[#073] Doll-friendly bars in Japan [17 photos]

Another really cool thing I did in Japan was visit two doll-friendly bars.

The concept is very simple. It's a bar or a restaurant where you can come with your doll, meet other doll collectors, and have a meal and/or drink.

Element L

First 8 photos were taken at Element L.

While in Osaka, I hooked up with @mazdaspeedaz1 who recommended going there.
Element L is a tiny bar in the Dotonbori area. There are like 7 seats, and with some effort, I guess maybe 10 people can fit.

It was full, and everybody had one of their dolls with them. I don't have pictures with other customers (privacy), but you can check #element_l on Instagram. Or just imagine five people sitting at the bar and each of them has a drink and a doll in front of them :)

There is also a doll-sized bar there (in the photos) that you can use as a photo set.

I wish I could speak better Japanese because everyone was super friendly, but unfortunately, it was really really hard to chat due to the language barrier.

There is no food on the menu, but you're welcome to bring your own.

Bistoria Bar Tenn

The rest of the photos were taken at Bistoria Bar Tenn.

Tenn is a bistro in Tokyo in the Okachimachi area (between Akihabara and Ueno). I spoke to some doll collectors at the Private Room 33 event and was told about this hidden gem.

(I'm sorry that the pictures are not so good quality. These are travel pics after all)

When I arrived there, it said "Closed" on the door... but I tried anyway :)
One of the customers was speaking English, so I managed to explain who I was, how I found the place, and show North as proof of being "one of ours." Of course, the place was after all open but not for walk-ins. Next time I'll know to book in advance.

At Tenn, you can have proper meal and drinks, and the food is actually really good.

Your doll gets a small chair to sit at the table with you, a tiny drink, cutlery etc.

The owner has a huge collection of dolls that occupies the walls around. If you just want to hang out at a doll-friendly place but don't have your doll with you, it's also possible, and you can even have one of the owner's dolls as the company for the dinner!

There is also a photo corner with proper lights that you are welcome to use.

If you're in Tokyo or Osaka, don't miss a chance to visit these places. It's such a great concept. It's like sports bars or biker bars but with dolls :) Friendly places for people sharing the same hobby to connect and have a good time.

I wish places like this existed in Europe, I never heard about one. If you know similar places, please let me know!

Let me know what you think. Would you like to go there too?