Our Story
20 years of at-home cafe
Thanks for your continuous support!
For over 20 years, we've been dedicated to creating an experience that elevates our guests to a whimsical world, guided by the charm and warmth of our maids. At the heart of our mission is the desire to create a space where everyone feels at home, enjoying unique interactions and unforgettable memories.
Since opening in 2004, at-home cafe has undergone many changes over the years. We thought our Masters and Princesses might enjoy learning more about our journey, so we created this page. And who better to share this story than the one who has been with us from the very beginning and helped shape at-home cafe?
So, we asked hitomi, our and her story!
Could you share with us how it all began and how at-home cafe changed over the years together with you?
hitomi:
Becoming a maid at at-home cafe was never something I planned, it was more like a spur of the moment decision that changed my life.
When I first heard about maid cafes, I was just a high school student who happened to watch news on the TV about this quirky, new type of cafes and the people working there. Curiosity led me to wanting to wear the same uniforms and then being a part of that, at the time, unfamiliar world of at-home cafe. When I first started(around 2004), our cafe was still a small place without dedicated manuals or training, where everything was more or less improvised. I was both excited and nervous, not sure of what to expect or what exactly was expected of me. But even in those uncertain early days, the smiles and joy of our guests made me feel something I was very impactful to me—fulfillment from bringing happiness to others. I knew then that I wanted to dedicate myself to this role, to create my part in the joy of others.
My Start
My early days were filled with challenges, learning how to dress, serve, and interact with guests in a way that felt genuine. With no guidebook to follow, I leaned on my seniors and my instincts, discovering that a maid’s role was far more than serving food, it was about creating moments of warmth and laughter. This approach led me to invent "moe moe kyun," a playful spellthat brings love and joy into every drink served. I was inspired by a kind gesture I experienced on a trip during meal time, "moe moe kyun" became my way of adding a personal touch, in a way transforming what could be an ordinary meal into a fun and more delicious one. I believe the food is most delicious, when it has love put into it.
This idea was new, fun, and, most importantly, it brought smiles. Seeing how much joy this simple chant brought to our Masters and Princesses, I knew I had found a small piece of what will make at-home cafe unique.
Reflections On Our Growth Over the Years
As at-home cafe started to grow with more locations thanks to our fans, so did our responsibility to maintain the magic of what we had created. We introduced training and structure, giving new maids a foundation to learn and express themselves while staying true to the values that make at-home cafe special. As the maids, we started creating our own Social Media accounts to express our individuality. Watching our little cafe blossom into a beloved part of Akihabara, welcoming guests from all over the world, has been a humbling experience. Each maid who joins us becomes a part of our family, carrying forward our mission to create a place where everyone can feel at home. Today, we are more than a cafe—we are a community where guests come to escape, connect, and find comfort.
Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the art of connecting with each guest on a personal level. Every person who walks through our doors brings their own energy, and my role as a maid is to adapt, to find just the right way to make them feel welcomed and valued. This role is special because it allows me to be both myself and a guide into the whimsical world of at-home cafe. I want each visit to feel unique and memorable, where our guests leave with a sense of happiness that stays with them long after they leave.
20 Years of at-home cafe
Now, after nearly 20 years, at-home cafe is more than just a place I work—it’s my second home, and the people here are my family. I feel a responsibility to pass on what I’ve learned, to guide new maids and help them find the same sense of joy and purpose I discovered here. I hope that at-home cafe remains a place of warmth, wonder, and connection, where people can find joy in the little things and feel a sense of belonging.
Before I finish, I want to thank all our Masters, Princesses, Maids, and the Fairy Cast for being the heart and soul of at-home cafe. Together, we've all made this magical journey unforgettable and truly special! As we look to the future, my dream is that at-home cafe will continue to grow as a place where each visit makes you feel at home, and where every maid feels that they’re part of something truly special.
The Story of Our Destiny
As part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations, we wanted to show our appreciation for all the support over time with a new song!
As always, thank you for your interest in at-home cafe.
Simplified History of at-home cafe (あっとほぉーむカフェ), formerly '@home cafe'
2000s: The Beginning
August 2004: Opened the first @home cafe (now Don Quijote Branch) inside the Don Quijote Akihabara store.
November 2005: Opened the @home cafe Main Branch in Akihabara, Tokyo.
March 2006: @home SHOP opened in Akihabara.
July 2007: Akihabara Main Branch is expanded.
July 2008: Expanded the Main Branch to include the 4th floor and rebranded it as Main Branch 7F, with the downstairs branch renamed Main Branch 6F.
2010s: Growth
March 2010: Opened the online merchandise store, @home shop.
September 2011: Established Infinia Co., Ltd. as a 100% subsidiary of our previous owner company to manage @home cafe operations.
November 2012: hitomi, our legendary Maid, became CEO of Infinia Co., Ltd.
November 2012: We had our maid uniforms get designed by KEITA MARUYAMA.
July 2013: Relocated @home shop from Don Quijote to the Main Branch 2F.
August 2014: We had our cafe’s 10th anniversary.
August 2015: Received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
August 2015: Opened the 5th floor of the Main Branch.
February 2016: Infinia Co., Ltd.(our operating company) became a subsidiary of Space Shower Network Inc.
2017 October: hitomi was appointed as Akihabara Tourism Ambassador.
2017 December: We opened the Main Branch 3F.
2020s: Expansion
June 2019: Opened the Osaka Main Branch.
December 2019: Expanded the Osaka Main Branch with a 2nd floor.
June 2020: Updated the logo and standardized the name to あっとほぉーむカフェ (at-home cafe).
April 2021 - March 2022: Started operating Pompompurin Cafe Harajuku Branch in collaboration with at-home cafe.
August 2021: Launched the 17th-anniversary project, Maid-in!
February 2022: Opened the AKIBA Culture Zone Branch (5F), that is split into two sections (L and R).
February 2022: Relocated at-home SHOP from the Main Branch 2F to the AKIBA Culture Zone.
August 2024: We Celebrated the 20th anniversary of at-home cafe!
January 2025: Nagoya will open with 2 cafes!
