00:00 [music]
00:06 Akihabara, the heart of Japan's pop culture.
00:10 Among its crowded specialist anime and game stores,
00:15 another kind of attraction is always popular.
00:17 "Welcome back, master! Come this way, please!"
00:23 You've probably heard of maid cafes,
00:25 where guests are served by waitresses in anime-inspired costumes.
00:30 The attraction of these cafes isn't so much what they serve.
00:35 It's the fun of interacting with your "maid".
00:38 They do have unique menus, however.
00:47 Everything here, down to the smallest detail,
00:50 adds to the maid cafe's theme of cuteness.
00:53 But maid cafes are only the best-known of a whole new genre,
00:57 called "concept cafes".
00:59 This cafe, for example, has a ninja theme.
01:05 The historical ninja were actually spies,
01:08 famous for their many unique weapons and techniques.
01:11 The cafe staff dress as ninja and perform for guests.
01:17 They'll show you how to use ninja techniques,
01:20 and even let you try them yourself.
01:22 A real taste of a hidden side of old Japan.
01:26 The ninja use so many different kinds of secret tools and special skills,
01:33 and customers are thrilled to hear about them.
01:35 I love helping people have a good time and discover something new!
01:40 Japan is a nation of railway enthusiasts,
01:44 and for many, the train ride is the best part of a trip.
01:49 Welcome aboard our train!
01:51 This will be your seat.
01:54 In this train-themed cafe,
01:59 seats and tables are authentic old railway stock,
02:02 and even the menus look like route maps.
02:04 Before you order, the conductor comes round to clip your ticket.
02:11 It really feels like the start of a train journey.
02:17 (Train whistle)
02:19 Every last detail is designed to evoke the era of the old steam locomotives.
02:26 Even your steak.
02:28 For train fans, this is heaven.
02:31 The test tubes and scientific equipment suggest you've wandered into a laboratory,
02:42 but this is another concept cafe.
02:45 (Music)
02:47 The first thing you do is put on a white lab coat.
02:51 Your order will be served in test tubes and beakers.
02:58 The owner, Nomura Takashi, is actually a trained scientist.
03:05 Before opening this cafe bar, he worked in genetic research.
03:11 I wanted to create a fun space where regular people could get a taste
03:16 of what it's like to do scientific research.
03:19 How about a strawberry drink that's also a scientific experiment?
03:25 After pouring in the ingredients, he gently shakes the glass.
03:31 This simulates the action of an agitator, a standard device used in labs.
03:40 The agitation causes strawberry DNA to separate and float to the surface.
03:45 In a lab, this process requires special equipment.
03:49 Nomura has made it a fun way to show his customers how science works.
03:53 I think of it as serving customers a side dish of science.
03:59 I love watching the delight on people's faces as they discover something they never knew.
04:06 Whatever your background, Nomura will find a way to get you fascinated with the world of science.
04:12 Tasty too!
04:17 Concept Cafe is a growing trend that keeps on spawning fresh ideas.
04:23 Try one out! You're sure to find something unexpected to enjoy.
04:28 [Music]
04:30 [Silence]
04:37 [Mouse click]
04:38 [Bell ring]
04:39 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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