TOKYO —
Sometimes, after a long, stressful day, there’s nothing more comforting than crawling into bed with your significant other and falling asleep in their arms.
But what if you don’t have anyone to cuddle with in the first place? If you’re in Japan, you might think to go to a soapland or some other kind of brothel, but then you’d have to deal with all that sex when you really just want to close your eyes and rest in the warmth of another’s body.
But wait! Before you resign yourself to another lonely night of shedding tears on your Rei Ayanami dakimakura, why not stop by Soineya, Japan’s first “co-sleeping specialty shop,” where customers can pay to sleep in the arms of a beautiful girl—with no strings attached.
Soineya (literally, “sleep together shop”) opened its doors on Sept 25 in none other than Akihabara, Tokyo’s electronics district, hub of otaku culture and birthplace of other eccentric establishments like maid cafés. Soineya defines itself as a “co-sleeping specialty shop,” which we’re going to denominate “cuddle cafe” because it has a better ring to it.
According to the homepage, Soineya hopes to offer patrons “the simple and ultimate comfort of sleeping together with someone.”
Of course, ultimate comfort comes at a price. Let’s take a look at the Soineya “service menu”:
Admission fee: 3,000 yen
Standard Course
20 min – 3,000 yen
40 min – 5,000 yen (only 3,000 yen for first time visitors)
60 min – 6,000 yen
2 hrs – 11,000 yen
3 hrs – 16,000 yen
4 hrs – 20,000 yen
5 hrs – 25,000 yen
6 hrs – 30,000 yen
10 hrs – 50,000 yen
“Shimei-ryo“ (fee to pick the girl you want to sleep with) – 1,000 yen + 500 yen per hour
Optional Course
Customer sleeps in girl’s arm (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Girl pats customer on the back (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Customer pets girl on the head (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Customer and girl stare at each other (1 min) – 1,000 yen
Girl changes clothes (1 time) – 1,000 yen
Girl gives customer foot massage (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Customer gives girl foot massage (3 min) – 2,000 yen
Customer sleeps with head on girl’s lap (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Girl sleeps with head on customer’s lap (3 min) – 2,000 yen
So basically, you’re paying about 6,000 yen an hour to lie in bed with a complete stranger. The website doesn’t specify what customers are and are not permitted to do during the standard course, but it’s probably safe to assume your options are limited to “close your eyes and be quiet.”
Furthermore, Soineya is currently recruiting girls for part-time in-store and “delivery” work. Here’s the job description.
■ Job: Sleeping
■ Location: Akihabara (3 min walk from station)
■ Qualifications: High school age to 30s
■ Compensation: 3,500 yen/hour
■ Hours: Weekdays 15:00-22:00, Weekend/holidays 12:00-22:00
Source: Soineya via Jinsoku
RocketNews24
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sillygirl at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:20AM JST
all i can say is WOW and EEEEWWW - and that menu - what the heck????? yeah, right, "delivery work" - i wonder what that could be? this all sounds so strange.
cl400 at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:33AM JST
ditto. delivery work... 'delivery health' more like it. japans version of call girl. and from high school age? sigh
my2sense at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:41AM JST
sick.
my2sense at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:46AM JST
and yes... only a matter of time before they get busted with 15 yr olds. The Japanese will always find a way to bend the laws won't they... Not shocked JT.
TokyoGas at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:46AM JST
Paying to give a girl a foot massage. Doesn't that fall into the fetish category?
tabana at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:49AM JST
So it's like sleeping in the train, except your neighbor doesn't smell tobacco and alcohol.
Serrano at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:50AM JST
"Job: Sleeping"
I'm going to get a sex change operation and plastic surgery so I can get this job!
Akemi Mokoto at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:51AM JST
ಠ_ಠ uh...ok, that's weird.
SimondB at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:02AM JST
Why would you want to pet someone on the head for 3 minutes?
paulinusa at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:05AM JST
Want to bet that NOBODY sleeps?
Maria at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:11AM JST
Does the first person to laugh pay a forfeit?
Tom Thompson at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:11AM JST
love it, absolutely love it
Gurukun at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:23AM JST
Why is this more expensive then receiving the foot massage?
yasukuni at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:23AM JST
"Qualifications: High school age to 30s"
So how many people would be happy with their daughter in High School doing this. Much better pay than macdonalds though - and the job description says "Sleeping".
"Customer and girl stare at each other (1 min) – 1,000 yen"
It's official. Japanese people need help.
Pattie Inoue at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:28AM JST
EEEEWWWWW !
Mirai Hayashi at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:53AM JST
what a dumb business model
Scrote at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:56AM JST
Y50000 for ten hours. You could stay in a top-notch hotel for that. I can't sleep with someone lying on my arm anyway.
zichi at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:01AM JST
more stupid than stupid!
Probie at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:19AM JST
I bet that is one of the most uncomfortable 1,000's you could earn...
I can't see this lasting long. There'll be too many problems with the sad lonely freak customers getting a chubby on and asking the girl to stroke him off, and the nerd-rage that will ensue when she refuses.
Sensato at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:22AM JST
The job description on the Soineya website says:
"Job: Soine" (業種：添い寝) which can be translated as "sleeping together" or possibly "cuddling" (though not just "Sleeping").
It also says: "Qualifications: High school student to around 30s" (資格：高校生から30歳ぐらいまで)
This is weird on many levels, but I am especially shocked that this would be anywhere near legal employment for a high school student. That this is legal is a sad reflection on the twisted state of society. Disturbing indeed.
theResident at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:24AM JST
Briliant! Perfect place to spend a couple of hours after work before a night out on the tiles with friends!
Ewan Huzarmy at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:34AM JST
I rekon it's just a glorified knocking-shop, look at the scantilly clad girls in the pic. I guess the idea was inspired by frustated men who went to 'health' parlours after a few hours nomunicating with colleaugues and couldn't do anything other than sleep anyway.
Something is severely lacking in Japanese society.
ratpack at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:53AM JST
This is so typical Japan that I'm surprised that people are surprised about it. And umm.......how do they conduct the job interviews???????? This country and its morals are fast going down the toilet.
Elbuda Mexicano at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:54AM JST
Japan is a funny country!
American Devil at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:03AM JST
I pity the girls who would be employed here. Imagine what kind of losers they would have to "sleep" with. A lot of the people would likely have hygiene problems, bad breath, smell of alcohol, cigarettes, etc. and they would probably be the losers who never bathe either. YUCK!
And like soap-lands, I wonder what's on the secret menu... I remember an ear-cleaning shop near my office got raided for employing a 15 year old, who was having sex with the customers for an extra 10,000 or so. I'm guessing that's going to be somewhere on the "hidden menu" at this sleep shop... especially on the delivery service. They should just legalize prostitution and get over it. At least then, someone could provide healthcare and get taxes from it.
Yardley at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:10AM JST
It is yucky, but it's mostly sad, I think. People so desperately lonely for human contact that they'll pay someone just to "cuddle" them (I'm assuming no sex is involved, but...). Very sad, and I bet that they'll feel even lonelier after the experience.
sidesmile at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:16AM JST
Ho.ly. clap. "creepy" doesnt even come close...
WilliB at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:22AM JST
It is an otaku service.... I should have guessed.
lostrune2 at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:32AM JST
If you're gonna go all the way and pay that much, then why not go all the way?
On the other side of it, I'm sure many people here would rather get paid that much and do just that, right? Don't lie, hahaha!
BTW, the land of entrepreneurs:
http://www.businessinsider.com/this-woman-is-charging-1-a-minute-to-cuddle-2012-7
southsakai at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:38AM JST
And just when you thought life in Japan wouldn't get any WEIRDER!
Alex Einz at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:44AM JST
You know, as strange as it is, I actually think the business model is brilliant and will be successful. Specially in Japan, many people are simply lonely and don't actually looking for sex but intimacy such as cuddling or quietly sleeping together , that said it seems a bit pricey there but competition will probably drive prices down soon enough.
In my personal opinion there is nothing "yucky" about it , its simply the new electronic lonely world we live in and unless something will drastically change, it will just accelerate.
Tamarama at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:47AM JST
They'll probably make a fortune. What a wonderful world.
nandakandamanda at Oct. 02, 2012 - 11:10AM JST
If you do actually fall asleep, then there could be a large bill awaiting you next morning...
Ewan Huzarmy at Oct. 02, 2012 - 11:12AM JST
Why don't more people volunteer to give 'free hugs'
omicron at Oct. 02, 2012 - 11:16AM JST
3500 an hour? Wow, I'll quit my job for that! Haha. I hope they accept men too. I can sleep 12 hours a day, I can make a fortune there! - Just kidding though. Japan has become a sad place, no physical contact whatsoever, making people look for this kind of service.
Bad2Dbone at Oct. 02, 2012 - 11:53AM JST
mmmmm, Competition!! (ha ha ha)
Eppee at Oct. 02, 2012 - 11:56AM JST
Wondering how they assure the "safety" of the employee ... Cameras everywhere ?
Stephen Jez at Oct. 02, 2012 - 12:50PM JST
One word, creepy
But not surprised, it is Japan after all.
gogogo at Oct. 02, 2012 - 12:59PM JST
This is why Japan is creepy.
blackrock at Oct. 02, 2012 - 01:07PM JST
How about the other way around? Girls/Women can sleep with a handsome man, erh, for free ;)
Tawnchan at Oct. 02, 2012 - 01:16PM JST
... seriously... dot dot dot.
yasukuni at Oct. 02, 2012 - 01:24PM JST
It's obviously just the front for other services. It's literally impossible for a real man to cuddle a woman for more than a few minutes and be satisfied with remaining like that. It's defies the law of nature and leads to all kinds of ailments.
That's what I tell my wife anyway.
smithinjapan at Oct. 02, 2012 - 01:27PM JST
It'll end in prostitution, guaranteed.
realmind at Oct. 02, 2012 - 01:29PM JST
This is called prostitution in a manner look like a cafe service... STOP IT. NOW.
tsukki at Oct. 02, 2012 - 01:31PM JST
hahaha HILARIOUS! I'd do this if I can choose my customers LOL
Ms. Alexander at Oct. 02, 2012 - 02:01PM JST
I cracked up when I first saw this and kept thinking "Only in Japan". But now I think that Japanese folks really need help.
Rick Kisa at Oct. 02, 2012 - 02:23PM JST
good for japan'd population demography fears
Alex Einz at Oct. 02, 2012 - 03:05PM JST
blackrock..why for free?
Mocheake at Oct. 02, 2012 - 03:19PM JST
Land of the rising strangeness.
Ayesha at Oct. 02, 2012 - 03:33PM JST
Just so long as they don't dance. Then it would become illegal...
nandakandamanda at Oct. 02, 2012 - 04:23PM JST
You're allowed to look at her for one minute and it's only 1,000 JPY? Batting eyelids extra, I bet.
NeverSubmit at Oct. 02, 2012 - 05:28PM JST
So who started up this business?
Why is there no info on the owner(s)?
BertieWooster at Oct. 02, 2012 - 05:32PM JST
It all depends on the definition of "foot."
Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
Know what I mean?
JDB829 at Oct. 02, 2012 - 05:46PM JST
S I C K !
Cos at Oct. 02, 2012 - 05:48PM JST
That's great to know the rates. I'll fix mine at 1500 yen since I'm exotic and more padded. From today, I charge the ossans that confuse me with a pillow in the subway. It's 6 minutes between 2 stations of Midosuji line ? 3000 yen ! I can start preparing a few ryoshusho.
Lanny Robinson at Oct. 02, 2012 - 06:15PM JST
I don't mean they mean sex, i'm sure someone has stated this but i don't feel like reading all the comments above <3
yasukuni at Oct. 02, 2012 - 06:53PM JST
Maybe I can start the first Gaijin Cuddle Cafe. What red-blooded Japanese girl wouldn't want to fall asleep resting her head on my huge bicep.
Farmboy at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:25PM JST
Clearly someone has a low opinion of the customer's ability to massage feet.
Maria at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:52PM JST
Surely it's obvious why it costs more for the customer to touch the client? The person giving the massage is the active one - the one in control, the one with the power, if you like. The recipient is passive, motionless, and vulnerable to any moves the 'giver' makes. If you want to be in control, you have to pay more. Simples.
Yubaru at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:52PM JST
Connecting to the link is SLOW and dont even try hitting any of the other links.......
tmarie at Oct. 02, 2012 - 07:59PM JST
A sad state of Japan when a) men will pay for this and b) women would actually do this for a job. Guess they want that brand name bag bad enough...
mangosqueezesbanana at Oct. 02, 2012 - 08:37PM JST
Perversions are ancient. How Japan realizes them today is stupefying.
morrison_rm at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:00PM JST
Given how skinny the walls are at most cheap business hotels, you're virtually sleeping with the guy next door anyway...well you get the snoring and the signing a song when drunk and stuff like that. Still cheaper than go man yen a night.
Maurice Derrick Batie at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:08PM JST
These guys over here are lame!! Sleep wit a women you don't know.....staring....patting.....lame a?? Japanese dudes.
PT24881 at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:17PM JST
Price list presented exactly as a scorecard for Olympic Games Gymnastic competition ? Each movement ( Compulsory or optional ) scores a certain points ( in yen ). Sleeping in the arm ( 3 mins ) followed by staring at the girl ( 1 min ) = 2000 yens ! Is there a video camera for 'challenges' just in case if one slept only 2 mins in the girl's arm instead of 3 ?
Daffy_Duck at Oct. 02, 2012 - 09:36PM JST
The parents of these women apparently.
fupayme at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:40PM JST
Women hard at work being independant
HonestDictator at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:40PM JST
And heres another article where I facepalm myself, then bang my head against the desk a few times to make sure I'm not going completely insane. Good old Japan, making the world a crazier place, one idea at a time...
Serrano at Oct. 02, 2012 - 10:46PM JST
OK, so it's 20,000 to have the girl take a nap on the customer's lap for half an hour. How much for the girl to take a nap on his shoulder for half an hour? The other day a woman took a snooze on my shoulder on the train for about a half an hour... and it was free!
philly1 at Oct. 02, 2012 - 11:17PM JST
Better translated that would likely mean "stroke someone's hair." The Japanese do find a way to meet people's (otaku) needs and cater to every eccentricity imaginable in ways that we seldom hear about elsewhere. Whether it's a kink too far or not is (as we see above) debatable. But yes, why not shake that sleeper on the train and bill him (or her)? Charge the gropers even more.
oberst at Oct. 03, 2012 - 02:01AM JST
cheaper to call a friendly escort and check in a hotel, just saying
Hagusuffix at Oct. 03, 2012 - 02:50AM JST
I'm not about to comment on the warped view of needs that leads to such a place, but is there no vaguely sexual motivation that is not capitalized on in Japan? If the novelty of this fails to wear off, and people continue spending money to earn temporary social privileges... I may have found a new thing to despair about.
Jay Hoffman at Oct. 03, 2012 - 02:53AM JST
Customer and girl stare at each other (1 min) – 1,000 yen
is there any extra charge for the peeping part?
nicolassan at Oct. 03, 2012 - 03:03AM JST
I want to work there !
HonestDictator at Oct. 03, 2012 - 04:02AM JST
I think I know of a better way to spend 6,000 yen an hour to be honest. The time spent in this shop is also time that could be spent finding a more long term companion in the first place too.
SpanishEyez37 at Oct. 03, 2012 - 07:43AM JST
How about one for the women? Girls need cuddling too LOL!
Tawnchan at Oct. 03, 2012 - 09:43AM JST
it's almost like a preview... they probably forgot to mention the champagne room. For an extra 10,000 she'll cook you breakfast?
ratpack at Oct. 03, 2012 - 10:06AM JST
Not to mention how much its gonna cost if she pops the cork!!!!!
Alejandro Dela Cruz at Oct. 03, 2012 - 10:12AM JST
lol @ japan....
antolop111 at Oct. 03, 2012 - 10:28AM JST
Nice place for stressful and lonely man who can not sleep well.
TokyoHipHop at Oct. 03, 2012 - 10:54AM JST
This isn't surpising since they have all those sex menu places.
m6bob at Oct. 03, 2012 - 11:22AM JST
Japan is indeed on the cutting edge of new ideas for commercial enterprise. All those sexual taboos are simply done away with when this business model was thought out. I have nothing more to say to this!
ka_chan at Oct. 03, 2012 - 12:28PM JST
You know mimi souji going to be added to the menu and so is to have the girl wear cat, dog, or some other animal ears and probably a tail that wags when petting the head for an extra....
timtak at Oct. 03, 2012 - 12:39PM JST
My significant other does not let me crawl into bed with her and sleep in her arms. Is this because I have 'hygiene problems' (American Devil)? I wonder how many married male Japanese have the opportunity "to crawl into bed with their significant other and fall asleep in their arms."
And who is their significant other? My, son said this morning at breakfast, because my wife and I were talking about where we'd be able to make a bedroom for him when he is older, "Even if it is only Dad, I want to sleep with an adult." I thought that pretty significant.
genjuro at Oct. 03, 2012 - 02:05PM JST
@SpanishEyez37 Actually, they do have a service for women. I saw one a few months ago featured in some program. Basically an outcall service and the guy visits and stays the night at your place, cuddling. Of course, not after pre-payment and ground rules are agreed upon. I think it's called Soine ya Prime or something.
Weasel at Oct. 03, 2012 - 02:41PM JST
This cuddle cafe can best be summarized by Judd Nelson who said it best on The Breakfast Club, "So it's sorta social, demented and sad, but social. Right?"
Serrano at Oct. 03, 2012 - 02:43PM JST
"How about one for the women?"
They got their boy toy places already, lol.
Carson Redmond at Oct. 03, 2012 - 02:57PM JST
This is obviously aimed at those poor lonely salary-men rather than otakus, nothing points toward it being an otaku service. I'd also like to say I'd much rather have these around than good ol' prostitution you know, it's pretty much a safer and cleaner alternative.
timtak at Oct. 03, 2012 - 03:03PM JST
A Japanese article quotes the enterprise as asing that their target market is "the tired generation of 30 and 40 year old" salarymen one presumes. I can find no indication as to the proportion of married and unmarried customers.
ukguyjp at Oct. 03, 2012 - 03:19PM JST
Freakish.
Homeschooler at Oct. 03, 2012 - 04:26PM JST
How utterly sad that this is a viable career choice for some young women out there. Surely even working at a combini or fast food joint is preferable to this! It sounds borderline dangerous, boring and repulsive. Just as saddening to think there are men so devoid of human contact they will pay to be held.
ensnaturae2 at Oct. 03, 2012 - 04:27PM JST
Its such a very curious idea, that there is any kind of comfort or satisfaction to be felt or gained, simply by the physical proximity of a sleeping 'other', whether or not there is any additional contact, 'cuddling' or patting etc. ( Each to his own, of course!) Is not the whole point of comforting companionship of any kind, that the 'other' has some kind of genuine concern for ones well being? ie -That the nearness or 'cuddle' available - represents a physical expression of some level of heartfelt genuine concern, not simply an exercise in the arrangement of bodies? One might gain as much comfort from a crowded railway carriage or a busy shopping centre, or anywhere where 'living bodies' might be in touching distance? Someone paid(or obliged by custom/guilt feelings/fear/coercion of any kind) to go through the motions of 'physical proximity', would without a doubt, seem to me to be quite a dangerous companion, or 'resource' as a comforter - since underlying feelings of revulsion or rejection are likely to be present in that case, and in no way at all, can offer any kind of valuable sleeping-partner comfor from my point of viewt. I am perfectly sure that bad 'personal hygiene' must present a considerable block to the expression of many kinds of physical affection for a great many humans, the needs and requirements for appropriate body/breath/private part odours, and/or their removal before physical proximity is permitted must be a delicate and significant part of any physical relationship. Most certainly - take the needs of others deeply into account, in this respect, since the 'needs' of each one of us cannot be successfully crushed to conform, without very good reason. Still, there is never a guarantee of a favorable response - even if every possible hygiene care is taken. There are some people who simply prefer to, and even must ,'sleep alone'. They may feel uncomfortable sleeping in any other way. I have slept alone for a couple of decades, and do not remember one moment of regret. My best sleeping companions are my 3 cats and my dog, who cant wait to share the warm futon heap, especially on cold and frosty nights. All of them make it very clear that they need me, more than any other creature on the earth, and each hopes to have some kind of affectionate attention. All are too willing to offer their own kind of cuddling and patting, but I just dont need that much affection.
BertieWooster at Oct. 03, 2012 - 06:29PM JST
Homeschooler-san writes:
Yes, one can imagine a TV interview . . .
"And what do you do, Miss Airhead?"
"I cuddle for a living."
"You cuddle?"
"Yeth. Thometimes my cuthtomerth thleep with their headth on my lap!"
"Kawai!"
CHAMADE at Oct. 03, 2012 - 06:33PM JST
It's a wonderful idea, and it could be very productive and beneficial to many people. It's far, far, far too expensive, in my opinion, though. It will be interesting to see how it's accepted or otherwise by the market.
And things change. There used to be "spooky" teahouses and sunakkus here where the frequently purposely weird-looking staff would jump out of dark corners or creepy corridors dressed in scary costumes, or popped up out of coffins placed here and there. The idea got old fairly quick and they all disappeared.
presto345 at Oct. 03, 2012 - 07:27PM JST
I would say this is certainly a very unusual, even weird kind of business. But judging a whole country, all Japanese on the basis of this I find offensive and shortsighted.
Herve Nmn L'Eisa at Oct. 03, 2012 - 08:02PM JST
Talk about sad! It's easy enough to get a very good-looking girl to do the same without exchanging any money.
But, hey, demand, meet supply.
cwhite at Oct. 03, 2012 - 08:35PM JST
I wonder what permit they applied for? I'll give it 6 months before they get shut down. Anyone care to create a long list of similar cafes that have come and gone over the years?
Jon Cassidy at Oct. 03, 2012 - 09:22PM JST
Well you just know that many men will take them up on this. Love the fact that JT gives you all the info like this business is somehow normal LOL
Bakakun at Oct. 03, 2012 - 09:28PM JST
In the rest of the world, guys pay to skip the cuddling part.
Bakakun at Oct. 03, 2012 - 09:30PM JST
Japanese have come full circle now in this area.
Drdolittle2 at Oct. 03, 2012 - 09:44PM JST
I don't understand why all this fuss about this "cuddle Cafe"...It's just a stupid idea for stupid people...so why all the fuss...its will also just pass away with time...so what's next...'Cuddle Hello Kitty Cafe'... 'Cuddle my Puppy Cafe'... Cuddle my Kitty...Cuddle my A@@ Cafe'...this is just the beginning folks... see what comes next will be more fun...cheers
cleo at Oct. 03, 2012 - 10:30PM JST
Nothing creepy about sharing your bed with your critters. Creepy is sharing cuddles with a complete stranger who's only there for the money.
whiskeysour at Oct. 03, 2012 - 10:30PM JST
I'm angry at myself. Why didn't I create this company ??? Charge people with hugs !!! I would also charge 20000 for each kiss to the forehead.
Yeahhhhhh!!!!!!
arjquad at Oct. 03, 2012 - 10:33PM JST
I thought this was going to be an animal thing were you sleep with a puppy. Very creepy.
Serrano at Oct. 03, 2012 - 10:33PM JST
I dunno, critters have fleas, most strangers don't have fleas.
cleo at Oct. 03, 2012 - 11:22PM JST
Critters that are properly looked after don't have fleas. Total strangers that are so unsavoury they have to pay someone to cuddle them are far more likely to have fleas.
Moderator at Oct. 04, 2012 - 06:42AM JST
Back on topic please.
ensnaturae2 at Oct. 04, 2012 - 12:34AM JST
Its true that critters might have fleas, no matter how much you scrub them and treat them with bug killer. But then - tell me - do you know how many deseases you might pick up from the breath or touch of any human - close by?
cleo at Oct. 04, 2012 - 01:07AM JST
With money changing hands? No. Definitely not. This is not the same as a casual conversation at a bus stop. Paying someone to chat with you would be equally creepy. How many smile would be forthcoming if the customer didn't pay?
Your pup sounds luvvly :-)
Mike Critchley at Oct. 04, 2012 - 09:46AM JST
Sadly, although this brings new dimensions to the concept of creepy, this will probably work in Japan. I mean, guys regularly drop tons of money in clubs just to have a girl talk to them and massage their broken ego. This is just the next logical step. I'd like to meet the evil genius who thought of this.
Tawnchan at Oct. 04, 2012 - 10:22AM JST
How much for a slumber party?
ensnaturae2 at Oct. 04, 2012 - 12:43PM JST
for Cleo ( and all of you presenting the argument that somehow 'payment' diminishes whatever value there might be in this cuddle service). I must point out to you the complete lack of logic in that 'money cancels value' argument. 'Money" and payment and all 'reward' of no matter what kind, itself, cancels nothing. If we were talking about remuneration, pay, for fire service workers or medics, nuns and artists, the conclusion that payment and money or reward of any kind devalued the work done, would be clearly nonsense. Cuddling - is no more sure to be diminished in value by reward/pay than any activity whether you consider it noble & worthwhile, or not. The act is not the product of money. One cuddler may put heart and soul into his/her work, another might be indifferent. Just as for every human activity you can name. You will be sure to agree if you think about this for a moment.
cleo at Oct. 04, 2012 - 12:54PM JST
I thunk about it for a moment, and don't agree. Fire-fighting and cuddles are worlds apart. If the fire is put out, then the firefighter has done his job. If slipping an extra note into his pocket gets the job done quicker, fine. But cuddles? - if you have to pay for it, it ain't worth having in the first place.
yuki1016 at Oct. 05, 2012 - 02:38AM JST
i'm sorry but i would never pay someone to cuddle with me no matter how hot they were. that type of bonding should be done with the one you love.
Tawnchan at Oct. 05, 2012 - 04:28AM JST
People cuddle with strangers all the time on the trains... For free!!!
afrosid at Oct. 05, 2012 - 05:03AM JST
This is strange. Someone could get raped and if your married, this can possibly ruin a relationship.
Ranger_Miffy2 at Oct. 05, 2012 - 07:52AM JST
Nothing for us gals, as usual.
Tawnchan at Oct. 06, 2012 - 01:11AM JST
Ranger_Miffy2... what are you willing to pay for?
Chubaka at Oct. 06, 2012 - 04:54AM JST
I would think this type of cafe would have much more success "recruiting" some of those life-like female robots now coming into the market. After all, robot aren't going to care if Oyaji-sama smells like cheap whiskey or is overdue for a bath. After a quick wipedown by maintenance staff and dialing in the maturity level desired, Reina-chan robot would ready for more cuddles. Plus they can be equipped to deliver gentle shocks if the guy tries to get frisky.
Japanese robot-makers need to get busy! Leasing out their cute but pricy wares to cuddle cafes could be the start of something big. Not to mention the robotic potential for hostess bars...;)
T-Mack at Oct. 06, 2012 - 07:40AM JST
Nasty and wicked! Anything for a Buck(Yen), again disgusting! Not for T-Mack...
kurisupisu at Oct. 06, 2012 - 07:59AM JST
Almost as pricey as having a real gf.....
Jason Park at Oct. 06, 2012 - 10:06PM JST
What could possibly go wrong?
ensnaturae2 at Oct. 06, 2012 - 10:18PM JST
quite definitely some kind of cultural divide in evidence here. I dont know any Jp people who would find the idea shocking or disgusting, even though they would not use the service themselves,while westerners reaction is most often very negative - shock horror or at least - ridicule, so for me - 'bear trap thinking' comes to mind. It seems no more revolting to me (westerner) than any personal service most of the world is prepared or obliged to pay for. From hairdressing to chiropody. I wouldnt want to pay for it, as I said, already, my dog is better company and costs a lot less.
Raymond Soo Kuo Yang at Oct. 07, 2012 - 03:49AM JST
LOL...dun understand how Japanese thinks....so having sex with another girl is cheating but cuddling and sleeping with them is not? It is still adultery if you are having intimate/affection moment with another person that is not your other half....so what difference is it really from prostitution? just pay the extra money and get the sex if you are going to cheat.....no point holding it back if you are already thinking to cheat your other half....else just get yourself a boaster to cuddle....
Melissa Wiseman at Oct. 07, 2012 - 05:56AM JST
I'm not really surpised by what the the Japanese people come up with anymore.
hereforever at Oct. 07, 2012 - 09:30AM JST
Some of may remember I said "Now I heard it all" in another post. I stand corrected! What is wrong with the guys in this country?
Sir_Edgar at Oct. 07, 2012 - 10:38AM JST
So what? There's a demand and a need. Some people just don't want sex, but they want to cuddle. What's wrong with paying for it or getting paid for it?
The menu is tasteless though. All these things should be included in a set price. The girls get paid 3,500 yen per hour, but the minimum is 3,000 yen per hour? So obviously the customer is expected to take many optional services.
Anthony Ehrhardt at Oct. 07, 2012 - 03:38PM JST
3,000 Yen is only $38
ensnaturae2 at Oct. 07, 2012 - 03:43PM JST
Im interested in this pov that equates all tenderness 'intimate/affectionate moment' - with 'adultery'.
from,; Raymond Soo Kuo YangOct. 07, 2012 - 03:49AM JST .so having sex with another girl is cheating but cuddling and sleeping with them is not? It is still adultery if you are having intimate/affection moment with another person that is not your other half....
It seems like a wise idea for societies to discourage 'adultery', which by usual definition means some kind of sexual, & thus, likely- reproductive, bonding with a person outside a breeding pair. There are good reasons to discourage the potential arbitrary production of fatherless offspring, as likely burdens on the group effort. (consider the current & costly fatherless child epidemic of the west). However - affection and intimacy are natural human behaviours that are not, rationally, bound, inseparably, to 'breeding pairs' ' or to 'marriage' alone, If they are to be so, then all acts of kindness and tenderness, all friendship and caring for each other, must become suspect. I do not like the sound of such a world at all. We might all learn to love one another as brothers and sisters, and include physical tenderness in that loving, without labelling each other 'adulterer'?
Jane Wallace at Oct. 08, 2012 - 02:04AM JST
The website does actually state that you have to ask each girl what they won't do, so I presume it depends on which girl you choose...
Tawnchan at Oct. 08, 2012 - 02:41AM JST
How would you go about asking for a refund?
Guza! at Oct. 08, 2012 - 07:52AM JST
sounds like something only japan would do lol, they should expand their business by hiring a bunch of hot guys pay them for the same job. Id work there for the same amount xD
T-Mack at Oct. 09, 2012 - 03:12AM JST
What if you went to try it out and found your girl friend working there? or your girl friend saw you coming out of there? and broke it off with you, Seem's like trouble to me, I dont like to look over my shoulder and would not want to be poisoned by my best girl...Hell hath no furry like a woman's scorn....just a thought.....
ensnaturae2 at Oct. 09, 2012 - 10:01AM JST
T-Mack, I think it would be a good idea if you discuss the 'cuddle cafe' and 'what ifs' - & all that you all find acceptable or unacceptable, in expressing affection, with your girl friends, rather than speculate on possibilities, pronto. Without mutual understanding and trust, what's left of friendship?
Brian Wheway at Oct. 09, 2012 - 03:16PM JST
like most men, they scratch there b**ls snore and fart are these extra?? to pay for??
JackInMilwWI at Oct. 09, 2012 - 04:49PM JST
I like the idea if your going there to relax mentally, not unlike getting a massage. However, if your going for any "other" reason, its a bad idea.
JapanVisitor at Oct. 12, 2012 - 09:11AM JST
I visited the cuddle cafe this week. It is a sleazy massage parlor (pink salon) with a clever bit of re-branding.
http://japanvisitor.blogspot.com/2012/10/soineya-cuddle-cafe-akihabara_12.html
Bryce Bing at Oct. 13, 2012 - 06:49AM JST
I think it's important for Westerners to understand two apsects of the Japanese society before they jump to the conclusions on subjects like the cuddling cafe: the Japanese's service culture and the Japanese Mobster (Yakuza).
The English word "service" is actually used as Japanese word "sabisu", but with different meaning. "Sabisu" in many occasions means giving favor to a patron. When it comes to serving other people, the Japanese is very dutiful and serious, like perfoming a job. So, sabisu is a serious business for all kind of services. If you can get tip by serving a customer food in the Western world, why can't you get paid by dutifully lending an arm to a customer to sleep in Japan?
Secondly, the sex industries in Japan are, without exception, operated by the mobsters (called "Yakuza" in Japanese). Theses mosters are rude and sleazy just like their counterpart in the West. But by no means the Yaksuza represents the average Japanese people.
If you can understand these, you wouldn't say things like "Japan is creepy" since aberration from norm is the characteristic of human society anywhere in the planet Earth.
Chubaka at Oct. 16, 2012 - 09:44AM JST
Wow thanks JapanVisitor--Good investigative report. I got lost in that area one time and it is definitely not Akiba turf.
Elaine De Guzman at Oct. 18, 2012 - 10:57AM JST
>Qualifications: High school age to 30s
Seriously? Isn't that a corruption of minors?
Charles M Burns at Oct. 19, 2012 - 07:21PM JST
I think they should also charge a1000 yen per minute for others to watch...
Alex Nichols at Oct. 20, 2012 - 10:59AM JST
oh akiba, you silly, you
cramp at Nov. 01, 2012 - 06:12PM JST
oh god...i am so there
lwsydney at Nov. 02, 2012 - 04:19AM JST
Lolwut? You can pay to stare at each other for one minute? This country kills me. It really does.
kurisupisu at Jan. 04, 2013 - 09:41AM JST
Maybe we can see a report in brothels in Japan next????
Kimokekahuna Hawaii at Feb. 10, 2013 - 08:14AM JST
wow... can I franchise this in Hawaii?
Dave Allday at Feb. 22, 2013 - 06:52PM JST
This business only exists becuase Men are lonely. Theyre lonely because women are cold, arrogant selfish and cruel. Women would rather be single than hug a normal average men. They all want a superstar hunk or famous man. Even the ugly fat girls wont take and average looking man. Women caused this problem with their greed and vanity. Men will ALWAYS want affection from young girls. ITs what men are programmed to do. Everything elses doesnt matter. Women are programmed to have children. But women are so selfish they will rather wait for the hunk to sleep with them once and become a single mother than marry the average guy. This business would work in the UK too. Shallow girls in the developed world are a problem. Its your own fault girls.
Francis Urquhart at Mar. 20, 2013 - 01:16PM JST
What if she farts? Do you get a 1000yen rebate? What is you fart? Do you pay a surcharge?
If you need a warm body to sleep against, get a dog! They fart too, by the way, but they don't care if you do because they love you no matter what.
HonestDictator at Mar. 25, 2013 - 11:29PM JST
@Francis I haven't had a good laugh like that in a LONG time. 'twas great wit dear chap.
HonestDictator at Mar. 25, 2013 - 11:31PM JST
@Dave some women are like that and some aren't. There are also women who will always want affection from guys etc etc. Get two of right people together and they'll have a great relationship.
BlackOpsIIPlayer at Mar. 26, 2013 - 03:20AM JST
I have two things to say about this. "Wow!" and "That's just disgusting!". That's prostitution in itself. Who would pay to stare at someone, pat them on the head, or anything like that?
Aaron Horner at May. 02, 2013 - 07:36AM JST
Er, This is weird, and kinda creepy.
How could any man actually "sleep" with an attractive young woman? Seems unlikely to me.
On a more serious note, maybe they should have courses for 6000 yen an hour on how to talk to women, that way there would be less socially awkward men with real partners...
austinbro at May. 04, 2013 - 06:44PM JST
just curious this include only sleeping or we can also do other thing xD if u know what i mean :D