Over the past few years, as Japan works towards a more welcoming and inclusive future, we’ve seen some pretty distinctive spaces open up around the country. Tokyo’s noteworthy Dawn Avatar Robot Café features robot waiters controlled remotely by disabled or homebound workers, while another café with an equally interesting concept has just opened up in Osaka.
Known as Shojo Cafe, this new space invites customers to enjoy some peace and quiet, as no talking or music is allowed. But the mandatory silence is not just intended to soothe the nerves of the café’s clientele: many of the employees here are deaf or hard-of-hearing, so the silence is also a way for customers to experience things from their perspective.
Shojo Cafe is run by AB Possible, a company that works to create inclusive environments accommodating of disabilities. Guests are asked to refrain from talking, but you can choose to communicate with written notes, by pointing at the menu, or using sign language. Google Translate is encouraged if you aren’t proficient in Japanese.
Due to the lack of noise, other sounds and senses will become heightened. This makes for a great opportunity to try out matcha, one of the café’s specialities. You can even try brewing the tea yourself, and once complete, you’ll be able to enjoy your cup with special wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) ordered from a sweets shop in Kanazawa.
For those who'd like to learn the basics of sign language, Shojo offers hour-long sign language classes after the café closes. The classes are meant to be informal and relaxed, and you'll be able to familiarise yourself with signing everyday phrases like 'hello' and 'thank you'. Classes cost ¥2,000 per person and include a cup of matcha.
Shojo Cafe is open daily from 11am to 6pm. You'll find it at 1-10-13 Nakazaki Nishi, Kita, Osaka. For more details, visit the café’s Instagram.
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