not indescent. It's not only for men. It not only for those who like girls. I have seen couples (yes, romantic couples) having lunch at this cafe. I have even seen a small business oppointment going on.

What's more, if you're not Asian, they'll love it too! Western people are interesting :)

Go for it. You'll love it. You have my word.