During my visit to Ikebukero, I descended the stairs to the entrance of Swallowtail, the famous butler cafe. I had a delightful chat with the butler door man, who told me in a gentle and soft voice that reservations are required. Or so I think.

Thanks to an internet tip, I also learned that Shibuya now has a European-style boys boarding school cafe, Edelstein, also aimed at fujoshi (腐女子), or female otaku into boys love. Here’s a photo of the interior. I need to find some girlish company to make a reservation and check it out.

Thanks again, Adrik, for letting me know that men are welcome at these “girls’ cafes.” Adrik, if you’re in Tokyo before May 23, let’s meet there!













9 responses so far ↓
christophe // May 6, 2008 at 6:47 pm |
Great article in the NY magazine this week :
http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/46462/
Since you’re on location, your feedback would be very much appreciated
)
jaredinnakano // May 6, 2008 at 8:14 pm |
Are you asking us to risk our lives (and our wallets) on fugu? Isn’t mother-daughter boy-love sufficiently risquee?!
christophe // May 6, 2008 at 8:46 pm |
“On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.”
Adrik // May 7, 2008 at 1:17 am |
Totally!
You can make a reservation online for Edelstein, you just need someone to write in Japanese I think, but apart from that, it’s pretty easy!
https://www.cafe-edelstein.com/reserve2/reserve.php
I still haven’t been to Swallowtail either..
jaredinnakano // May 7, 2008 at 1:32 am |
Edelstein-Swallowtail-Host bar, now that’s an itinerary!
Adrik // May 7, 2008 at 2:46 pm |
2 down
jaredinnakano // May 7, 2008 at 3:19 pm |
How was your host club experience? Not much written on your blog about it. Are Kyoto hosts up to Tokyo standards? I loved you photo on the Edelstein welcome mat. No photos with the “students” and your name cards?!
http://bp1.blogger.com/_cMhCTYWaHZI/SBaLk7deiaI/AAAAAAAABNI/t_YZgqbI1Ok/s1600-h/DSC02137.JPG
Adrik // May 7, 2008 at 3:34 pm |
ahaha, no, no photos allowed (like maid cafes)
the host club was cool, it was not a Japanese one unfortunately, but a Filipino one cause i know the DJ – would love to go to a Japanese one but i dont speak enough Japanese to get inside
jaredinnakano // May 7, 2008 at 4:07 pm |
Let’s *beg* Yoko, my fun sister-in-law, to be our guide!