Discover Japan's Thriving Oshi-Katsu Culture: How Otaku Celebrate Their Favorites!

Hello! This is Lily from Préffy‧｡⋆: 🦢·˚

Happy New Year!
Last year, Préffy’s official website successfully launched, allowing us to share information and create a community for as many otaku as possible. Toward the end of the year, we also began this blog for our overseas audience, and we are thrilled that so many of you have read it! 💗
In 2025, we aim to make even greater strides. With full otaku enthusiasm, we hope to share even more about Japan’s otaku culture and related information with all of you!
We look forward to your continued support this year as well!!

Now that the New Year’s greetings are out of the way…
Today, I’d like to talk about “How Japanese otaku enjoy 推し活 (oshi-katsu, or supporting their favorites) in Japan!”

First off, let me ask—what kind of otaku activities do you engage in while living overseas?
This is purely my imagination, so forgive me if I’m wrong. For example, if you’re an anime fan and there’s a scene in your favorite series set in Kyoto’s Arashiyama, where the characters enjoy matcha tea… wouldn’t you want to visit that place, experience the same atmosphere, and enjoy matcha tea in a similar setting? 💚
Of course, many Japanese otaku do the same! But in Japan, I believe one of the most common oshi-katsu activities is visiting themed cafes.

For those who have visited Japan before, you might already know that the variety of cafes here is extraordinary! From nostalgic, retro-style kissaten (Japanese coffeehouses) to cafes entirely dedicated to specific anime series ✨—the options are endless.
With cafes being such a familiar part of daily life for Japanese people, they’ve become a go-to spot for oshi-katsu, especially among friends.

What’s more, many girls involved in oshi-katsu love spaces brimming with "kawaii" (cuteness)! They’re drawn to places overflowing with adorable aesthetics and products that cater to their sense of "kawaii overload."
Personally, I often find myself wanting to visit spaces that feel both “cute” and “extraordinary,” marking potential spots with friends to visit next time! (Haha)

So, what exactly do people do at these cafes?
One popular activity is taking photos of cute items alongside their "oshi" (favorite character or idol). This is akin to the Instagram-worthy aesthetic many love. The type of oshi people bring varies—some carry official photos, acrylic stands, exclusive merchandise, plushies, or trading cards. The possibilities are endless. Spending time in such delightful spaces with their oshi is a source of happiness and a cherished way to spend their free time. 💓

If you go with friends, conversations about your oshi will naturally bloom, and hours will fly by as you share stories about your favorites. 🌷

For those wondering where to find these oshi-katsu-friendly cafes, some of the most popular areas in Tokyo include Shibuya and Harajuku. For a more refined and mature oshi-katsu experience, Omotesando is a great choice, especially for special occasions.
In Osaka, Umeda stands out as a top spot. Many cafes even advertise themselves as "perfect for oshi-katsu," so if you’re feeling inspired to experience Japan’s oshi-katsu culture this season, why not give these areas a try?

So, how was this introduction?
Did you get a glimpse of what oshi-katsu is like in Japan? 💕

A few years ago, oshi-katsu culture in Japan wasn’t as developed as it is today. In fact, being an otaku was often frowned upon. However, society has changed, and now it feels like it’s almost odd not to have an oshi in your life, thanks to the oshi-katsu boom.
No matter where you go in Japan, you’re bound to encounter oshi-katsu culture, so if you ever have the chance, please dive in and enjoy it for yourself!

Stay tuned for our next blog update! 😊