Althouse: "Since last October in Memuro, Hokkaido, a café specialising in French toast has been open to parents and babies free of charge from 9pm on Sunday to 6am on Monday."

May 12, 2026

"There are areas for babies to crawl around and sleep, as well as changing tables and nursing booths. Users can relax, knowing their babies’ cries aren’t keeping others up.,,, Across the country in Tokushima Prefecture, a childcare support centre runs monthly 'crying cafés' with specialist staff.... The concept comes from Yonakigoya, a manga by a cartoonist and mother that was published online in 2023. The titular 'night-time crying house' is a space where overwhelmed mothers and babies can de-stress in the small hours...."

From "Overnight 'crying cafés' serve coffee with a side of tears/The night-time refuges in Japan are popular with mothers who can relax knowing their crying child is not disturbing anyone at home" (London Times).

rehajm said...: …forget the babies let’s hear more about the french toast…; 5/12/26, 7:24 PM
Ted said...: This actually sounds like a fantastic idea. But I wonder how babies react to being around other wailing babies? Do they find the sound as annoying as (non-related) adults often do?; 5/12/26, 7:26 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: That's sorta cool. We cant have that sort of thing here. Sad.; 5/12/26, 8:24 PM
tcrosse said...: I had some wonderful French toast in Quebec, where it is called pain perdu. Made with baguette, and with a touch of brandy. In Vancouver I had a wonderful grilled ham and cheese on French toast, which in other places would be called a Monte Cristo or a Croque Monsieur.; 5/12/26, 8:44 PM
Enigma said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5/13/26, 6:41 AM
Randomizer said...: If we tried this in the US, it would be seen as the patriarchy trying to get a good night's sleep.; 5/13/26, 6:51 AM
Fred Drinkwater said...: My 2 year old once referred to the daycare center at a resort as the "crying baby house". She requested that we not send her there anymore.; 5/13/26, 9:55 AM