Japan, Dec 8:
A Japanese eatery made headlines after it was revealed that customers willingly get slapped on their
faces before having their meals served. At Shachihoko-ya, located in Nagoya, kimono-dressed
waitresses slap a willing customer in the face with their palms, over and over again for 300 Japanese Yen
(Rs 170). There’s also a 500 yen (Rs 283) surcharge if patrons request a specific staff member to slap
them.
The service is popular with both Japanese men and women, as well as foreign tourists. Many even
express gratitude to the waitresses for the brutal service. However, after videos of the bizarre practice
went viral online, the restaurant took to X to inform that the restaurant does not offer slaps anymore.
In a post on the microblogging website, they wrote, “Shachihoko-ya currently does not offer slaps. We
appreciate the attention it has received today, but we cannot accommodate visits with the intention of
receiving slaps. We didn’t expect old videos to go viral like this, so please understand before coming.”
Notably, the controversial service, which started in 2012, revived the establishment’s business, attracting
an increasing number of patrons willing to try the experience. Initially, only one female staff member did
the slapping. As demand grew, management hired several girls willing to dish out some slaps.
