
We’ve seen all kinds of maid cafes all over Japan, from ones that specialize in zombie girls to ones where the girls seductively make rice balls right in front of you. But one type of maid cafe that has been sorely lacking is one dedicated to girls with a fuller figure, the kind of girls known in Japan by the playful monicker of marshmallow girls.
But all that changes now! Shangrila is a maid cafe that recently opened in Akihabara, and it will be staffed completely by more well-rounded young women. What kind of stuff does a cafe like this have in store for its customers? Read on to find out!
Shangrila was founded on the ideal of being “bositive” (“body positive”), in order to help lower the stigma of being chubby or slightly overweight (or pocchari/debu if you prefer) in Japan. They want to show that you don’t have to be skinny to be cute, and that happiness and beauty can be found in many different shapes and sizes.
And that’s not all. Shangrila also aspires to have the best food of any maid cafe. There’s no plastic-tasting junk food here; Shangrila uses only fresh, organic ingredients, and they employ an Italian chef who cooks using a brick oven. They make the bold claim of having the best pizza in all of Akihabara, but only time will tell on that matter.
▼ And if you’re a fan of karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken), Arino Iku—known as the karaage idol in Japan—also works at Shangrila.
But the most important question is, of course, what does Shangrila look like? It’s only been officially open for a few days, so photos are of course sparse, but here are some of the official pictures that have been released:
▼ Here’s Ai, Enen, and Natsumi all looking quite spunky in their maid outfits.
▼ And rounding out the team roster is Rukia and Cocoa.
▼ A shot of one of the maids enticing customers outside.
https://twitter.com/runn87/status/664126115519201280▼ Behind this staff member you can catch a peek at what it looks like inside. Seems pretty classy to me.
https://twitter.com/hanasiro_c0c0a/status/664264299309699072▼ “Won’t you come visit our cafe?”
https://twitter.com/hanasiro_c0c0a/status/664222277219696640If Shangrila sounds like something you’d be interested in visiting, then check it out at the address below or by going to their website. Now’s your chance to show off your pocchari-pride!
Cafe Location (Moving on 11/27)
Name: Shangrila
Address (Before 11/27): Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku, Sotokanda 3-7-12 Isamiya 8th Bldg. 3F
東京都千代田区外神田3-7-12 イサミヤ第8ビル 3F
Address (After 11/27): Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku, Sotokanda 3-1-15 Hashikatsu Bldg. 4F
東京都千代田区外神田3-1-15 箸勝ビル4F
Hours (After 11/27): 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Sundays)
Hours (After 11/27): 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Every day)
Source/insert images: Shangrila
Featured/top image: Shangrila (Edited by RocketNews24)




Japan’s most popular maid cafe, Akiba Zettai Ryoiki, opens new “Maid Cafe Winery” in Akihabara
Forget maid cafes! Lift weights and get jacked with cute girls at a MAID GYM instead【Video】
Sanro’s lazy egg Gudetama now has its own maid cafe in Tokyo’s Akihabara
Leading maid cafe chain to open largest location in history in Akihabara
New cyberpunk maid cafe opens in Akihabara, Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
Tokyo Space-out tournament draws nearly 100 competitors, finds who’s the best at doing nothing【Video】
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Studio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
Adorable new Totoro finger puppets make perfect finger topper stocking stuffers【Photos】
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
Spirited Away’s radish spirit dances as new Bubblebody figure from Studio Ghibli
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pikachu to cuddle with kimono-clad beauty on Tokyo street as part of flower art event
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Pay to have a cute girl squeeze your rice balls at “Galmusu”, Akihabara’s onigiri idol cafe!
Looking for a job in Japan? New “Sugoi Kawaii” maid cafe in Akihabara now hiring foreigners!
Akiba Dental Clinic: The Akihabara dentist where a moe maid in cosplay cleans your teeth
All-Russian maid cafe opening in Japan, crowdfunding exceeds goal by over 800-percent
All-Russian cosplay cafe opens in Tokyo – uniformed girls serve up borscht, pierogi, cute 【Video】
Part-maid cafe, part-dentist’s office? Akiba Dental Clinic opens in Tokyo【Photos】
McDonald’s has maids in Taiwan. We’ve got videos here
VR hostess cafe set to open in Japan to let you drink with cute anime girls【Video】
Akihabara Nagomido manga cafe x Felissimo Cat Division Parlor collaboration café is open meow