Japan’s concept cafes

The Manila Times

Japan’s concept cafes  Theme-based cafes are a great success in Japan, and continue to grow in popularity. The idea of 'concept cafes' began in Akihabara, the center of Japanese pop culture, with their renowned 'maid cafes.' They are now found everywhere, and have diversified to cater to everyone’s taste; from railway enthusiasts to ninja fans. At the unique end, there's a science-themed cafe-bar run by an actual scientist, where the whole experience takes the form of lab experiments. Concept cafes aren't just fun places to eat and drink, they can let you engage in exciting activities as well.  VIDEO BY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF JAPAN  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe  Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net  Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion  Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital  Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein  #TheManilaTimes #DailyNews #Japan #Concept #Cafe #Akihabara #PopCulture #MaidCafes

Transcript

00:00 [music]

00:06 Akihabara, the heart of Japan's pop culture.

00:10 Among its crowded specialist anime and game stores,

00:15 another kind of attraction is always popular.

00:17 "Welcome back, master! Come this way, please!"

00:23 You've probably heard of maid cafes,

00:25 where guests are served by waitresses in anime-inspired costumes.

00:30 The attraction of these cafes isn't so much what they serve.

00:35 It's the fun of interacting with your "maid".

00:38 They do have unique menus, however.

00:47 Everything here, down to the smallest detail,

00:50 adds to the maid cafe's theme of cuteness.

00:53 But maid cafes are only the best-known of a whole new genre,

00:57 called "concept cafes".

00:59 This cafe, for example, has a ninja theme.

01:05 The historical ninja were actually spies,

01:08 famous for their many unique weapons and techniques.

01:11 The cafe staff dress as ninja and perform for guests.

01:17 They'll show you how to use ninja techniques,

01:20 and even let you try them yourself.

01:22 A real taste of a hidden side of old Japan.

01:26 The ninja use so many different kinds of secret tools and special skills,

01:33 and customers are thrilled to hear about them.

01:35 I love helping people have a good time and discover something new!

01:40 Japan is a nation of railway enthusiasts,

01:44 and for many, the train ride is the best part of a trip.

01:49 Welcome aboard our train!

01:51 This will be your seat.

01:54 In this train-themed cafe,

01:59 seats and tables are authentic old railway stock,

02:02 and even the menus look like route maps.

02:04 Before you order, the conductor comes round to clip your ticket.

02:11 It really feels like the start of a train journey.

02:17 (Train whistle)

02:19 Every last detail is designed to evoke the era of the old steam locomotives.

02:26 Even your steak.

02:28 For train fans, this is heaven.

02:31 The test tubes and scientific equipment suggest you've wandered into a laboratory,

02:42 but this is another concept cafe.

02:45 (Music)

02:47 The first thing you do is put on a white lab coat.

02:51 Your order will be served in test tubes and beakers.

02:58 The owner, Nomura Takashi, is actually a trained scientist.

03:05 Before opening this cafe bar, he worked in genetic research.

03:11 I wanted to create a fun space where regular people could get a taste

03:16 of what it's like to do scientific research.

03:19 How about a strawberry drink that's also a scientific experiment?

03:25 After pouring in the ingredients, he gently shakes the glass.

03:31 This simulates the action of an agitator, a standard device used in labs.

03:40 The agitation causes strawberry DNA to separate and float to the surface.

03:45 In a lab, this process requires special equipment.

03:49 Nomura has made it a fun way to show his customers how science works.

03:53 I think of it as serving customers a side dish of science.

03:59 I love watching the delight on people's faces as they discover something they never knew.

04:06 Whatever your background, Nomura will find a way to get you fascinated with the world of science.

04:12 Tasty too!

04:17 Concept Cafe is a growing trend that keeps on spawning fresh ideas.

04:23 Try one out! You're sure to find something unexpected to enjoy.

04:28 [Music]

04:30 [Silence]

04:37 [Mouse click]

04:38 [Bell ring]

04:39 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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