Cafe says it'll only hire women who don't wear makeup or smoke

Japan is known for its wacky cafe themes, and it's latest? A "makeup free" zone.

The cafe, aptly named Naturalia, says it'll only hire women who don't wear any makeup.

Cafe staff say in a YouTube video promoting its concept, that the owners came up with the concept after they were unable to find a cafe in their city where the staff looked "plain and ordinary" -- so they decided to create one themselves.

The owners are about to launch a second branch in Tokyo, after their original cafe in Sapporo, Hokaido, took off. The Sapporo cafe was opened in 2015.

Staff at the cafe, who are paid a starting rate of up to $12 per hour, also can't have "excessively dyed hair or garish manicures" in addition to having no makeup.

The company website adds that it won't hire women who smoke, or have previously worked in night-time work establishments such as nightclubs or cabarets.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Naturalia initially held a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for its Shibuya, Tokyo branch. It drew contributions of $8,500 -- 191 percent over its goal.

It's worth noting that the Shibuya district is home to the popular Harajuku area.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ayano Sato/Epa/REX/Shutterstock (7941601k) Young Women Pose For Photographs in Harajuku Fashion District During the Mercedes-benz Fashion Week in Tokyo Japan 15 October 2015 the Presentation of the Spring/summer 2016 Collections Runs From 12 to 17 October Japan Tokyo Japan Tokyo Fashion Week - Oct 2015 Credit: Ayano Sato/Epa/REX/Shutterstock

Harajuku has become synonymous with eccentric street fashion, with women often seen dressing up and decked out in heavy makeup and elaborate clothing.

[H/T RocketNews24]