ataraxia cafe top

Get your cosplay wig trimmed while you sip on some drinks at this “girls only” otaku cafe. Oh, and there will be a test! 

It has to be tough being a girl otaku. If you’re not being harassed by otaku males at events and or on websites with extremely skewed gender ratios, then you’re being dismissed as “not a real otaku” or “probably just someone’s girlfriend.”

But luckily one cafe in Japan understands that. Ataraxia Cafe, a new cafe that’s set to open in Osaka on December 26, will only be taking female otaku as customers. And yes, that’s “otaku” and not just “girls”—not only are boys not allowed to enter, in order to be served you have to become a member online by taking a short “otaku test” to prove your nerdiness. If you pass, you’re golden. If not, well then maybe you’d be better off going to Starbucks.

But why are they so exclusive? To answer that, let’s take a look at what Ataraxia Cafe offers:

▼ Free WiFi i is pretty standard these days, but they also have multiple outlets by every table too, making it easy to play games with friends.

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▼ They also offer manga-drawing supplies and cosplay help such as wig trimming (see? We weren’t kidding), sewing machines, mannequins, and more—all for free.

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As well as the above, there’s a huge list of rentable supplies and equipment, like straightening irons, hair dryers, laminators, scanners, latex gloves, and even a whole dressing room with mirrors. They have a huge collection of manga and dojin magazines, and you don’t have to worry about reading anything potentially embarrassing since everyone there is female and aged 18 or older.

▼ Yes, finally a place I can read all of my boys’ love in peace!

https://twitter.com/TokyoNM_minori/status/649582352591515648

There’s currently not much of a menu available, just an all-you-can-drink “soft drink plan” for 1,580 yen (US$13) and a “premium drink plan” for 1,280 yen ($10.50). They website says they will have an alcohol and food menu available soon though, so there’s hope!

But remember, before you can indulge in any of that, you have to become a member. So do you think you have what it takes to get into the exclusive Ataraxia Cafe? Feel free to take their “otaku test” online right here. It’s all in Japanese, but here are some translations of a few questions so you can get a taste of what it’s like:

1. You often feel that you don’t have exciting conversations with “normal” people.
A. Strongly disagree
B. Disagree
C. Not sure
D. Agree
E. Strongly agree

6. You feel like you may transform into something else someday.
A. Strongly disagree
B. Disagree
C. Not sure
D. Agree
E. Strongly agree

9. You are willing to wake up super early and stand in extremely long lines to get event goods.
A. Strongly disagree
B. Disagree
C. Not sure
D. Agree
E. Strongly agree

10. It’s not weird to be married to a 2-D character.
A. Strongly disagree
B. Disagree
C. Not sure
D. Agree
E. Strongly agree

17. What would you like to order?
A. An omelet with rice
B. A hot chocolate
C. An imoto (younger sister)
D. A bunny
E. A maho shojo (magical girl)

Good luck, and if you’re interested in seeing more about Ataraxia Cafe, be sure to follow them on Twitter or visit their website… as long as you’re an 18+ female otaku, of course.

Cafe Information
Name: Ataraxia Cafe
Open: Starting Dec. 26
Hours: 11 a.m. – 12:00 midnight
Address: 大阪府浪速区日本橋3丁目8番25号 光ムセンたまらんどビル 3F
Osaka-fu, Naniwa-ku, Nihonbashi 3-8-25, Hikari Musen Tamarando Bldg. 3F

Source: Ataraxia Cafe via Inside Games
Featured/top image: Ataraxia Cafe