Atami Ginza Shopping District in Shizuoka's seaside city of Atami is enjoying a new boom of bustling customers this year, and they're sure to continue pouring in with the opening of its new seafood entertainment restaurant Atami Ginza Osakana Shokudo. The eatery opened its grand doors on August 8, offering fresh, flavourful seafood dishes. In the evenings, the restaurant turns into Osakana Sakaba where they serve gorgeous sake. Atami is home to many fishing harbours, including those in Ajiro, Izuyama, and Hatsushima. Atami's waters are a treasure trove of sea life, offering a bounty of seafood such as mackerel, salmon, shrimp, Splendid alfonsino, shellfish, and more. The restaurant uses a previously vacant building which has been renovated for the opening. Their menu concept is "Atami nostalgia" which will fuse together traditional Atami food with new spins. Food is prepared in an open kitchen in a variety of ways including sashimi, grilled, steamed, and so on.

Splendid Alfonsino Rice Bowl - ¥2,780 (Before Tax)

The absolute must-try on their menu is their Splendid alfonsino rice bowl. It's topped generously with huge cuts of horse mackerel, mackerel, and Splendid alfonsino, all caught fresh from neighbouring harbours. The restaurant also serves the ginormous Japanese spider crab which is a local speciality in the city of Izu. They are kept fresh in tanks in the restaurant. In the evening, when the restaurant turns into a bar, you can have this crab served however you like: as sashimi, grilled, or even steamed. As well as fresh seafood, they also serve vegetables and other meat, all sourced locally. Tofu, desserts and other food is too.   Japan is known for its exquisite seafood. If you're travelling to Shizuoka this summer, be sure you pay a visit to the new Atami Ginza Osakana Shokudo.

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 Pop Team Epic pop-up shop is set to take to make a return this month. It will open on the sixth floor of Shinjuku Marui Annex and run from August 23 to September 16.   Themed on the the popular manga and anime series, the pop-up shop first appeared in December 2016 and has since popped up many times around Japan over the years. Having been held in various places around Tokyo as well as Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Osaka, it is finally making its way to Shinjuku for the first time.   The shop's main visual was drawn by series creator Bkub Okawa. Its design will feature on many exclusive pieces of merchandise at the shop. Fans of the series have lots to look forward to at the shop, with plenty of cute and hilarious decorations of Popuko and Pipimi and plenty of photo opportunities. Those who spend over ¥3,000 (tax included) at the shop will even receive an original sticker. Only one will be given per person.   More details about the event can be found over at the official Twitter page.