10.26.2012

Exploring Ikebukuro: A Heaven For (Otaku) Girls


June 04, 2012

Although Ikebukuro is another big/city/area in Tokyo I never found a reason to visit.
But coincidentally I had to go to Ikebukuro two days in a row.

First day I met up with a friend of mine from way back in elementary. 
He looked totally different and I was surprised. People do change after 10 years or so! 



We had lots of food.



Look at these glasses 

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This is the second day in Ikebukuro.
I was in a place in ikebukuro called "Otome Road" which directly translates to young lady road.
It's like an Akihabara for girls.


So obviously you will see stores like this that sells managa and anime goods just for girls.

And vending machines with anime characters on it. Looks cute!

And this is our main event of the day.
To visit a famous butler cafe called "Swallowtail".
What is a butler cafe you may ask.
You first would have to reserve your tabel online.
And you would have to do this fast because resevration fills very fast.
And once you go into this very european, rococo looking restaurant you will tell your name and the butlers will hold your bag and escort you to your table.
The menu ranges from $30~50 and most of it is like an afternoon tea set.

The butler comes around once in a while and serves you tea and talk to you.
Our butler was young and some what good looking but if you look around the restaurant a lot of people were old men with beards... Some what looking like a real butler.

You have this bell on your table and you have to ring it in order to get assistance.

This whole idea was pretty much a joke but I do have to say I felt really good at the restaurant like a real princess.

I suggest you if ever get the chance to visit ikebukuro to go to this butler cafe.
You might struggle if you don't know any Japanese though because there is lots of communication involved!

And no pictures allowed in the restaurant which is unfortunate because it was very very pretty.

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