No Talking Allowed at Osaka's Silent Cafe
Cafes are a popular meeting place — whether you're meeting a friend, meeting someone for the first time or even having an informal business meeting.
But Shojo Cafe is not the place to go if you're planning to talk to people. The new cafe in Osaka doesn't allow any sound — that means no music or talking, and orders must be made silently.
The cafe opened in April, as a space where people can go to enjoy some peace and quiet in a busy city.
It's run by AB Possible, an organization that supports people with disabilities. Many of the cafe employees are deaf or have hearing difficulties, and a space like this allows them to play an active role in society, the organization said.
Customers are asked to make their orders silently, such as by writing or pointing at the menu.
Sign language is also encouraged — and if you're interested in learning, there are informal sign language classes after the cafe closes. Classes are one hour long and cost 2,000 yen — or about $13 — which also includes a cup of matcha.
The organization said that, unlike a normal cafe where people talk to each other, the silence in Shojo Cafe will help customers focus on other things — like the color and taste of the cafe's tea and sweets. Customers can even try making the matcha themselves.
Cafe owner Haruna Matsumoto told The Asahi Shimbun the idea for the cafe came after she visited a silent cafe in Vietnam, and all she could hear was the sound of rain and people walking.
"I got to know the comfort of silence and the lively way the cafe staff worked," Matsumoto said, adding that she wanted more people to learn about both things.
Cafes are a popular meeting place — whether you're meeting a friend, meeting someone for the first time or even having an informal business meeting.
But Shojo Cafe is not the place to go if you're planning to talk to people. The new cafe in Osaka doesn't allow any sound — that means no music or talking, and orders must be made silently.
The cafe opened in April, as a space where people can go to enjoy some peace and quiet in a busy city.
It's run by AB Possible, an organization that supports people with disabilities. Many of the cafe employees are deaf or have hearing difficulties, and a space like this allows them to play an active role in society, the organization said.
Customers are asked to make their orders silently, such as by writing or pointing at the menu.
Sign language is also encouraged — and if you're interested in learning, there are informal sign language classes after the cafe closes. Classes are one hour long and cost 2,000 yen — or about $13 — which also includes a cup of matcha.
The organization said that, unlike a normal cafe where people talk to each other, the silence in Shojo Cafe will help customers focus on other things — like the color and taste of the cafe's tea and sweets. Customers can even try making the matcha themselves.
Cafe owner Haruna Matsumoto told The Asahi Shimbun the idea for the cafe came after she visited a silent cafe in Vietnam, and all she could hear was the sound of rain and people walking.
"I got to know the comfort of silence and the lively way the cafe staff worked," Matsumoto said, adding that she wanted more people to learn about both things.
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Summary
Silent Cafe Shojo in Osaka forbids talking or music, enabling peaceful enjoyment of tea and sweets. Operated by AB Possible, the cafe offers jobs to those with hearing difficulties. Customers make orders silently via writing or pointing. Sign language classes are available post-close for 2000 yen