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.
Cardcaptor Sakura x Cafe THE SUN (October 26 – January 3)
Cardcaptor Sakura Exhibition: Magical Art Museum is an ongoing event taking place at the Mori Arts Center Gallery on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. As part of the event, a cafe by the name of SAKURA Cafe & Parlor is serving food and drinks themed on the Cardcaptor Sakura series including the “Star Burger,” “Suppi’s Manpuku Curry” and more in addition to non alcoholic cocktails.
The BT21 café is based on the BT21 character brand, a collaboration between South Korean boy band BTS and LINE FRIENDS, and it’s back again in Tokyo and Osaka. The café is reservation-only. Customers who make a reservation can get their hands on a free clear file. The menu includes “RJ’s Coconut Red Curry,” “TATA’s Hot Sandwich” and more as well as a line-up of 8 drinks based on each member’s character.
*Those who reserve a place will receive one of eight possible clear files chosen randomly upon arrival.
*Those who purchase a drink will receive one of eight possible coasters chosen randomly.
Usamaru x BOX CAFE & SPACE (November 2 – January 27)
Three cafes based on the hugely popular LINE stamp character Usamaru are opening in Tokyo (Harajuku), Osaka (Umeda) and Aichi (Nagoya) for a limited time. The menu features a range of meals, desserts and beverages such as curry, shortcake and matcha latte.
Opening Hours: 11:00-21:00 (subject to changes on occasion)
Pikachu & Eevee x The Guest Café & Diner (October 27 – January 29)
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! You’ll struggle to choose which adorable item to go for on their menu, whether it’s the Pikachu and Eevee doria or Pikachu and Eevee iced latte. There’s plenty more to choose from too, so who will you pickーPikachu or Eevee?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar x J.S. PANCAKE CAFE (October 3 – January 31)
Japanese pancake shop J.S. PANCAKE CAFE are now collaborating with the internationally beloved picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle at 12 of its J.S.PANCAKE CAFE branches and 1 of its J.S. FOODIES branches. The cafés are running for four months from October to January next year during which they will serve sweet pancakes depicting the growth and tale of the caterpillar. This month, customers are enjoying fried apple pancakes which represent the caterpillar growing as he eats more fruits. It recreates the scene of him crawling out of the apple. The dish is also mixed with autumn-time ingredients like nuts and figs. Don’t miss this chance to crawl into the world of The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
Kirby Café x Tokyo Solamachi (Septeber 27 – February 17)
The new Kirby Café finally hit Tokyo Solamachi last month. The food menu includes the Kirby’s Inhaled Capresse which recreates Kirby’s ability to inhale anything, as well as Waddle Dee’s Afternoon Nap Omurice which features little Waddle Dee sleeping soundly under a blanket of omelette. There’s drinks and desserts too, so this is one for kids and adults to both enjoy.
◼︎Information Kirby Café Address: Solamachi 4F, Tokyo Sky Tree Town, 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida Ward, Tokyo
Running: September 27, 2018 – February 17, 2019Opening Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm (Last Orders 9:00pm)TEL: 03-3622-5577 (Accessible from the first day of opening)
Kirby Café Official Website: https://kirbycafe.jp/
Bookings are open from September 21, 2018 at 6:00pm (JST)
*Full details regarding booking can be found on the official website via the booking form button.
*Bookings are taken online only. Phone reservations not possible.
*Bookings are still required to access the merchandise area.
We hope you enjoyed the second part of this month’s collaborative cafes. Which will you be visiting?
Look forward to next month’s line-up!
RECOMMENDED ENTRIES
TV Anime Series ‘Star-Myu’ To Get Its Own Themed Cafés in Tokyo & Osaka
In the run up to the premiere of season three of the musical comedy anime series Star-Myu on October 5, two cafés based on the franchise will open in Tokyo (October 31-November 27) and Osaka (November 2-November 27) with the theme of a school festival.
Nayuki's Yakisoba Plate With Spicy Map Sauce - ¥1,180 (Pre-Tax)
The café menu will features 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.
You must book in advance to enter the café. Those who do book will receive one of five possible stickers selected randomly. Those who order from the themed menu will also receive one of twenty-five possible coasters also chosen randomly.
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)
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.