日媒：日本多地兴起“夜啼咖啡馆”Japanese media: "Night Cry Coffee Shops" Rise in Many Parts of Japan

According to a recent report by Japan's Mainichi Shimbun, some areas in Japan have started to see "night crying cafes" providing temporary resting and communication places for mothers under parenting pressure.

Starting from October 2025, a French toast specialty store in Kamura cho, Hokkaido will be open for free every Sunday night until the next morning, serving mothers who cannot rest due to their children crying at night. Baby crawling mats are laid in the store, with nursing and diaper changing areas, and female volunteers assist in taking care of children and listening to mothers' troubles.

Similar spaces have appeared in many parts of Japan. In Aichi County, the "Night Cry Cafe" run by two mothers holds activities once or twice a month from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. A parenting support group in Tokushima Prefecture operates two such cafes, where childcare workers temporarily take care of children during monthly events to allow mothers to rest.

The concept comes from a 2023 webcomic called "Night Cry House", which provides a relaxing space for mothers under parenting pressure. Many readers believe that such a space will bring great comfort to parenting mothers.

However, most of these activities rely on volunteers and social donations to maintain operations, resulting in higher costs for nighttime venue, manpower, and safety management. Experts point out that currently, the parenting support provided by the government is relatively limited at night, on weekends, and during holidays. In the future, local governments, businesses, and civil society organizations need to participate together to establish a more comprehensive support system.

Previously, there were "dad gatherings" in the suburbs of Tokyo specifically for fathers to discuss family issues such as their children's refusal to attend school. The organizers of the event believe that the family is an important harbor for children's recovery and growth, and parents also need a space to express their stress. (Shaonan)