Of Mice and Miso: *Shudder*...Akihabara Pt 1

Akihabara. Electric town. Or as I like to call it, Outlet Orgy

It is without a doubt, the holy land of nerds, cataholics (not catholics), collectors, gamers, and perverts alike.

Maid Cafe

If you google "What to do in Akihabara", visiting a maid cafe is always on the list. It is a one-establishment manifestation of the "Kawaii" culture in Japan. It also has a 1950's ice-cream parlor vibe. The main point is that you are treated as the "Master/Mistress"

Upon entering, I had to pay a cover-charge of 500JPY. They also give you a variety of animal ears to choose from...it's policy.

On the other side of the room, were three businessmen. All exhausted and just trying to have a coffee before heading back to the office, due to the animal ear policy, their table looked like Zootopia crossed over with the more melancholic episodes of Grey's Anatomy.

You're then given a menu of things to choose from. If it's sweet, or a drink, you'll have a cat drawn on it with chocolate. 

For an extra 500JPY you can also take a picture. You can choose between your phone, or their polaroid camera. 

My one rule for a maid cafe: Don't go alone. 

Seriously

Also, the staff must never break character. Meaning they must always act cutesy and talk in a high-pitched chipmunk voice at all times. The most entertaining part of this visit was actually after leaving. I heard one of the staff members leaving the area and talking in a register low enough to unlock the door of a long-forgotten amazonian temple.

Cat Cafe

Now THIS was more enjoyable to a first-time visitor.
There's quite a few to choose from, but they're pretty much the same. You'll still want to visit every one of them though.

After some walking around I finally found Cafe Jalala. You go through the door and pay for the time you'll want to spend there. You also need to take your shoes off and immediately wash your hands before interacting with the cats. You're then given the rules, and have to order a drink. Then you're off to the floor.

When all was said and done, after a 24-hour trip, after days of jetlag, after a colossal culture shock, I finally found it...

Peace

The cats themselves are the friendliest cats you'll ever be around. They have their own pods for when they're not feeling sociable. Don't approach those cats.

The cats that ARE on the floor, are very curious and want to know you a little better. So don't wear black clothes.

On the sofa, were the "guardians". If you come across them when visiting, feel free to give them a belly rub. They don't mind.

When your time is up, you can pay to reset your time (I paid 500JPY for 30 mins) or leave.
If you're a cat person in Tokyo, this is obviously the place to be. When you're there, take as many pictures as you want, just make EXTRA sure the flash is off. It's their number one rule.