Character cafés are a unique experience in Japan which sees a café collaborate with well-known anime series, game series and various franchises by decorating the café interior with designs and illustrations based on them and meals and drinks inspired by them.
Here’s a compilation of collaborative cafés you can look forward to in September 2018.
Howacolo Club x Hands Cafe (August 22 – September 17)
The hugely popular characters of Howacolo Club―a Japanese web comic―have are teaming up with five Hands Cafe branches around Japan until September 17. There are 5 different foods and drinks themed on the characters in Howacolo Club including the popular puppy Howacolo-chan. The cafe interior, too, has been be transformed into the world of Howacolo Club with illustrations, plushies and more. Enjoy a fun café time with your pals at Howacolo Club♡
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/122234
■Information
Howacolo Club x Hands Cafe
Running: August 22, 2018 – September 17, 2018 (*Shibuya branch opens on August 23)
Branch List
・Hands Cafe – Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
5F Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
・Hands Cafe – Shibuya
7F Tokyu Hands Shibuya, 12-18 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo
・Hands Cafe – Etomo Chuorinkan
2F Etomo, 4-6-3 Chuorinkan, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
・Hands Cafe – Umeda
10F Tokyu Hands Umeda, 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture
・Hands Cafe – Piole Akashi
1F Piole Akashi West Building, 1-1-23 Oakashicho, Akashi-shi, Hyogo Prefecture
Hands Cafe Official Website: https://www.handscafe.jp/
Howacolo Club Official Website: http://howacoloclub.com/
Cardcaptor Sakura x SAKURA Fantasy Cafe (July 12 – September 30)
The Sakura Fantasy Cafe is themed on the latest entry to the Cardcaptor series, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, with three branches that were opened in Tokyo (Harajuku), Osaka (Abeno) and Saitama (Koshigaya). The Saitama branch is the last branch open. It has a line-up of photogenic food as well as a photo spot and more, all with original illustrations drawn specially for this collaboration. There’s also a range of original Cardcaptor merchandise you can’t get anywhere else. The menu includes cheese toast, roast beef, smoothies, pancakes and more.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/116035
■Information
Sakura Fantasy Cafe
Tokyo: Harajuku Box Cafe&Space
Osaka: DELASOUL CHARBON
Saitama: Koshigaya Box Cafe&Space
Dates
Tokyo: July 12, 2018 – September 2, 2018
Osaka: July 27, 2018 – August 28, 2018
Saitama: September 6, 2018 – September 30, 2018
Opening Hours
Tokyo: 11:00am-9:40pm
Osaka: 11:00am-9:20pm
Saitama: 11:00am-8:00pm (Last Orders 7:00pm)
Entry
Online reservations must be made (¥600 + tax) to access the Tokyo and Osaka cafes. 80 minutes allowed.
Reservations not taken for Saitama cafe.
Reservation Bonuses
Free luncheon mat randomly selected from 3 designs.
Menu Order Bonus
Those who order from the themed menu will receive an original coaster randomly selected from 9 designs.
Official Website: https://sakura-fantsy-cafe.jp
Pompompurin x BOYS AND MEN (August 21 – September 30)
The Pompompurin Café in Nagoya themed on the popular character Pompompurin from the Sanrio franchise is teaming up Japanese variety show Boy Boy Mugendai by BOYS AND MEN until September 30. The collaboration is based on a skit by BOYS AND MEN titled Family (‘Usuika no Hitobito’), with food taking inspiration from the characters such as the Showa style noodle set pictured above that’s made in the image of the father’s wig from the Usui family and more.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/123124
■Information
Pompompurin Café Nagoya
Address: BECOME SAKAE 2F, 3-32-6 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya
Open: April 17, 2018
Opening Hours: 11:00-20:00 (Last Orders 19:30)
Access: 10-minutes on foot from Sakae Station via the Meijo Line
TEL: 052-249-8320
Pompompurin Café Official Website: http://pompom.createrestaurants.com/
©2018 “Boy Boy Mugendai” Production Team
©1996, 2018 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S591691
2PM Members x ZooPM (August 31 – October 8)
ZooPM Café, which was first opened in 2016 for a limited time, has gotten a revamp has reopened. Each dish on the menu is inspired by the ZooPM characters such as the Pan. K half-cooked pancakes, Pi Young cheese curry, emperor penguin and more, as well as a range of ZooPM drinks. You must book in advance and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis so if you’re interested be sure to get in there quick.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/123052
■Information
ZooPM Café
Tokyo
Location: SHIBUYA BOX CAFE & SPACE
Address: 2F Shibuya LOFT, 21-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo
Running: August 31, 2018 – October 8, 2018
Opening Hours: 10:20am-8:40pm
Osaka
Location: UMEDA BOX CAFE & SPACE
Address: 1F Umeda LOFT, 16-7 Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture
Running: August 31, 2018 – October 8, 2018
Opening Hours: 10:30am-8:50pm
Reservations: https://zoopmcafe.jp/
Grand Blue x 46 Shokudo (September 3 – October 8)
46 Shokudo has joined hands with popular anime series Grand Blue is teaming up with to open a collaborative café called Grand Blue Shokudo which is open until October 8. The theme of the café is ‘a house by the sea.’ The menu is packed with themed food and meals including Food Stall Snacks, Ramen, Nanaka & Chisa’s Sisterly Curry, Kebako’s Keba Keba Waffle, and more. Enjoy the last summer of Japan’s Heisei Period with the members of Grand Blue!
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/125006
■Information
Grand Blue Shokudo
Location: 46 Shokudo, 4F Narita Bldg., 1-29-4 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo
Running: September 3, 2018 – October 8, 2018
Opening Hours: 10:30am-9:30pm
Bookings:http://grandblue-shokudo.jp/
Booking Present: Original coaster (1 design)
Booking Fee: ¥300 (Pre-Tax)
Order Present: Customers who order a drink at the café will receive a coaster selected randomly from a possible 10 designs.
Natsume’s Book of Friends: Tied to the Temporal World x BOX CAFE&SPACE (September 14 – October 14)
To celebrate the release of the Natsume’s Book of Friends movie on September 29, two themed cafes will open in Tokyo and Saitama as well as a character café booth at the Kyoto International Manga & Anime Fair 2018. They will serve a variety of themed dishes tied to autumn as well as merchandise with an autumn-time theme. Those who book at the Tokyo café in advance will receive one of four randomly selected original stickers pictured above. The menu items will differ at all three cafés, so be sure to try them all!
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/125852
■Information
Café Dates
Tokyo: September 14, 2018 – October 14, 2018
Saitama: October 4, 2018 – October 28, 2018
Kyomaf: September 15, 2018 – September 16, 2018
Café Opening Hours
Tokyo: 11:00am-9:40pm
Saitama: 11:00am-8:00pm (Last Orders 7:00pm)
Kyomaf: 9:00am-5:00pm (until 4:00pm on September 16
Café Locations
Tokyo: Omotesando Box Cafe&Space
Saitama: BOX CAFE&SPACE
Kyomaf: Kyoto International Manga & Anime Fair (Kyomaf) 2018 Character Café Booth
*For access details check each café’s official website.
Entry
Tokyo: Booking costs ¥500 online. 80 minutes stay max.
Saitama/Kyomaf: No booking necessary.
Café Official Website: https://natsume-movie-cafe.jp
Natsume’s Book of Friends Movie Website: http://natsume-movie.com/
©Yuki Midorikawa・Hakusensha / Natsume’s Book of Friends Project
Fate/Grand Order x Sanrio (September 20 – October 28)
Sanrio are collaborating once more with the hugely popular online free-to-play RPG mobile game Fate/Grand Order―which is based on Type-Moon’s Fate/stay night franchise―to open three themed cafés. They will open in Tokyo and Osaka alongside Sendai for the first time with newly drawn Heroic Spirits. All the food, drinks and merchandise available at the cafés are inspired by the Servants of Fate/Grand Order who have been drawn with cute designs. Enjoy a Fate experience you can’t get anywhere else.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/123977
■Information
Fate/Grand Order Design produced by Sanrio Collab Café
Booking Price: ¥650 (Pre-Tax)
Tokyo Café
Address: B1F Fujiwara Bldg., 1-3-24 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo
Running: September 20, 2018 – October 28, 2018
Opening Hours: 10:00am-9:20pm
Osaka Café
Address: 2F/3F KUS Nipponbashi Bldg., 4-8-16 Nipponbashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Running: September 27, 2018 – October 30, 2018
Opening Hours: 10:00am-9:20pm
Miyagi Café
Address: 8F Sendai LOFT, 1-10-10 Chuo, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
Running: September 22, 2018 – October 21, 2018
Opening Hours: 10:20am-8:40pm
Bookings can be made via the official website below.
http://fgo-sanrio-cafe.jp/
The Pokémon Cafe x Limited Edition Autumn Menu (September 8 – October 31)
The Pokémon Cafe in Nihonbashi released a new menu for autumn which is being served until October 31. The cute menu is inspired by different Pokémon including Gastly’s Menchi Katsu Burger, Tangela’s Halloween Mont Blanc, Golbat’s Poisonous Float Drink and more. The cafe are serving their regular grand menu too, so whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular you’re sure to have a lot of fun!
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/126707
■Information
The Pokémon Cafe
Address: Nihonbashi Takashimaya SC East Bldg. 5F, 2-11-2 Nihonbashi, Chuo Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 10:30am-11:00pm
Seats: 140
Official Website: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/
© 2018 Pokémon. ©1995-2018 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
ポケットモンスター, ポケモン and Pokémon are registered trademarks of Nintendo Creatures, Inc.
Shouta Aoi × Little Twin Stars Café (September 12 – November 4)
The collaboration between Japanese voice actress Shouta Aoi and the Sanrio mascots Kiki and Lala, aka the Little Twin Stars, was so popular in Omotesando that they’ve teamed up once more to bring people the new Shouta Aoi×Little Twin Stars Café ~Halloween Party~ event. As well as serving the much praised collaborative themed food from last time, there will be a new range of Halloween themed food too, as well as merchandise, all with cute illustrations and designs for a fun Halloween. The cute line-up of Halloween merchandise features rare designs you won’t find anywhere else, so don’t miss out!
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/126272
■Information
Shouta Aoi×Little Twin Stars Café ~Halloween Party~
Dates
Tokyo: September 12, 2018 – October 14, 2018
Osaka: September 19, 2018 – November 4, 2018
Locations
Tokyo: 8F Yurakucho Marui, POP-UP-BOX
Osaka: 4F Hankyu Department Store Umeda
Opening Hours
Tokyo:
[Monday-Saturday] 11:00am-9:00pm (Last Orders 8:00pm)
[Sunday & Holidays] 10:30am-8:30pm (Last Orders 7:30pm)
Osaka:
[Monday-Thursday] 10:00am-8:00pm (Food Last Orders: 7:00pm / Drinks Last Orders 7:30pm)
[Friday & Saturday] 10:00am-9:00pm (Food Last Orders 8:00pm / Drinks Last Orders 8:30pm)
Official Website: https://shoutaaoi-littletwinstars-collab-cafe.jp
The Very Hungry Caterpillar x J.S. PANCAKE CAFE (September 12 – November 4 *depending on branch)
J.S. PANCAKE CAFE have joined hands with The Very Hungry Caterpillar to turn their cafés into the world of Eric Carle’s internationally beloved picture book. The four month duration the cafés will be open from September to December will reflect both the growth of the caterpillar as well as the story of the book. The first month, September, will represent the sun on the day that the caterpillar was born. In October, he will eat fruits and grow. In November he will enter his cocoon. Finally, in December, he will turn into a butterfly. All of this will be illustrated on the pancakes each month. Don’t miss out on this chance to fully immerse yourself in the world of The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/124618
■Information
J.S. PANCAKE CAFE x The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Starting: Mid-September 2018 (Subject to change)
Full branch list below.
J.S. PANCAKE CAFE
Shibuya Branch
Address: 2F, 1-20-17 Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3461-2177
Nakano Central Park Branch
Address: 1F Nakano Central Park East, 4-10-1 Nakano, Nakano Ward, Tokyo
TEL: 03-5345-7360
Lumine Tachikawa Branch
Address: 4F Lumine Tachikawa, 2-1-1 Akebonocho, Tachikawa, Tokyo
TEL: 042-528-4622
Machida MODI Branch
Address: 1F Machida MODI, 6-2-6 Haramachida, Machida, Tokyo
TEL: 042-812-2886
Terrace Mall Shonan Branch
Address: 2F Terrace Mall Shonan, 1-3-1 Tsujidokandai, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture
TEL: 0466-38-2147
MARK IS Minato Mirai Branch
Address: 1F MARK IS Minato Mirai, 3-5 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
TEL: 045-228-2105
LaLaport Fujimi Branch
Address: 2F LaLaport Fujimi, 1-1313 Yamamuro, Fujimi, Saitama Prefecture
TEL: 049-275-1360
KUZUHA MALL Branch
Address: Honkan Hanano Mall 1F Kuzuha Mall, 15-1 Kuzuhahanazonocho, Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture
TEL: 072-866-0400
Tennoji Mio Branch
Address: 2F Tennoji Mio Plaza Building, 10-48 Tennoji Hidenin, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
TEL: 06-6773-3016
Sapporo Stellar Place Branch
Address: 3F Sapporo Stellar Place East, 2 Chome Kita 5 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
TEL: 011-209-5121
Kanazawa Hyakubangai Rinto Branch
Address: 1F Kanazawa Hyakubangai Rinto, 1-1, Kinoshinbomachi, Ishikawa Prefecture
TEL: 076-222-2050
J.S. FOODIES
S-PAL Sendai Branch
Address: 3F S-PAL Sendai, 1 Chome Central 115-1, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
TEL: 022-791-3410
J.S. PANCAKE CAFE Official Website: http://pancake.journal-standard.jp
J.S. FOODIES Official Website: http://foodies.journal-standard.jp
Which of these cafés has piqued your interest the most? There’s a lot of great ones to choose from this month, so if you’re in Japan be sure to go to as many as you can!