Are you into Boy’s Love (BL) media? Well, of course! It’s famous across the world now! BL — and the more risqué yaoi content — have become almost a touchstone for queer people and allies (especially 藤吉). And so when you visit Japan, you’re gonna want to go somewhere filled with BL fans like you, right? But… where can you go for such an experience? That’s what JGG is for, so grab a coffee with us!
What Is a BL Café?
A BL cafe is — with one tantalizing exception — much like what is sounds like. A manga cafe is a cafe that has a large selection of manga, a BL cafe is one that similarly has a lot of material for one to peruse: however, this material is exclusively BL manga!
While a relatively new phenomenon, BL cafes have become popular spots for people to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee while they enjoy their favorite Japanese MLM fiction. So let’s go through a few of our faves here: the third will slay you!
Famous BL Cafés in Tokyo
This is our curated selection of the most popular and beloved BL cafes in Tokyo, capital of both Japan and BL culture!
Café 801 – BL Reading Café
The self-described “library for maidens,” this cafe has upwards of — and we’re not kidding — 15,000 books that are either BL or of deep interest to BL fans. Not only does it have an extensive collection of books, but it also regularly holds events themed around certain franchises, and creates drinks around that theme!
However, you will be required to make a reservation on the website, as it has become too popular to accept walk-ins on a regular basis. Additionally, this cafe is primarily for women guests: men are accepted on certain days, but any gentlemen who desire admission need to check the schedule before they attend.
Cafe Lento Kunitachi
Opened by a BL fanatic, this cafe runs on one principle: it is for 藤吉, by 藤吉. Based in Tokyo’s Kunitachi area, it offers both refreshing drinks and delicious food in addition to its 1,700+ book collection in a cosy, friendly space.
This cafe encourages people to open up to and talk with one another — if they want to! It is a place for anyone who wants to express their feelings about BL media with like-minded fujoshi. The perfect places for those who are either new to, or shy about, their dedication to BL!
Ikebukuro Boys BL Gakuen
Also known as “IkeGaku,” this is a BL cafe with something a little extra. I’m sure that you’ve heard of hostess bars, and their equivalent host bars. Well, on Ikebukuro’s Otome Road, you’ll find this cafe, which follows a similar theme: you come, order your drink and/or food, and cute boys will sit with you. The difference is that these boys also talk with, flirt with, and even get very, very close to one another.
This “academy” of cute boys will enroll you into its ranks and issue you a student ID, which you can use to get discounts and perks in future visits, including having a student greet you at a park before you go inside. You can go up grades, and even become a member of the “Board of Directors,” where you will be able to… abuse your authority with even more perks. Perfect for the long-termist BL fanatic!
Why BL Cafés Are So Popular
With BL fandom expanding throughout and beyond Japan, many people who want to indulge in their fantasies often seek out company to speak to. While the Internet is one thing, meeting face to face, and being able to sip tea while you hold physical copies of your favorite manga in your hands is an unreplicable experience!
What to Expect When Visiting a BL Café in Japan
For the most part, visiting a BL cafe is much the same as visiting a similarly-themed cafe. However, the clientele will almost all be women, and there is no shame or judgment about your interests. So sit down, take a load off, and enjoy all the BL you can!
With that, it’s time to take away the coffee cups, put away the plates, and ask you politely to move on from this article. But fret not: just as JGG is always here for you, so are the BL cafes we have listed in today’s article. Until we meet again!
