Akihabara's Dark Side!? Summary of Reflexology, Casinos, and Confessional Cafes Exposed

Akihabara is known as a city of otaku and is also a popular tourist destination.
However, there are also malicious stores in places where people gather...
Here we introduce the recent crackdown that took place in Akihabara.

Illegal store crackdown in Akihabara

Akihabara's illegal con cafe: De facto owner arrested - latest in the junior high school entertainment series

In October 2022, the de facto manager of the Akihabara maid cafe "Lavi doll" was arrested on suspicion of violating the Child Welfare Act.
Around December 2021, he is suspected of having a 13-year-old female junior high school student entertain customers by providing them with alcohol.
The store manager and others were already arrested in June 2022.

Akihabara's "Tsundere Ojousama" Con Cafe Raped - Manager Arrested for Forcing Junior High School Girls to Entertain

In July 2022, three people were arrested: the de facto manager, the store manager, and the owner of the Akihabara maid cafe "Cafe FABULOUS."
He is suspected of entertaining a 13-year-old junior high school girl, including providing her with alcohol, on three occasions in February of the same year.
The female junior high school student applied via social media and was hired.

#Exploring Akihabara crackdown spots pic.twitter.com/ek60ImYICN

— Akihabara Base Camp (@akihabara_bc) July 20, 2022

Akihabara Con Cafe Raped - Managers Arrested for Hiring Junior High School Girls

In June 2022, the manager of the Akihabara maid cafe "Lavidoll" and two others were arrested.
It is alleged that he had a 13-year-old female junior high school student perform entertainment duties at the time.

#Exploring Akihabara crackdown spots pic.twitter.com/luu5RW66pa

— Akihabara Base Camp (@akihabara_bc) July 4, 2022

Illegal kon cafe in Akihabara busted - Managers arrested for entertaining minors

In June 2022, the manager of Black Room, a maid cafe located in Akihabara Park Building, and two others were arrested.
He is suspected of having a 13-year-old junior high school girl perform entertainment work, knowing that she was under 15 years old.
It appears that social media accounts have now been deleted.

Illegal reflexology salon cracked down in Akihabara - behind-the-scenes shop near Suehirocho Station

On May 15th and 16th, 2022, the reflexology salon "Rapunzel Akihabara" was raided.
Three male managers were arrested on suspicion of providing private rooms for female employees to engage in prostitution.
It seems he earned tens of thousands of yen with one back-end option.
From April 2020 to March 2022, the store was called "Ace Akihabara."

#Exploring Akihabara crackdown spots pic.twitter.com/txJSYZDhkS

— Akihabara Base Camp (@akihabara_bc) May 18, 2022

Illegal Reflexology in Akihabara Revealed - Behind-the-Scenes Shop in the Middle of Junk Street

On March 7, 2022, the reflexology salon "Cherry x Cherry" on Junk Street was raided.
It appears she was engaged in prostitution as an option.
This store previously operated under the name "Akihabara Shinchi."

Akihabara underground casino busted - poker gambling in an apartment room

On March 4, 2022, an underground casino was busted for gambling poker in an apartment building near Suehirocho Station on Junk Street.
The manager and an employee were arrested on the spot, and five customers were also arrested on the spot and later released.
Stop illegal gambling!!

Five con cafes arrested for violating the Entertainment and Amusement Act

On May 18, 2021, five maid cafes in the same chain, including Cafe La Cière, were raided.
Six people, including the manager, were arrested.
Be careful of the many unscrupulous maid cafes in Akihabara that solicit customers on the street.

There's more!! Akihabara's Darkness

The Dark Side of Con Cafe

In recent years, the number of concept cafes, also known as con cafes, has been increasing in Akihabara, but many of them are run by questionable management bodies, and various problems have arisen.
Some of them have even become incidents...
For more details, please see the article below.

[The Dark Side of Con Cafes] Too dangerous!? The "underground" history of Akihabara's con cafe industry

The dark side of Akihabara hobby resale

With the rise of flea market apps, the world is truly an age of resellers!
Even in Akihabara, where there are many hobby shops, there have been many troublesome incidents involving resale.
For more details, check out the article below!

The Dark Side of Akihabara: The Reason for the Proliferation of Scalpers (Figures, Trading Cards, Gunpla)

Beware of street touts and solicitations

Although Akihabara is a fun tourist destination, it is true that there are several unscrupulous businesses and stores in the area.
In particular, be careful of solicitations on the street, as there is a high possibility that the store is trying to rip you off.
Also, be careful as religious solicitations are on the rise.
We recommend gathering information to avoid getting into trouble.

*Added on May 17, 2022, "Rapunzel Akihabara"
*Added on "Black Room" on June 16, 2022
*2022/11/4 Addendum: Arrest of "Lavi doll" manager