[SEPTEMBER 2023 UPDATE] We have rewritten most of this blog to reflect the current situation. Many cafes have closed or moved during the pandemic, and some new ones have opened. We present you with a new and improved list of themed cafes to visit in Japan. And watch out... it's not 7 coffees anymore, it's a full guide to character cafes, themed restaurants and bakeries in Japan!
It seems like every other month, there are fun and exciting new concept cafes opening up in Japan! From your favorite kawaii characters like Pikachu and Hello Kitty to shows such as Grand Blue and Psycho-Pass, these cafes offer a unique experience for anime fans and non-fans alike. Many of these cafes, though, are pop-ups and operate only for a month or two, so it is easy to miss out if you are not already in Japan. No worries, though, because we are pleased to bring you a list of permanent character cafes, we’d recommend for your next visit to Japan!
1. Pokemon Cafe (Tokyo/Osaka) and Pikachu Sweets (Tokyo)
Japan’s first permanent Pokemon-themed cafe opened in 2018 to great fanfare, and we can see why. It’s an incredibly classy cafe with just the right amount of Pokemon-inspired decor to delight fans and also serves up some incredibly kawaii dishes. The cafe’s take on a carbonara is shaped like Pikachu’s butt, and they have a delicious cheesecake shaped like Jigglypuff. We’re also delighted that the cafe offers more than just the typical popular Pokemon, so you can also pick up a Gengar smoothie if that’s more your style! For your friends back home, they offer some take-out options, like uncooked Pokemon pasta and Pikachu cookies.
A second Pokemon Cafe opened in Osaka in September 2019. Shortly after, in December 2019, the first Pikachu Sweets store opened in Tokyo. Pikachu Sweets only sells Pokemon-style candy and drinks, so head to the Pokemon Café if you're hungry.
Tips: Pokemon Cafes require reservations, which are made available 31 days beforehand at 6PM Japan time. You can make your reservation here 31 days before your scheduled visit. Weekends fill up first, and lunchtimes tend to fill up before dinners.
Directions - Pokemon Cafe Tokyo
Directions- Pokemon Cafe Osaka
Directions- Pokemon Sweets (Tokyo)
Buy Pokemon Merchandise
2. PEANUTS Cafe, Diner, and Snoopy Chaya (Tokyo)
If you’re looking for a themed cafe that doesn’t overwhelm you, the PEANUTS Cafe is perfect. At first glance, it is just like any ordinary cafe, but once you step inside, you start to see little signs of the theme. There are Snoopy plushies on the wall, the hanging lights are decorated with Peanuts postcards and comics, and there is a store selling memorabilia. All the food is also served on Peanuts-themed tableware! Take a break from exploring the hip Naka-Meguro neighborhood with some delicious hot chocolate, and don’t forget to grab a t-shirt from the store!
There are currently three types of Peanuts restaurants. First, there are the Cafes, which have pasta, pizza, and drinks. Today there are many Peanuts Cafes in Japan: three in Tokyo, one in Osaka, one in Kobe, and one in Nagoya. Each one has a slightly different menu. There's also the Peanuts Diner, which is a bit fancier. The Peanuts Diner is only in Yokohama.
And finally, there is the Snoopy Cha-ya. You may be thinking: What is a chaya? Cha-ya (茶屋 in Japanese) means tea room. It's like a cafe but in traditional Japanese style, specializing in traditional Japanese tea and sweets. You won't want to miss out on these beautiful salons! There are Chayas in Kyoto, Hokkaido, Mie, Nagano, and Oita.
PEANUTS Cafe - Official website for cafe addresses
PEANUTS Diner & Marine Walk, Yokohama
PEANUTS Cha-ya in Kyoto & Official page to see directions to all Chayas
Photo credits to PEANUTS Cafe Official Website
Buy PEANUTS Merchandise
3. Sanrio Cafe (Tokyo and Kamakura)
Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Pom Pom Purin, Little Twin Stars, Pochacco, Gudetama, Keroppi... there are so many Sanrio characters to enjoy at the Sanrio Cafe. The good thing about this cafe is that they have hearty meals on the menu. There are burgers for those who come hungry, and the burgers are obviously kawaii! For sweets lovers, there are dessert plates with pancakes and fruit. There are also fruit smoothies and lattes with Sanrio art.
Below are two more coffees from Sanrio, but they are for particular characters.
Directions- Tokyo
Directions - Kamakura
Browse Sanrio Goods
4. PomPomPurin Cafe (Tokyo)
If you are a fan of this adorable Sanrio character, you should drop this themed cafe for PomPomPurin. The cafe has a specialized decor, you can expect to be greeted by PomPomPurin’s classic yellow and brown. There are also special menu items which of course, will be impeccably decorated with PomPomPurin’s likeness, just in case you forget where you are.
Directions
Photo credits to PomPomPurin Official Website
Buy PomPomPurin Merchandise
5. Cinnamoroll Cafe (Tokyo/Osaka)
The king of Sanrio: Cinnamoroll. After being voted the most popular Sanrio character in the world, it's no wonder he has its own cafe.
Take a break from shopping in chaotic Shinjuku to enjoy a meal with your favorite cute pooch. There are foods like omurice (omelet rice), beef stroganoff, pasta, cakes, ice cream, and drinks of many kinds. There are fruity sodas for those who don't like coffee but want a nice drink. Like all character cafes, there is a store selling exclusive items such as stuffed animals, key rings, and bags. It's on the ground floor of the Marui Annex, so very convenient for travelers.
Update: A new Cinnamoroll cafe opened in Osaka on Aug 17th, 2023! Check out the official website.
Directions - Tokyo
Directions - Osaka
Buy Cinnamoroll Merchandise
6. Final Fantasy Cafe (Tokyo/Osaka)
The beloved Final Fantasy video game franchise comes to life at Cafe de Eorzea. It has locations in Tokyo and Osaka, where you can stop to enjoy its artistic interior decoration. The Akihabara cafe, in particular, has beautiful stained glass windows, Moogle sculptures, and a bar that looks straight out of the game screen. In Osaka, the tables and chairs are the same as in a video game tavern. Wait, a bar? Yes! You can order Final Fantasy alcoholic beverages to accompany your meal if you wish. Warning: You have to book in advance to enter the Tokyo location.
In Osaka, you can enter without reservation from Monday to Friday, but you have to reserve for Saturday or Sunday.
Directions - Tokyo
Directions - Osaka
Buy Final Fantasy Merchandise
7. Kirby Cafe (Tokyo/Hakata/Osaka)
The Kirby Café started as a limited-time café. It was so popular that they decided to reopen it as a permanent restaurant. Let me warn you: This coffee will destroy your wallet. It's not that the food is so expensive; it's average for a character cafeteria. The items in the store are just so cute and useful that you won't be able to get away without buying something. I love the crockery they sell, and the Kirby stuffed animals with a chef's hat. There are pizzas, burgers, loco moco, omurice, curry, and more. There are also cakes and ice cream for dessert. Warning: You have to book in advance to enter both locations. Go here to book in Tokyo, and go here to book in Hakata.
Directions - Tokyo
Directions - Hakata
2023 Update: A new Kirby Cafe Petit opened in Tokyo and Osaka serving exclusive Kirby cakes and sweets! No reservations are needed but there is a limit to the number of cakes one can buy each purchase. (2 of each type per customer, with a total overall limit of 8 items per customer)
Directions - Tokyo
Directions - Osaka
Buy Kirby Merchandise
8. Rilakkuma Tea House (Kyoto/Hiroshima)
Relax with Rilakkuma in these magnificent Japanese tea rooms. The menu varies slightly depending on the location, but both offer traditional Japanese food. Like the Snoopy Chaya, the interior has a natural and cozy look with lots of wood and Japanese motifs. The shops have traditional Japanese tableware, aprons, cosmetics, t-shirts, handbags, towels, and more! For travelers with a very tight schedule, you can also order takeaways, such as pancakes, to eat while strolling in beautiful Kyoto or Hiroshima. Warning: You have to make reservations using a number machine in the cafe. We recommend you arrive in the morning to reserve, and then you can enjoy Kyoto or Hiroshima without worrying about the reservation.
Directions - Kyoto
Directions - Hiroshima
Buy Rilakkuma Merchandise
9. Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory (Tokyo)
Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory is not actually a themed cafe but more like a patisserie that sells creamy Totoro-inspired cakes. However, we like it so much that we have included it in this list. You can find it in the Setagaya neighborhood of Tokyo, and you can choose to eat at TOLO, the restaurant upstairs where pasta is served, or grab a cupcake from the patisserie downstairs. If there is space, we recommend that you grab one of the tables to be able to accompany your cupcake with coffee.
Totoro cupcakes come in various flavors, many of which are limited editions. The custard (classic!) and chocolate ones are available all year round, but you can also get cookies from the patisserie to take back to your friends.
Oh, did we forget to mention that the owner is Hayao Miyazaki's sister-in-law? If you are a Studio Ghibli fan, you must visit this place.
Directions
Buy Totoro Merchandise
10. Anpanman Museum & Mall (Kobe)
This is not just a cafe but a whole museum and mall dedicated to Anpanman! A paradise for all Anpanman fans!
They sell a variety of gourmet foods featuring Anpanman and other characters from the story. As well as cute character bread handmade in the bakery of the mall. You can spend a whole day there. The shopping mall is free of admission while the museum only takes entries with reservations. Make reservations for the museum here at the official website in English.
Directions
Photo credits to Kobe Anpanman Museum & Mall Official Website
Buy Anpanman Merchandise
11. Doraemon Cafe (Kanagawa)
Another Japanese museum dedicated to talented Japanese manga and anime authors. The Fujiko F. Fujio Museum is based in Kanagawa, where the author of the famous Doraemon, lived during his childhood.
The museum has several themes such as games, comics, nature, and sci-fi, and of course a shop selling limited edition goods and a Doraemon-themed restaurant. Get your tickets here to visit this incredible museum.
Directions
Photo credits to Fujiko F. Fujio Museum Official Website
Buy Fujiko F. Fujio Merchandise
12. Kitaro Tea House (Tokyo)
Located in the nature of Japan, Kitaro Tea House was opened in front of Monzen of the Jindaiji Temple. GeGeGe no Kitaro is a classic Japanese Yokai anime created in 1960. The Kitaro tea house is inside a traditional Japanese house, serving retro Japanese sweets and desserts. You can also buy Kitaro merchandise, view the Kitaro gallery, or rest at the terrace space and enjoy the nature surrounding the Temple.
Directions
Photo credits to Kitaro Chaya Official Website
Buy Kitaro Merchandise
13. Gundam Cafe Yokohama Satellite (Yokohama)
Gundam Cafe is located inside the famous Gundam Factory in Yokohama. There is also a food truck that sells popcorn with HARO popcorn holder. There used to be more Gundam cafes in Japan but eventually, they all closed in 2021.
You can visit the magnificent real-size Gundam at the GUNDAM factory and purchase original Gundam merchandise there. Buy tickets now to visit.
Directions
Photo credits to Gundam Cafe Official Website
Buy Gundam Merchandise
14. Shaun The Sheep Village Cafe (Tokyo)
The Cafe is located inside Shaun Village, which is a Shaun The Sheep-themed restaurant that replicates the interior of the village house where Shaun lives. There is also a shop that sells exclusive merchandise like mugs and blankets.
The farm-themed menu is versatile with cute Shaun elements. They have pancakes, omurice, hamburgers, and delicious-looking desserts and drinks.
Directions
Photo credits to Shaun Village Official Website
Buy Shaun The Sheep Merchandise
15. Peter Rabbit Garden Cafe (Tokyo/Yokohama)
For Peter Rabbit fans, walk into the magical garden of Peter Rabbit full of florals and nature. Enjoy an English-style afternoon tea time at the beautiful cafe. They serve dishes that use fresh local ingredients and seasonal fruits and vegetables. The atmosphere is elegant, and relaxing, allowing you to soak in the British lifestyle like in the book.
There are 2 cafes, one located in Tokyo and one in Yokohama, which serve slightly different menus and have different interior styles. Check out their website for limited-time menus.
Directions - Tokyo
Directions -Yokohama
Photo credits to Peter Rabbit Garden Cafe Official Website
Buy Peter Rabbit Merchandise
16. Miffy Kitchen & Bakery (Tokyo/Kyoto/Fukuoka/Sapporo/Gifu/Saitama etc.)
(Photo: Miffy Kitchen in Yufuin, Kyushu)
Miffy is very popular in Japan and often collaborates with Japanese brands like Uniqlo, Nitori, and local fashion brands. It is no wonder that it has its own-themed kitchen and bakery all over Japan!
Currently, there are 9 stores in all Japan prefectures and they all have different storefront interiors, menus, and original goods. Miffy fans should definitely do a store rally to collect all the exclusive goods and cuteness from every unique store. From umbrellas to chopstick stands, these Miffy selections have you covered in every lifestyle item you need.
Most importantly, the fresh-made Miffy bread and Miffy-inspired menus look so tasty!
Address for all Miffy Kitchen & Bakery in Japan
Photo credits to Miffy Kitchen & Bakery Official Website
Buy Miffy Merchandise
17. Dick Bruna TABLE (Kobe/Yokohama)
Besides the Miffy Kitchen and Bakery, Miffy fans can visit the Dick Bruna TABLE if you feel like having a fancier meal. Located in Kobe and Yokohama, these Miffy-themed restaurants serve wine and course menus. It has takeaway on the 1/F, a shop and cafe on the 2/F, a bar on the 3/F, and a private venue for VIPs and events space for gallery shows.
The menu caters to wine pairing so you can enjoy a delicious palette while having nice conversations with your friends. They also offer afternoon tea and a party menu on request for all kinds of occasions. Make your reservations by choosing a location.
Directions
Photo credits to Dick Bruna TABLE Official Website
Buy Dick Bruna Merchandise
18. Sylvanian Families Kitchen (Saitama)
The Sylvanian Families are animal figures and collectibles that are well-known around the world. In Japan, besides having a Sylvanian Families theme park in Osaka, a Sylvanian Families-themed restaurant has opened in Saitama.
You can meet your favorite Sylvanian Families character and enjoy the vast menu with more than 20 choices of dishes. There are also menu sets catered for babies and special menus only for a limited time. And don't forget to shop at the store for original goods. Kids enjoy having their birthday parties there. This restaurant is fun for both adults and children.
Directions
Photo credits to Sylvania Families Kitchen Official Website
Buy Sylvanian Families Merchandise
19. Kamen Rider Diner (Kobe)
Speaking of Japanese superheroes, no one has heard of the classic Kamen Rider! First released in 1971, Kamen Rider has been very popular on television and there are still movies every year as the story goes on.
This Kamen Rider Diner is the official collaboration between Kamen Rider and Pasela Resorts. Showcasing rare Kamen figures and unique original merchandise, this Diner is a must-visit for every Kamen Rider fan. For each visitor, you will get original Kamen Goods as a welcome present. The restaurant's menu is super fun and there is always a limited-time menu based on the newest Kamen Rider.
Besides, the Diner is located in Ikebukuro, which is easily accessible in one of the centers of Tokyo.
Reserve here to experience the full Kamen Rider journey.
Directions
Photo credits to Kamen Rider the Diner Official Website
Buy Kamen Rider Merchandise
Also Read: THE HISTORY OF GODZILLA
20. "Unofficial Ghibli-themed" Kodama Cafe (Nagoya)
Kodama Cafe is not the official cafe run by Ghibli Studios, but it was discovered by Studio Ghibli when they were passing by the area and then their post sharing about the cafe went viral. The cafe is located around Osu neighborhood in Nagoya. Kodama Cafe serves Ghibli-inspired cuisines that replicate the actual food that appeared in Ghibli movies and they have a whole dedicated menu inspired by Ghibli.
As Ghibli Studio fans, this place is not to miss and is worth a visit!
Since its popularity online, we recommend making a reservation as soon as possible.
Make a direct reservation here.
Directions
Buy Ghibli Merchandise
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