For the most part, babysitting services are few and far between in Japan. Sure, there are preschools and daycare centers that provide long-term arrangements, but if you just want to hire someone for a few hours on a given day so you can enjoy some me-time, such services are hard to find.
However, Tokyo’s NonDa90 recognizes that the women of Japan could use a little more time to spend on their hobbies, with their friends, and/or for themselves, and they’re here to help! They’re not offering to look after your young kids, though, but your annoying husband or boyfriend.
NonDa90, which is located in Nerima Ward, isn’t a traditional childcare provider. Its primary business, actually, is providing alcohol, since it’s a casual pub (NonDa90 is meant to be pronounced “Nondakure,” which loosely translates to “drunk”). Still, their sign proudly announces “We’ll take care of your husband or boyfriend who’s getting in the way of you enjoying shopping or relaxing in a cafe! Our experienced staff will take the responsibility of playing with him and keeping him entertained.”
The bottom section of the sign (top photo), advertising the babysitting service, shows a diminutive husband/boyfriend being dropped off by the scruff of his neck.
It should be noted that Nondakure is not a hostess bar, maid cafe, or any other kind of “social restaurant” where some form of paid companionship is on the menu. In fact, NonDa90’s motto is “Warm beer, cold women, lousy food, bad service.” At least some of that is likely tongue in cheek, but it does offer some seriously affordable drinks. For starters, there’s no table charge or mandatory, unasked for otoshi appetizer fee, unlike many other pubs in Japan, and the sign gives sample price plans for how much it’ll cost to keep the husband/boyfriend out of the way for various amounts of time.
● “Just watch him for 15 minutes!” 500 yen → First glass of heartland beer is half-price, 290 yen
● “Please take care of him for two hours!” 2,000 yen → 90-minute all-you-can-drink plan, 1,740 yen
● “I need a long time, three hours!” 2,500 yen → 150-minute all-you-can-drink plan, 2,300 yen
● “He’s a kid who’s pretty good at taking care of himself.” 1,000 yen → 90-minute self-serve alcohol plan, 730 yen
Again, the “babysitting” angle definitely is meant to be taken as a joke, but like a lot of jokes, it’s funny because there’s a bit of truth to it. Japanese culture stresses the importance of taking the feeling of others into consideration at all times, and so it’s not unusual for men or women to feel a twinge of guilt, or at least sympathy, if they think they might be dragging their partner along for an activity that they don’t really enjoy. Likewise, since it’s not common for spouses or significant others to tag along when a group of friends is getting together, some people feel a little uneasy leaving their partner alone while they head out to have fun without them.
Since no women are actually going to be unilaterally dropping their husband/boyfriend off at the bar, NonDa90’s sign is really a lighthearted way to say, “Hey, first-time customers are welcome here!” (which isn’t always the case at neighborhood bars in Japan), and a playful way to encourage couples passing by to keep the place in mind the next time there’s a girls’ day out and the guy has free time on his hands and would like a beer in one of them too.
Restaurant information
NonDa90
Address: Tokyo-to, Nerima-ku, Kitaachi 2-38-6, Otoyo Building 2nd floor
東京都練馬区北町2-38-6 大豊ビル2F
Source: Hachima Kiko
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- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2021/05/30/tokyo-bar-offers-babysitting-service-for-annoying-husbands-and-boyfriends/
16 Comments
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Aly Rustom
Yay. Can't wait to go.
Sanjinosebleed
2 1/2 hours all you can drink for about $23! So cheap... gee I miss the old nomihodai!
2 Year Old
90 minute self serve alcohol plan under ¥1000!! Seeing as most nomihoudai slow down service... I could drink twice as much for half the price! That plan costs less than one average drink at a club in Australia!
Abbey
Again, insulting men. All so the wives can go out and spend their hard earned money. Pathetic.
pfaulkne
They are not the first. 80's Kitchen in Nagoya has a similar concept, but a much easier system. You can see a photo of the blackboard sign out the front on Google Maps. For those that can't find it, it states.
"Is He Getting Under Your Feet?
Why Not Leave Him Here While You Shop?
FreeCreche Just Leave Beer Token!"
There is no cover charge or prepaid system. You simply pay for what you consume. A standard 中生 is ¥300
Chabbawanga
Reminds me of Jerry Daycare
sourpuss
Too funny! At least someone has a sense of humor!
Gooch
Great idea. Beats getting dragged through the shoe or bag section of a department store.
girl_in_tokyo
AbbeyToday 08:23 am JST
Great idea! I can just drop my boyfriend off, take all his cash and credit cards, and spend all his money on myself because I'm a GIRL and I DESERVE it for putting up with him. ;) That's what women do, amirite?
Mickelicious
Not you, obviously, but you'd be amazed at the ladies who lunch who expect hubby to hand over the pay packet each month, and would love something like this for its ED-inducing drinks.
lucabrasi
Better than being left at home with a list of chores and 300 yen for lunch. That's my usual deal : (
Khuniri
If this were an article about how men are temporarily liberated from pesky wives or girlfriends, there would be massive protest. Well, no, the article wouldn't be published.
gakinotsukai
A joke for "annoying wife" would be considered as sexism.
But here, it's ok ...
sourpuss
Guys. It’s a joke. Lighten up.