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The Mainichi
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Seniors welcome guests as maids at cafe in Gunma Pref.
KIRYU, Gunma -- In Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, seniors started working as cafe maids one year ago. They started this cafe to give older people a nice place to meet and relax. Now, the cafe has over 10 "maids" aged 65 or older. Many different kinds of people enjoy visiting this special place. The cafe even plans to do events to help older people find love and friendship. The name of the cafe is "Meido Cafe Shangri-La." ("Meido" is funny in Japanese, because it can mean both "maid" and "afterlife.") Every workday, the senior maids gather before the cafe opens at 8 a.m. They say, "Let's be lively, cheerful and beautiful again today!" One maid is Nene, 72, who started working last December. Before becoming a maid, she had only worked at home. At first, she worried about talking to many new people. Now, she enjoys her new role very much. She said her son noticed she looks happier now. Popo, 75, started her first day as a maid when the Mainichi Shimbun visited. Popo said she loved visiting the cafe as a customer, so she wanted to become a maid herself. "Today is my first day, so I'm still learning," she said with a smile. Meido Cafe Shangri-La opened in July last year. At first, it opened just two hours on one Saturday per month. But it got popular quickly, with many customers waiting to get in. Now, it opens four hours. Deco, 67, and Coco, 66, started work at the cafe from its first day. Deco's mother (87 years old) sometimes does fun paper-folding (origami) lessons there. Deco's daughter (41 years old) also came one day to help. Deco's daughter said, "My mother really loves being a maid." This cafe is special, and sometimes does funny events. Once, people could even try lying inside a coffin. Now, the cafe plans to hold senior "matchmaking" events, where older people can find love or new friends. Customers like the cafe's friendly, happy feeling. One regular customer is a truck driver. He said, "After working all night, talking with the maids helps me relax. It feels really good." A young university student, aged 21, said, "I came alone, but the maids were very friendly and kind." She liked the cafe very much, and plans to write about it in her school graduation thesis on local cafes. (Japanese original by Kazuhiko Toyama, Kiryu Local Bureau) Vocabulary senior: an older person customer: a person who visits a place like a cafe, restaurant, or shop matchmaking: introducing people who want to find love and friendship regular: doing something often; someone who visits the same place many times coffin: a box that the body of a person goes into after they die role: a person's job or position, what you do in a place or event graduation thesis: the final essay a student needs to graduate from university
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
All-senior maid cafe in Japan's Gunma Pref. serves smiles, new connections
KIRYU, Gunma -- Last July, two seniors began working as "maids" in frilly white aprons at the new "Meido Cafe Shangri-La" in this eastern Japan city. The goal was to create a community space where seniors could relax. A year later, there are now over 10 maids aged 65 and up, the customer base has diversified and the maid cafe plans to host matchmaking events for older adults. When this reporter visited on June 7, 10 maids gathered in a circle for their morning pep talk just before the 8 a.m. opening, energetically calling out in unison, "Let's be lively, cheerful and beautiful again today!" to kick off their workday. Leading the chant was Nene, 72, who joined the cafe last December. She applied for the maid role desiring to "try something extraordinary." Having been a full-time homemaker after marriage and with no previous customer service experience, she has grown to enjoy interacting with a wide range of patrons over the past six months. Her son even complimented her by saying her complexion has improved. Also in the group was Popo, 75, who was making her debut as a maid that day. After visiting the cafe three times as a customer, she had decided, "I want to become a maid, too," and auditioned in May. Smiling in her long-awaited maid outfit, Popo said, "I'm still fumbling to keep up with the more experienced maids." Meido Cafe Shangri-La (featuring a pun on "maid" with the Japanese term "meido" meaning underworld or afterlife) in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, is run by the nonprofit organization Kids Valley, headed by Asami Hoshino. It garnered attention for its playful services, such as recreating Buddhist concepts like Sanzu River -- a mythological river that separates the living world from the afterlife -- inside the cafe and labeling the restroom after the "Land of Bliss." Initially open for only two hours from 8 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month, the cafe quickly drew long lines of people, and is now open for four hours. Original cafe members Deco, 67, and Coco, 66, remain on board. In April, the cafe began selling acrylic keychains featuring the two women at 1,000 yen (about $7), tax included. On this day, Deco's 87-year-old mother served as the instructor for an origami class. Deco's eldest daughter, 41, also came to help, bringing three generations of the family together in one space. The latter remarked, "My mother really enjoys working as a maid." Previous cafe events have included distinctive gatherings through collaborations with funeral supply companies, including a "coffin experience fair" where participants had an opportunity to lie in a coffin. The cafe is currently planning to host senior dating events where the cafe maids will serve as matchmakers. Customers streamed in throughout the four-hour business period. One regular customer, affectionately dubbed "Kacchan" by the maids, is a 62-year-old truck driver from the prefectural capital Maebashi, who has visited monthly since last October. "On days after night shifts, chatting with the maids is fun and completely relieves my fatigue," he said. Some visitors have apparently even become friends, exchanging contact information and creating new friendships through the cafe. A 21-year-old in the fourth year of studies at Tokyo Keizai University, who is originally from Kiryu, also visited for the first time that day after hearing the cafe had brought new energy to her hometown. "I came by myself, but the maids warmly gathered around me, and I was surprised by their liveliness," she said. She plans to return regularly and include the maid cafe in her graduation thesis on Kiryu's community cafes. (Japanese original by Kazuhiko Toyama, Kiryu Local Bureau)
Hypebeast
11-06-2025
- General
- Hypebeast
Mid-Century Meets Modern Refinement in Ome Dezin's CM G1 House Renovation
Summary Nestled in the hills of Laurel Canyon, the CM G1 House has undergone a striking transformation led byOme Dezin, with custom furniture byWillett. Originally built in the 1960s, this 2,920-square-foot residence has been reimagined to enhance spatial flow and connectivity to its natural surroundings. The renovation preserves its mid-century roots, while introducing modern refinements that emphasize warm materials, sculptural forms and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. Throughout the interior, Douglas fir paneling pays homage to the mid-century era. This is complemented by black flagstone flooring that extends from the entryway through the kitchen, dining area and study — creating a cohesive visual language. Willett's furniture plays a central role in shaping the home's atmosphere. Piece such as the Radi Table, Gio Stool and Popo Chair adds a bold yet harmonious presence to the residence. Custom-built elements, including a slatted front door, study desk and integrated storage system in the primary bedroom, further reinforce the home's tailored aesthetic. The renovation also incorporates thoughtful architectural interventions, such as a refurbished corner fireplace that serves as a focal point in the living area. Skylights introduce natural light, while dark marble countertops and backsplashes provide a striking contrast to the extensive woodwork. The design team sought to create a holistic environment where every detail, from layout to furnishings, reflects a singular, elevated vision. The collaboration between Ome Dezin and Willett results in a residence that feels intentional, fresh and serene, offering a modern interpretation of mid-century design while remaining deeply connected to its historical roots.
