Letâs face it, otaku are people, too. And sometimes after a long day of heading up to Akihabara, buying video games and filling their backpacks with anime memorabilia, then sitting alone at a maid cafe for an overpriced cup of coffee and some cake, an otaku might not be ready to head home, just yet. Maybe they want to rest for a bit, even pretend they have a girlfriend lying next to them, for a few minutes.
Well, now they can!
Introducing ă˝ă¤ăĺą (Soineya) which literaly translates as âtogether-sleep-shop,â that just opened this year on September 25th. The concept isnât entirely new in Japan, but itâs the first time such a place opened in Akihabara, the videogame/anime district of Tokyo.
So, what is a soineya? Iâm sure by the photo, youâre at least mildly curious.
Well, itâs not a brothel, strip club, or even hostess bar. Instead, itâs a place where the otaku can pay to sleep next to a young woman. And itâs not cheap!
After paying a 3,000 yen ($35) entrance fee, the basic rate is another 3,000 yen for 20 minutes. Prices increase every twenty minutes or few hours. Or, if youâre really tuckered out, fork over 50,000 yen ($580) for a full 10 hours.
There are optional courses, as well. For 1,000 yen, you can spoon for 3 minutes. Or, for 2,000 yen, the girl will sleep with her head in your lap for 3 minutes.
Sound crazy? Maybe even a little sad? Well, welcome to the lonely life of being an otaku in Japan.