u/FrenchFriesx283

(If this subreddit is not suitable for this post, kindly let me know and I will delete it. Thanks!)

Hi! I recently went to the BL Danshi Gakuen café in Ikebukuro and want to share my tips for fellow foreigner fujoshis who are planning to visit it too.

1. Be firm in what you want/do not want to order

While this was not part of my experience, I will still include it here as advice. Be alert of staff using host club tactics on you to make you pay more than you planned for.

Try to read the menu and café system online before visiting through websites or YouTube vlogs. Explicitly write your ideal meal order with its prices on paper/in your phone notes. Also have backup choices, in case your ideal choices unexpectedly go out of stock.

If the staff ask you things in Japanese you are not familiar with, immediately ask them to translate into English. If they struggle, bring out an online translator for them to use. It's your right as a customer to be informed. Do *not* get swayed by their pretty faces when it comes to money.

2. Be mindful of timing for the "BL Menu"

The BL Menu is a feature in the café that involves asking 2 staff of your choice (among the staff on duty during your visit) to act out a 1- to 2-minute BL skit for a fee.

Sometimes the staff of your choice get preoccupied talking to other customers, thus resulting in delays for your skit. I would recommend choosing the staff of your choice as soon as possible (even if it means picking non-occupied staff only) and following up every 10-15 minutes.

The café charges 500 JPY for every additional 30 minutes you remain at the café beyond your slot's ending time. The charge remains, even if the reason you overstayed was because of delays in the BL menu. So be quick in ordering and deciding your BL menu (or deciding to cancel it if you can't afford the additional 500 yen to stay longer).

3. Be very careful of how your bill is calculated

This is what I want to share most. My friend and I went in prepared, yet we missed an error on our bill during payment, which cost us 528 JPY each. Although we are not very upset about it, it's undeniably an avoidable mistake.

So when you visit it, read your bill extra carefully. Do not be afraid to pull out the digital translator or calculator. Again, it's your right as a customer to know what you're paying for.

Also ask the staff for clarification wherever needed. Once again, do *not* get swayed by their beautiful BEAUTIFUL faces when it comes to money!!!

4. Be kind

Very straightforward. Be kind and considerate to all customers and staff you come across. Follow the rules set by the café, but don't follow them blindly.

Hope this helps my fellow fujoshis!! 🎀🎀 This is my first time posting on Reddit in a long while so please be nice to me. :'D

Notes

- Visited in May 2026, with some basic Japanese speaking skills.

- As of May 2026, the BL menu prices was approx 990 to 1000 JPY including tax

- First-timer visit involves the staff introducing you to the café system and printing a "student ID card". These processes take time!! Be mindful of the time.

- I would suggest the following breakdown to maximize the first-timer 1.5 hour visit (e.g. 12pm-1.30pm)

• First 15 minutes (e.g. 12pm-12.15pm): Learning the café's system and ordering your dishes
• First 15-45 minutes (e.g. 12.15pm-12.45pm): Enjoy the café
• First 45-70 minutes (e.g. 12.45pm-1.10pm): Call for the BL menu + Let your eyes be blessed ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
  • Remember to follow-up in between if needed!
• Last 20 minutes (e.g. 1.10pm-1.30pm): Call for the bill + waiting for the student ID card