Unveiling the Enigmatic World of Sinobazu: Japan's Ninja Maid Cafe
Discover the hidden world of Sinobazu, Japan's extraordinary Ninja Maid Cafe Uncover the secrets of their elusive lair and unravel the enigmatic encounters with the true enemy Experience the fusion of maid cafe culture and ancient ninja traditions in this thrilling and innovative dining experience
Highlights
The Sinobazu dojo in Akihabara offers visitors the chance to watch and join in on "real" ninja training, including board breaking and dart throwing.
The dojo is discreet and mysterious, its entrance guarded by a kitsune statue and a dimly lit neon stairwell that ascends to the second floor. Inside, patrons can find a performance room and a regular room, both attended to by skilled ninjas who serve as servers.
In addition to their regular offerings, visitors have the option to enhance their experience with add-ons such as instax photos and a variety of exhilarating ninja performances, including board breaking and shuriken throwing. Sinobazu has earned a coveted 5-star rating on Trip Advisor and is a must-visit destination for those seeking to unleash their hidden inner ninja.
Ninjas hold a significant place in Japanese pop culture and history, as seen in popular series such as Naruto, Hell's Paradise, and Inuyasha. With the increasing popularity of ninjas, it was inevitable that a collaboration between ninjas and maid cafes would emerge.
Situated in Akihabara, just a three-minute walk from the main station, Sinobazu presents itself as a martial arts dojo where visitors can witness authentic ninja training. The training experiences offered include board breaking (itawari), shuriken throwing, and more. Additionally, customers are encouraged to participate in the fun with costume rentals and photo opportunities.
The Secret Lair
Every ninja must be stealthy, and Sinobazu's dojo is no exception. Above the entrance stands a kitsune statue, serving as a vigilant guardian. Once inside, a dark neon stairwell leads up to the second floor, where a dressed mannequin is displayed. The dojo itself is divided into two rooms: a performance room, where patrons can witness the skilled ninjas showcasing their tricks, and a regular room. Both rooms resemble common areas, with the performance room adopting a Japanese tea house theme, while the regular room is organized as a traditional Edo-style dining area. Upon entering either room, at least two ninjas will promptly serve as the primary servers. Admission fees range from 100 to 600 yen, which includes a complimentary drink. The drink options vary from soft drinks to beer, with a special "NIN-NIN" cocktail also available. The menu offers a selection of five food options, all priced around 900 yen. The noodle dishes come highly recommended by most customers. Unlike maid cafés that require customers to chant "moe moe kyun," the ninja comrades have their own unique chant: "Nin Nin!", echoing their special cocktail.
As previously mentioned, visitors are also encouraged to purchase add-ons, which include the choice between an instax/chekki photo or a performance of their preference. There are three alternatives for the latter: A, B, and C; itawari (board breaking), "flame" dancing, and even a chance to experience throwing shuriken firsthand. We opted for option A, and was it truly worth it?
The "True" Enemy
Stress is something nobody enjoys, and the effects of jetlag from a 12-hour flight don't simply disappear overnight. However, don't fret because these kunoichi have got your back. To release our worries, we were instructed to write them down and then they would be physically broken in half by one of the ninjas. The rest of us, including you, will provide the much-needed encouragement. Once this task is accomplished, the ninja will mysteriously vanish into the night. Rest assured that whatever was causing you stress has now been taken care of.
But there is another overlooked enemy we must consider—the transportation! Fortunately, this enemy is not too formidable, and you do not need ninja skills to conquer it. Once you leave Akihabara station, simply take a straight walk down the "maid café" aisle, where maids from different establishments hand out flyers in front of their shops. From there, you will find a small street on the right, and the entrance is cleverly hidden among the surrounding buildings—right across from KFC, of all places! A ninja's hideout can never be easily discovered.
With a stellar 5-star rating on Trip Advisor and regular updates on their website, Sinobazu is definitely worth a visit. After all, we all have an inner ninja waiting to be unleashed.
