A new cafe called Hinichijou opened on Dec 3 at the HKRI Taikoo Hui shopping center in Shanghai — offering an extraordinary sensory experience that involves customers stepping into complete darkness.

The innovative concept aims to help patrons understand the world of visually impaired people, as the cafe is run by six blind baristas who guide visitors through their coffee journey.

Located on the second floor of the shopping center, the cafe's entrance is cleverly concealed behind a solid black wall, marked only by a small illuminated "give & take" sign.

Customers must press the sign to open a door next to it and enter the completely dark environment.

Inside, they are greeted by sounds such as flowing water, crackling fire and raindrops, creating an atmosphere that enhances their other senses.

Visitors begin their experience in a light buffer zone where they are instructed to store their phones and are given white canes to assist with navigation. The blind baristas then take on the role of guides, leading customers step by step into the darkness.

"Without their guidance, every action inside would be quite challenging," remarked one customer after experiencing the cafe. Many expressed deep emotions after gaining a better understanding of the struggles faced by visually impaired individuals.

The cafe operates on an appointment basis, with each session lasting about 15 minutes and accommodating two to eight guests every half an hour.

The menu features a special package that includes two cups of signature coffee and a dessert for 99 yuan ($13.60). This offering will be updated monthly based on customer feedback.

The team behind Hinichijou consists of skilled baristas who have previously worked together in similar settings.

They spent four months preparing for the cafe launch, ensuring that every detail was carefully planned. One of the baristas, Chen Siying, 36, who has been blind for nearly 20 years, expertly navigates the space using sound cues to guide customers safely to their seats.

Hinichijou not only aims to provide an engaging experience, but also seeks to foster understanding and respect between people with disabilities and those without.

The cafe's founder, known as Tiantian, emphasized that their mission extends beyond profit; they aspire to create job opportunities for more disabled individuals as the business grows.

In collaboration with various organizations — including the Shanghai Disabled Persons' Federation — Hinichijou plans to establish a training base for visually impaired baristas.

This initiative aims to provide vocational training and entrepreneurial support for disabled individuals, helping them integrate into society and promoting awareness among the public about disability issues.

Source: Official WeChat account of Jing'an District Media Center at "jaxwzx"