A Fly in my Soup!

Meaningless rant post alert.

So today I went to lunch at a nearby Chinese place with our Planning Director and another Planner Guy. A planning lunch, as it were. As I was eating my katayakisoba, (fried chow mein with starchy vegetable soup), I noticed there was, indeed, a fly in my soup.

While not opposed to a little extra protein, I couldn't resist the old line.... But, this being Tokyo, I couldn't say "Excuse me sir, there's a fly in my soup." Wasted opportunity. I had to settle with something that translates as "Uh, there's like, a bug..."

I actually did get a free lunch, which is unusual here in Tokyo. In most regular joints, the staff just aren't properly trained/motivated to deal with these kinds of issues. I mean, they come out and say "We are so very very sorry" and stuff, maybe toss you a free drink or cookie, but... they don't mean it.

Thus ends this meaningless rant post.

Guide to Akihabara

I have posted some Akihabara news in the past (1, 2), and I wonder how many of you are by now REALLY interested in Akihabara, Japan. Not yet enough to get yourself a ticket to make a pilgrimage to the 'Otaku' Holy Land?

Here is the book to get you in the mood: "Guiding Your Friends Around Akihabara in English." As the title suggests, it is designed for Japanese audience, but wirtten in both Japanese and English. So you can self-guide the tour in Akihabara! The book doesn't only cover the Akihabara itself, but also other spots in Tokyo for great food and travel tips.

How do you like 'Akiba' now?

Back to School, Boys!!

"Welcome home, master!"

Akihabara (the Otaku, or 'geek', capital of Japan) hosts a number of 'Maid Cafes' where - well, the picture above pretty much says it. (No these are not sex shops. If you Googled 'Maid' and 'Sex' then sorry please return to your search results).

Akihabara culture and Maid Cafes have already gone mainstream - just check out this canned-coffee ad featuring Tommy Lee Jones (follow the links for more in the series):



So to keep ahead of the real world, the wonderful otaku have come up with a new 'cosplay' (costume play) cafe motif: School.

Last week, a new maid cafe opened in Akihabara called "Akiba School Maid Class" decorated as a classic Japanese classroom where maids and customers are 'classmates.'

The twist is the role-playing not only of children but of childhood boy-girl relationships. What otaku/geek wouldn't love that - especially since this time the girls (act as though they) like you.

For the record, "Akiba School Maid Class" world does not offer any 'extras'.