A new 'concept' floor of the Sunshine City Prince Hotel called IKEPI 25 is set to open in April this year and for the hotel's first tie-up the floor is collaborating with the internationally popular mobile game Fate/Grand Order. IKEPI 25 is a new concept floor of the hotel that caters to fans of anime and manga. It's home to 4 shared communal spaces and 20 concept rooms all completely different from the main hotel. Fate/Grand Order is an online free-to-play RPG that boasts huge popularity not only in Japan but overseas too with its user base comprised mostly of male gamers. It's available for download in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, North America South Korea, Australia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. It has been downloaded over 3.4 million times worldwide. A new anime season for the game is scheduled to be released this year

Character cafés are an exciting experience in Japan which sees a café collaborate with well-known anime series, game series or other franchise by decorating the café interior with designs and illustrations based on them and meals and drinks inspired by them.   Before continuing this article be sure to check out our June 2019 list of character cafés as some of them are still running!    

Sanrio x Ichigo Shimbun Collaboration - Ichigo Shimbun Dinder (July 11-September 30)

Ichigo Shimbun is a monthly magazine published by Sanrio which includes information about the latest character merchandise and much more. Sanrio has opened a café themed on their magazine at EGG & SPUMA which located on the 8th floor of Shinjuku Lumine EST. "Vacation" is the theme of the café where Sanrio fans can enjoy a summery food menu. Enjoy a fun summer together with the Sanrio characters♡   Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/230790   ▼Ichigo Shimbun Diner Location: EGG & SPUMA, Shinjuku Lumine EST Floor 8F, 3-38-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo Running: July 11, 2019 – September 30, 2019 Business Hours: Weekdays 11:00-23:00 (Last Orders 22:00) / Weekends & Holidays 11:00-22:30 (Last Orders 21:30) TEL: 03-6273-0255 Website: http://salt-group.jp/shop/egg-spuma/  

AAA CITY SUMMER PARTY - AAA Cafés in Tokyo & Osaka (July 19-September 1)

AAA's collaborative café is themed on midsummer city pop. Their seasonal menu features drinks, desserts and more inspired by each respective colour of the group members. If you dine at the café you'll get yourself a special lunch mat, and if you order a drink, you'll get an original drink coaster. There's plenty of other exclusive AAA café merchandise too, so if you're a fan of the pop group then this is one you won't want to miss out on this summer!   ▼AAA CITY SUMMER PARTYRunning Omotesando (Tokyo): July 19, 2019 - September 1, 2019 Shinsaibashi (Osaka): July 19, 2019 - September 1, 2019   Location Tokyo: OMOTESANDO BOX CAFE&SPACE (Pine Under Flat B1F, 5-13-2 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo) Osaka: Shinsaibashi contact (1-6-24 Kita-Horie, Nishi Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture)   Reservations ・Table reservations for August 1 to September 1 opened on July 12 at 18:00 (JST) ・Reservation Price: ¥650 (Before Tax) *Comes with bonus merchandise AAA CITY SUMMER PARTY Official Website: https://aaa-cafe-2019.jp AAA Official Website: https://avex.jp/aaa/  

Bonobono & Pompompurin's First Ever Café Collaboration (July 11-September 1)

The Harajuku, Umeda and Yokohama branches of the Pompompurin Café have teamed up with the beloved anime character Bonobono to release four menu items themed on playing together at the beach.   Both Bonobono and Pompompurin fans alike won't be able to resist the cute and delicious dishes being served at the cafes this summer.   Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/231395   ▼Pompompurin Café Harajuku Address: CUTE CUBE HARAJUKU 3F, 1-7-1 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo Opening Hours: 11:00-21:00 (Food Last Orders 20:00 / Drinks Last Orders 20:30) Pompompurin Café Umeda Address: Hankyu Sanbangai South Wing B2F, 1-1-3 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00-22:00 (Last Orders 21:30) / Weekends & Holidays 10:00-22:00 (Last Orders 21:30) Pompompurin Café Yokohama Address: Yokohama Sotetsu Square, 2-1-5 Minamisaiwai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00 (Last Orders 20:30)   Bonobono Official Website: http://www.bonoanime.jp/ Pompompurin Café Official Website: http://pompom.createrestaurants.com©Mikio Igarashi /Takeshobo, Fuji TV, Eiken © 1996, 2019 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S601363  

Astronaut Snoopy Soars Up Tokyo Skytree (July 18-October 14)

Tokyo Skytree is now holding the FIRST BEAGLE IN SKYTREE® event in collaboration with the astronaut version of Snoopy which appeared in the original comic 50 years ago.   Every astronaut needs a good meal to keep them going. Head to the SKYTREE CAFE on the Tembo Deck on floor 340F and enjoy a selection of themed desserts, drinks and more. Astronaut Snoopy decorations line the cafe where you can get limited-edition novelties too. Soar into and learn all about space this summer with your pal Snoopy♡   Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/232293   ▼FIRST BEAGLE IN SKYTREE® Running: July 18, 2019 – October 14, 2019 Location: Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria *A separate fee must be paid to to enter the Tokyo Skytree Tembo Galleria Tokyo Skytree Official Website: http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/ Snoopy Japan Website: http://www.snoopy.co.jp/©2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC©TOKYO-SKYTREE  

Gaspard & Lisa x Afternoon Tea TEAROOM (July 25-August 28)

The Koshigaya Laketown kaze, LaLaport Yokohama, Terrace Mall Shonan, and Nagoya LACHIC branches of the Afternoon Tea TEAROOM have joined hands with the French picture book series Gaspard and Lisa to celebrate its 20th anniversary.   The tea shops have been decorated with a special Gaspard and Lisa theme. There are photo spots at each cafe, and in the Nagoya LACHIC branch there is even a book corner with 20 books from the series. This is the perfect place to enjoy a special summer meal with your family, so don't miss out!   Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/233786   ▼Lisa and Gaspard Collaboration Running: July 25, 2019 - August 28, 2019 Afternoon Tea Official Website: https://www.afternoon-tea.net/ Lisa and Gaspard Official Website: http://www.lisagas.jp/©2019 Anne Gutman & Georg Hallensleben / Hachette Livre  

Koupen-chan Café in Shinjuku & Shinsaibashi (August 8-September 23)

The baby emperor penguin Koupen-chan, who is often the go-to sticker for many Twitter and LINE users in Japan, is illustrated by the well-known RURUTEA. Many of these social media users turn to the relaxing, soft and cuddly penguin to send soothing words of encouragement and a fuzzy hug to their loved ones. No wonder our adorable penguin has over 300,000 followers on Twitter.   The café returns from 2017 with a refreshed image which plunges deeper into the depths of Koupen chan’s affectionate world. There are even more features packed into this year’s collaboration menu. No matter what you order, your table will be overflowing with adorable penguin love.   Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/241560   ▼Koupen-chan Café 2019 SummerTokyo Cafe Location: SHIBUYA BOX CAFE＆SPACE (Shibuya LOFT Floor 2F, 21-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo) Running: August 8, 2019 - September 23, 2019   Osaka Café Location: Shinsaibashi contact (1-6-24 Kita-Horie, Nishi Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture) Running: September 5, 2019 - October 6, 2019   Reservation Price: ¥500 (includes a complementary souvenir for making the reservation) *A limit of 4 seats can be reserved through 1 reservation. Official Website: https://koupenchan-cafe2019.jp/©RURUTEA   Did you enjoy this list? Be sure to visit a character café while in Japan this summer.

The Pokémon Cafe in Nihonbashi is introducing a new Snorlax plate―inspired by the huge Snorlax that is sitting outside Pokémon Center Tokyo DX―and Poké Ball dessert bowl to its menu on August 10. These will be served with certain dishes in the cafe and can also be bought as merchandise there too so you can use them at home.

Snorlax's Stomach-Filling Afternoon Nap Lunch Plate - ¥1,922 (Tax Included)

If you want a satisfied belly like Snorlax then you'll want to order the hearty lunch plate. And after that you can take a nice afternoon nap. Just make sure not to block any routes or anything!

I Choose You!! Poké Ball Dessert Bowl - ¥1,706 (Tax Included)

What does it look like inside the Poké Ball? It's being kept a secret by the Pokémon Cafe so you can only know if you visit! What kind of Pokémon could be sleeping inside...? Ingredients: Berry flavoured jelly, strawberry spongecake, strawberries, wafers, whipped cream, crepe, mint

Pokémon Café Snorlax Plate - ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

Pokémon Café Poké Ball Donburi Bowl - ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

If you want your own Snorlax plate or Poké Ball bowl then keep in mind that supplies at the cafe are limited. And don't forget that you must make a reservation at the cafe if you want to dine there.   © 2019 Pokémon.©1995-2019 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.Pokémon, ポケットモンスター and ポケモン are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK inc.