OSAKA — Theme cafes, which feature distinct motifs or designs, have been increasingly attracting visitors—particularly younger crowds—in Japan.
Nevertheless, according to Japanese legislation, the legal categorization of these cafes as either dining establishments or adult entertainment venues hinges on the nature of their offerings and practices. Some defy these regulations, engaging in unlawful actions well outside what would be considered typical café behavior. Despite the innocent appearance of so-called “theme cafes,” regulators keep a vigilant eye out for any indications of misconduct.
“Do you want to sample our café?” “We’ll spoil you and make your experience unforgettable!” Such invitations echo throughout Nipponbashi, part of Osaka’s Naniwa Ward, which is recognized as Western Japan’s biggest electronics retail hub. Spanning approximately 400 meters down Ota Street, this bustling neighborhood houses around 100 themed cafés in its vicinity.
On a balmy evening in early May, the sidewalks teem with women clad in maids’ attire, nautical-inspired school uniforms, or male-influenced outfits, handing out promotional materials and urging pedestrians to stop by their venues.
Costume play, animal motifs, and ‘men-con’ eateries becoming more popular
Emerging from the “maid café” phenomenon of the early 2000s, concept cafés have expanded greatly, resulting in different types like cosplay cafés with diverse characters and animal-themed establishments. In Nipponbashi, this trend began picking up speed roughly ten years back, and it has since extended to neighboring entertainment areas in Minami.
Customers often relish food and beverages accompanied by conversations with the staff. Lately, “men’s concept cafés” (“men-con”) venues have begun gaining traction, featuring attractive males with idol-esque looks—sometimes ex-host club employees—who engage with patrons using stage names.
Many concept cafes function as food service venues under specific permits. Nevertheless, enterprises offering “entertainment services”—like specially trained personnel engaging in prolonged individual chats with patrons—must secure an additional permit outlined in Japan’s Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business.
As per the National Police Agency, entertainment services may encompass performances, dancing, or even gaming activities—not just serving food and beverages. According to investigative sources, numerous venues probably function without the necessary permissions, intentionally disregarding these requirements to bypass operational hour constraints or visitor age limits.
The amusement business legislation forbids venues from operating past midnight or admitting minors below 18 years old. Nonetheless, eateries describing themselves as regular restaurants can circumvent these limitations.
Cafe owners in Osaka were apprehended for allegedly providing unauthorized entertainment services.
On May 21, the Osaka Prefectural Police reported the arrests of several individuals, including an owner and manager from a concept café. They were suspected of breaking the amusement business regulations by allowing their male employees to interact with guests through unauthorized forms of entertainment. These businesses were located in various spots within Osaka’s Chuo Ward near Ota Street. An experienced officer from the Osaka police elaborated, “Despite being officially listed as cafés, these venues apparently offered illicit activities like intimate chats and drinks served by male staffers in secluded areas.”
The enforcement action follows shortly after an amendment to the amusement industry law was approved by the House of Representatives on May 20th. This change aims to address issues related to women accumulating significant debt at host clubs. The updated regulations will impose stricter consequences for establishments running without proper licenses, such as those hosting these clubs and cafes. With only certain provisions being applied sooner, most aspects of this amended legislation will come into effect approximately one month post-its formal announcement.
The mentioned high-ranking police officer voiced worries that stricter rules on host clubs could prompt more operators to switch to the cafe format for camouflage purposes. The officer noted, “We will intensify our efforts to combat unlicensed concept café activities.”
The recent arrest indicates that authorities aim to enhance their efforts in curbing large-scale illicit activities within the café sector. Back in September 2024, Osaka law enforcement apprehended an individual running yet another themed café along with several associates in Chuo Ward due to analogous infractions. This particular establishment offered clients “cheek-slapping” services performed by women employees at a rate of 500 yen ($3.50) per strike. Following this detention, the proprietor confessed, stating, “Relevant permissions were not acquired since such regulations would have barred us from staying open past midnight, which could severely impact our revenue.”
Street solicitation has turned into an issue as well. The Naniwa Police Station, which oversees Ota Road, recorded around 200 grievances in 2024 related to the pushy selling methods of café staff. By January 2025, authorities had given formal directives to roughly 50 cafés to adhere closely to the rules.
Industry association for cafes adopts self-governance measures
Operators of local cafes have begun taking action against unethical business tactics. Approximately two years back, about 30 shops in Osaka’s Nipponbashi district established the “Osaka Nipponbashi Concept Shop Union” within the city’s Naniwa Ward with the aim to counteract disruptive enterprises tarnishing the neighborhood’s image.
The organization established explicit self-imposed guidelines that forbid aggressive sidewalk solicitation, mandate open disclosure of price information, and necessitate that members display union-approved emblems or “certification symbols.”
The union chairperson, Tomoaki Yamashita, who manages a concept café, stressed, “Media attention often fixates on problematic instances, thereby diminishing the visibility of establishments that adhere strictly to regulations. Nonetheless, numerous cafés operate responsibly. In order to safeguard the distinctiveness of Japan’s café scene, we advocate for adherence to standards across the board and aim to foster a secure community where patrons can enjoy their visits without concerns.”
(Japanese original by Chinatsu Ide from the Osaka City News Department)
