When you hear the words “Maid Café”, what kind of image comes to mind? For some first-timers, it might seem a bit intimidating.
- “What kind of place is a maid café?”
- “How much does it cost?”
For beginners who have such questions, we will thoroughly explain the charm and how to enjoy maid cafés. After reading this article, even first-timers can enjoy maid cafés with confidence.

I was nervous at first, but once I went, it was really fun, so I’ll do my best to convey that enjoyment.
What Is a Maid Café?
A Maid Café is a type of restaurant where staff dressed in maid costumes serve customers, treating them as “Master” or “Princess.” In this article, we will explain maid cafés in detail.
History of Maid Cafés
The world’s first permanent maid café is considered to be Cure Maid Café, which opened in Akihabara in 2001. After that, maid cafés rapidly expanded, mainly in Akihabara, becoming a social phenomenon to the extent that the term “Moe~” was nominated for the 2005 U-Can New Words and Buzzwords Awards. Originally started as a part of otaku culture, maid cafés have now become a representative of Japanese subculture.
What Do You Do at a Maid Café?
At a maid café, you can mainly enjoy the following services and experiences (services offered vary by store):
- Food and Drink Service: Offering original drinks and foods (like omelet rice)
- Magic Spells: Have “magic” cast on your drinks or food
- Drawing: Have characters or designs drawn on your omelet rice or latte art
- Polaroid Photos: Take commemorative photos with the maids
- Live Performances: Enjoy stages like karaoke or dance performances
- Conversation: Enjoy interacting with the maids
The Appeal of Maid Cafés
The greatest appeal of maid cafés is that you can experience “moe” culture in an extraordinary space. You can feel as if you’ve stepped away from the real world into a fantasy realm. Additionally, through interacting with the maids, you can experience hospitality that you don’t usually get to enjoy.
What’s the Difference from Concept Cafés?
Maid cafés are a type of concept café, but there are some differences:
- Business Style: Maid cafés are mainly café-style, while concept cafés often have a bar-style
- Service Style: Maid cafés focus on serving food, while concept cafés center on one-on-one communication
- Concept: Maid cafés specialize in “maids,” whereas concept cafés have various themes
Reference article: “What is a Concept Café?“
Where Can You Find Maid Cafés?
Maid cafés exist in major cities throughout Japan, but Tokyo’s Akihabara (Akiba), where they originated, is known as the most competitive area.

They are also commonly found in other subculture hubs like Osaka’s Nipponbashi (Den Den Town) and Nagoya’s Osu.


In recent years, maid cafés have opened not only within Japan but also in countries around the world such as Taiwan, China, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. As an icon of Japanese pop culture, they are gaining international popularity.
How to Enjoy a Maid Café
Step-by-Step Guide for First-Timers
Choose a Store
First, choose a maid café you’d like to visit. Check the atmosphere and menu on their official website or social media to find a place that suits your preferences. Stores that offer beginner-friendly sets or guides are recommended.

At Concon Café, we also offer search functions tailored to your needs and usage scenarios, so we recommend searching from there as well.
Enter the Café
When you enter the café, a maid will greet you with “Welcome home, Master (Mistress).” Sit at the guided seat, and if the maid explains how to enjoy the café, make sure to listen carefully.
Order
Once seated, check the menu. If it’s your first time, it’s a good idea to order beginner-friendly set menus or recommended drinks and foods.
Enjoy the Service
When your order is brought, the maid will cast a “magic spell” on it. Don’t be shy and enjoy it together. You can also experience maid café-specific services like having them draw on your omelet rice.
Polaroid Photo Shoot
You can take a commemorative photo with a maid using a Polaroid (instant camera). It requires an additional fee, but it’s recommended for making memories.
Leaving the Café
When your stay time is over, you’ll settle the bill. Upon leaving, the maid will see you off with “Take care!”
What Is a Maid Café’s Magic Spell?
At a maid café, you can have a “magic spell” cast to make your food and drinks taste better and be more enjoyable. A representative magic spell is “Moe Moe Kyun.” This involves performing chants and gestures with the maid to enjoy an extraordinary atmosphere.
- Example Chant: The maid says “Deliciousness, come! Moe Moe Kyun!” while making a heart-shaped gesture.
- Participation: By doing the gestures and chants together with the customer, a sense of unity is created.
By not being shy and participating in this magic spell, you can fully enjoy the fun of a maid café.
Maid Café Menus
Maid café menus are diverse and unique. In addition to typical food and drinks, there are menus where maids provide special services.
- Omelet Rice: The maid draws your favorite pictures or words with ketchup.
- Latte Art: Cute illustrations are drawn on the surface of your drink.
- Desserts: There are visually appealing sweets like parfaits and cakes.
- Original Cocktails: Enjoy special drinks, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic.
- Polaroid Photo Shoot: A photo service with the maid. After the shoot, they decorate the photo for you.
There are also seasonal menus and special menus for events, so you’ll discover something new every time you visit.
Maid Café Pricing System
The pricing system at maid cafés varies by store, but generally follows the pattern below.
- Entrance Fee (Charge Fee): Approximately 500 to 1,000 yen. In some cases, additional charges apply per hour.
- Drinks
- Soft Drinks: 600 to 800 yen
- Original Drinks: 800 to 1,500 yen
- Alcoholic Beverages: 800 to 1,500 yen
- Food
- Omelet rice, hamburgers, etc.: 900 to 1,800 yen
- Desserts: 900 to 1,500 yen
- Amusement
- Polaroid Photo Shoot: 700 to 1,500 yen
- Live Performances: Prices vary depending on the maid and content.
Budget Guidelines
- Minimum Use: Entrance fee plus a soft drink, about 1,500 yen
- Fully Enjoying Meals and Services: Approximately 3,000 to 5,000 yen
For first-timers, beginner-friendly set menus or packages are recommended. These include entrance fee, drink, food, Polaroid photo shoot, etc., allowing you to enjoy more economically than usual.
*Prices may vary depending on the store and services used, so it’s recommended to check your budget in advance.

Maid cafés have many features that even first-timers can enjoy. Please use this guide as a reference to spend a wonderful time at a maid café.
Recommended Maid Cafés
From here, we will introduce recommended maid cafés by area from among the many that exist.
Akihabara Area
@Home Café Akihabara Main Store
“@Home Café Akihabara Main Store” is conveniently located a 3-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station and has attracted many customers from Japan and abroad since its opening in 2003.
A feature is the concept for each floor; you can enjoy different atmospheres from the 3rd to the 7th floor.
Maid staff who can speak English are also available, accommodating foreign guests.
With an abundant menu and amusements, you can enjoy original desserts, Polaroid photo shoots, games, etc. Affordable course menus are also available.
https://conconcafe.com/en/tokyo/akihabara/athomecafe-akihabara/
Maidreamin Akihabara Main Store
The largest maid café chain in Japan, “Maidreamin,” operates 20 stores across Japan and Thailand, boasting an annual visitor count of 800,000.
With the concept of a “dreamland,” they offer highly entertaining services, such as casting spells on all menu items.
It’s recommended for first-timers, where you can enjoy dreamland-exclusive experiences like live performances and drawings.
https://conconcafe.com/en/tokyo/akihabara/maidreamin-akihabara/
Maid Café Tougenkyo
The long-established maid café “Tougenkyo” opened in December 2008 in Akihabara’s Electric Town and is a small-scale café that pursues authentic maid culture. A characteristic feature is that maids, who have undergone a strict three-month training, handle everything from cooking and baking to cleaning themselves. Handmade dishes, sweets, and 19 varieties of rich teas appeal to an adult customer base.
With no charge fees and a relaxing environment, they offer free Wi-Fi and power outlets, and even allow dolls to be brought in, gaining support from a wide range of customers from beginners to veterans.
https://conconcafe.com/en/tokyo/akihabara/tougenkyoumaid/
Osaka Nipponbashi Area
Café Doll, a Maid Café in Osaka
The long-established maid café “Café Doll” opened in Nipponbashi in Osaka on January 10, 2005, with the wish that customers can “return home without hesitation many times.”
The spacious and bright interior has 10 counter seats and 36 table seats, making it comfortable for both solo visitors and groups. They also have an all-you-can-drink juice server for soft drinks and free Wi-Fi.
The food menu is substantial, allowing you to enjoy attractive dishes like omelet rice and hamburgers. As a special offer for first-time visitors, you can get a free Polaroid photo with a maid.
https://conconcafe.com/en/osaka/nipponbashi/cafedoll/
Maid Café & Restaurant “Café e-maid”
“Café e-maid” is a maid café located just a 1-minute walk from Nankai “Namba Station,” welcoming customers in a calm, antique-style interior.
Maid staff dressed in orthodox maid outfits provide service, allowing you to spend a blissful time in a relaxed space. The soothing atmosphere is one of its charms.
They take pride in their teas, offering 10 varieties of regular teas and about 20 special teas that change with the seasons. The maids carefully brew each cup with heart.
https://conconcafe.com/en/osaka/nipponbashi/e-maid/
Nagoya Area
Maid Café Mai Leaf
Located in Osu, Nagoya, “Mai Leaf” is a maid café featuring a classical space that imagines a British aristocratic residence, allowing you to enjoy an exotic atmosphere.
The first floor is a café, and the second floor is a bar. If you want to enjoy tea, homemade cakes, or afternoon tea, use the first floor; if you want to relax with alcohol, use the second floor.
It’s recommended for those seeking a maid café with a calm atmosphere, and once you visit, you’re sure to become a fan of “Mai Leaf.”
https://conconcafe.com/en/aichi/nagoya/maileaf/
Maid Café Komorebi Fika
“Komorebi Fika” is a tea salon in Nagoya where mature maids welcome you, offering a relaxed concept café with the sound of music boxes playing in the background.
Based on the theme of the grand lady’s mansion, visitors are called “Monsieur” and “Madame,” and receive courteous hospitality.
They offer a wide variety of teas and coffees, allowing you to spend a leisurely time with delicious drinks and the maids’ warm service.
Loved by people of all ages and genders, the menu also includes options for middle and high school students, making it a healing spot visited by many generations.
https://conconcafe.com/en/aichi/nagoya/komorebifika/
Yokohama Area
Maid Café HoneyHoney Yokohama Store
“Maid Café HoneyHoney Yokohama Store” is a maid café in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, where you can enjoy homemade dishes and delicious drinks, welcomed by cute maids in a comfortable atmosphere.
Featuring a toned-down “moe” element and an orthodox style, it offers a casual atmosphere where even first-timers can enjoy themselves, accommodating a wide range of customers including friends, families, and couples.
The interior is bright and adorably decorated, equipped with Wi-Fi and charging facilities, allowing you to spend time leisurely while working or studying.
The menu is abundant and reasonably priced, with homemade dishes, omelet rice, and drinks. Lunch starts from 899 yen, and dinner is around 1,500 yen, with clear pricing.
https://conconcafe.com/en/kanagawa/yokohama/honeyhoney_yokohama/
Ikebukuro Area
Entry Café Ikebukuro Store
Located near Ikebukuro Station East Exit, “Entry” is a long-established casual maid café with over 10 years of history, characterized by an atmosphere that’s easy for first-timers to enter.
The voice actors and idol groups affiliated with the café have appeared in anime, and related goods are sold in-store, increasing a sense of closeness with fans.
They host various events like collaborations with anime and games, and their own planned voice dramas, serving as a practical stage for young people aiming to become voice actors or singers.
As the organizer of Ikebukuro’s largest idol event “MonFest,” they contribute to the development of idol culture, captivating many audiences as a long-established maid café.
https://conconcafe.com/en/tokyo/ikebukuro/entrycafe/
Sapporo Area
Sapporo Maid Café Antique Café
Sapporo’s long-established maid café “Antique Café” has been loved locally since its opening in 2011, now entering its 13th year.
The classical maid outfits are a highlight, with red ribbons and white and black aprons adorned with frills—it’s the quintessential maid outfit for a maid café.
Regular events and special costumes allow you to enjoy special maid outfits tailored to seasonal events and anniversaries.
Their authentic medicinal curry is popular, attracting repeat customers with curry blended with multiple spices and seasonal limited menus.
https://conconcafe.com/en/hokkaido/sapporo/antiquecafe-sapporo/
Important Points When Visiting a Maid Café
While maid cafés are places to enjoy an extraordinary space, there are some important points to ensure a comfortable experience. Below are key points that both first-time visitors and regulars should be aware of.

Let’s follow the manners properly and make the maid café enjoyable.
Photography Rules
- No Photography of Maids: In many maid cafés, taking personal photos of maids is prohibited. If you wish to take photos, use paid services like Polaroid photo shoots.
- Taking Photos Inside the Café: If you want to capture the interior, be sure to check with the staff beforehand. Be considerate not to include other customers in your photos.
Observing Service Etiquette
- Avoid Excessive Physical Contact: Refrain from excessive touching or personal questions toward the maids.
- Treat with Respect: Avoid overly familiar language or intimidating behavior toward the maids.
Check Store Rules
- Time Limits and Additional Charges: Many stores have time limits. Be aware that additional charges may apply if you extend your stay.
- No Outside Food or Drinks: Generally, bringing in food or drinks from outside is not allowed. Enjoy the menu provided within the café.
Consideration for Other Customers
- Avoid Loud Noise: Other customers are also enjoying their time. Please keep conversations and noise at a reasonable volume.
- Seat Usage: During busy times, avoid occupying seats for extended periods to allow others to use them.
- Drink Responsibly: In establishments that serve alcohol, please drink responsibly. Entry and excessive drinking while intoxicated are prohibited.
Adherence to Prohibited Actions
- No Exchange of Contact Information: Exchanging contact information with maids is strictly prohibited.
- Follow Store Rules: Each store has its own rules and etiquette. Please follow the staff’s instructions.
Maid Café Terminology
Maid cafés have many unique terms and expressions. Here, we organize them by category and explain them in a way that’s easy for first-timers to understand.
Basic Terms
Master & Mistress
- Meaning: Terms used to refer to customers in maid cafés. Males are called “Master,” and females are called “Mistress.”
- Explanation: These honorifics are used to welcome customers as the masters or family members of the home.
Returning Home & Going Out
- Meaning: Terms referring to entering and leaving the store.
- Explanation: “Returning home” means coming to the maid café, and “going out” means leaving the café.
Welcome Home & Take Care
- Meaning: Greetings upon entering and leaving the café.
- Explanation: Maids greet you with “Welcome home, Master (Mistress)” when you enter, and “Take care” when you leave.
Service & Hospitality Terms
Serving
- Meaning: General term for the maids’ service duties.
- Explanation: Includes providing food and drinks, casting magic spells, and taking Polaroid photos.
Magic Spell (Adding Love)
- Meaning: A ritual to make food and drinks more delicious.
- Explanation: Together with the maid, you enjoy gestures and chants like “Deliciousness, come! Moe Moe Kyun.”
Moe Moe Kyun
- Meaning: A representative phrase used in magic spells.
- Explanation: Chanted while making a heart gesture to infuse “moe” into the food or drink.
Oshi (Favorite)
- Meaning: A maid whom you particularly favor.
- Explanation: Supporting your favorite maid is referred to as “pushing” them.
Menu-Related Terms
Omelet Rice
- Meaning: A staple menu item at maid cafés.
- Explanation: Maids draw pictures or write words requested by the customer using ketchup.
Latte Art
- Meaning: Art drawn on the surface of a drink.
- Explanation: Maids draw cute illustrations or messages on café lattes or hot drinks.
Oricock & Orishan
- Oricock (Original Cocktail)
- Meaning: Special cocktails devised by the maids.
- Explanation: Available in non-alcoholic and alcoholic options, enjoyable in appearance as well.
- Orishan (Original Champagne)
- Meaning: A special champagne menu item.
- Explanation: Ordering this allows you to receive special performances or services; it’s a high-end drink.
Summary
In this article, we’ve provided a wide-ranging introduction to maid cafés, including their history, how to enjoy them, precautions, and recommended shops. We’ve also offered a step-by-step guide and terminology explanations so that even first-timers can enjoy them with confidence.
Please use this article as a reference to find a maid café that suits you.
It may seem daunting at first, but once you take that first step, heartwarming and wonderful times await you.