The Japanese government seems to have finally reopened the gates and is welcoming visitors back into the country so here’s a quick list of five awesome character, game, and anime theme cafes for your next visit. Websites will be under the descriptions but unfortunately you'll need to grease up that ol' trusty translation plug-in on your browser as most of these are only in Japanese at the time of writing><
1. Final Fantasy Eorzeo Cafe - Tokyo and Osaka
The Final Fantasy Eorzea Cafe offers your tour of Tokyo a necessary and fun rest stop, a side quest if you will, to go on your list of things to do in Akihabara which is likely an overwhelming one if you are one of those with an inclination to "happen" to put the Electric Town at the top of your Japan trip itinerary. So you played through all 15 of the Final Fantasy games but though you love the series, it just never feels "Final" enough so that’s where this Final Fantasy themed cafe comes in. It is there to give you at least a temporary feeling of completion and suppress the urge to play the upcoming Final Fantasy 16. Erm, well.. theoretically speaking. But what does one get with a so-called, Final Fantasy Cafe? Could it really be that much different from a coffee shop like Starbucks? Ok, so first off, stop calling it a “a coffee shop”. It’s Eorzea, ok!? If you don’t know what that means then you probably need to move onto the next one on this list before a Noctis cosplayer escorts you out the door but that kind of possibility should also be enough to trigger all of the resources in your entire nervous system into a sweaty fright or flight googling for this place if it is indeed for you. But for those "just curious" readers still here with me, the entire interior is modeled after the city-state, Gridania, from Final Fantasy XIV with weapons from the actual games on the walls all around you. So do they play pedestrian top-20 radio music like in other cafes? Yeah, that'd be a solid, HECK-no! It’s Final Fantasy XIV music to the core for the hardest of hardcore- take no prisoners, ok? But why is this necessary? Because your drinks have character classes that even your 160 year old (the actual age of the writer of this blog) great-great-grandparents remember from the ancient Final Fantasy games like “Red Mage” and “Bard”!
Final Fantasy Eorzeo Cafe Website:
https://www.pasela.co.jp/paselabo_shop/ff_eorzea/
Image Source: https://www.pasela.co.jp/paselabo_shop/ff_eorzea/
2. Kirby Cafe - Tokyo, Hakata and Nagoya
At last your chance has come to inhale everything in sight around you with everyone's favorite lovable, round and literally all-consuming pink buddy! At the Kirby Cafe, there's no age limit on who can order from the "kids menu" because that's actually the only menu you're going to get at your table. Not only will you be able to stock up on all the Kirby goods that you knew you absolutely needed but you'll even live the dream of sipping from the kawaiiest of kawaii beverages with a popular Suikomi Caprese alongside an actual Kirby sitting on your plate after being instructed to "hurry and eat it before Kirby does!". You can even eat Kirby himself (a cruel fate for Kirby but with that appetite he really had it coming, didn't he?) and his friends with pink Kirby buns on your juicy avocado cheese burger or Waddle Dee swimming in your flavorful sweet curry. With a souvenir shop attached, you would assume it would have an exclusive "family trip vibe" and though conceptually it might be a kid-friendly place, the environment of the cafe is surprisingly a lot more mature and welcoming to us big kids than you'd expect. If you're a Kirby fan, put this one on your bucket list and don't miss an unforgettable lunch at Kirby Cafe!
Kirby Cafe Website:
Image Source: https://kirbycafe.jp/tokyo/
3. Pokémon Cafe - Tokyo and Osaka
Much like Kirby Cafe, Pokémon Cafe also has a connected store which has exclusive tableware and lovable plushies that are guaranteed to fill the void in your life (and suitcase). Here, like at other character cafes, you'll find your favorite characters joining you in your food and drinks. The cafe features a selection of impressively detailed Pokémon character latte art which you can choose when you order via tablet device much like at popular family restaurants in Japan such as Gusto and Johnathon's so you'll have considerably less worries about any awkward language issues or misunderstandings. However, you may want to keep your guard up for some surprise surrealism while eating your meal as a strikingly large but still very huggable Pikachu or Eevee will be lead out by cafe staff to greet everyone. Though the overall experience of the cafe is undoubtedly over the top, there also seems to be a general bummer consensus online that your bill might feel a bit high compared to the quality and quantity of the actual food you will be served. Bear in mind before you go that you'll likely be paying noticeably extra for the Pokémon theme and not just what's on your table. You can still expect to receive some free bonus stuff like coasters and placemats as well as a lot of priceless photo opportunities so don't miss out if you're a fan of this classic anime and video game.
Pokemon Cafe Website:
https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/en/
Image Source: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/en/
4. Sanrio Cafe - Tokyo and Kanagawa
Like both Kirby Cafe and Pokemon Cafe, Sanrio Cafe features a variety of similar character art on food such as sandwich bun stamps. Once again, here we have the cool latte art but this time in lovely Sanrio-esque pastel colors sure to pop in photos, making all your followers online vengefully jealous. Popular favorites from pretty much all corners of Sanrio such as My Melody and Little Twin Stars are with you everywhere you look inside the cafe. You'll also get a free coaster if you order from the drink menu which uniquely includes colorful smoothies with Keroppi and other popular Sanrio characters swimming inside. The store section might be a little underwhelming compared to other character cafes but there are some great souvenir items to help savor your memories of Japan like a Hello Kitty doll dressed in a kimono. Sanrio fans should have no problem being charmed by the character themed ice cream, crepes, donuts and burgers at this cafe but if you want to be healed even more by Sanrio cuteness on your Japan trip then you'll need to make a full-day stop at none other than Puroland!
Sanrio Cafe Website:
https://www.sanrio.co.jp/special/sanriocafe/
Image Source: https://www.sanrio.co.jp/special/sanriocafe/
5. Moomin Cafe - Tokyo
Many of us might tragically die alone but Moomin Cafe is here to at least make sure none of us dine alone. Breaking through the limitations of what a "cafe" can do for the world, this establishment indeed suggests a bold answer to the problem of modern society and growing isolation through the power of... plushy. Though there was once another Moomin Cafe in Fukuoka, today just one exists in Tokyo conveniently next to the Skytree tower. It offers something a little different in addition to being an example of a non-Japanese character cafe as the story, comics and cartoons originate from Finland but all have a huge fan base in Japan. This cafe actually got media attention worldwide with their ultimate cure for the epidemic of public loneliness by seating those who visit the cafe without a human companion with a Moomin, or, well, a stuffed... plushy representation of a Moomin to be more specific. Actually, the gesture extends and reaches into philosophically deeper questions by additionally giving tables with two or more people the opportunity to be seated with a Moomin, revealing the odd fact that we might feel alone...even with another human companion. This in more implicit terms might liven up those awkward silences... during regretful online dates or lunches with mom... that escalated into a talk about when you are going to get married somehow. It might be hard to pinpoint the exact meaning of the cafe's decision or precisely how it will heal humanity but ask anyone who has shared coffee with a Moomin plushy and they will certainly agree that it is time to put the past behind us and unlock the potential of plushies. They are clearly ready to fulfill their duties out of the house and into our communities where they can make us feel better everywhere. You know, despite their really being, well... speechless entities full of... cotton. Note that in order to effectively make a difference and launch this plushy revolution, the adjacent Moomin store allows you to even obtain your own personal Moomin companion to heal you at home and potentially everywhere else you go!
Besides changing the world, of course Moomin Cafe does everything at least as well as all of the other theme cafes as you'll see many of the expected features such as latte art of characters from the Moomin universe. However, the plates served at your table will not only be decorated with the cute hippo characters but the limit has been taken even further with the inclusion of actual structures that you'd see in the universe such as a highly detailed tower which functions to supply customers with cream and jam condiments. The level of detail is truly something to witness as even the bathrooms are decorated with illustrations and maps from the series. If you are a fan or even if this is your first time hearing about The Moomins, it is a very adorable comic and animation series with a truly unique art style so this cafe additionally serves as a great way to experience its world for the first time.
Moomin Cafe Website:
Image Source: https://www.moomin.co.jp/about/moomin-spots