tokyo baby cafe: Tea and tots
The giant sofa acts as a plush play spot for little kids -- or a great place to sit for giants. With one of the world's lowest birthrates, Japan is not exactly a country overrun with toddlers. But fewer babies means that those lucky enough to be born into this world receive the undivided attention of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, cousins -- and the consumer marketplace.
So of course these spoiled 21st century kids now have their own super cool cafe in Omotesando: tokyo baby cafe. With an interior from design prodigy Oki Sato of nendo, the cafe is split between tables for adults and giant plush couches and chairs for kids to play on. There is also a padded play space for little ones, a shelf of children's book and an area for changing diapers. The food menu also includes some entry-level mushes for kids who want a break from the 100% breast milk diet.
And since non-pregnant women and parents with children over seven are not allowed inside, this may be the most exclusive cafe in Omotesando. tokyo baby cafe also requires patrons to take membership, although registration is free.
So all in all pretty fancy, but what's it going to cost you? Half an hour is ¥500 for members plus ¥250 for anyone you bring along. Once those fees are taken care of, however, coffee is a standard ¥500 and "original maternity herb tea" is ¥600. All in all, an hour visit could cost you around ¥1,500 if you hold back on the snacks.
Although the interior design is half the appeal, the pale blues and whites unfortunately make the space look like the restaurant wing of a geriatric hospital. Yes, you will feel like tokyo baby cafe is a safe, sanitary place for your kids to play in, but your children will learn next to nothing about moody ambiance.
tokyo baby cafe: Jingumae 4-5-12-B1, Shibuya-ku, tel. 03 5474 8281, tokyobabycafe.com, 10am-7pm, closed Mondays
(Hat tip to SNOW)
