TOKYO (SCMP): So-called Cuddle Cafes in Japan offer emotional companionship by allowing customers to hug with or gaze at strangers.
The country’s strict social norms of self restraint and not disturbing others leave many young people struggling with loneliness.
More people in Japan are turning away from intimate relationships.
A study found 45 per cent of women and 25 per cent of men aged 16 to 24 are uninterested in or even averse to sexual contact.
Meanwhile, a Cabinet Office survey in 2022 revealed that more than a quarter of Japanese people in their 30s have no plans to marry.
Living alone is also becoming more common in, with 34 per cent of all households composed of single people.
Tokyo’s Soineya cafe offers a unique solution to loneliness, customers can pay to chat with and cuddle strangers.
According to Japan Today, a 20-minute nap at the cafe costs 3,000 yen (US$19), while a full 10-hour overnight session is 50,000 yen (US$320).
For an additional 1,000 yen (US$6), customers can rest their head on a waitress’s lap or cuddle with her for three minutes.
The same fee also allows a one-minute gaze into her eyes or a comforting pat on the back.
The cafe says it aims to provide customers with “a simple yet comfortable way of sleeping alongside someone”.
Such cafes also have strict rules to protect their female staff, including bans on touching their hair or crossing any other boundaries.
Fuki, a waitress at a cuddle cafe, said that many customers struggle to open up to their friends or colleagues.
A male customer, Inoue, said: “When I talk to girls in real life, I don’t know what they are thinking. Even if they smile sweetly, they might be lying or criticising me behind my back.”
Inoue admitted feeling shy when choosing the service but eventually rested his head on Fuki’s lap. He found their conversation relaxing and enjoyable.
The cafes have attracted much attention on social media, drawing mixed reactions.
One supporter said: “After a long, exhausting day, all I have waiting at home is a cold bed and leftovers. Nothing feels better than a little care and a warm hug.”
“Hugging or gazing at a sweet girl might not fix everything, but it helps ease loneliness and gives people the energy to face life’s challenges,” added another.
Critics, however, have concerns. “Physical contact with strangers can make some people uncomfortable,” one netizen wrote, warning that relying on such services long-term might “discourage real-life relationships”, worsening social isolation.
In recent years, Japan has seen a surge in unique businesses offering emotional support.
In late 2023, the Shachihoko-ya restaurant in Nagoya made headlines with its “slap service”, where kimono-clad staff would slap customers for 300 yen (US$2).
Meanwhile, Tokyo’s Mori Ouchi café, with its forest-themed decor, caters exclusively to pessimists, offering a safe space for connection and conversation. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
