Character cafés are an exciting 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.
These cafés attract public attention every month. There are many collaborations happening this month, so we have split the list into two parts. Here’s part one!
Due to an enthusiastic reception, the popular cafe themed on the anime series Cells at Work! has made a return and is now open at 46 Shokudo in Ikebukuro, Tokyo for a limited time. All the food, drinks and desserts on the menu are autumn themed and take inspiration from the characters in the series including the Killer T Cell Squid Ink Fried Rice and White Blood Cell Cheese Risotto. There’s a whole range of exclusive limited edition merch to get your hands on too, so don’t miss out!
Two cafés inspired by the hugely popular school music anime series Star-Myu are heading to Tokyo and Osaka on October 31 and November 2 respectively. The café menus feature dishes inspired by the characters from the show. You can even order the legendary yakisoba nisuto from the series. There’s merchandise to get your hands on too, and the café interior will be decked out with school festival decorations to you can feel part of the festive fun. The café is reservations only, so book your table ASAP!
◼︎Information
Tokyo Café
Location: Fujiwara Bldg. B1F, 1-3-24 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo
Gudetama and Pompompurin are two popular characters from Sanrio who have joined hands at the Pompompurin Cafe in Yokohama. Four cute menu items are available to choose from, all celebrating the 5th anniversary of Gudetama, the theme of which is space.
◼︎Information
Pompompurin Café – Yokohama Store
Address: Yokohama Sotetsu Square, 2-1-5 Nanko, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00 (Last Orders 20:30)
Access: 5 minutes on foot from the west exit/entrance of JR “Yokohama Station”
The Gudetama Cafe in Osaka, located in the HEP FIVE shopping center just a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Umeda Station, has teamed up with the Sanrio character Badtz-Maru in a new collaborative menu. There are 4 cute dishes to choose from as well as novelties with original designs.
◼︎Information
Gudetama Cafe HEP FIVE
Running: October 1, 2018 – November 30, 2018
Address: HEP FIVE 7F, 5-15 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture
Two cafés based on the popular TV anime series Nintama Rantaro are opening in Osaka and Tokyo for a limited time. The Osaka café will open at ‘contact’ in Shinsaibashi from October 12 and the Tokyo café will open at ‘Omotesando Box Cafe&Space’ from October 25. The menu includes udon, hitsumabushi, hamburgers, parfaits, a matcha latte and more, all themed on the characters Rintaro, Kirimaru and Shinbei from the show who are told that to become fully-fledged ninja they must be able to cook.
◼︎Information
Nintama Rantaro Chaya
Tokyo Café
Location: Omotesando Box Cafe&Space
Address: B1F Pine Under Flat, 5-13-2 Jingumae Shibuya, Tokyo
The adorable Kapibara-san is joining paws with five Hands Cafe branches in Japan from November 5 to December 25. The key visual for the cafes takes on a Japanese-style design. Six different dishes will be sold including the Kapibara-san’s Tsurun Udon Gozen and the Kapibara-san Dorayaki Set. You can enjoy the Christmas season at the café too with two Christmas items available from November 26 – making for a total of 8 items to choose from.
■Information
Kapibara-san x Hands Cafe
Running: November 5, 2018 – December 25, 2018
*Select menu items available from November 26
Participating Cafe List
Hands Cafe Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku (Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku 5F, 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo)
That does it for part one, stay tuned for the second half! Satisfy your autumn appetite this season in Japan by visiting all the different kinds of collaborative cafés.
RECOMMENDED ENTRIES
@home cafe Maid Cafe to Collaborate With Cinnamoroll
Akihabara's famous maid cafe '@home cafe' is collaborating with Sanrio's popular character Cinnamoroll from November 2 with a range of cute and original dishes and merchandise.
The maids at @home are no strangers to joining hands with the cast at Sanrio. They teamed up with Hello Kitty in 2015, Gudetama in 2017 and My Melody in 2018.
A special illustration has been drawn for this collaborative cafe featuring Cinnamoroll and two new maids, Mocha and Chiffon, who are also part of the Cinnamoroll universe. We get to see Cinnamon in a different light with pink as the main colour. This will be seen in the cafe decor, menu and merchandise, all which has been laced with a touch of moe, a characteristic synonymous with maid cafes.
Maid Ja Naimon! Cinnamon's Fuwa Fuwa Sandwich: ¥1,300
Original Menu: Desserts
Cinnamon's Moe Moe Parfait: ¥1,000
Flying in the Sky With Moe Power♡Home-Welcoming à la mode: ¥1,100
Customers arriving at the cafe will receive one of two of the above lunch mats for free. One of three original coasters will also be chosen randomly for customers who order a drink.
Become a goushujin-sama or ojou-sama and enjoy a maid cafe experience at @home, Cinnamoroll style!
Information
@home Cafe
Address: @home Cafe Floor 4, 1-11-4 Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Running: November 2, 2018 – December 27, 2018
Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00-22:00 / Weekends 10:00-22:00 (Last Orders 21:20)
TEL: 03-5207-9779
No Fixed Holidays.
*Changes may be made to opening hours to be sure to check the cafe’s official homepage.
The adorable Kapibara-san is joining paws with five Hands Cafe branches in Japan from November 5 to December 25.
This is in fact Hands Cafe's 4th collaboration with Kapibara-san. The key visual for the cafes takes on a Japanese-style design. Six different dishes will be sold.
Kapibara-san's Tsurun Udon Gozen: ¥1,320 (Tax Included) *Not sold at Shibuya branch
This meal includes a cute fried Kapibara-san atop a bed of sanuki udon noodles. It also comes with inari sushi to emphasise that Japanese feel.
White-san's Lovely Steak Gozen: ¥1,390 (Tax Included) *Not sold at Shibuya branch
This dish includes a chicken steak drizzled in Japanese-style sauce and is served with green salad and rice made into the shape of White-san, a friend of Kapibara-san.
Kapibara-san Dorayaki Set (Tax Included): ¥1,160
For dessert, tuck into a Kapibara-san dorayaki red-bean pancake and cream rice flour dumplings and wafer cake. There are three original wafer cake designs to enjoy which are chosen randomly, so look forward to seeing which you get!
The following two Christmas items will also be available from November 26 making for a total of 8 items to choose from.
Kapibara-san & Kokapi's Nosu Nosu Christmas Tree: ¥1,380 (Tax Included) *Available from November 26
The cute baby capybara Kopapi is riding on Kapibara-san's head in this dessert. They are both thick-friend pancakes. Next to them is a strawberry cream puff tower and matcha powder tree.
Kapibara-san's Christmas Houjicha Latte: ¥800 (Tax Included) *Available from November 26
Warm yourself up with this hot houjicha lattte topped with a Kapibara-san marshmallow. The whipped cream Christmas tree is sure to make you feel cosy too.
There's even five pieces of limited edition merchandise to get your hands on too, all with Japanese-style designs including a mug, pin badges and more.
OTONA Kapibara-san Mamezara
Finally, as a gift to customers, if you order one item from the menu you'll receive an original coaster, and if you order two an original mamezara, a tiny Japanese plate. These will change to Christmas designs from November 26.
Enjoy a fun and cute Japanese-style Christmas with Kapibara-san and his friends.
Information
Kapibara-san x Hands Cafe
Running: November 5, 2018 – December 25, 2018
*Select menu items available from November 26
Participating Cafe List
Hands Cafe Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku (Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku 5F, 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo)
PARCO are opening five Pokémon themed cafés from October 27 at five The Guest Café & Diner branches across Japan in collaboration with the upcoming Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! games set to release worldwide on the Nintendo Switch on November 16, 2018.
Pikachu Doria / Eevee Doria: ¥1,290 Each
These two cute Pikachu and Eevee dishes are designed to look like Poké Balls. Mix the two sauces to create a doria! Who will you pick as your Pokémon partner?
Dragonite's Hyper Beam Ramen: ¥1,390
This satisfying salt ramen bowl is topped with shrimp fritters. Mix with your TM Hyper Beam themed condiments for maximum deliciousness.
Pewter City Gym Beef Stew w/ Boulder Badge Sticker: ¥1,690
The ingredients on this plate of beef stew recreate Brock's rocky gym in Pewter City.
Pikachu Pudding / Eevee Pudding: ¥1,390 Each
Pikachu and Eevee are all dressed up for these two puddings: Pikachu has a smart bow-tie on while Eevee is looking cute with flowery hair decorations. Both come coupled with a selection of fruits. It's too hard to pick...
Sleeping Snorlax's Glass Parfait: ¥1,290
This parfait is made with ice cream, mousse and mango purin. You'd better eat it quick before Snorlax wakes up!
Pikachu Iced Latte / Eevee Iced Latte: ¥890 Each
Check out those hairstyles! What's the occasion...?
Customers will be gifted a paper luncheon mat of the Kanto region with original artwork when they arrive at the café. There will be a merchandise shop too decked out with acrylic key rings, pin badges, smartphone cases and more - also all with original artwork.
Information
Let’s Go! Pikachu & Eevee Café produced by THE GUEST cafe & diner
Sapporo PARCO (Floor 4F)
Running: October 27, 2018 – December 25, 2018
Opening Hours:
Weekdays 10:00-20:00 (Food Last Orders 19:00 / Drinks Last Orders 19:30)
Weekends (Food Last Orders 19:30 / Drinks Last Orders 20:00)
*Closed 18:00 on December 25 (Food Last Orders 17:00 / Drinks Last Orders 17:30)
Fukuoka PARCO (Floor 5F)
Running: November 2, 2018 – December 17, 2018
Opening Hours: 10:00-20:30 (Food Last Orders 19:30 / Drinks Last Orders 20:00)
Ikebukuro PARCO (Floor 7F)
Running: November 9, 2018 – January 7, 2019
Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00 (Food Last Orders 21:00 / Drinks Last Orders 21:30)
Shinsaibashi 161, Osaka (Floor 2F)
Running: November 16, 2018 – January 29, 2019
Opening Hours: 11:00-21:00 (Food Last Orders 20:00 / Drinks Last Orders 20:30)
Nagoya PARCO West Building (Floor 8F)
Running: November 16, 2018 – January 14, 2019
Opening Hours:
[Cafe] 10:00-21:30 (Food Last Orders 20:30 / Drinks Last Orders 21:00)
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Rilakkuma and his adorable friends, the Rilakkuma 20th Anniversary Cafe will open in Omotesando, Tokyo from March 9 until April 16, 2023. You’ll want to come and spend a peaceful time looking back at two decades of everyone’s favorite lazy bear!
The menu features colorful and festive dishes inspired by Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, Kiiroitori, and Chairoikoguma. The characters express their thanks for 20 successful years, and fans can enjoy floats topped with Rilakkuma and friends wearing ribbons and topped with ice cream, a jelly soda inspired by Chairoikoguma and his friends in the honey forest, and a hot drink inspired by Rilakkuma's favorite pudding.
Menu
Rilakkuma’s Honey Mustard Hamburger
コリラックマのクリームパスタ
Korilakkuma’s Cream Pasta
Kiiroitori’s Egg Burger
Chairoikoguma’s Cheese Curry
Rilakkuma and Friend’s Celebratory Cake
Congratulatory Flower Parfait
You Can Choose♪ Rilakkuma and Friends Mini Ice Cream
You Can Choose♪ Rilakkuma and Friends Floats
Honey Forest Jelly Soda
Relaxing Pudding Drink
Take-Out Drink Bottle
Original Merch
Acrylic Clip (7 varieties, random)
Acrylic Keychain (5 varieties, random)
Mini-Bottle / Muddler with Charm (4 varieties)
Lunch Tote / Drawstring Bag
Acrylic Stand with Clip / Cork Coaster
Stuffed Animal
In addition, the cafe will offer original goods, special offers, and a Twitter campaign to celebrate Rilakkuma's 20th anniversary.
Come enjoy the elaborate original menu and goods while sharing memories at this limited time themed cafe!
RILAKKUMA 20th Anniversary Cafe
Venue: BOX cafe&space Omotesando
Running: March 9 – April 16, 2023
Address: Pine Under Flat B1F (5-13-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Reservation Fee: ¥715 (Tax included) *Reservations include bonuses.
*Reservations can be made for up to four guests per application.
To celebrate the return of Urusei Yatsura after 36 long years, a themed cafe will be coming to four cities in Japan for a limited time! The first cafe will open on December 1, 2022. Urusei Yatsura is a manga series by Rumiko Takahashi that ran in Weekly Shonen Sunday from 1978 until 1987. An anime series aired in 1981 and became a massive hit with audiences, and understandably, it is still loved by anime and manga fans today.The cafe features newly-drawn illustrations of six main characters including Ataru Moroboshi, Lum, and Ten.
Menu
[Ataru Moroboshi] Don't Look This Way, Don't Look That Way Set
The cafe’s menu features a variety of items inspired by characters from the series, including a hilarious pancake that recreates the scene in which Lum throws electricity at Ataru. Be sure to take a photo before you dig in!
Lum & Ten-chan Life-size Figure
Cafe Bonus for Guests with Advance Tickets: Original A4-size Clear File (7 varieties, Random)
Drink Purchase Bonus: Original Coaster (6 varieties, Random)
Life-size figures of Lum and Ten-chan will also be on display and guests are invited to take photos with them.
Come enjoy the world of Urusei Yatsura while you can!
■Harajuku, Tokyo: BOX cafe&space, Harajuku Alta / December 8, 2022 – February 5, 2023 Harajuku Alta 3F (1-16-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) ■Abeno, Osaka: Abeno contact / February 9 – March 12, 2023 Abeno Q’s Mall 4F (1-6-1 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka)
■Nagoya, Aichi: BOX cafe&space, Nagoya LACHIC / March 16 – April 9. 2023 LACHIC B1F (3-6-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya) ■Sendai, Miyagi: BALLER:S AEON Mall Shin-Rifu South Building / June 1 – June 25, 2023 AEON Mall Shin-Rifu South Building 2F (3-1-1 Shinnakamichi, Rifu, Miyagi)
The Kirby Cafe has announced a warm and tasty new winter menu! New items will be available from November 17, 2022 until February 28, 2023, and are sure to warm up fans of the beloved video game series.
Menu
Winter Kirby Burger & Pasta with Powdered Snow Cheese (30th Anniversary Version)
Winter Waddle Dee Burger & Pasta with Powdered Snow Cheese
Waddle Dee's Dreamy White Stew
Chef Kawasaki's Winter Hors d'oeuvres with Roast Beef
Available: November 17, 2022 – February 28, 2023 Venues: Kirby Cafe TOKYO, Kirby Cafe HAKATA, Kirby Cafe NAGOYA *The Nagoya location’s winter menu will be available until February 5, 2022. Kirby Café THE STORE: https://kirbycafe.jp/thestore/
The second Tabekko Doubutsu Cafe Stand event opened in Omotesando on November 1, 2022. Paying homage to the classic snack first released in 1978, the cafe features a number of tasty snacks inspired by the thin animal-shaped cookies popular around the world.This second event will run through January 9, 2023. Reservations are required, and many dates were completely sold out prior to the event’s start date, particularly on weekends. We decided to visit, anxious to see what the fuss is all about.We were first shocked to see the popular animals enjoying oden! Original goods featuring the characters enjoying the quintessential Japanese winter dish are only available at the cafe. From acrylic keychains to figures, visitors can snag some adorable merchandise to commemorate their trip to the exclusive event. Why not snag some items that would be useful on a daily basis, like a notebook or an apron?For food, visitors can snag a special Oden Set and Chinese Dumplings, both perfect for the winter. The oden features popular ingredients like egg, daikon, fish cake, and mochikinchaku, each branded with the popular animal characters. Drinks include soy milk, green tea milk, and milk tea. In addition to the exclusive Lion Cake which is limited to 25 servings a day, guests can find chocolate bananas and other sweets on the menu, including a Sweets Set limited to those reserving special seats at the venue. For every ¥1,000 spent on food and drink items, customers will receive one Tabekko Doubutsu trading card!The exhibition space is a must-see for fans of this legendary snack, filled with rare works including an adorable and very colorful print of every animal holding a bowl of oden. Of course, a photo spot has been set up for visitors to take some prime shots for social media!Don’t miss the animal meet and greet, which is making its triumphant return from the last event! Visitors can interact with different animals on different days, so check the official Twitter page (@tabekko_cafe) for the schedule and more information! The number of visitors per day is limited, so make a reservation as early as you can.Come enjoy these heartwarming treats while you have the opportunity!
Information
Tabekko Doubutsu Cafe Stand Omotesando
Running: November 1, 2022 – January 9, 2023 *Reservation required Closed: December 28, 2022 – January 3, 2023 Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 Address: SPAGHETTI Cultural Space 1F 5-3-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Closest Station: Omotesando Reservations: https://t.livepocket.jp/p/tabekko_omotesando Official Twitter: @tabekko_cafe https://twitter.com/tabekko_cafe *Please see the official Twitter page for the latest information!
Anime Series ‘King of Prism All Stars’ Announces Second Collaboration with Restaurant DISH UP
DISH UP, a collaboration restaurant located on the 8th floor of Shinjuku Marui Annex, started its second collab with the popular anime series King of Prism All Stars -Prism Show ☆ Best Ten- on November 1, 2022.
Menu
Welcome PlateMain DishesTaiga Kougami: Steamed Apples and Japanese Yellow SauceKakeru Juuouin: Nice-style Salad with Mango DressingAlexander Yamato: Homemade Vegetable CurryKazuki Nishina: Gratin with GenoveseDessert PlateStrawberry Shortcake / Muscat Mousse / Sachertorte / Basque Cheesecake / Fruit TartMenu Order Bonus: 1 Waterproof Placemat (4 varieties)Drinks
Shin Ichijo: Rising Sunshine (Cranberry Juice)
Yukinojo Tachibana: Yumemikokochi Koijigoku (Cassis Soda *Non-alcoholic)
Minato Takahashi: Kimagure Caramelize (Dry Ginger Ale and Blue Syrup)
Leo Saionji: Momoiro Kukukuru Lollipop (Peach Soda)
Yu Suzuno: Jewel Spin Zeus (Orange Juice and Grape Juice)
Louis Kisaragi: Aurora Rising (Peach Juice and White Water)
Kouji Mihama: Jewel Spin Cross (Grape Juice)
Hiro Hayami: Starlight Express (Orange Juice and Blue Syrup)
Joji Takadanobaba: Never Ending Love Shower (Pineapple Juice)
*Guests may not only order a single drink. *These drinks are non-alcoholic.*The above images are samples only. The actual beverages may differ.Drink Order Bonus: 1 Special Card (9 varieties)Afternoon Set
Notice: Please refrain from taking photos of the original reproductions and posting them on social media. These items are only displayed in the VIP room.
*Feel free to take photos of the restaurant and dishes to post on social media.
13th BT21 Cafe to Open in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, and Sapporo
The 13th iteration of the BT21 Cafe will open at six venues in five cities around Japan. Fans in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, and Sapporo will want to visit this exclusive event titled ~MAGICAL TIME~. The first cafe opens in Shibuya on November 3. In celebration of BT21’s 5th anniversary, this special cafe is filled with joy and excitement and aims to give fans the best possible experience.