Japan’s new naked restaurant to turn away anyone 'overweight, elderly or tattooed' people

Japan's first "naked restaurant" will be far less inclusive than its London counterpart when it opens its doors next month, as it is imposing strict weight and age limits on its prospective patrons.


The Amrita, which is a  Sanskrit word for immortality, is due to open in Tokyo on July 29, but has listed a number of regulations on its web site that fly in the face of the ethos of other naked restaurants, whose founders say the entire concept is for people of all shapes and sizes to eat out nude.

"We ask anyone more than 15 kg [33 lbs] above the average weight for their height to refrain from making a reservation", the rules for the Japanese restaurant state.

The management reserves the right to fetch a pair of scales for anyone they believe is a borderline case and eject the overweight. Ouch!

And with reservations and payment made in advance, violators of the weight rules will not be entitled to a refund, the website states.

The traditional diet of Japanese people - high in vegetables, rice and seafood - means the nation has been one of the most healthy, long-lived and slender, although a more recent shift away from those staples means obesity is a growing problem here. The ideal for women, however, remains slim.

Tattoos are also a no-no, the rules state, an echo of Japanese society's association of skin art with its "yakuza" underworld groups.

Guests are also asked not to "cause a nuisance" to other guests by touching other diners or making uninvited small-talk.

Diners will be required to lock their cameras and mobile phones, in a box on their table. This is understandable

The restaurant which also describes itself as "naked" is insisting on paper underwear for diners.

The restaurant has clearly stimulated the interest of Tokyo's diners, however, with tickets - ranging from GBP91 (N45,000) to GBP182  (N180,000).