If a netted capital city, one of the largest and most densely populated anywhere in the world also famous for its tireless workers or salary men. And here in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, a place that’s known for (quirky) ideas, one former salary man himself has come up with a very unique business, a (co-sleeping) specialty shop.
Yes, people come there to cuddle, Masashi Koda tells me, before you let your mind run wide he says yes, it is just cuddling, nothing more. Customers pay about $40 to sleep next to a girl for 20 minutes. Some customers are young men looking for simple (companionship). 21-year-old Luhei Hiroki visits the shop almost every day. He tells me I like coming here, it’s unique and relaxing. I try to stay awake because I enjoy talking with the girls.
Do you have a girlfriend?
No, I don’t, he says, I never had a lot of chances to meet girls. So this is (refreshing) for me.
19-year-old Hina is a student, she works here part-time. She says most guys come here to relax and rest after working hard all day.
They’ve clearly hit a nerve. It’s about 9 o’clock on Thursday night right now and just about every room is taken and you can see the place is not big. It’s about 400, it’s where the fee in total.
There’re added (services) as well but again don’t get any ideas. 1,000 yen about $13 if you wanna to rest your head on the girl’s knees for 3 minutes and another $13 for a 5-second hug. Masashi says he is surprised that all the attention his business is getting. And yes he is thinking of a possible (expansion).
We might move to a bigger and cleaner space but maybe the simplicity is part of our charm he adds, his simply idea in a stress-out and sometimes lonely city.
Alex Zolbert, CNN, Tokyo.
