Questions & answers

MaidLink is a bilingual (English and Japanese) finder for maid cafes and concept cafes (konkafe) in Japan. It lists cafes in Akihabara, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Shibuya, Ueno, Yokohama, Osaka (Umeda and Namba), Nipponbashi, Nagoya, Kyoto, Sapporo and Fukuoka, each with opening hours, prices and the nearest station. It's free and you don't need an account.

A concept cafe (konkafe) is any themed cafe built around a world — maids, idols, magical girls, butlers and more. Maid cafes are the original and best-known type. There are also concept bars, which open in the evening and focus on drinks. Our guide 'What is a concept cafe?' explains the types.

Addresses and opening hours come only from the cafe's own channels: its official website, its official X (Twitter) profile or posts, or its official link page. Each cafe page shows the date we last checked it. If something is wrong, use the 'Something wrong?' link on the cafe page.

It depends on the cafe. A daytime maid cafe usually charges an hourly cover (from a few hundred to around ¥1,000) plus at least one order per person — roughly ¥2,000–¥3,000 for a relaxed hour. Cheki photos and events are optional. Evening concept bars often use timed drink sets and cost more. See each cafe's price section and our maid cafe prices guide.

Usually not. Most maid and concept cafes are walk-in; when busy you wait by the entrance or on the stairs. Some chains take reservations, and a few places, such as some butler cafes, are reservation-only. For groups, check the cafe's official website first.

Yes. Solo guests are completely normal and many cafes have counter seats. Women are greeted as 'ojou-sama' (young lady), and couples, groups of friends and tourists visit every day. If you're nervous, read our guide for first-timers who go alone or don't speak Japanese.

At almost every cafe you can't photograph the maids or cast with your phone. If you want a photo together, order a cheki (an instant photo) for a fee. Rules for photos of food and the interior vary, so ask the staff.

The drinking age in Japan is 20. Many daytime maid cafes welcome all ages, while some evening concept cafes and bars don't admit under-18s or check ID. Check each cafe's official information.

Listing is free. On our 'For cafes & cast' page you can request a new listing, correct or claim an existing one, and send us a promotion (PR) inquiry.